Tattooing on the human body has been an irresistible act condoned by individuals in the four angles of the planet. A tattoo is a mark, figure, design, or word inscribed intentionally fixed or placed on the skin of an accepted individual.
But now, most people around the globe are much susceptible to it. Is tattoo a good thing to entertain? The practitioners will be in a better position to give answers to this question as far as tattooing the body is concerned.
In my quest to find out more on why people tattoo, I had the opportunity to interview a colleague of mine at Ghana Institute Of Journalism, Miss Richeal Boateng as she tells me more of what she thinks of the art.
People get tattoos for many reasons: for attention, self-expression, artistic freedom, rebellion, a visual display of a personal narrative, reminders of spiritual/cultural traditions, sexual motivation, addiction, identification with a group or even drunken impulsiveness (which is why many tattoo parlors are open late) the list goes on and, it endless.
The art of tattooing is seen as a tool of fashion by people who indulge in it. It gives them a sense of beauty and upgrades their status in society. Highlighting the chain of arguments here, people have flare for tattoos and are also influenced by their peers or mates to engage in this art. Others are also overshadowed by their own desires; being it spiritually acclaimed desires, biblical desires, a lover, symbol as stated above.
Tattooing comes along with a lot of negative effects and the painful thing is that, it exposes these practitioners to health complications such as cancer, skin irritations and other lifetime regrets.
Tattoos, is also breaching the skin, which means that skin infections and other complications are possible, including: Allergic reactions. Tattoo dyes ā especially red, green, yellow and blue dyes ā can cause allergic skin reactions, such as an itchy rash at the tattoo site. This can occur even years after you get the tattoo.
At the end, People wearing tattoos may develop feelings of low self-worth and low self-esteem because they may not fit into the rest of society. For example, tattoos may lead to labeling and stereotyping of the individuals wearing them, especially at the point where they regret what they have done and want to change.
DO TATTOOS AFFECT THE IMMUNE SYSTEM?
Innate immune responses involve general reactions to foreign material. So getting a new tattoo triggers your immune system to send white blood cells called macrophages to eat invaders and sacrifice themselves to protect against infection. Your body also launches what immunologists call adaptive responses.
More than 30% of Americans are tattooed today. Yet, few studies have focused on the biological impact beyond the risks of cancer or infection. But bear in mind we are Africans, you are a Ghanaian. This is not part or enlisted our culture.
Tattooing creates a permanent image by inserting ink into tiny punctures under the topmost layer of skin. Your body interprets a new tattoo as a wound and responds accordingly, in two general ways.
What will be your gain when you tattoo your body ? Nothing, nothing, I mean absolutely nothing at all. But, well I am not here to preach a whole sermon to you.
The Holy Bible and Qur’an even go against tattooing and proclaim it as a sinful act. If the Christian and Muslim faiths see tattooing as a horrific act then why should you involve yourself in it? This question is left gaping for you to answer.
Andy Oppong Dankyi 