Answer:  Globally, tattooing has been around for more than 5,000 years. In the United States, tattoos have moved from the rebellious fringe to the mainstream over the past few decades. In 2006, the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology reported that 36 percent of Americans between the ages of 18 and 29 had tattoos. Considering the enormous popularity of tattoos, related medical complications are relatively uncommon.
Professional tattoo parlors use a machine to quickly pierce the skin and simultaneously inject permanent dye. Because the needle pierces the skin — the body’s largest protective barrier — tattooing can introduce bacteria, presenting a risk for infection. Symptoms of skin infection may include redness, swelling and pus-like drainage.
Skin infections most often result from poor aftercare. Your daughter should receive written instructions for tattoo care. Remind her to follow those instructions to the letter. If she does get an infection, she should see a physician right away.
Secondly, if tattooing equipment is not sterile, it can also transmit blood-borne illnesses such as hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, syphilis and tuberculosis. The good news is that there are no documented cases of anyone contracting HIV or AIDS from a professional tattoo, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Reports of other blood-borne illnesses linked to tattoos point mostly to non-professional tattoos and tattoos predating the 20th century.
Make sure your daughter goes to a licensed tattoo parlor, and advise her to discuss safety procedures with the artist before getting a tattoo. She should confirm that the following universal precautions are taken: equipment should be sterilized, fresh needles should be used for every client, and the artists should not only wear new gloves for each client but also wash their hands before donning the gloves. You or your daughter may even want to watch the artists give a tattoo. Any licensed, professional parlor should be happy to share their standards with you.
As for the MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), since some tattoo dyes contain iron oxide or other magnetic metals (newer dyes typically do not), there have been reports of temporary warmth or redness in tattooed areas of the skin following an MRI. This is rarely a problem, and the benefits of undergoing a medically advised MRI greatly outweigh any risks. Patients should point out any tattoos to the radiologist or technician before undergoing an MRI. Should discomfort occur, a simple ice bag can relieve the burning sensation.
So medically speaking, I cannot give any reason why your daughter should not get a tattoo from a licensed, reputable parlor. The best reason to not get a tattoo is regret. A 2006 study found that more than 50 percent of people with tattoos later regretted having the procedure done. Perhaps you can write back when your daughter wants the tattoo removed, and I will do another column on that subject.
Family Medicine® is a weekly column. To submit questions, write to Martha A. Simpson, D.O., M.B.A., Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, P.O. Box 110, Athens, Ohio 45701, or via e-mail to readerquestions@familymedicinenews.org. Medical information in this column is provided as an educational service only.  It does not replace the judgment of your personal physician, who should be relied on to diagnose and recommend treatment for any medical conditions. Past columns are available online at www.familymedicinenews.org.

When I was but a teenager, all I wanted was a tattoo of a Gibson Les Paul guitar on my arm. I was a rocker and darn proud of it. As I grew older, I was pretty glad that I didn’t get that guitar because I knew it would affect my job opportunities as well as my luck with the opposite sex. I started thinking of getting a tattoo, but in a more discreet location.

I thought of maybe some sort of Asian or Celtic symbol, or even a depiction of a religious or famous figure, but I never got around to doing it. There was just something inside me that knew I would regret whatever design I had chosen. After all, I knew I would have regretted that beautiful guitar tattoo.

I do, however, still look longingly in the windows of tattoo parlors. All the brave souls inside with the ability to commit to something that I never could. Perhaps one day I will be as brave as all of them.

In the meantime, I have decided on doing something of a trial run with a tattoo. I went looking online and found a few sites – Tattoomenow.com was the best one I found – and found some great designs. I am taking a few of these and creating temporary tattoo designs that I can put on and wash off if I don’t like them.

Generally speaking, temporary tattoo designs are pretty hard to find online, so I was really pleased when I found this site. I can take these designs and create temporary tattoos. If I like them, I can have them turned into real, permanent tattoos. If I decide they aren’t for me, I can scrub them off. Maybe I’ll never get the real tattoo, but I’ll have a lot of fun trying to decide on one.

Temporary Tattoos are the coolest things in the world and a few weeks ago you’re never going to guess what crazy thing I did! I found this place that produces commercially made temp tats and I spontaneously ordered a thousand monarchbfly.com tattoos to be used as a fundraiser for the banding station (for new mist-nets!) The long wait is over and today they finally arrived in the mail!     CHEERS . . . . . !

April 5, 2008

Dear Friends (Near and Far):

I am taking a moment to write you an update on the activities of many in the quest to bring some sanity to the assault being waged on the Osa Peninsula in Southern Costa Rica. The issue of the two illegal developments we brought to your attention in February has generated a significant amount of positive energy and actions to address the bigger problems and possible solutions. We couldn’t have hoped for a better result than this. Costa Ricans are talking, advocating, strategizing, and empowering others. Almost every government environmental agency, local neighborhood association, environmental organization, and tourism-based business in the Southern zone of Costa Rica is participating in meetings and plans to try and stop the onslaught of mega-development and bring rational, sustainable development to the area. Development will come, but locals are now taking an even bigger role and voice in determining the level of development they’ll accept. It’s a wonderful thing to witness. It’s also a big task.

