If you have a medical problem such as heart disease, allergies, diabetes, skin problems like eczema or psoriasis, a weak immune system, or a bleeding problem, talk to your doctor before getting a tattoo. Also, if you get keloids (an overgrowth of scar tissue) you probably should not get a tattoo.

Superficial and deep local infections, systemic infections, allergic reactions, photodermatitis, granulomatous reactions and lichenoid reactions may occur.

Tattooing also can lead to keloids. Keloids are raised areas caused by an overgrowth of scar tissue. Diseases spread through blood. If equipment used to create a tattoo has infected blood on it, you can get diseases that are spread through blood.

The artist will dip the needle into the ink and start puncturing the skin. The needle quickly goes in and out of the skin, leaving a trail of ink. The artist repeats this process until the tattoo is complete. The tattoo machine deposits the ink into the dermis, which is the second layer of skin.