Prevalence Of Tattoos Research Articles

Tattoos in Germany: prevalence, demographics, and health orientation

Tattooing has become very popular in recent years. In this context, socio-demographic information and health orientation is important. The objective of this study was to evaluate the development of the prevalence of tattoos over the last thirteen years and the social and economic background of people with tattoos. Three national representative surveys were compared for this purpose; men and women residing in Germany were included. Additionally, the purpose of the study was to assess socio-demographic information and the health orientation of respondents with tattoos. Three national, representative surveys were conducted on German participants (2016: n = 2510, 2009: n = 2512, 2003: n = 2043). The number of tattoos and socio-demographic information were investigated. The Health Regulatory Focus Scale (HRFS) assessing the individual's health orientation was used in 2016. Currently, one out of fiveGermans (≥14years) has at least one tattoo. In Germany, tattoos are most prevalent among younger adults of both sexes aged 25 to 34years. People with all levels of education have tattoos, although there were weak correlations with a lower education level and unemployment. Only men with several tattoos showed asignificantly lower health orientation than non-tattooed ones. The fact that nearly one fifth of the German population has tattoos suggests that this permanent body art is becoming more and more accepted in German society. As a result, a need for better health risk information on the topic for both tattooists and the people getting tattoos appears evident because of the high prevalence of tattoos in younger generations as well as the lower health orientation in men with several tattoos.

The prevalence of tattooing and motivations in five major countries over the world

The prevalence of tattooing and motivations in five major countries over the world

Are Tattoos an Indicator of Severity of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Behavior in Adolescents?

ObjectiveTo compare adolescents with non-suicidal self-injury behavior and tattoos [NSSI (T+)] with another group with non-suicidal self-injury behavior without tattoos [NSSI (T-)]. MethodsAdolescents (n=438) 42.6% males from the community (M=12.3, SD=1.3), completed the Self-Injury Schedule. ResultsThe lifetime prevalence of tattoos performed with the purpose to feel pain was 1.8%. Compared to the NSSI (T-) group, the NSSI (T+) group was significantly more likely to meet the DSM-5 frequency criteria of 5 self-injury events in 1 year, practice more than one method of self-injury, and topography, more suicidal intentionality, more negative thoughts and affective emotions before, during, and after self-injury and more academic and social dysfunction. ConclusionAdolescents from the community who practice tattooing to feel pain, show a distinct phenotype of NSSI. Health professionals and pediatricians should assess tattooing characteristics such as intention (to feel pain), frequency, and presence of non-suicidal self-injury behavior and suicide intentionality.

Prevalence of tattooing and knowledge about health risk associated with it among adolescent school students in Manipur, North-eastern India: a cross-sectional study

Background: Tattooing has emerged as common activity among adolescents. Therefore, it is important to informed adolescents about possible health hazards associated with it. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of tattooing and knowledge of health risks associated with it among higher secondary students and association between knowledge on risk factors with selected socio-demographic variables.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from September to October 2015 among 1325 students studying in class XI and XII in Thoubal district of Manipur in Northeast India. A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Based on the obtained score, knowledge was divided into adequate and inadequate. Descriptive statistics like mean (SD) and percentages were used. Chi-square test was used for testing the significance and p<0.05 was considered as statistically significant.Results: Total of 1378 students participated in the study. Almost all the students (99.5%) have heard of tattoo but only 75 of them (5.5%) had ever tattooed. Majority (87%) of the students had inadequate knowledge. Ever tattooed was more among male students compared to female. There was significant association between adequate knowledge and male students, parents who had secondary and above education. Significant association was found among those who had adequate knowledge and risk of transmission of disease through tattooing.Conclusions: Prevalence of ever tattooed was 5.5%. Though majority of the participants had heard of tattoo but most of them had inadequate knowledge about health risk associated with tattooing.

Knowledge of potential risk of blood-borne viral infections and tattooing practice among adults in Mandalay Region, Myanmar.

