As the art of tattooing has become more popular and more and more people look into getting this form of artwork, many tattoo myths have begun to form. There are many misconceptions about tattoos and the impacts that receiving one will have on your body. Being aware of these different tattoo myths and knowing what information has simply been misconstrued and relayed over time is important if you are wanting to get a tattoo. The following will look at a few tattoo facts and myths and whether or not they are true!
1. Can’t Get a Tattoo While Pregnant
Many people assume that you cannot get a tattoo while you are pregnant. This is considered to be true, but only for the first twelve weeks of pregnancy, while you are still in the first trimester. During your second trimester, it is generally considered safe to get a tattoo, but you should consider speaking to a medical professional before making an appointment! While this is one of the tattoo myths that is true for some part, you can still consider getting a tattoo while you are pregnant!
2. Tattoos Lead to Cancer
As far as tattoo myths go, insinuating that tattoos can lead to cancer is untrue and has not been proven. If this is a concern for you, or if you have a high risk of getting cancer due to genetics, looking into which tattoo parlors near you do not use ink that contains carcinogens can be a good way to ensure you are not at risk of developing cancer due to the ink pigmentation used in tattoos. Carcinogens refer to substances that are known to cause skin cancer and avoiding inks that contain these ingredients can ensure you are protecting your body!
3. Tattoo Artists Always Use the Same Needle
This is one of the tattoo myths that is definitely not true, especially if you are getting your tattoo done by a reputable tattoo studio! In order to ensure that blood and bacteria are not transferred from one person to another, a tattoo artist will always use brand-new needles! These needles will also be sealed in a package to ensure that they are sanitized and have not been used on another individual.
4. White Tattoo Ink Causes More Pain When Applied to The Skin
White ink is actually not more painful when applied to the skin unlike some tattoo myths may state. One of the reasons why individuals may experience a bit more pain when it comes to lighter coloring is that a tattoo artist will usually apply this ink during the final stages of the tattooing process. As your skin is usually more sensitive at this point, it often feels a bit more painful compared to the darker colors that are used at the beginning stages! This is one of the important things to know about tattooing, particularly if you are worried about pain!
5. You Have to Be 18 to Get a Tattoo
A lot of information about tattoos is often misconstrued and the tattoo myths about having to be 18 years or older to get a tattoo is one of the misconceptions! If you are under 18 years of age, you will be allowed to get a tattoo if a parent or guardian signs off on the procedure. As one of the most common myths about tattoos, it is important to know that if you are underage and want to get a tattoo, you will have to have a parent or guardian’s permission to do so, or you will not be allowed to get your tattoo done.
6. Multicolored Tattoos Can’t Be Removed
Another one of the most common tattoo myths is that multicolored tattoos cannot be removed from the skin. With developments in laser surgery removal made all the time, the removal of tattoos has become easier and more available. If you have a tattoo that you are wanting to get removed, you will need to consult with a medical professional in order to see about your options when it comes to tattoo removal.
7. Applying a Lot of Ointment Can Heal a Tattoo Faster
Another one of the tattoo myths that has gained a lot of traction is the myth around applying more ointment to heal a tattoo faster. Antibacterial ointment in no way impacts the length of time that it will take for a tattoo to heal, but rather stops the tattoo from becoming infected. If a tattoo does become infected, it will take longer for the artwork to heal so it is important to keep up application and follow the aftercare instructions that will be given by the tattoo artist!
8. With a Tattoo, Donating Blood is Not Possible
Another one of the most common tattoo myths is that if you have a tattoo, you are unable to donate blood. Having a tattoo in no way impacts your ability to donate blood but it is recommended that you want at least six to twelve months before doing so. This is due to the fact that you may have picked up an infection that your body will need to get rid of before you are able to donate. If you donate blood with an infection, it will be useless to a blood bank and will be disposed of before reaching any person in need of it.
9. A Tattoo Fades Away When You Get Old
There are many different myths about tattoos and they may contribute to you being wary about receiving this form of artwork on your skin. One of the tattoo myths that has been commonly associated with tattooing is that your tattoos begin to fade as you get older. While tattoos do fade and you more than likely will have to get a few touch-ups done over the years, this has to do with the quality of the ink used when receiving your tattoo rather than your age. Faded tattoos are also determined by how well you take care of the tattoo you have and whether or not you spend a lot of time outside in the sun without covering the skin or applying sunscreen. If you properly care for your tattoo, you should not have to go for many touch-ups to keep up the aesthetic and look of the tattoo!
10. Tattoos Hinder Your Ability to Find a Job
When it comes to tattoo myths, the concept of tattoos impacting your ability to find a job has always been a large debate. While this myth can be true in some instances, tattoos have become so common that it is definitely not a reason to avoid getting a tattoo! Depending on the industry you are in and whether you are in an office or work from home, having tattoos should not impact your job! And if you are worried that it will, considering the placement of the tattoos that you get can be a great way to ensure that this does not become an issue later in life! Getting a tattoo in areas that are easily covered by clothing can be a great way to ensure that your ink work does not impact your ability to find a job.