As most of you know, the illegal development project at the Laguna Sierpe has been halted by the environmental court of Costa Rica. This does not mean it is completely safe and so we continue to monitor activity and progress on the legal end. The second project , called Yacamar, is still in existence and I’m attaching a photo of their new ‘For sale’ sign. They are not presently working/destroying more of the property as they are concentrating on selling the 4 larger ‘fincas. ‘ Please note that the 75 hectare finca (approx. 185 acres) has 49 lots already surveyed and plotted. With the other fincas one could project they want 150 or more homesites in this development. This represents a completely illegal form of development in this Forest Reserve. Legally they cannot cut ONE tree in this primary tropical forest without permits.
On March 28, a large group of people from the entire canton (county) met with the consejo (council) and the alcalde (mayor) to propose a moratorium on new constructions and earth movement until the plan regulador (zoning plan) is finished and approved. The council is reviewing this proposal as to its legality and has said they will approve it if it is legally sound. We will see. Since so much of the documented responsibility of the two illegal developments we are fighting falls on the alcalde himself and the municipality, we are anxious to hear their decision. This is a drastic measure for drastic times. It is not a desirable action to take, but a similar cry last year for tighter restrictions on the building practices, etc. has done nothing. Legal permits rose by 200% last year. An article is in Friday’s English Tico Times (attached but not available on the Internet) and here’s a link to an article (in Spanish) by University of Costa Rica’s newspaper. www.semanario.ucr.ac.cr Scroll down to “Osa acuerda moratoria a permisos de construcción”

Earth Day or Día de la Tierra is coming up soon. Here in the Osa we’ll celebrate on the 20th and the issue of development will be front and center. Back home at Earth Day in Roseburg, Oregon, Donna, a dear friend who lives here part of the year, will be selling temporary tattoos of rainforest animals from the conservation organization, the Osa Campaign. We’re hoping to raise a little more awareness and a few funds in support of this amazing place on the planet.

Well, the sun is setting on the Osa and my privileged vista is of the Golfo Dulce and layers of hazy mountains of forest laid out before me. I have attached a photo of the upper gulf, so you can get an idea of this locale. I want to thank each and every one of you who have done something to help us preserve this natural gem. Maybe you sent a letter to President Arias or shared our struggle with someone else. And go to an Earth Day celebration this year near you and support your local efforts to protect the special places. We are all connected!

Many blessings on you all!

Terri

Terri Peterson
terrixp@gmail.com
506-8888-0690

Posted by Stumps Spirit on October 19, 2007

Your school will get stuck on this fundraiser! Funtoos (temporary tattoos) make great fundraising items and Stumps Spirit had a HUGE selection of Funtoos to choose from to get the money rolling in. Sell Funtoos at your school store, pep rallies, school registration, cafeteria or concession stand. You can sell them in sets or per Funtoo. Fans will love wearing them to games or competitions to show their spirit.

Funtoos go on easy with water and come off easily with rubbing alcohol or cellophane tape.

You can order customized Funtoo sets to support your team. Create a set with one Funtoo for each game of the season and sell them through your athletic boosters. Or, create custom Funtoos and sell them individually at the concession stand. Your fans will love the personalized temporary tattoo and the fun accessory it makes to their game gear.

Glow-in-the-dark Funtoos are awesome for night games. Intimidate the opponent by filling the stands with fans adorned with the glowing temporary tattoos. You’ll look better than the stadium lights and because fans will love them so much, you’ll make tons of money for your school.

Team face Funtoos are also great for sports fans. They look like you’ve painted your face in team colors, but they don’t have all the mess of face paint. Team face Funtoos are available in team colors as well as a variety of mascot faces.

Body Beadz and rhinestone Funtoos will be a hit especially with female students and fans. They have a great, glittering look and are just as easy to apply. They’re available in tons of patterns and slogans too!

Finally, keep the fine details in mind with Noestoos and Nailtoos. They’re perfect for adding the finishing touches to fingernails and faces. We also carry Funtoos for adding a necklace or armband to a die-hard fans ensemble.

Check out our other fundraising tips for more great ideas to generate cash for your teams and clubs!

Rihanna’s got a gun – in the form of some new tattoos.

In photos posted on MySpace on Wednesday by a tattoo artist who goes by the name BangBang, the “Disturbia” singer is shown with a small gun tattoo under her right arm.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: The Latest Star Sightings

“She flew me to LA to tattoo her friend for his birthday and I just suggested we should tattoo her – I printed out a picture of the gun and stuck it on her and she loved it,” BangBang told Access Hollywood’s Billy Bush in an interview for Access Hollywood and “The Billy Bush Show.”

In another photo, Rihanna has a temporary version of the same tattoo drawn on both shoulders, but according to BangBang’s caption, she decided not to ink them there permanently.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Rihanna: Music’s Style Superstar

“I really wanted to put it here… She loved em… but CoverGirl wouldn’t have liked it much and they pay the bills!” he wrote in the photo caption.

However, he told Billy on Thursday they decided to move them so as not to take away attention from her face.

“You look at the tattoos instead of her face, and she’s so beautiful I don’t want to take away from her,” he said.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Pop Stars

Rihanna is a spokesperson for the makeup company, who would not comment on the star’s newest body art when reached by Access.

“Out of respect for our CoverGirls, we do not share information regarding their personal lives,” a rep for CoverGirl told Access.

The singer has a number of tattoos, including a trail of stars on her neck and the word “Shh…” on her index finger. In other photos on his MySpace, the New York-based BangBang, who works at East Side Ink, takes credit for many of them.

So why a gun?

“She had always worn a necklace with a gun,” BangBang told Billy. “I have guns tattooed on me. They’re very strong, they signify power, and she’s very empowered.”

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EAST WINDSOR

Easter Bunny Fun Day: Easter Bunny Fun Day will take place. Children will get a sand art project to create, an egg with little surprises, face painting and temporary tattoo’s. The whole family can enjoy as many trolley rides as they want plus admission into the Teresalee Bertinuson Visitor Center and the Connecticut Fire Museum, all included with admission. For information, call 860-627-65490 or visit www.ct-trolley.org. Time: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Saturday, April 11, Connecticut Trolley Museum, 58 North Road, East Windsor. Admission is $8 for adults, $2 for children younger than 2, $7 for children age 2 through 12, $2 for members age 2 through 12.