Miley Cyrus may be a flawed role model for countless teenagers (first as an actress in Disney Channel sitcom "Hannah Montana", now a pop singer), with a famous Dad ( Billy Ray Cyrus is a country music singer ), but she's smart enough to be worth around $ 50 million.
Tattoos have been around in many cultures for thousands of years ( the Spaniards called Visayans "Pintados" / Painted Ones ). There are no official statistics but it's estimated over 1/5 British adults have them, and around a quarter of those later want them removing.
Modern tattoo pigment is usually carbon-based. It's inserted into the skin with one or more needles, often using an electrical machine. The needles should be "single-use", the equipment and the skin to be tattooed must be sterilised, and strict hygiene is needed. Possible risks are:-
* allergic reaction
* infection - local
- hepatitis B / C (hence blood donation not allowed for a year afterwards )
* scarring - local "bumps" (granulomas)
- excessive (keloid)
local swelling / inflammation if MRI ( magnetic resonance imaging) scan required, as some pigments contain trace elements like iron oxide.
Tattoo pigment remains in the skin and doesn't enter the blood stream. It does not cause cancer ( although it may "mask" a pre-existing cancer like a mole ).
Tattoos can be removed surgically ( with / without grafting ), dermabrasion ( "sandpapering" the skin), or laser, not always with good cosmetic results.
It's not known how much the NHS spends on tattoo removal, essentially a cosmetic treatment in most cases. One estimate is 40 million GBP. Primary Care Trust policy is inconsistent on this. However, benefits claimants
may "in exceptional circumstances" use taxpayers' money to pay for tattoo removal if it is "preventing a jobseeker taking up employment" ( www.telegraph.co.uk/news ; search "tattoos", May 9).
Henna tattoos are non-permanent dying or staining of the skin surface, using a paste derived from a plant (Lawsonia Inermis). They are safe, fading in 2-3 weeks, and may only cause an allergic reaction. "Black Henna", which caused the scarring in the 10 year old boy, is a chemical which should not be used.
