Why Cant U Get A Tattoo While Pregnant?
Risks Associated with Getting Tattooed While Pregnant – There are some known risks of getting a tattoo , and some of those risks can cause major complications in pregnant women. You should be aware of these risks before deciding to get a tattoo while pregnant.
- Infection;
- One of the main risks of being tattooed is the chance of an infection;
- If your tattoo artist uses contaminated or dirty needles, you could be at risk of getting bloodborne infections, such as hepatitis B;
A mother with hepatitis B can easily pass on the infection to her baby at birth. Babies with hepatitis B have a 90% chance of developing a lifelong infection, and one in four of them will die of health complications from the infection if it is left untreated.
Other bloodborne infections, like hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), can also be contracted from unsterile tattoo needles. There is a 6% chance of a mother with hepatitis C passing on the infection to her child.
Without treatment, the chance of a mother with HIV passing on the infection to her child can range from 15% to 45%. Toxic tattoo inks. Even though the average tattoo needle is only poked ⅛ of an inch into the skin, some tattoo ink contains heavy metals like mercury, arsenic, and lead.
- These ingredients can pose a threat to your developing baby, particularly in the first trimester when the main organs are developing;
- Exposure to heavy metals can affect your baby’s brain development;
- It can also increase your chances of having a miscarriage or stillbirth;
Skin changes during pregnancy. When you are pregnant, your body is constantly growing and changing to accommodate the baby inside. Depending on where you get a tattoo, your ink might not look the same after you’ve given birth and your body has healed. Your skin can change in other ways as well.
- Melasma , or temporary darkening of the skin, and increased skin sensitivity is common in pregnancy and can affect how your tattoo looks or how you react to being tattooed;
- Inability to receive epidurals;
You’ve probably heard the rumor that women with a lower back tattoo can’t get an epidural, but there is little evidence to support this claim. Complications of getting an epidural with a lower back tattoo are rare. In some cases, a lower back tattoo may cause problems.
If your tattoo appears to have red, scaly skin or is infected, leaking fluid, or still healing, your doctor would likely not give you an epidural. Calm any anxiety you might have on this topic by talking to your doctor.
They’re the best person to guide you through this process.
Contents
Can you get a tattoo while pregnant?
What should you consider if you do get a tattoo during pregnancy? – If you do decide to get a tattoo during pregnancy, the most important thing is to determine that the parlor you’ve chosen is clean and licensed. After that, keep the following in mind before sitting down to submit your skin to the needle:
- The pain is real. Getting a tattoo with a needle isn’t comparable to a sticker or painted on design. You will experience actual pain that may be intense, especially in areas with thinner skin like the neck, hands, ankles and feet.
- Removal isn’t easy. Alas, erasing a tattoo definitely hurts, and removing one with a laser isn’t recommended if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Skin changes. A new tattoo that looks symmetrical on pregnancy skin can become lopsided or distorted after you regain your pre-pregnancy shape, especially if you opt to get it in a spot that’s prone to expand.
- Skin stretches, too. There’s also the potential for stretch marks, which could appear smack in the middle of your new design (most common locations: belly, buttocks, breasts and thighs).
- Always go pro. DYI ink and online kits aren’t smart since sterile equipment and a license are vital for safety. Instead, go to a professional who’s registered and reputable.
Skin with new tattoos is sensitive at first, so avoid hard shower spraying in favor of gentle washing and then pat the area dry, rather than rub it. Skip sitting in the sun, splashing in pools, lakes and hot tubs and tight clothing (loose is better, so your skin can breathe). And resist the urge to scratch at skin scabs as this habit can introduce bacteria and cause infection.
Can you get a tattoo while breastfeeding?
Your body changes during pregnancy, and your tattoos may stretch and discolor. Breastfeeding can cause your breasts to swell if you are engorged and could cause temporary distortion of a tattoo on the breast. You may find that there are certain myths circulating about tattoos and breastfeeding.
What are the risks of tattooing?
Tattoos are growing in popularity, and some people wonder whether they are safe to get during pregnancy. A tattoo involves injecting ink into the body, and anytime a person introduces a foreign substance into the body, there is a health risk. The dyes in inks often contain metal-based chemicals, and some contain microcontaminants, which can cause adverse reactions.
Is it safe to have a skin reaction during pregnancy?
Skin reactions – The components of dyes can lead to an inflammatory reaction, especially in the area of the tattoo. Different dyes contain different minerals, which give the dyes their color. Depending on the dye, the body’s reaction can vary. Having a skin reaction during pregnancy can increase discomfort. Examples of minerals in dyes include :
- Red: mercury sulfide
- Blue: cobalt aluminate
- Green: chromic oxide or lead chromate
Because a tattoo is permanent, the reaction can last for a long time. Participants in studies have reported the following adverse events or reactions from tattoos:
- swelling
- scaling
- itching
- papules
- acne
- scarring
- bleeding
Colored tattoos seem more likely to trigger reactions than black tattoos. Also, the tattoo area can be more sensitive to sunlight than the rest of the skin, and exposure to sunlight can lead to stinging, itching, pain, swelling, and redness. The risk of this reaction appears to vary, according to the color of the ink, and it likely results from dye ingredients.
