Once a month, a dermatologist will welcome tattooed victims of complications or people wishing to take the plunge at the Assistance publique – Hôpitaux de Paris.
A quote on the ribs, a small symbol behind the ear or a phoenix on the back, today, more than one in ten French people have already pushed the door of a tattoo parlor. An increasingly widespread practice, especially among young people, which is not without risk.
In 6% of cases, inflammation, infection or allergy related to the products used or poor hygiene conditions can occur. Sometimes the severity of the complications forces the tattooed to get rid of their tattoo.
So faced with this craze for tattoos and the growing need for information from tattooed people, but also from doctors, the Bichat-Claude-Bernard hospital (Paris) opened the first consultation dedicated to the management of post-tattoo complications. in France.
Increase research on tattooing
Placed under the responsibility of Dr Nicolas Kluger, tattooed dermatologist, this consultation will welcome patients once a month. “It will make it possible to carry out a diagnosis and provide the most appropriate therapeutic response to patients”, explains the Assistance publique – Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP).
The dermatologist may, for example, perform biopsies in order to study the consequences of the presence of pigments in the skin. While it is now well established that red, pink or purple inks trigger more allergic reactions than others, there is still a lot to be discovered.
“The opening of this consultation will allow research to be carried out on this problem which has not been explored today,” said Dr Kluger. This work will make it possible to limit, or even prevent, the risk of developing complications linked to tattoos, but also to provide the best therapeutic solutions to treat them ”.
Watch the show “Tattoo, tattoo removal: what you need to know before deciding”
with Dr Catherine de Goursac, aesthetic doctor in Paris.
Take advice
This specialized consultation will not only be dedicated to the brave who have managed to endure the pain of the needles that pierce the skin. Those who hesitate or who are about to take the plunge can also make an appointment for advice.
For patients suffering from dermatological diseases such as psoriasis, lupus or vitiligo, this pre-tattoo consultation can be very useful.
The right gestures after the tattoo
Although a tattoo artist worthy of the name uses sterile equipment and disposable needles, the risk of infection cannot be totally ruled out. Despite all these precautions taken by the tattoo artist, it is up to the client to take care of his hygiene.
Always keep in mind that a tattoo is a wound. In the following days, it should therefore be cleaned with soap and water several times a day, obviously with clean hands. Otherwise, beware of contamination by staphylococci or mycobacteria. During this healing phase, it is also necessary to avoid scratching the scabs, which would open the way to all the surrounding germs.
Finally, although the first rays of the sun make you want to show off your tattoos, it is better to wait for the end of healing, at least a month. For larger rooms it may be longer. Ideally, avoid getting a tattoo before summer if you like to be in the sun.
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