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Hi, my name is Mandy. I have been HIV positive for the past 4 years. I caught HIV by making the biggest mistake of my life…getting a tattoo. I know what you’re thinking..you’re probably saying..”well she could have had sex and caught it.” That’s just not so..i am a virgin..and now i have to stay that way for the rest of my life. I’m not writing this story to scare any of you, i just don’t want any of you to have to go through what i went through. Well, im gonna tell you my story now. Here Goes.

The day i turned 20 is the day i wanted to do something that i always told myself i would never do… have lots a fun. I was a junior in college, and having the time of my life. Of course, i kept my head in the books, and steered clear of the guys that were there… but i had amazing friends. They were so daring.. not like any of the friends i ever had. One of my friends had her nipples pierced, her nose pierced, eyebrow, navel, and her hood pierced…along with 5 tattoos. I’m not saying i wanted to get a tattoo because my friends had them, i just wanted to get one so i can finally express myself through art. So, the day i turned 20 is the day i decided to get one done.

We all decided to go to this place where everybody said it was the best place to get a tattoo. They did them cheap.. mine cost $60 for a large, colorful cartoon girl (the ones that look like they could be on sailor moon or any of those japan cartoons) on my back. We got there, and the tattooist was finishing up this guy who was getting a snake tattooed on his forearm. When he was done, he told me the wait would be 30 minutes because he needed to prepare everything. I waited patiently, and listened to my friends making fun of some tattoos that they had there. So, finally it was finally my turn to go in.

The other tattooist had left because it was his break, so there was this other guy there…a freaky looking guy..with all these face piercings and tattoos all over his arms. He told me to sit in this chair and life my shirt over my head so he could get the placement right. He showed me the placement and i thought it looked fine, so he continued. He didn’t explain to me what he was gonna do..or how the needles were sterilized. I asked him about it, but he said there was no need to say anything, that everything i needed to know was on the form i had signed. So i said fuck it, and let him continue with his job. I must say…getting that tattoo hurt so bad. I swear to you, it felt like a huge butter knife was going through my back. I cried and screamed. The guy kept asking if i wanted him to finish it up, and i said yeah. When it was finally done (3 hrs later) he told me that he would only charge me $60. So i tipped him $40 and left with a very bloody, sore back. He told me to clean it with Neosporin, and after 5 days of that, rub some moisturizing lotion on it.

About 4 months later, i went to my regular doctors check up. I felt fine, but im always known to be “the cautious one” in my family. He took my blood, checked my eyes, my lungs, etc etc. Only a few days later, my doctor called me back and told me to come to his office ASAP. When i got there, he had a worried look on his face. I knew something was wrong. I asked him right away what was wrong. He told me that i tested positive for HIV. I was in total shocked. I asked him how this could have happened, because i haven’t had sex with anyone in my life. He explained the possibilities…and finally said that word…”needle”…….i totally broke down and started crying….i knew it had to be when i got my tattoo……

Well…i guess you’re probably asking…”then what??”… well..they investigated the place, and found out the place was extremely filthy, and the place might have infected about half the customers that went there, including me. The place got shut down, and yada yada yada (the place reopened 2 years later)

Well…..that’s my story. I hope that all of you that are reading be careful that you check out the places that you wanna get a tattoo. Don’t make the same mistake that i made. This tattoo ruined my life. Please be careful.

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I hope her story at least makes you think. If you contract a disease like HIV from a tattoo, getting it removed will not make it go away, however if there is an allergy or other skin irritation from tattoo ink then removing the tattoo may provide some relief or prevent a long-term condition.

Our repeated advice is for people to get educated and understand the risks and dangers of tattoo inks as well your tattoo removal options ranging from laser tattoo removal to tattoo removal creams.

Check out: The Tattoo Removal Cream Store and The Secret Dangers of Tattoo Inks.

It is not known exactly when the practice of tattooing got started, but some evidence of tattoos have been found on Egyptian mummies back in 1300 B.C. Tattoos are made artistically on the skin by injecting a color into small holes in the skin. It does not matter who injects the color into the skin, but it is a fact that the mark of a tattoo is permanent. However due to several reasons, people take the help of physicians to remove tattoos.

Luckily, there are several successful ways to remove tattoos, which are being used by physicians. Nevertheless, in most cases some blemishes can remain visible on the skin. It depends on a number of factors such as size, location, and the time taken in the individual healing process. If the tattoo has been on the skin for a long time, then it may be difficult to remove.

The physician will choose a tattoo removal method after considering the size and length of the tattoo. He will also take into consideration the time that the tattoo has been on the skin.

Some of these widely used tattoo removal methods include:

Excision: This is one of the most popular tattoo removal methods, especially when the tattooed area is small. By using this method, tattoos can be removed completely from the skin. In order to remove large tattoos, the excision process is done in stages.

While performing this method, the tattooed area is first numbed, and then it is erased surgically. There may be minimal bleeding, but it can be controlled easily by using electrocautery.

Dermabrasion: Another tattoo removal procedure is known as the “Dermabrasion Procedure”. The tattooed area is sprayed with a solution to freeze it, and then the tattoo is rubbed down with a rotary abrasive tool, which results in the peeling of the skin. During this process, bleeding may occur, so it is a must that immediate dressings are applied to that area.

