The art of tattoo making has existed for centuries and is significant in many cultures. Getting inked may seem very easy, but finding San Diego tattoo artists is difficult. It would help if you considered a few things before getting a tattoo. 

Continue reading to know more.

Understand The Know-how

Usually; tattoo artists use a hand-held machine with one or more needles that pierce the skin repeatedly. Every puncture of the needle inserts tiny droplets of ink into your skin. The process does not involve any anesthetic and thus can cause significant pain and small bleeding. Research the entire process, and if you feel like something is off or have any questions, let your artist know about it. 

Know The Risks

You must know the risks of getting a tattoo before you get yourself inked. Since tattoos breach the skin, they may lead to skin infections and other complications. Hence it would help if you got inked only after understanding the risks and dealing with them.

• You can get allergic reactions to tattoo dyes, especially green, yellow, and blue. The reactions can cause itchy skin at the tattoo site. Allergic reactions can occur even years after getting a tattoo.
• In severe conditions, an area of inflammation can form around the tattoo ink, called a granuloma. Tattoos can also lead to keloids which are raised areas caused by an overgrowth of scar tissue.
• Bloodborne diseases can also be a part of getting tattooed if the equipment used for the tattoo is contaminated with infected blood. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and hepatitis B and C are some diseases spread due to contaminated tattoo needles.
• In some rare situations, tattoos may also cause swelling or burning in the tattooed areas during an MRI exam(Magnetic Resonance Imaging). The tattoo pigments can also interfere with the quality of the image.

Safety Precautions

• Consult Your Dermatologist.

Your dermatologist will help you decide whether getting a tattoo would be a good idea since you never know how the ink and the chemicals in it will react with your skin. It is important if you have sensitive skin or if your skin is prone to allergies. It is better to be safe than sorry.

• Check If It Is A Licensed Studio.

Since tattooing includes potential health risks, tattoo licensing regulates and governs the practice. Although there are no federal laws on the regulations and practice of tattooing, states have passed laws regarding licensing tattoo studios. Hence, it is better that you choose a licensed tattoo studio.

• Who Does The Tattooing?

Make sure that you only go to an authentic tattoo artist. For this, you can list all the reputable San Diego tattoo artists and choose the best one from them. Also, see to it that the studio is respected and only employs well-trained employees. You can also check with your city health department for information on local licensing and regulations.

• Is The Tattoo Artist Wearing Gloves?

Ensure the tattoo artist wears a fresh pair of protective gloves before every procedure.

• Proper Equipment

The artist should use proper equipment and remove the needles and tubes from sealed packages before the procedure begins. Also, the pigments, trays, and containers should be unused.

• Sterilizing Non-disposable Equipment

An ideal tattoo artist will use a heat sterilization machine to sterilize the disposable equipment between customers. Those supplies and instruments that cannot be fixed, like drawer, handles, sinks, and tables, should be disinfected, or you must use a bleach solution after using these.

• Cleanliness 

Make sure the tattoo artist is hygienic. Observe their workplace, and if it is too dusty or dirty, there may be chances that they are not particular with their tattoo hygiene either. If your body gets contaminated while getting the tattoo, it can lead to many infections, as discussed before. Please ensure everything they use for you comes out of a sealed package.

• Avoid Alcohol

Avoid drinking alcohol before getting a tattoo, as alcohol thins your blood. When getting inked, your skin will bleed due to the wound. If your blood gets thinner, it will bleed even more. Excessive bleeding can also compromise the artist’s visibility and lead to a messy design, or it can thin the ink, making the design appear patchy.

• Prepare Yourself Well

If you want to promote wound healing, follow the preparation steps well. Eat a heavy meal at least an hour before the procedure, avoid alcohol for 24 hours, drink lots of water, have a good sleep the previous night, do some stretching and wear the right clothing.

• Learn About The Laws Regarding Getting Inked.

Many countries have a minimum age for getting tattoos or specific instructions on tattoos for government jobs. So make sure that you are aware of the local laws.