tattoos?

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buckee Monster Buck

buckee

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Re: tattoos?

Personally , I think it's silly for anyone, especially under 20 years old to get a tattoo. It's something you have to live with the rest of your life.

I've seen people get tattoos, that they'd be ashamed to have their children see when they get older and stupid things put on their bodies that they would rather not have or rather forget as time goes by.

I would advise not getting one at all. crazy.gif or at least wait until your older and know it is something you can live with as you grow old. crazy.gif

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popgun 10-Pointer

popgun

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Re: tattoos?

If the ink used for the tattoo contains metallic salts [which is what is used for most tatoos today, because they retain color longer and can be made in brighter richer colors] the tattooed person can *never* have a MRI scan, which can mean the difference between life or death in certain diagnoses. This may mean little to a young, healthy person, but they will likely regret it when they are older.

In a MRI scan, the metallic salts become so activated, the tattoo can become so hot that the flesh begins to burn in that area.

By the way, the medical "tattoos" used for a necessity to aid in certain radiation and chemotherapy do NOT contain metallic salts, since eventual fading is preferred in this case.

Although the above was taken from a web-site and not from any personal knowledge, it would be enough to make me think a lot more than just twice about getting a tatoo.

It may at least be something to think about.

....popgun

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Strut10 Monster Buck

Strut10

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Re: tattoos?

[ QUOTE ]

If the ink used for the tattoo contains metallic salts [which is what is used for most tatoos today, because they retain color longer and can be made in brighter richer colors] the tattooed person can *never* have a MRI scan, which can mean the difference between life or death in certain diagnoses. This may mean little to a young, healthy person, but they will likely regret it when they are older.

In a MRI scan, the metallic salts become so activated, the tattoo can become so hot that the flesh begins to burn in that area.

By the way, the medical "tattoos" used for a necessity to aid in certain radiation and chemotherapy do NOT contain metallic salts, since eventual fading is preferred in this case.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ummmm..............I just had an MRI on April 10th. I have a tattoo of a gobbler (LOTS of colors). The tech was very aware of the fact. He went ahead with the procedure, no hesitation. 20 minutes in the tube and my flesh came out as "rare" as it went in. wink.gif

[ QUOTE ]

Although the above was taken from a web-site and not from any personal knowledge, it would be enough to make me think a lot more than just twice about getting a tatoo.

.........popgun

[/ QUOTE ]

Here's something you may never have heard before.............but...........don't believe eveything you see on the internet. wink.gif

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Guest TC308

Guest TC308

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Re: tattoos?

I won't to get 2. One of a deer skull with a confederate flag on it on my shoulder, and a strand of barbed wire right under my elbow, but I'm only 15 so I'll have to wait till I get older to get them.

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tedicast Monster Buck

tedicast

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Re: tattoos?

[ QUOTE ]

If the ink used for the tattoo contains metallic salts [which is what is used for most tatoos today, because they retain color longer and can be made in brighter richer colors] the tattooed person can *never* have a MRI scan, which can mean the difference between life or death in certain diagnoses. This may mean little to a young, healthy person, but they will likely regret it when they are older.

In a MRI scan, the metallic salts become so activated, the tattoo can become so hot that the flesh begins to burn in that area.

By the way, the medical "tattoos" used for a necessity to aid in certain radiation and chemotherapy do NOT contain metallic salts, since eventual fading is preferred in this case.

Although the above was taken from a web-site and not from any personal knowledge, it would be enough to make me think a lot more than just twice about getting a tatoo.

It may at least be something to think about.

....popgun

[/ QUOTE ]

I have a tat, and I have had an MRI with absolutely no ill effects. Kinda sound like an urban legend to me.

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buckee Monster Buck

buckee

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Re: tattoos?

[ QUOTE ]

If the ink used for the tattoo contains metallic salts [which is what is used for most tatoos today, because they retain color longer and can be made in brighter richer colors] the tattooed person can *never* have a MRI scan, which can mean the difference between life or death in certain diagnoses. This may mean little to a young, healthy person, but they will likely regret it when they are older.

In a MRI scan, the metallic salts become so activated, the tattoo can become so hot that the flesh begins to burn in that area.

By the way, the medical "tattoos" used for a necessity to aid in certain radiation and chemotherapy do NOT contain metallic salts, since eventual fading is preferred in this case.

Although the above was taken from a web-site and not from any personal knowledge, it would be enough to make me think a lot more than just twice about getting a tatoo.

It may at least be something to think about.

....popgun

[/ QUOTE ]

Here is some info I found. Popgun is half right, depending on the age of the tattoo, and the ink used.

