“Tattoo craze, a constant trend among youngsters, puts them at the risk of infections as severe as HIV and hepatitis. It has become a style statement, but its side-effects are not pondered upon. There are cases of hepatitis B in youngsters after they have done a tattoo,” said dermatologist Dr L Dhanalaxmi.

Besides immediate side-effects that are often known soon, tattooing can also give rise to delayed health issues. While allergies such as swelling, irritation, redness and pain are very common, dyes and inks can react on the skin and cause tumour like swelling, scarring and other problems,” added Dhanalaxmi.

According to tattoo artists, the needles and inks are costly, due to which a single pack is used on two or more customers usually. This can lead to transfer of infections from one person to another.

“Most of the tattoo studios do not have a proper sterilisation process to use the needles again on another customer. The people who wish to get inked should check that the tattoo studio is licensed and whether the place is hygienic and the equipment are sterilised,” said cosmetologist Subhashini Mohan.