Information about the risks of tattooing

The application of a tattoo comes with certain risks. Make sure you’re well rested and had a good meal beforehand. Inform your tattooist about medication, skin problems, allergies, hypersensitivity reactions and epilepsy. Check on www.veiligtatoeerenenpiercen.nl if the studio where you are getting tattooed has a licence. This licence means that the studio works according to the hygiene guidelines issued by the Health Department (GGD Amsterdam). As of 1-1-2022 we use the new hygiene guidelines for tattooing: https://www.rivm.nl/hygienerichtlijnen/EU-norm-tatoeeren

Do not get a tattoo if:

  • you had plastic surgery in the area you’re getting tattooed within the last year;
  • it is on a less than a year old scar;
  • it is on a spot that was tattooed within the last six weeks;
  • it is on a spot that has been lasered any less than three months ago or in areas where the laserwound is not healed yet;
  • it is on irritated skin, for example: a rash, dark birthmarks or if the skin is swollen;
  • you are on the influence of drugs or alcohol;
  • you are pregnant.

Also it is not recommended to get tattooed if you suffer from one of the following conditions:

  • diabetes;
  • hemofilia;
  • chronic skin disease;
  • allergies to tattoo materials or tattoo ink;
  • immune disorder;
  • heart and bloodvessel deficiencies.

Do you suffer from any conditions listed above or do you use bloodthinners or antibiotics? And still want to get tattooed? Please consult a physician first.

Check for backgroundinformation about these stated risks on www.veiligtatoeerenenpiercen.nl.

The application of a tattoo

Because tattooing creates a wound, there is always a chance of attracting bloodborne diseases like Hepatitis B and C.  That is why you should check if your tattooist works hygienically. A hygienic working method is also important to prevent the infection of your new tattoo. Make sure that:

  • before tattooing the skin is cleaned, desinfected and if necessary shaved with a new disposable razor;
  • the needles and ink are sterile packaged and only for your use.; the ink is poured in sterile cups;
  • during tattooing clean tissues are used to wipe the skin;
  • the tattooist wears gloves during the tattoo session and replaces them if he/she touches anything else than the tattoomachine, a tissue or your skin;
  • the skin is taken care of and covered after.

Aftercare

A new tattoo can be compared to a graze or scratch. Bad aftercare and unhygienic treatment can cause an infection and scar tissue. Also an infection can effect the final look of your tattoo. If you take care of your fresh tattoo it should take about two to six weeks untill the wound is healed. The tattooist will give written guidelines on the aftercare of your tattoo. Read them well.

After Care Instructions

Here you can download the aftercare instructions.

(download NED version)

(download ENG version)