Tattoo Craze Among Youth: More Than Just Skin and Health Risks, It Can Be Life-Altering

Reshma Singh

Virat Ojha, a 30-year-old resident of Dhangadhi Bishalnagar, had always harbored a desire to get a tattoo. To fulfill this long-standing wish, he traveled to Kathmandu last week and visited a tattoo house located in Chabahil, where he got a tattoo on his arm.

Despite numerous attempts by his wife, Radhika, to dissuade him from getting a tattoo, Virat went ahead with his decision. Radhika was concerned about the potential adverse effects on the skin or possible infections that could result from the procedure.

Recently, various media outlets reported that 40 people in the eastern region of India contracted HIV from getting tattoos. According to these reports, doctors suggested that the use of a single needle on multiple individuals might have caused the transmission. Although a single needle costs 1,200 Indian Rupees, tattoos were being offered for just 200 Rupees in street markets.

In the eastern regions of India, it has been found that 26,000 individuals are HIV positive. This news has alarmed many people in Nepal, including Radhika, who became extremely worried. "Is it really necessary to get a tattoo? Such alarming news has come out. I'm also worried about potential skin issues," she shared with a reporter, expressing her concerns. "Who knows what materials they use at the tattoo parlors? And in the heat of Dhangadhi, if any complications arise, it could become even more problematic. I don't understand this obsession! I am so worried," she added.

Currently, Virat is in a normal state, but his wife remains anxious about the potential future complications they might face.

Similarly, 23-year-old Kishor Rajiv, influenced by his friends, got a tattoo on his wrist. At that time, he had just completed his undergraduate studies and was planning to go to Japan for further education and employment. Once his undergraduate exam results were out, he started the process of applying for a student visa to Japan. Everything was going smoothly.

However, Rajiv was unaware that having a tattoo could pose problems when seeking to go abroad. He made numerous attempts to remove the tattoo, but it remained until his departure date. As a result, he lost the opportunity for overseas study and employment. Despite completing all the necessary processes to go to Japan, Rajiv was unable to fly due to the tattoo on his body.

Like Rajiv, many young people today are facing issues due to tattoos. Whether influenced by others or driven by personal interest, the number of young individuals getting tattoos is steadily increasing. We have seen artists, athletes, or celebrities with artistic designs, words, or images on various parts of their bodies. Some of us might have even gotten tattoos of our parents' names, deities, favorite objects, or people, or any artistic image. Nowadays, getting a tattoo has become a kind of fashion or hobby. Especially among the younger generation, the craze for tattoos is quite high. This might explain why tattoo parlors can be found in every alley of large cities.

 Health Risks Associated with Tattoos

While tattoos can be appealing and attractive, they can sometimes become a significant problem if they don't turn out as expected or hinder one's career opportunities, experts warn.

Dr. Rajan Babu Tajya, a dermatologist and laser specialist, mentions that the trend of getting tattoos can affect not only the skin and health but also one's entire life. According to him, individuals with tattoos are not allowed to travel to countries like Dubai, Qatar, Malaysia, and Japan. Even within Nepal, they cannot join the military, police, or other government jobs. Thus, Dr. Tajya emphasizes that tattoos have a profound impact on a person's life, more so than on their health.

"It is best to avoid getting a tattoo if possible. If you must, ensure that your health is thoroughly checked," advises Dr. Tajya. He explains that it is not suitable to get a tattoo if you have physical disabilities or conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure. For people with diabetes, a tattoo may not heal properly. Therefore, it is only advisable to get a tattoo if your blood sugar levels are under control. Individuals with high blood pressure might faint during the tattooing process, so Dr. Tajya recommends against getting a tattoo in such cases.

"It is crucial to consider the hygiene practices of the artist and the cleanliness of the tools at the tattoo parlor," says Dr. Tajya. "You need to understand the sterilization process of the equipment used. Without proper care, various infections can occur. The tattoo machine and other tools must be sanitized."

Similarly, Dr. Umid Kumar Shrestha of Nepal Medicity Hospital states that the trend of getting tattoos has increased the risk of Hepatitis B and C. "The practice of getting tattoos and randomly piercing body parts has heightened the risk of Hepatitis B and C," says Dr. Shrestha. Hence, he advises against getting tattoos impulsively or from any random place.

The Origin of the Tattoo Trend

Hippies introduced the tattoo culture in Nepal as a fashion trend during the 1960s and 1970s. However, it is found that Tharu women in Nepal traditionally had the names of their husbands and themselves tattooed on their arms. Additionally, communities such as the Newars, Tamangs, and Magars have had a longstanding tradition of tattooing.