The Spectrum
February 2009
13
Dangers of Tattoos
JENNY CRAWFORD Features Editor
All your friends are doing it. It’s not a big deal. Everyone has one. Your parents have probably heard them all if you want a tattoo. While it may seem like a trend or not a big deal, tattoos have serious risks and consequences that teens should be aware of before they “get inked.” Getting a tattoo means having a needle penetrate the skin and ink injected into it. Anytime something penetrates the skin, there is the potential for contracting a disease. The most common and contagious risks of getting tattoos include contracting Hepatitis B and C, HIV or AIDS and various infections. One can also suffer from an allergic reaction to the equipment or ink. If contracted, any or all of these things can be fatal and therefore, should be taken seriously. check vaccination status. Anyone who hasn’t been vaccinated in a while needs to update tetaany medical conditions one may have and how they may affect getting a tattoo. Allergies are also something to discuss with a doctor. Common allergies that have serious affects due of tattoos include allergies against cod liver oil, latex, nickel, and mercury. Allergies may not ruin a tattoo experience completely, though. Using replacement equipment and avoiding certain colors can allow a person to still get a tattoo and avoid an allergic reaction. If all of this information been convincing, then here’s the bottom line: in addition to harming health, a serious infection will ruin a tattoo. It will have been a waste of money and skin if the tattoo becomes infected.
STEVEN TOENSING Opinions Editor
Many people know someone who has a tattoo; whether it’s a family member or a friend. There are even people around BHS who have tattoos. Some people have tattoos in memory of a loved one, personal expression or another meaning. Jamie Kurth has a tattoo of musical notes and a heart on the back of her neck to express her love for music, and she has the word “love” on her wrist. She also plans on getting angel wings on her back when she turns 18, to represent the freedom of adulthood. Some other BHS students who
What’s underneath all the ink: stories behind the tattoos
have tattoos are Kari Sebrowski and Olivia Jones. Sebrowski’s tattoo is of a quarter note and a green star. The quarter note represents that one quarter of her life has been lived and the green star stands for Sanibel Island. Olivia Jones also has a very meaningful tattoo under her left shoulder in memory of her father. Tattoos are a growing trend among high school students here at BHS. Although tattoos may not be for everybody, these students show that a tattoo may be a way to express one’s self.
A good way to reduce the chances of contracting something when getting a tattoo is to
nus and hepatitis shots. Another way to reduce the risks is to talk to a doctor about
Sophomore Olivia Jones bears this tattoo in honor of her father. “Me, my older brother, and my older sister all got it on the one-year anniversary of my father passing away,” said Olivia Jones about her tattoo. “It says ‘In Loving Memory’ with his birthday, the day of his death, and ‘R.I.P.’ In the middle is the Chinese symbol for ‘father’.”