To Tattoo or not to Tattoo ?

Dougsue · Post by **Dougsue** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 10:59 am

I suppose a chance is taken when purchasing or being provided a service on holiday by someone who has a 'spot' on the beachfront or wherever. In our case the wee sign advertising Henna tattoos, could not be resisted by our 11 year old son (probably like many others). We eventually gave in ( its his holiday too and he has his own holiday money), and he had 2 done at a cost of 25 Euros. He was very happy, and though it was holiday money well spent.

3 days after getting home ( because mostly you get the tattoo done, before you leave, so that it lasts longer), they are both infected, and a visit to the doctor on Friday resulted in a course of antibiotics, and cream.

hes had them done before, and had no adverse reaction so its not his skin, and we have since heard from a couple of his holiday mates by email, that the same has happened to them since coming home

The guy who sits next to the lady who does the hairbraiding, must do OK - he can fair get through that queue, at an average of 10 Euros every 5 minutes I reckon - But what about investing in some better quality equipment and materials ?

We loved Carvoeiro, and will be back - but no more Tattoos

ROTCIV · Post by **ROTCIV** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 12:37 pm

i've heard and seen horrible scars from henna tatoos, i think it's got to do with the person be alergic to henna than the higienic conditions of the tatooist, henna is aplied on the skin, not inside the skin, it could happen to anyone, not me tought

Post by **Steen Jakobsen** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 12:52 pm

as http://dermatology.cdlib.org/91/origina ... /wolf.html ?

Dougsue · Post by **Dougsue** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 4:21 pm

Further info on this. It seems that if you have previously had a tattoo done, an allergis reaction can develop at the 2nd occurence. The culprit seems to be a chemical called PPD - which is added to the henna to make it darker - see below. I know a warning is not going to be posted next to this guys stand, but surely local agents/hotels/complexess should have a notice about it. This can cause serious long term consequences, as these dyes are used in industry and lots of other things ( eg - hair dyes). Lots of peoplw will assume its a reaction to the tattoo itself, and not think about it further. See sample case found on dermatology website:

This 9 year old boy had a henna tattoo of a Chinese dragon painted on his back while abroad on holiday. The tattoo colour faded over the subsequent week but the area became acutely erythematous, swollen, and blistered, and was painful and pruritic. Examination revealed an erythematous weepy dermatitis in the shape of a dragon on the boy’s back with surrounding eczematous changes. He had had a henna tattoo the previous year with no ill effects.

Traditional henna is a naturally occurring brown dye made from the leaves of the tree Lawsonia inermis. Henna is applied to the skin in a design and allowed to dry, and is later washed off. The longer the contact time with the skin the darker the resulting colour. Henna tattoos can be further darkened by the addition of an artificial dye, paraphenyldiamine (PPD), a major constituent fo permanent hair dye. This additive makes the tattoo quicker and easier to apply. Our patient was positive on patch testing to PPD and it was presumed that primary sensitisation occurred with his first uneventful henna tattoo the previous year. Re-exposure to PPD caused a type IV hypersensitivity (delayed) reaction resulting in the allergic contact dermatitis and secondary eczematous changes. Holiday henna tattoos are becoming increasingly fashionable, so parents shold be warned that the darker paints often contain PPD, a potent contact allergen.

elle · Post by **elle** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 4:32 pm

Sorry but I can't understand parents allowing children so young to have these tattoos!..
I believe there was a law..here in UK against minors having tattoos..but maybe it isn't in place anymore?
Are there no such laws in Portugal?..
I know kids can drive you mad wth their 'wants'..(tell me about it)...but this is a matter of health?
Hope your lad is okay now Dougsue?
nasty business

Dougsue · Post by **Dougsue** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 5:10 pm

Thanks Elle

He is fine - hes not been ill or anything, but its very unsightly, and we got a lecture from the doctor too! How bad did I feel. But your right, we shouldn't have given in - although because he had previously had one, and they usually fade long before school strats back, I thought OK

Anyway, you are correct to an extent, I dont think there is any law saying that kids cant get temp tattoos in the UK ( just painted on) - but there should at least be a warning about adverse reactions. I saw really young children getting these done in the square - at least mine knows not to touch/scratch etc. Never again

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 5:24 pm

Thats good Dougsue..glad he's okay

...
Looking at my post I sound rather pious...didn't meant to!..
god I remember it well....my own I mean

..
and of course kids always want to keep up with their peers don't they?If mates have one..they want one!
and if they're available in an area such as square close to beach...naturally kiddies want them done don't they?....
Just glad your boys okay

..and hope you had great holiday

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 9:17 am

Don't waste time with henna tattoos - get a real one, no problems with skin reactions and they last a lot longer too.....

papajock · Post by **papajock** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 11:48 am

A statutory minimum age of consent for tatooing (18 years of age) is specified in the Tattooing of Minors Act 1969. This makes it an offence to tattoo a person under 18 years of age.

Just thought you'd like to know.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 2:00 pm

Sorry, papajock..... I should have added a

but didn't think it was necessary.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 9:43 pm

Tatoos...OK if you love em ..your life...For me I find them Yukky Yuk......I know a number of people that were rejected from employment because they had the.....(Wrong.....but its a fact) and a number of people that have had them removed leaving a real scar ...think twice folks before you get one..it for life and also.......a lot of people think you are THICK....if you get one ....and look down on you........now I know I'm going to get blasted..but pls think...is what I say wrong ??

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 9:57 pm

It might be wrong for narrow minded Westerners but I'm open minded and a tattoo isn't wrong for native tribes. I'm often amazed at how they stretch ear lobes, mouths etc.............so maybe those of us who think there is nothing 'wrong' about tattoos or body piercings are more in tune with how we evolved in the first place?

____________
katherine

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 10:02 pm

I could add that what is wrong with the Western culture is that technologically we are advancing before our own basic natures and instinct have caught up but thats a whole different ball game.........but maybe why so many people yearn for a slower pace of life?
________
katherine

pm · Post by pm » Wed Aug 24, 2005 10:05 pm

I think the point there is that you aren't a native tribe. Were you to wander round Tesco's looking for cheese straws with your lower lip enormously expanded with a tea tray, people would stare. If, however you wandered round the native tribes supermarket (I may be stretching a point if not a lower lip) WITHOUT said tea tray, you would be stared at. I'm sure you get my drift.

I'm not keen on the young doing this because they tend to change their mind about 5 minutes later

pm · Post by pm » Wed Aug 24, 2005 10:08 pm

I don't think we evolved just to stretch our ear lobes. Makes it seem not worth carrying on frankly.

'technologically we are advancing before our own basic natures' Phrase often used by those who cannot find the phone book on their mobile.

To Tattoo or not to Tattoo ?

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