The skin hosting a fresh tattoo comprises two significant physiological changes that may increase the rate of absorption of a transdermal drug: A damaged or partially removed stratum corneum by the repeated injection of micro-needles; Vasodilated cutaneous vasculature secondary to an inflammatory response.
But something happens, he adds, when a person goes heavy on the ink. Says Koch: "They are ten times more likely to have an arrest history, a four-fold increase in drug use, other than marijuana, and there's a five-fold increase in having had nine or more sex partners in the last year."
Also be wary of taking any kind of pain medication that thins your blood or affects its ability to clot, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, lest you want to bleed more while getting tattooed.
Once the ink is inserted into the dermis, it doesn't all stay put, research is finding. Some ink particles migrate through the lymphatic system and the bloodstream and are delivered to the lymph nodes. Research on mice suggests some particles of ink may also end up in the liver.
As noted above, when you get a tattoo, the body's immune system immediately bolsters itself to fight off infection, but research has found that this happens not just at the “injured” tattoo site but throughout the entire body, and the response has shown to be cumulative.
It's unknown exactly how long it takes for all of the ink particles to be removed from the body, but it is thought to be a process that could take years. In the meantime, the ink particles that do circulate through the body are believed to be harmless.
Tattoo ink does not end up in the liver, turning it black with toxins.
Research published in The British Journal of Dermatology found that the nanoparticles in tattoo ink are so small they can penetrate through the skin layers and into the bloodstream. These particles have potential toxic effects in the brain, cause nerve damage and may even be carcinogenic.
But in the ancient Middle East, the writers of the Hebrew Bible forbade tattooing. Per Leviticus 19:28, “You shall not make gashes in your flesh for the dead, or incise any marks on yourselves.”
Risk of Infection
Infection is the most significant risk of getting a tattoo before plastic surgery since tattoos are made by depositing ink into the skin via needles. An active skin infection can create complications leading to more severe conditions and needing revision surgery.
Getting tattooed while taking antibiotics is not possible. Your body is already fighting off an infection, putting you at risk of contracting additional infections. Antibiotics also force out foreign antibodies—which is exactly what tattoo pigment is. The tattoo will not heal well with antibiotics in your system.
One of the most common psychological explanations for tattoos is that they are a form of risk-taking behavior. This theory suggests that people who get tattoos are more likely to be impulsive and thrill-seeking. They may also be more likely to take other risks, such as engaging in risky sexual behaviors or using drugs.
while you can't have a tattoo addiction, per se, it can be a dependence where you feel some elements of need and withdrawal…and perhaps spend too much time or money getting work… Being tattooed can also lead to an adrenaline rush of sorts. It's the body tolerating annoyance and pain coupled with excitement and change.”
Research has proven that multiple tattoos boosts the immune system. When the tattoo ink enters the body, the immune system attacks the ink. Each time that person goes for a new tattoo, the more their body undergoes that same process again and again, improving the immune system each time.
Tattoos might make you feel good
There are the obvious chemical responses, for starters: You're going to have a rush of adrenaline, because someone is coming at you with a needle. And you're going to get some pretty nice endorphins, too -- your body's chemical response to pain -- which can make you sort of high.
The side effect is that the lymph nodes take on the same color as your tattoo. There is also some evidence to suggest that tattoo ink particles can travel through the blood and become lodged in the liver.
The stronger the magnetic field, the more likely the tattoos are going to be a problem and could cause skin discomfort. If you need an MRI, you may want to ask for a lower-strength MRI machine because that may lessen the chance of skin discomfort or burning.
Thus, the needle penetrates the skin through the epidermis and into the papillary layer of the dermis, where the ink particles accumulate.
If you over treat that, you risk overloading the lymphatic system and as a result overloading the liver and kidneys. If your tattoo was done with really dodgy ink, this can then either move you into blood poisoning or infection.
The constant needle pricks can be physically draining for the body. As a result, the body can go into “fight or flight” mode and release adrenaline, which can cause feelings of fatigue and exhaustion. This adrenaline rush is a natural response to stress and pain, and it can have a significant impact on the body.
The ink is trapped underneath, in the top layer of the dermis, which is where it will stay. This depth allows the tattoo to stay permanent, while also allowing bodily functions like hair growth and sweat to continue. The depth a tattoo needle goes to is very precise and important!
Although not always the case, tattoos can make it harder to see veins due to the ink pigment. This can make it harder for the nurse or paramedic to find one visually, but as noted, they can also feel for veins obscured by the tattoo.