Why is it necessary to disclose your medical condition to a "tattoo" artist? Can they refuse you if they aren't comfortable with what you tell them?

Review the following guidelines and information before making your decision to tattoo a part of your body.

- Consider the social or emotional risk of having a tattoo. Many people make negative value judgments about people with tattoos.

- Talk with people in different age groups about their tattoos. Some people change their minds after getting a tattoo. Since a tattoo is hard to remove, it is important that your decision to get a tattoo is one you can live with.

- Think about the reasons you want to get a tattoo.

- Do not get a tattoo while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Since a tattoo is hard to remove, it is important that your decision is made with a clear mind.

- Get a tetanus shot before your tattooing if you have not had one in the past 10 years.

- Choose an experienced person who uses sterile gloves and sterilized equipment to do the tattoo. Ask the person doing the tattoo how he or she cleans the equipment and what safety standards he or she follows. Sterile gloves and sterilized equipment should be used. A fresh pair of gloves should be used for each procedure. Make sure that the operator washes his or her hands before putting on the gloves. Ask the operator to change his or her gloves if he or she answers the telephone or does anything else during your procedure.

- Check the studio and see whether it looks clean. Ask the operator about sterilizing techniques and safety standards.

-If you think you may want to have your tattoo removed at a later date-dark blue, black, and red are the easiest colors to remove with lasers. Bright colors-blue, green, and yellow-are difficult, if not impossible, to remove.

- If you have had an allergic reaction to tattoo dye in the past, do not get any more tattoos. Be sure your health professionals know about these allergies.

-Wear medical alert jewelry such as a MedicAlert tag if you have had an allergic reaction after a tattoo.

- If you have had an allergic reaction to the henna used in a temporary tattoo, you have a higher chance of developing a skin reaction to hair dye. Mix up a small amount of the dye solution and paint it on a small patch of skin, such as the inside of your wrist, to see if you are going to have a reaction to it. Do not use the hair dye if your skin turns red or itches.

- Check with your city or county health department to find out whether there have been any complaints about the studio you are thinking of using.

According to the Health Department in Oregon and Hawaii, tattoo artists in these states are required to take and pass a test ascertaining their knowledge of HEALTH and SAFETY precautions, as well as the current state regulations. Performing a tattoo in Oregon state without a proper and current license or in an unlicensed facility is considered a felony offense. Tattooing was legalized in New York City, Massachusetts, and Oklahoma between 2002 and 2006.

Pinkblush and neo - think you haven't understood the question here. She didn't ask for do s and don't s of getting a tattoo. All she wants to know is if she should tell the person making her tattoo, if she has a medical problem, and my answer is YES.

Better safe than sorry

I think if you have a medical condition or are on medication, it is important that you disclose it to your artist before getting any tattoo or piercing done. These conditions may be
* A Heart Condition
* Diabetes
* Hemophilia
* HIV
* Hepatitis
* Severe Allergies
* Epilepsy
* Pregnant or Nursing
* 6 Months or Less Postpartum or Post-Weaning

This basically so that they can be sure that it is safe for you to this done, and that it does not aggrevate any condition you might have.

One thing read before you sign any paper.