THINK
BEYOND
YOUR AGE
RISKS &
REGRETS
health risks
Unsanitary body modifications can result in serious health risks, including infections
like staph or dermatitis, blood-borne diseases like hepatitis or tetanus, or even keloid,
which is overgrown scar tissue. In past years, fragments of metal have been found in
some tattoo ink, leading to complications during MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
tests and has resulted in skin cancer for some (higher incidence with red ink).
real life regret
Despite objections from his parents, King Brown decided to go to a friend’s house last
February to get his first tattoo — a decision he almost instantly regretted. The ink on
the cross design he chose quickly seeped beyond the design’s borders, leaving him
with a permanent ink spot and a lot of disappointment.
“Most people come in
(for tattoo removal) because
it
they don’t like it. They got
when they were 17 or they
nt
want to be in law enforceme
or the military and have to
have it removed.”
- Dr. Marla Wohlman, M.D.
Montgomery, Alabama
removing regret
According to Dr. Marla Wohlman, yellow and green ink are very difficult to remove,
and depending on the size and amount of detail on the tattoo, the patient will need
multiple treatments 4 to 8 weeks apart before the tattoo is completely gone. The cost
for a laser removal procedure can vary depending on the size and could take anywhere
from 5 to 50 minutes per treatment. Dr.Wohlman charges by the minute: $360 for 15
minutes, $600 for 30 minutes, or $700 for 45 minutes.
www.potentialmagazine.com
14% OF AMERICANS
HAVE A BODY PIERCING
OTHER THAN EAR LOBES
19