Health Implication of Body Modification Tattoos - Literature review Example

Health implication of body modification tattoos Health implication of body modification tattoos Purpose of the Literature The purpose of this literature is to examine health implications brought forth by the practice of body tattooing. Similarly, the paper seeks to understand the current legislations guiding the entire practice of body tattooing in the UK. After examining all the literatures and issues related to body tattooing, the paper will provide recommendations to harmonize these practices. In addition, the paper will trace the history of tattoo practice in the UK and feasibly in the global view. Introduction Body modification such as body tattoos are described as ancient practices of body modification that have gained prominence in the contemporary society, especially among the youth. The practice of body tattooing involves the addition of colored dyestuff into the dermal layers of the skin with the aim of creating a permanent marking. In the modern world, body tattoos are applied with the use of electronically powered handheld tattoo machine and deposit the ink through the dermis of the skin (DeMello, 2000). The activity of body tattoos and modification has had a long history among different cultures such as America, Africa, Asia, Oceania, and Europe (Doss & Hubbard, 2009). Virtually, body modification has been documented in every culture, and most cases were used to pass various messages such as religion commitment, group identity, and individuality. Historically, body tattoos as body modification were associated with criminals, sailors and Jews who in camps during the World War II. Basing on the studies of Clerk (2009), body tattoos are part of the current daily lives, and it is not strange seeing being people with small tattoo design or tattoos all over the body (Caplan, 2000). In that regard, it is postulated that body tattoos are widely accepted as a way of personal expression. In addition, body art design is no longer perceived as a badge of rebellion irrespective of the kind of job. According to the interpretation put forth by Jones is that the face should be tattooed as it is forms the image of the divine beauty. On the other hand, Gustafon identified three kinds of penal tattoos. The first type inscribed the type of the crime on the victim’s body (Clerk, 2011). Then, the other two types write the name of the emperor and finally the type of the penal punishment that the criminal will receive. Wollrab, Stahl and Kappeler (2007) argue that body tattoos and modification were correctly used in initiation rights and thus proving identity of a certain group. In the contemporary society, individuals with tattoos are perceived differently. In the context of the UK, it is believed that most of the Anglo-Saxon England kings were tattooed. In essence, the prominence of body tattoo in the UK is depicted to have grown during the period when there was increased contact with non-European cultures (Bánfalvi, 2014). In most cases, the England kings were attracted to tattoos when they made voyages to the Asian regions such as China and Japan who embraced the practice of tattooing. Most articles on body tattooing published in the last decade, illustrate that tattoos are experiencing a growing popularity especially in the Western societies, UK included (Cegolon, Benetton, Mazzoleni & Mastrangelo, 2010). It is prospected that in the near future the practice of body tattoos is going to increase following the current trend and changes in perception and attitudes towards tattooing. More specifically, body tattoos emit a visible sign and meaning to the social role of those involved in the practice. Gustafon and Jones (2000) are interested in the visibility messages of body tattoos. Jones argued that the act of tattooing the forehead was relatively common in the past until the 4th century when one of the Roman Emperors; Constantine unambiguously forbade marking the face with tattoos. Instead, Constantine recommended that the calves or the hands be tattooed (Goudey, 1995). In the context of the body tattoos safety, there have been recent emerging concerns. The core subject matter of discussion is the health implication and health risks involved in the process of body tattooing (Sawyer, 2007). Additionally, there has been considerable concern regarding the absence of clear and concise legislative background in the UK, EU, and at the world scale. Methodology The methodology used to review the literature involved the use of an electronic database. Precisely, the data and literature review was obtained from the University of Northampton search engine; NELSON. A total of three sets of keywords were used. The first keywords; body tattooing was key into the NELSON search engine under the ‘Journal Articles’ category. To get more detail on the topic another keyword; body tattooing was used under the category of ‘everything’ to explore all available information. The third set of keywords used to gather information on body tattooing was regulations for tattooing in the UK under the ‘Journal Articles’ category. As such, the methodology used provided relatively concrete data regarding health implications for body tattooing as well the background of legislation and regulation of this practice in the United Kingdom. As stated earlier the scope of the literature covers the whole of the UK, though the literature also provides some insights from the global perspective. The primary focus of the paper is to examine the health implications for body tattooing. Additionally, the paper seeks to understand the regulation of body tattoos in