I always want to have a tattoo but i’m scared
I’m 18 yrs. old and been always dreaming on getting a tattoo on my arm and back. When i read a couple of article that tattoos can cause skin cancer or HIV, i got scared of having one. any advice?
One of our readers asked this question, and the following are ansers :
1.Correlation is not causation. If you’re ever in statistics you’ll learn that. Meaning, just because someone that got a tattoo got cancer doesn’t mean the tattoo gave them cancer. Family history that includes skin cancer and not taking care of your skin will increase your chance of skin cancer whether you have a tattoo or not.
Also, if you go to a clean, certified tattoo shop and ask the person to SHOW you the needle still in the package and you seem him take it out of the package then the chances of HIV are pretty much none.
If you really want a tattoo you should go for it and not let biased articles stop you from doing what you want! Just make sure to take the necessary precautions for you to be safe! 
2.If you go to a legit shop, then there shouldn’t be a high risk of HIV. Skin cancer? This should be one of the most rarest things and if it does happen it isn’t because of the tattoo itself, it would be because of genes and a growing cancerous cell, if you really are scared about this, then I suggest getting checked out by a dermatoligist first. The amount of ink in your blood stream is very low and unharmful. When you go get your tattoo, make sure the guy pulls a needle and everything that is going to be on you from a sealed plastic case. Everything they use on you is sterilized. If you ever heard of people catching HIV from getting a tattoo they most likely did it underground. This is highly uncommon in a tattoo shop.
3.I have never heard of them causing skin cancer, but HIV or hepatitis are valid concerns. However, when you go into a tattoo parlor, if it looks like a dirty place, turn around and leave. Check into your state’s regulations. Are the parlors licensed in your state? If so ask to see their current license.
All tattoo artists now days generally use new needles for every person. They send them off to be sterilized and returned in sealed packages, that they should open in front of you.
The artist should also be wearing surgical gloves the entire time too.
If anything strikes you as not being sanitary, then leave.
It’s not written in stone that you have to get a tatt at any one shop.
4.The chances are very low. I know at least 20 people with tattoos and none of them contracted HIV or any other diseases. The cause of those were from lack of cleanliness in the tattoo shop. If you’re worried ( and even if you’re not) To be safe You should check out a few places and decide where you want to get it done. arrange a consultation, and see the tattoo artists. it’s your body and you can never be too safe, so make sure you know EXACTLY what’s going to happen, who is doing your tattoo and what they do to clean their tools, how ofter etc.
I would also recommend looking at your artists portfolio before getting your tattoo done.
