Getting inked may be a new addition to the current era’s fashion trend but the fact is getting inked or a tattoo has been a traditional practice in rural regions of many countries, and especially India. India is a country of vast culture and tradition and tattoo is one of this tradition when old men and women used to ink their hands, legs, chest skin and even cheeks with different cultural meaning symbols and sings. But now, getting modified into this super sassy and snazzy fashion, people are preferring tattoos on their body that they want to be a part of their body or life forever. Getting inked is considered as crazy, insane, cool or free spirit to many people depending on their perception but, it is now a current trending fashion statement. From celebrities to common man, many people from different background and different standard are willing to get inked. Choosing the right thing, sign, name or symbol is all you need to think about when you’re opting for permanent tattoo. For many people getting a tattoo is sign of self-confidence, high self-esteem and for some people it helps to cover a scar or helps in self-expression. But the inevitable fact about these permanent tattoos is there are several disadvantages of getting a permanent tattoo. And we bet, many of you probably don’t have a single hint of idea about these disadvantages and we are here to throw some light on it. Here is the list of disadvantages:
1. Not eligible to donate blood
Blood donation is not a formality, rather it’s a responsibility of every individual. And getting inked takes away that opportunity and right to donate blood. According to Indian Medical Association and WHO, the person who has undergone the procedure of tattoo will not be able to donate blood for a year. The reason is it’s a precaution to check cross-contamination and blood-borne diseases like HIV, hepatitis etc. and also blood banks advise to allow the design heal by waiting up to 6-12 months.
2. Vulnerable to allergies
Another drawback of getting inked is getting skin allergies. And people with sensitive skin are more prone to skin allergies post getting tattooed. The reason is after getting a permanent tattoo inked on your body, you become vulnerable to rashes. Some common skin allergies that you would experience after getting tattooed for a year or more or may be lifetime are redness of skin, rashes, inflammation, scaly skin, bumps on skin, flaking of skin, red or purple nodules around the tattoo.
3. Post care difficulty
After getting a tattoo inked on your body, it is important to take a good care of your tattooed skin and your body. You need to follow the rules and norms advised by the tattoo professionals and if you don’t go according to the advisory rules, you’re going to experience tattoo related problems and getting rid of those infections or swellings won’t be that easy which is one of the serious disadvantages of getting a permanent tattoo. The tattoo artists ask you to follow some guidelines such as monitoring the progress of your tattoo from time to time to check any side effects, keeping the tattoo away from sun exposure for few weeks after the procedure, spending money and right amount of time in choosing right products to take care of tattoo, wearing loose fitting clothes to avoid sticking or friction of fabric on skin, keeping the tattoo area clean and hygienic, avoiding swimming till it heals.
4. Prone to infections
Another annoying disadvantage of getting inked permanently is the risk of infections. This may not happen to everyone as it completely depends on the expertise of tattoo artists, but if you haven’t chosen the right tattoo studio, there are certain infections that may be caused by the unsterilized or inappropriate needles used which increases risk of contamination. Hepatitis is one of those infections that is enough to cost your life.
5. Lead to risky health conditions
If you don’t get it done by a skilled artist or a professional for the sake of your budget, you might risk your life. There are chances of developing certain diseases such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Many people are naturally allergic to ink, while others may develop risk of getting diseases such as hepatitis due to contaminated needles or unsterilized devices used in low-cost parlors. Some people have even reported losing their eyesight while trying to get inked around the areas too close to their eyes.
6. May limit your career options and path
While people and society are being liberal to people’s personal choices and opinions still there always remains a hesitation by people to accept the ones with unconventional choices and their free spirit lifestyles. Getting a tattoo is still considered taboo by some people and that might affect the career path and options you get in your life which is another disadvantage of getting a permanent tattoo. Jobs associated with white-collar office usually don’t prefer to hire individuals with visible hand and face tattoos, even if the person is highly qualified and eligible. Ideal candidates for advertising, banking, news field are considered to be those who have decent presentable appearance and good-looking, and having no tattoos on their bodies that are easily and initially visible.
7. Permanently stays
Tattoos that are inked permanently are going to stay with you forever. So, do you think that ten years later, you’re really going to like whatever design or name you have inked on your body right now? There’s a risk that you could outgrow your own choices and preferences. For example, you have inked your spouse’s name on your hand not even beau that are highly possible going to change, and you believe your spouse is going to be there in your life but certain circumstances make you divorce your spouse and marry some other person would you prefer to live with that tattoo for the rest of your life? Would you regret over your decision or accept it?
Thus, before getting a tattoo think all possibilities clearly and make a decision choice of your tattoo and also choose the right spot to get inked on your body that won’t bother you for your career path and relationships in future.
