Tattoo and Body Piercing

Use the following web sites to answer all questions completely.
You will have to read and search to find the answers.

http://www.ils.unc.edu/dpr/path/tattoo/health.html

How Tattoos Work: http://people.howstuffworks.com/tattoo.htm

Tattooing: http://www.kidshealth.org/teen/your_body/body_art/safe_tattooing.html

Body Piercing: http://www.kidshealth.org/teen/your_body/body_art/body_piercing_safe.html

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/tattoos-and-piercings/MC00020

Forensic Aspects of Tattoos: http://www.sccja.org/csr-tattoo.htm

How long have people been practicing tattooing and body piercing? (Give 4-5 specific examples)

What are the possible health hazards that can occur due to tattooing and piercing equipment that is not properly sterilized?

Explain several examples of safe tattooing/piercing procedures. Why are these so important when “shopping” for a tattoo or piercing artist?

What type of metals should be used for piercing? Why?

Describe (in detail) the “professional” tattooing procedure.

Describe the body piercing procedure. Why should a piercing gun not be used?

Which type of body piercing usually heals the quickest? Which types take the longest?

What areas are most prone to infection? Why?

What are the blood donation restrictions after receiving a tattoo?

List 4 complications (other than infections) associated with tattoos.

Describe the methods of tattoo removal- salabrasion, dermabrasion, carbon dioxide laser and Q-switched lasers.

What are the drawbacks of tattoo removal?

How can the pain accompanied with getting a tattoo be described?

Who should NOT get a tattoo?

What are the most painful areas (list all) to get tattooed? Why?

What are the least sensitive? Why?

Why are tattoos important to a forensic pathologist? What types of information can be obtained from tattoo examination? (List at least five and include at least 3 or four examples for each category)

Conclusion

If a good friend of yours was considering getting a tattoo or body piercing, what advice would you give them? Would you encourage or discourage them? Use information from this assignment to backup your recommendation.