[ QUOTE ]

Tattoos and MRI Scans by Karen Hudson,

Many people with tattoos will eventually face the need of an MRI scan for some sort of medical diagnosis. I get a lot of emails from concerned adults who wonder if their tattoos may interfere with their ability to get an MRI. Even I have been told on several occasions that being tattooed would impede my ability to get an MRI scan if the need arose. After much research and discussing this issue with several tattoo artists, MRI patients and an MRI technician, it is time to lay this question to rest.

The first thing we need to understand is what MRI actually is and why you may need an MRI scan some day. MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging, which is the process used for creating pictures or images of the inside of our bodies in the form of very thin “slices”. The images created are used to diagnose more obscure medical maladies such as multiple sclerosis, infection of the brain or spine, tendonitis and even the early stages of stroke to mention just a few.

The two major functions of an MRI machine is a powerful magnetic field and radio frequency pulses, which used together send signals from the MRI machine to our body and then back to a computer, which then converts mathematical data into an image. (For more detailed information on how MRI works, I recommend this informative

http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/XJ&sdn=tattoo&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fhealth.howstuffworks.com%2Fmri.htm

It is the powerful magnetic force that creates a concern, not only to those who are tattooed, but also to anyone with metal objects in their bodies such as implants (dental or otherwise), pacemakers or even metal fragments. The magnetic force of an MRI machine is so strong, even the “weakest” machine used (about 0.5-tesla) is 10,000 times the strength of the Earth’s magnetic field. Even small metal objects such as paperclips or keys can become projectile weapons if left in an MRI room during a scan.

So, what does all of this have to do with tattoos? Well, it appears that about 20 years ago and further, tattoo ink was sometimes comprised of small fragments of metal as well as other ingredients. This was long before tattoos were ever regulated and before more serious thought was given as to the safety of tattoo ink ingredients. Some MRI patients who have had tattoos that dated back far enough to have received ink that contained metal bits have reported slight discomfort to severe pain during an MRI scan.

It is purported that the reason for this was that the magnetic force pulled on the metallic fragments so violently that it caused a burning sensation in the location of the tattoo. I have heard some theorize that this may have been caused by built up friction between the particles, and some say that the magnetic force was actually tearing at the skin as the fragments were pulled and attempted to actually break away from the skin. I don’t know which, if either, is true; however, even if there is no pain at all, these fragments can cause artifacts, which is the technical term used for distortions in MRI scans. Artifacts can render a scanned image useless, requiring that the procedure be done again or even an alternate procedure be used to acquire accurate information. So, at the very least, you could be stuck with a very expensive bill for nothing -if, of course, your tattoo actually contains these metal particles.

How can you know if your tattoo contains metal? Well, there is no really easy way to know for sure unless you have access to a very high-powered metal detector. But don’t fret – if your tattoo was obtained within the past 20 years you are almost assured that this is not going to be an issue for you. Even if your tattoo is older than 20 years old, that doesn’t mean the ink absolutely contained metal. And even if it did contain metal, that does not mean you absolutely will have a problem with getting an MRI. If you find yourself at this juncture, it will be best for you to inform your doctor of your concerns and let them help you make an informed decision. Remember that there are always alternatives to MRI – people with pacemakers and metal implants (among other things) also have to find other diagnostic methods. Your doctor can help you decide if you might be at risk and, if so, what alternate options are available to you.

[/ QUOTE ]

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BowJoe Monster Buck

BowJoe

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Re: tattoos?

That is an urban legend. More based on the fear/scare tactic of making people believe that any time you do something immoral, or percieved as immoral, you are going to suffer. The MRI technicians I talked to said they have heard that many times and that the only people that ever said they felt something were the one's that asked in the first place. They said that most people with tatoos don't even know of such a legend and never complain later. Most of Karen Hudson's article sounds and looks like a blog and I noticed there was not Dr. at the beginning or M.D. at the end of her name. She never showed any scientific information other than that about what an MRI is and Vaguely how it functions. One incident that scared the crap out of me was when we first got our MRI section of the Hospital done and I was doing a tour in that area. I walked into the MRI Lab and then into the MRI room itself. As I was looking at the $1,000,000 dollar machine, the keys that were in my right hand suddenly began to lift my entire arm by the loop in the key ring towards the machine and actually stuck to the side of the machine. It was like a ghost and man did it freak me out. Very powerful machine to say the least and not something to mess with if you have metal installed in your body. But here's the kicker. If you have metal objects installed into your body then, depending on the size of the objects, it can become demagnetised. Sorry to say it but I think it's just another hoax.

