Piercings and tattoos are body decorations that go back to ancient times.
- Piercing makes a hole in the skin to hold jewellery, most often in the earlobe but also elsewhere on the body.
- Tattoos are designs made in the skin with needles and coloured ink. A permanent tattoo is meant to last for ever; permanent make-up is a kind of tattoo.
Health risks
- allergic reactions
- keloids, a type of scar that forms during healing
- infections, such as hepatitis
Lowering the risks
Choose a place that is clean and safe and has a good reputation, make sure the equipment is properly sterilised, and follow the instructions for caring for your skin afterwards.
Changing your mind
Piercing holes usually close up if you stop wearing the jewellery. Tattoos can be removed, but removal is painful and can leave scars.
Sources
- MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, "Piercing and Tattoos." https://medlineplus.gov/piercingandtattoos.html
- Rewritten in hubnx's own words.
Licence: CC0 1.0 (public domain) · Adapted from medlineplus.gov
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