UK. The language used in reviewing the literature is UK and the American English. More importantly, the historical literature perception and origin of body tattooing was taken into consideration (Gilbert, 2000). In that respect, articles focusing on the source of the tattoos practice as well as those reviewing tattoos practice in the modern society were selected. The maximum time utilized in reviewing the literature was approximately three weeks. Three articles and one official report were used in the review. Findings Tattoo was found to be the oldest form of modification which involves permanent inscription. As such, it means that the chemistry involved is quite complicated and tactical. As a matter of fact, during the process of tattooing, colored pigment is inserted into the dermal of layer of the skin. According to medic experts, the cells of the dermis are more stable; thus the ink can stay in place for a person’s lifestyle. This indicates that permanent tattoos are likely to remain the same as long as one lives. For this matter, this poses a severe implication for health. According to the reviewed articles, the most common problems resulting from body tattoos are allergic reactions and skin infections due to the tattoo ink. Similarly, extensive skin puncturing can lead to prolonged leaking of serosanguinous fluid and bleeding. Furthermore, skin can react to tattooing which results in acquired sensitivity to tattoo ink and aseptic inflammation. This is common especially with red ink but also cadmium in yellow ink, chromium in green ink, and cobalt in blue ink. No doubt, tattoos can result to health problems that can risk the state of the body. Despite the fact, that tattooing is associated with various health hazards; most people are not aware or ignore the effects caused by this practice. There is adequate literature to justify that the spread of Blood-borne viruses (BBV) is due to tattooing. Another problem associated with tattooing is the risk involved during the exact process. At the moment, there is no specific requirement to be a tattooist. This means that one is not required to attend a tattooing training neither do their businesses have a particular requirement (Virginia & Virginia, 2011). Caine (2001) noted the lack of consistency in practitioner training and that most of them learn from friends or watch videos. Contrary to that, Clerk (2009) differs from Caine; Clerk believes that tattooing is a practice that one learns out of experience and passion same to observing regulations associated with it. Moreover, a number of authors have done infection control assessment in tattooing areas. Barnett et al. (2003) notes that despite the fact that environmental health officers (PHOs) carry health and safety hazards inspection frequently; they do not understand the type of inspection control risks (DeMello, 2000). Therefore, it is suggested that EHO should involve infection control personnel in their inspection (Baumgartner & Gautsch, 2000). Again, EHO ought to have legal entry authorities to avoid any resistance that might arise from the practitioners. Beard and Carroll (2000) identify health risks associated with the tattooing machine. This electronic device has a lumen through which a sterile needle is used for each client (Behrens, Rauner & Caulkins, 2008). After using, the needle and placed in an ultrasonic machine in order to remove debris prior to sterilization in an autoclave. This process can cause health risks; cross contamination if not managed well. There is a general view that legislation and regulation of body tattooing in the UK is weak. According to Safety and Health Executive Committee (2001), state that business performing tattooing, electrolysis, piercing, branding and acupuncture in London must get the license to operate from the local authority (Chalmers, 2009). Nonetheless, this order is not entirely complied with since there are several businesses operating without the license (Chalmers & Edinburgh Napier University, 2011). Furthermore, outside the city of London, there is no law or regulation requiring the local authority to inspect businesses doing body tattooing. It is the responsibility of the local authority to create and implement by-laws under the Health and Safety Act 1974 to guarantee the safety of the people visiting tattooing studios. Theoretically, businesses doing tattooing have no need to register under the existing law. The Tattooing of Minors Act of 1969 forbids the tattooing of people under the age of 18 years (Chalmers, 2009). Nevertheless, most tattooing studios have a voluntary code regarding age. This allows anybody including those under the age of 18 years to have tattoos. However, the articles do not give the current state of laws and legislations used in UK in detail. Thus, it becomes hard to understand the issue of law of tattoo practice. Areas of further study Further research should address the following; first, Healthy and Safety of tattooing studios and the other area of interest is regulation and legislation of tattoo practice. Recommendation Since the practice body tattooing is growing steadily; there must be some measures in place to avoid any health, as well as social issues resulting from it. First, it is paramount for practitioners to make customers aware of the risks involved in the tattooing and how to mitigate any adverse effect that might occur (Hanlon, 2003). On the other hand, it is highly recommended that practitioners be trained. Through training, practitioners will have the knowledge, skills and ethics on how to undertake the process. Moreover, the local authority should carry out frequent inspection. Besides