Can You Get HIV From a Tattoo or Body Piercing?
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Tattooing is the process or method of inserting pigment into the dermis of the skin to create a design. Traditionally, tattooing entailed rubbing pigment into cuts. However, to limit the risk to human health,
modern tattooing necessitates the use of a tattoo machine and accessories.
Different people have different understandings of tattooing. Some take tattooing as a way of self-expression, while others believe that it can be dangerous to get a tattoo. Some people even believe that getting a tattoo or body piercing can transmit HIV. If you also think that tattoo or body piercing causes HIV, then read this post.
Scroll down to know whether you can get HIV from a tattoo or body piercing, or it’s just a myth.
Before we discuss the topic, let’s first understand why people think that tattooing or body piercing can cause HIV.
As said earlier, tattooing involves inserting pigments into the dermis (the second layer of a person’s skin). Tattoo artists inject ink into the dermis to create the desired tattoo design. They use a tattoo machine to make the design. A tattoo machine punctures the skin with a gun that has several small, high-speed needles connected to it.
Similarly, body piercing also involves the process of puncturing the skin. But body piercing employs a single needle to perforate the flesh.
Since both processes entail the use of needles to puncture the skin, it is natural for people to associate HIV with tattooing or body piercing. But that’s not how tattoo or body piercing work.
Related: Myths And Facts About Tattoos
Let’s now see whether what people think about tattoo or body piercing transmitting HIV is true or not.
Does Tattooing or body pierce cause HIV?
Well, there are no known cases of anyone getting HIV from a tattoo or body piercing. The danger of contracting HIV in this manner is extremely low, but the risk increases when the individual doing the process is unlicensed due to the possibility of unsanitary activities such as sharing needles or ink.
HIV can be transmitted by a tattoo or piercing needle that has been reused or poorly cleaned and other equipment. Furthermore, HIV can be contracted by tattooing or body piercing if the equipment used for these procedures contains other people’s blood or if the ink is shared. If the artist does not properly sterilize the tattoo gun or needles, it increases clients’ risk of developing HIV.
Also See: Double Helix Piercing: Everything You Should Know
All of this simply means that finding a trustworthy tattoo and body piercing studio is vital. Only when you get a tattoo from a random tattoo artist without first confirming his credentials, do you run the danger of getting health concerns.
Reputable tattoo and body piercing artists constantly adhere to tattooing standards to provide their clients with the greatest results. That is why it is critical to select a properly licensed artist who only uses new or sterilized needles, ink, and other equipment.
So, worry not; if you’ve chosen your favorite tattoo design, just get it etched by a professional artist. You don’t need to worry about any infection or illness if you’ve chosen the right tattoo artist.
Happy Tattooing… ☺ ☺
