Deciding on a new tattoo after conception

Whether deciding to have a tattoo after becoming pregnant, or even if not pregnant, involves understanding the processes to make an informed decision. For pregnant women, this extends to understanding the impacts on the developing foetus too. Besides the meaning the tattoo may represent and unique feelings of identity associated with having a tattoo, and excluding health risks, the following process choices should be considered before going ahead with the tattoo, especially when pregnant:

• Preparing to have a tattoo
• Tattoo Procedures
• Tattoo Studios
• Tattoo Inks
• Types of Tattoos

Preparing to have a tattoo

Before having a tattoo, the skin is usually prepared to be inked. Part of this preparation requires hair removal. When pregnant, the skin can be much more sensitive and prone to irritation that poses a higher risk of wounds with infection. Hair removal agents, such as creams and wax, may cause skin allergies when pregnant, usually not experienced outside of conception.

Any hair removal substances, whether in preparation for a tattoo or not, should first be tested on patches of skin before applied to avoid allergic or irritation reactions. If wounds occur, such as tearing of the skin which may be thinner during pregnancy as it stretches, there is a higher probability of infection with bacteria that can be dangerous to both mother and unborn child. Laser hair removal is an option, but similarly should be carefully thought through and discussed with a healthcare professional before proceeding if pregnant.

Tattoo Procedures

Tattoo studios use electric tattoo machines with needles to apply tattoos. Through the needles, tattoo ink or pigment is spread through dermal tissue of and below the epidermal layer. The body usually initiates an immune system response to such foreign substances through rushing phagocytes to wound site for healing. This is what causes seeping of the tattoo wound and also crusting. Initially, the ink may lie on the dermis or epidermis surface but with age travels deeper into the skin layers causing fading of the tattoo.

Modern electric tattoo machines now use single disposable needles for safety, to prevent spread of infections and diseases. However, depending on adherence to health and safety standards and the training of the tattooists, infections may still be spread, such as if gloves are not worn and if a cloth or wipes are left out and touched.

Besides the type of ink mix that may be used and associated risks with trace metals, carriers are used to allow the ink to flow from the needle to permeate the skin. These carriers may be water, alcohol-based, or glycerine. Besides acting as disinfectant, these carriers also facilitate entry of chemicals into the bloodstream that may be harmful to the expectant mother and developing foetus, especially if bacteria are present too.

Tattoo Studios

In the UK, the Local Government Act (Miscellaneous Provisions) requires that businesses which provide permanent tattoos have to be registered with local authorities. The local authorities may inspect these premises at any time to check adherence to health and safety regulations. See the section on Tattoos and Regulation for further information about how tattoo studios are regulated. Before deciding on having a tattoo, it is recommended that you check if the studio is registered with the local authority and if they uphold health and safety regulations. In addition, make sure that:

• Gloves are used
• Autoclave sterilising equipment is present
• The studio is clean and no dirty wipes or cloths are present
• Single unopened disposable needles and sterile dressings are used
• The ink composition is explained
• Aftercare advice is provided with contact information for and availability of the tattooist

Tattoo Inks

In the United States, tattoo ink is classified as a colour additive and is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. On the other hand, pigments do not fall under these regulations. Some tattooists use ink while others use pigments or create mixes for innovative designs. Mixing the inks and pigments can have risks if they contain heavy metals that can cause cancer, damage reproduction or result in birth abnormalities.

Some tattooists choose to use inorganic materials like titanium dioxide or iron oxide, while others may use dyes from ash, or organic henna. Unless these tattoo substances are tested, the contents and their impacts on pregnancy may not be clearly understood. Tattoo inks and pigment mixes may also vary in terms of permanency and toxicity. If such chemicals enter the blood stream through the placenta, the baby can be contaminated and be born either dead or with deformity. Chemical contamination has the possibility of impacting the nervous systems of both the pregnant woman and foetus.

In addition, women who are pregnant may need Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans during pregnancy, and it their tattoo ink contains trace metals, the results may be distorted and the magnetic fields may interact with the ink metals causing harm such as burns. If low grade inks are used that contain toxic substances, the expectant mother and her unborn baby may experience infection or sickness.

Types of Tattoos

Types of tattoos not only differ by design, symbol or the composition of ink used, whether they are permanent or temporary, or the skill of the tattooist, but also how the tattoo originated. In the United States, the American Academy of Dermatology has identified five kinds of tattoos that include cosmetic (for beauty such as eyebrows), professional (by machine for modern tattoos), medical (to signify a health warning), amateur (less skilled or self-induced), and natural (such as through traumatic injury like lead).

Where natural tattoos may be unavoidable and may require medical attention, amateur tattoos carry risks due to the skill and type of materials used. Medical tattoos are usually controlled under medical circumstances while cosmetic and professional tattoos fall in the realms of the current discussion about modern tattoos for beauty and self-expression purposes.

Tattoos and Pregnancy:

• Tattoos and Pregnancy
• Pregnancy and maintaining existing tattoos
• Pregnancy and re-inking existing tattoos
• Deciding on a new tattoo after conception
• Tattoo Ink: Temporary or Henna

• Health risks: New tattoos and pregnancy
• Breast tattoos and breast feeding
• Navel or back tattoos when pregnant
• Pregnancy, tattoos, and stress
• Tattoos and Regulation