assessing the premises, the authorities must also examine other factors such as the skills of the practitioners (Matsushita, Takakawa & Matsubayashi, 2004). Consequently, there should be clear legislation and laws regarding the entire business of body tattooing. Conclusion Conclusively, there is no doubt that the perception of body tattooing has entirely changed. Contrary to the past decades where tattooing was considered to belong to a particular group or culture, in the modern world tattooing is an upcoming fashion. Irrespective of its increasing rate especially among the youth, tattooing is associated with various health implications, most of which affect the skin. Indeed, the perception as well as the attitude people had towards body tattooing has shifted within the society in the last decades. Technically, body tattooing is no more associated with vulnerable groups and non-mainstream culture. Again, it is not linked to criminals and deviancy; rather it is widely accepted and appreciated as part of the modern consumer culture. Similarly, it is provided in culture and mainstream culture as well. Precisely, many judgments and stereotypes remain revolving around two main forms of body modification; body tattoo being the main one (OSullivan, Marquardt, Wolferman & Huppert, 2001). Recent researches done in the West reveals that social leaders associate body tattooing to rebellious groups, sociopaths, and criminals. Contrary to that, other members of the community perceive body tattooing as a form of fashion which is primarily seen in celebrities and models. Nonetheless, the modern day researchers are relatively limited as it focuses on the European and American contexts (Wohlenhaus, 2009). Though most literatures offer a concrete understanding on the flights of social motivations and perceptions towards tattooing in Western civilizations, there is limited knowledge of the view of changes of body tattooing modifications some parts of the world. The review of the articles indicates health impacts and risks resulting from body tattooing are diverse and must be addressed. References Baumgartner, A., & Gautsch, S. (2000). Hygienic-microbiological quality of tattoo- and permanent make-up colours. doi:10.1007/s00003-010-0636-5 Bánfalvi, A. (2014). The modern masters of tattooing. Behrens, D. A., Rauner, M. S., & Caulkins, J. P. (2008). Modelling the spread of hepatitis C via commercial tattoo parlours: implications for public health interventions. Or Spektrum. doi:10.1007/s00291-007-0090-7 Caplan, J. (2000). Written on the body: The tattoo in European and American history. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. Cegolon, L., Miatto, E., Bortolotto, M., Benetton, M., Mazzoleni, F., & Mastrangelo, G. (2010). Body piercing and tattoo: awareness of health related risks among 4,277 Italian secondary school adolescents. BMC Public Health. doi:10.1186/1471-2458-10-73 Chalmers, C. (2009). Debating the appropriateness and effectiveness of regulation as a mechanism to manage and control the risk to health from tattooing and body piercing activities. Journal of Infection Prevention. doi:10.1177/1757177409105651 Chalmers, C. (2009). Appraising the need for tighter control over the practices of the tattooing and body piercing industry. Journal of Infection Prevention. doi:10.1177/1757177409105650 Chalmers, C., & Edinburgh Napier University. (2011). Regulatory compliance in Scotlands tattooing and cosmetic body piercing industry: A concurrent mixed methods study. Edinburgh: Edinburgh Napier University. Clerk, C. (2011). Vintage tattoos: A sourcebook for old-school designs and tattoo artists. London: Carlton. DeMello, M. (2000). Bodies of inscription: A cultural history of the modern tattoo community. Durham, NC: Duke University Press. Doss, K., & Hubbard, A. S. (2009). The Communicative Value of Tattoos: The Role of Public Self-Consciousness on Tattoo Visibility. Communication Research Reports. doi:10.1080/08824090802637072 Gilbert, S. (2000). Tattoo history: A source book : an anthology of historical records of tattooing throughout the world. New York: Juno Books. Goudey, R. E. (1995). Infection control in tattooing in Victoria: An evaluation of current policy, using measures of knowledge, attitudes and practices. Hanlon, D. L. (2003). Beyond the "English Method of Tattooing": Decentering the Practice of History in Oceania. The Contemporary Pacific. doi:10.1353/cp.2003.0009 Matsushita, M., Takakawa, H., & Matsubayashi, Y. (2004). Effective endoscopic tattooing technique. Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. doi:10.1016/S0016-5107(04)01303-3 OSullivan, D., Marquardt, T., Wolferman, T., Huppert, J., & SVE & Churchill Media (Firm). (2001). Tattooing & body piercing: Thinking smart about body art. Chicago, IL: SVE & Churchill Media. Sawyer, S. (2007). Body piercing and tattooing: The hidden dangers of body art. New York: Rosen Pub. Vanston, D. C., & Scott, J. M. (2008). Health risks, medical complications and negative social implications associated with adolescent tattoo and body piercing practices. Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies. doi:10.1080/17450120802017728 Virginia, & Virginia. (2011). Tattooing regulations: Last updated September 1, 2011. Richmond, VA: Virginia Dept. of Professional and Occupational Regulation. Wohlenhaus, K. (2009). Skin health information for teens: Health tips about dermatological concerns and skin cancer risks including facts about acne, warts, allergies, and other conditions and lifestyle choices, such as tanning, tattooing, and piercing, that affect the skin, nails, scalp, and hair. Detroit, MI: Omnigraphics. Read More