Unfortunately, quite a number of myths associated with tattoos have also arisen.  This article will try and dispel some of the most common ones.

Myths about Getting a Tattoo

One of the most prevalent myths associated with getting a tattoo is that it will hurt worse than anything imaginable.  While there is some pain involved, it can be likened more to a sunburn than childbirth as some people would have you believe.  In addition, a skilled and qualified tattoo artist has a number of techniques to ease the discomfort that you might feel.  The second myth is the idea that they bleed a lot.  In most cases, unless you have a clotting problem, this is simply not true.  On occasion there is minor bleeding when the tattoo is being filled in, but any bleeding will heal within about 10 minutes.  The bandages that you wear after getting the tattoo are simply to protect the sensitive skin.

Another common myth about getting the tattoo is that some inks hurt more than others.  In actuality, the color of the ink has little to do with the amount of pain involved with the tattoo.  Rather, the fact that lighter colors are often added at the end when the skin is more sensitive might have something to do with the creation of that myth. Another related myth is that certain shades fade faster than others, or that tattoos will eventually turn blue.  While this myth might have been somewhat true for inks used approximately 40 years ago, the current inks have been formulated to reduce fading and changing colors.

Myths about Tattoo Professionals

While the popularity of tattooing has increased over the decades, the artists who bring the artwork to life haven’t always been seen in the best light.  Quite a number of people see tattoo artists as being lazy, unintelligent, unable to get a real career, and possibly having a criminal past. In actuality, to become a qualified tattoo artist, a person has to undertake years of training, in types of pigments, time management, sterilization, hygiene, and dealing with blood.  In quite a number of states, they need to be licensed to even open up a tattoo parlor.  Plus, they need to have the intelligence to listen and take the ideas of their clients and transform them into beautiful artwork.  Given all they need to be able to do, tattoo artists need to be some of the most intelligent and dedicated people around.

Medical Myths about Tattoos

Another problematic set of tattoo myths is those associated with the medicine.  One common myth is that having a tattoo will cause the patient to experience more pain, or even their skin to explode when undergoing an MRI test.  The probably origin of this myth is the idea that tattoo pigment contains large amounts of metals such as mercury, lead or iron to maintain their vibrant colors.  While some inks may have miniscule amounts of metal in them, most of them are water based, and proven to be medically stable.  Even if the tattoo ink of your tattoo was drawn with pigments containing traces of metal, the amount is not enough to cause a reaction within an MRI. 

Often, the combination of pregnancy, tattoos, labor and delivery creates a lot of misgivings for many people.  While it is not advisable for a pregnant woman to get a tattoo due to the slight risk of obtaining diseases that can effect the health of both the mother and child, other tales of danger have been blown way out of proportion.

The first myth is that a pregnant woman who has a tattoo on her back cannot obtain an epidural to easy the pain during delivery.  In fact, some medical professionals will refuse to administer the epidural through a tattoo because they are afraid of the ink contaminating the medicine.

However, according to the American Pregnancy Association, a leading research and public relation group for pregnant women, very few studies have been done on the risks that could exist for women with back tattoos that also receive an epidural.  The studies that have been undertaken have not found data that indicate that there are risks.  However, since the evidence is still inconclusive, it is a good idea to contact the hospital that will be handling your delivery to find out their policy.

These are just a few of the common myths associated with tattoos and tattoo artistry.  With the growing popularity of this ancient art, it is important that those wanting a tattoo, or even those who simply interact with tattoo aficionados on a regular basis understand the difference between the myth and reality.