IntroductionTattooing especially gains popularity among both men and women in adulthood from the wide range of socioeconomic groups and is noted as a risk taking behaviour in adults. Especially when tattooing does not perform to the highest standards, it can potentially be the hazardous practice. Myanmar has a paucity of evidence-based information on the estimated prevalence of tattoos and awareness of potential disease transmission from tattooing under insanitary conditions as well as the infection risk. The present research was undertaken to help identify the self-reported prevalence of tattooing among adults (18–35 years) and their knowledge of transmission risk of blood-borne infections and its determinants.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study focused on residents aged 18–35 years was carried out in two urban and two rural areas in Mandalay district, Mandalay Region during 2015. Trained interviewers used a pre-tested structured questionnaire for face-to-face interviews with one eligible participant per selected household (n = 401). Bivariate analysis and multivariable analysis using binary logistic regression were done to ascertain the relevant explanatory variables.ResultsThe overall self-reported prevalence of tattooing was 19.5% (78/401) (95% CI = 16–24). Nearly 80% of participants (318/401) knew at least one blood-borne viral infection that could be transmitted from tattooing. The persons who had high formal education, manual laborers and those who lived with their families were significantly more likely to cite at least one blood-borne viral infection. Their perceived possibility to remove tattoo independently influenced the practice of tattooing (aOR = 1.91, 95% CI = 1.06–3.45; p = 0.03) compared with participants who reported no perceived possibility. Tattooing was more common in male (aOR = 13.07, 95% CI = 6.25–27.33; p<0.001) compared to female which was independently significant.ConclusionsThis study ascertained the tattoo prevalence as two in ten adults of working age especially among male in central part of Myanmar in the context of lack of registration system for tattoo parlours and the issuance of safety guidelines. Findings have suggested the target groups and risk factors to be included in future health promotion programs. Future research directions should focus on perspectives of tattooists to create and sustain the sanitary practices to reduce the chance of transmission of blood-borne viral infections.

The safety of tattoo inks: Possible options for a common regulatory framework

Tattoo prevalence has been increasing in the last 25 years, but specific regulations on tattoo inks are still missing. In the European Union, no supranational regulation is available and only few national provisions cover them. In the United States, tattoo inks are classified as cosmetics but are not approved for injection into the dermis.Health risks for consumers may derive from microbiological contamination and the presence of toxic substances or nanomaterials. However, current regulations and non-binding recommendations, where present, only address the microbiological and chemical risks, completely overlooking nanotoxicity.The aim of this paper is to promote awareness of the risks associated with tattoo inks and the nanomaterials contained therein. In particular, the need for a harmonised regulation or, at least, a set of minimal requirements is highlighted to improve the safety of tattoo inks and market surveillance by regulatory authorities.

The tattooed population in Italy: a national survey on demography, characteristics and perception of health risks.

In recent years, Italy has seen a constant upward trend in the practice of tattooing. The Italian National Health Institute has conducted a national survey to determine the prevalence of tattooed people in Italy and to study related features of the phenomenon. Establish the prevalence and characteristics of the tattooed population and evaluate awareness of the risks associated with tattoos, which can contribute to consumer health protection. Computer-assisted telephone interviews and computer-assisted web interviews were completed by a sample of the general population; 7608 people aged between 12 and 75+. The prevalence of tattooed people was 12.8% of the general population in Italy (95% CI: 12.05%-13.55%), equivalent to an estimated 6 900 000 tattooed individuals. Tattoos were more prevalent among women, at 13.8%, while tattooed men accounted for 11.8%. The vast majority of tattooed subjects had decorative tattoos of small dimensions, with a higher prevalence of monochromatic tattoos. Only a minority of tattooed participants reported having cosmetic tattoos (3.0%) or medical tattoos (0.5%). According to the data, 3.3% of tattooed subjects claimed complications or reactions; of these, only 21.3% consulted a dermatologist/general practitioner; more than half (51.3%) did not consult anyone. In general, only 58.2% of the sample were aware of health risks. The Italian survey showed that 36.7% of all tattoos had been performed in the last five years prior to the interview. The estimated prevalence of tattoos in Italy is in agreement with the statistics of the European Union. The prevalence in the age group 35-44 years is almost double that of the Italian population and it is higher in women than in men. Tattooing is relevant to public health. The high number of tattooed Italians, the potential long-term effects on health and the reported complications call for the awareness of health authorities. Appropriate intervention should ensure safer tattooing by reinforcing the training of tattooists, by improving surveillance and by providing information to raise public awareness of the risks and contraindications of tattooing.

Tattoo or taboo? Tattoo stigma and negative attitudes toward tattooed individuals

ABSTRACTTattoos are common in the United States; however, tattooed persons may be perceived as having more negative character and as more deviant than people without tattoos. College students (Study 1) and community members (Study 2) viewed images of men and women with tattoos or the same images with the tattoos digitally removed and rated the targets’ characteristics. Half of the participants viewed a target with a tattoo, and half viewed that target without it, allowing for both within- (participants all rated one male and one female target with a tattoo and another without) and between-participants (participants rated either the tattooed or non-tattooed version of a single target) comparisons. Tattooed targets, especially women, were rated as stronger and more independent, but were rated more negatively on other character attributes than the same target images with the tattoos removed. The stigma associated with tattoos appears to still exist, despite the prevalence of tattoos in modern culture.

Prevalence and correlates of tattooing in Norway: A large-scale cross-sectional study.