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popgun 10-Pointer

popgun

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Re: tattoos?

Strut10 is quite right...You can't believe everything you read on the Internet.

However; Please note my Internet sources before you get that tattoo.

http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/safety/index.cfm?pg=sfty_mr&bhcp=1

Objects that may interfere with image quality if close to the area being scanned include:

1. Metallic spinal rod

2. Plates, pins, screws, or metal mesh used to repair a bone or joint

3. Joint replacement or prosthesis

4. Metal jewelry such as that used with body piercing.

5. Some tattoos or tattooed eyeliner (these alter MR images, and there is a chance of skin irritation or swelling; black and blue pigments are the most troublesome)

6. Bullet, shrapnel, or other type of metal fragment

7. Metallic foreign body within or near the eye (such an object generally can be seen on an x-ray; metal workers are most likely to have this problem)

8. Dental fillings (while usually unaffected by the magnetic field, they may distort images of the facial area or brain; the same is true for orthodontic braces and retainers)

Please note #5

http://www.wowt.com/news/features/2/1851351.html

The risks associated with MRI aren’t limited to metal objects in the room. Any magnetic-susceptible metal in or on the body can also be affected by the magnetic force from an MRI. Metallic objects in the body, like surgical wires, clips and pacemakers can be pulled into the magnetic field. Serious injury or death can occur if the implant is dislodged (as in an aneurysm clip in the brain) or malfunctions (interference with a pacemaker). Metal can also heat during an MRI scan and cause severe burns in the surrounding area. Jewelry, electrode leads and foil-backed drug patches have been reported to cause serious burns during an MRI scan. Even metal fragments in tattoo ink or cosmetics can cause burns.

Please note last sentence

http://www.snopes.com/medical/drugs/tattoo.asp

Body decoration by inking has its pitfalls. Hepatitis is easily passed to the art wearer because it is a hardy virus that can live for weeks outside a human host and so can survive on tattooing implements that have not been carefully cleaned. Another negative, one less known among tattoo seekers, concerns Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Because some tattoo inks contain metal fibers such as iron oxide which can cause intense skin burning and swelling during MRI procedures, some radiology departments are refusing to perform these scans on patients who have tattoos.

http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/cos-204.html

What Risks Are Involved in Tattooing?

The following are the primary complications that can result from tattooing:

1. Infection. Unsterile tattooing equipment and needles can transmit infectious diseases, such as hepatitis. The risk of infection is the reason the American Association of Blood Banks requires a one-year wait between getting a tattoo and donating blood.

2. Removal problems. Despite advances in laser technology, removing a tattoo is a painstaking process, usually involving several treatments and considerable expense. Complete removal without scarring may be impossible.

3. Allergic reactions. Although FDA has received reports of numerous adverse ractions associated with certain shades of ink in permanent makeup, marketed by a particular manufacturer, reports of allergic reactions to tattoo pigments have been rare. However, when they happen they may be particularly troublesome because the pigments can be hard to remove. Occasionally, people may develop an allergic reaction to tattoos they have had for years.

4. Granulomas.These are nodules that may form around material that the body perceives as foreign, such as particles of tattoo pigment.

5. Keloid formation. If you are prone to developing keloids -- scars that grow beyond normal boundaries -- you are at risk of keloid formation from a tattoo. Keloids may form any time you injure or traumatize your skin. Micropigmentation: State of the Art, a book written by Charles Zwerling, M.D., Annette Walker, R.N., and Norman Goldstein, M.D., states that keloids occur more frequently as a consequence of tattoo removal.

6. MRI complications. There have been reports of people with tattoos or permanent makeup who experienced swelling or burning in the affected areas when they underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This seems to occur only rarely and apparently without lasting effects.

There also have been reports of tattoo pigments interfering with the quality of the image. This seems to occur mainly when a person with permanent eyeliner undergoes MRI of the eyes. Mascara may produce a similar effect. The difference is that mascara is easily removable.

The cause of these complications is uncertain. Some have theorized that they result from an interaction with the metallic components of some pigments.

However, the risks of avoiding an MRI when your doctor has recommended one are likely to be much greater than the risks of complications from an interaction between the MRI and tattoo or permanent makeup. Instead of avoiding an MRI, individuals who have tattoos or permanent makeup should inform the radiologist or technician of this fact in order to take appropriate precautions and avoid complications.

Please note #6. and last 3 paragraphs. (this is from the FDA)

You want a tattoo? Get a tattoo…

But don’t say popgun didn’t try to warn you.

….popgun

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