Laser: Nowadays, the laser technique is becoming popular among physicians, as it offers better results in a short time. Laser techniques such as Q-switched Nd: Yag, Q-switched Alexandrite and the Q-switched Ruby, are being used to remove tattoos.

A cream can be applied on the skin for numbing before the treatment begins, if required. After that, by using laser light technique, the pigment of the tattoo is broken and thereafter several weeks, scavenger cells of the body eliminate the treated pigment area. Generally, one may be required to have more than one laser treatment to erase the tattoo entirely.

Salabrasion: This is an ancient method to remove tattoos, but it is still used sometimes. Similar to other methods, anesthetic is used on the tattoo as well as on its surrounding area. After that, a solution of normal tap water and salt is applied on the skin. By using abrade equipment, the tattooed area is abraded strongly, and when the area becomes dark red, then a dressing is applied.

In conclusion, it does not matter which tattoo removal method you opt for, but one thing is definite – there will always remain some scarring or color variation.

Undestand more about what is in tattoo inks with our free special report – The Secret Dangers of Tattoo Inks or the industries best tattoo removal cream – Wrecking Balm

It is always best to discuss with the physician the various methods available and their procedures. It is important that you clear all your doubts regarding the process before you go for it.

The overwhelmingly popular act of tattooing the body has spread across the globe as a hallmark of entering adulthood. Teens anxiously wait the time when they can legally get tattooed and parents try their best to warn their teens of the consequences of their actions. Many studios see individuals come into the parlor with a set idea of getting another person’s name inked into their skin. All the artist can do is shake their head in silence and remind them the only way to lose the ink later is through laser tattoo removal.

Much like ranch owners that brand their cattle so they can be identified, so too do gangs. Gang leaders want each member to be tattooed as a way of identification. But for those who want to escape the trials of gang life, their tattoos are a constant reminder to themselves and the world that the guns and violence are not far away. There is hope though. Laser tattoo removal is a way many professionals are donating their time and money to help ex-gang members leave their past behind. It cannot heal what is on the inside but it can get rid of the outward reminders.

The process of tattooing the skin is not the sole property of a licensed tattoo studio or parlor. Many tattoo’s that later undergo laser tattoo removal are homemade tattoos done in someone’s home. These primitive and low quality tattoos are often the most difficult to remove due to the application under which they are applied. The homemade tattoo machine is similar to the professional one used in the studio. It is the tattoo artist that is different. One person has training and chances are the other does not. The untrained operator often goes too deep into the dermis (skin) of the person. The laser tattoo removal then becomes very expensive.

Laser tattoo removal is the application process of a specialized laser to the skin surface. The laser burns the layers of skin and after a few applications, depending on the depth of the ink, the tattoo is removed. The actual procedure is a beam of light directed at the pigments of the tattoo. After breaking apart the body’s immune system does the actual removing.

Black dyes are the easiest to remove because they absorb all wavelengths. Colors such as green, red and yellow must have selective wavelength used that are specific to their spectrum.

A Few Tips on Getting the Right Tattoo

* Look at tattoo removal pictures online.
* Understand how a tattoo removal machine works.
* Use plenty of the tattoo removal cream the doctor gives you.
* Do research on tattoo removal.
* If you need it removed laser surgery for tattoo removal is your best bet.

In conclusion, many people teetering on the brink …”should I or shouldn’t I?” face these same issues. This is nothing to worry about, think of it as expression of art. Thousands of people everyday get tattoos and piercings and never look back. For those that made a bad decision at some point in their lives that needs to be corrected there is Tattoo Removal by Laser.

If you wish more info on getting tattooed, browse our site for other articles and reports about airbrush tattoos, henna tattoos and tattoo designs for additional information to help you deal with or overcome tattoo ink anxiety madness.

This article was written by John Johnston

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Johnston

http://EzineArticles.com/?Avoiding-Laser-Tattoo-Removal&id=901277

What is also growing is the number of people who have tattoo remorse. Essentially they have tattoos that they no longer like or want on their bodies. Perhaps there is good reason for this since there are a lot of amateur tattoo artists out there who are applying a lot of bad tattoos. Another factor could be that many people get a tattoo on a dare or are simply anxious to have one so there is limited thought into what tattoo they should get or where it should go. In other cases the sentiment that dreamed up the tattoo idea is gone especially in the case of relationship where the love birds fly apart. This can lead even worse tattoos as people are now seeking options to have their tattoos morphed into something else. In other cases people simply outgrow their tattoo fetish. Others are finding that tattoos are not a great compliment to white collar success.

Nonetheless, the tattoo removal industry is growing by leaps and bounds as people make a mad dash to find ways to remove unwanted tattoos. What seems to be surprising to many is the cost and discomfort of tattoo removal.

The treatments range from laser tattoo removal to do-it-yourself tattoo removal creams. But the reality is none of these options are instant and they all have there associated costs and risks. At the end of the day it is clear that no matter what tattoo you get, if you ever decide you no longer want it, tattoo removal will take more time and cost a lot more than the original application.

Perhaps the only bright side is that there is a lot of company in the same line as you. This will hopefully drive down prices and help to bring continuous improvement to the do-it-yourself options. The best advice is to get as much information as you can tattoo removal can be expensive, painful, and have long-term ramifications that you may not consider if you just rush into it.

So take some time to get really educated on your tattoo removal options and get all your questions answered in advance.