To our knowledge, no previous large-scale study has examined the prevalences and correlates of having only easily concealed tattoos, or readily visible tattoos. We conducted an exploratory online survey in Norway asking 15,654 (6,151 females) persons aged 16-91 (m = 33.65 ± 12.27) about various demographic, sports, substance use, mental health, personality, and tattooing questions. The estimated prevalence of tattooing was 20.8% (females: 23.8%, males: 17.9%), of which 13.3% had readily visible tattoos. Results of multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that females, being older than 19 years, higher body mass index, lifetime anabolic-androgenic steroid use (AAS), and higher scores on extraversion were associated with higher odds of having a tattoo. Factors associated with higher odds of having only easily concealed tattoos were being 40-49 (versus those ≤ 19) years old, being only high school or tertiary (versus being only primary school) educated, often or not (versus always) exercising in a gymnasium, and high scores on agreeableness. Females, and higher scores on extraversion and neuroticism were associated with higher odds of having at least one readily visible tattoo. Our findings delineate the significance of demographic variables, gymnasium exercise, AAS, and personality in the practice of tattooing.

Synchrotron-based \u03bd-XRF mapping and \u03bc-FTIR microscopy enable to look into the fate and effects of tattoo pigments in human skin

The increasing prevalence of tattoos provoked safety concerns with respect to particle distribution and effects inside the human body. We used skin and lymphatic tissues from human corpses to address local biokinetics by means of synchrotron X-ray fluorescence (XRF) techniques at both the micro (μ) and nano (ν) scale. Additional advanced mass spectrometry-based methodology enabled to demonstrate simultaneous transport of organic pigments, heavy metals and titanium dioxide from skin to regional lymph nodes. Among these compounds, organic pigments displayed the broadest size range with smallest species preferentially reaching the lymph nodes. Using synchrotron μ-FTIR analysis we were also able to detect ultrastructural changes of the tissue adjacent to tattoo particles through altered amide I α-helix to β-sheet protein ratios and elevated lipid contents. Altogether we report strong evidence for both migration and long-term deposition of toxic elements and tattoo pigments as well as for conformational alterations of biomolecules that likely contribute to cutaneous inflammation and other adversities upon tattooing.

Body Modification and Personality: Intimately Intertwined?

Body Modification and Personality: Intimately Intertwined?

A Survey of Metals Found in Tattoo Inks

While the practice of tattooing has existed for thousands of years, it has recently begun growing in popularity in the US. With the increasing prevalence of tattoos, the methods and inks involved in the tattooing process have also developed. Tattoos now use many brightly colored inks, often made using metal-based pigments. There is concern that chemicals may be present in tattoo inks in concentrations that may lead to human health concerns either during application or removal of tattoos. Since exposure to metals has been linked to tremors, liver damage, memory loss, cognitive loss, and even death, there is concern about the prevalence of metals in tattoo inks in general. To this end, a survey of 226 commercial tattoo inks was performed and each ink was analyzed for the presence of heavy metals using two different x-ray methods: Particle Induced X-Ray Emission and Scanning Electron Microscopy/ Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy. Fifteen metals were identified in various tattoo inks by these rapid x-ray methods, including chromium, manganese, nickel, copper, barium, and lead. Conclusions can be drawn about the prevalence of metals in some pigment colors and from some brands.

The picosecond laser for tattoo removal.

The prevalence of tattoos continues to grow as modern society's stigma towards this form of body art shifts towards greater acceptance. Approximately one third of Americans aged 18-25 and 40% of Americans aged 26-40 are tattooed. As tattoos continue to rise in popularity, so has the demand for an effective method of tattoo removal such as lasers. The various colors of tattoo inks render them ideal targets for specific lasers using the principle of selective photothermolysis. Traditional laser modalities employed for tattoo removal operate on pulse durations in the nanosecond domain. However, this pulse duration range is still too long to effectively break ink into small enough particles. Picosecond (10-12) lasers have emerged at the forefront of laser tattoo removal due to their shorter pulse lengths, leading to quicker heating of the target chromophores, and consequently, more effective tattoo clearance. Recent studies have cited more effective treatment outcomes using picosecond lasers. Future comparative studies between picosecond lasers of various settings are necessary to determine optimal laser parameters for tattoo clearance.

Current Concepts in Aesthetic Laser Medicine: The 694-Nm Q-Switched Ruby-Laser

Quality-switched (q-switched) laser systems are the gold standard for the treatment of benign pigmented lesions and tattoo removal. A frequently used system is the q-switched ruby laser that emits monochromatic light at the wavelength of 694 nm. This system is used for the removal of age spots (senile lentigines), seborrhoeic keratosis, tattoos, and other dyschromatoses. The increasing need for the removal of, for example, age spots and unwanted tattoos, reflects both the wish of our ageing society to preserve a youthful appearance and the steadily growing prevalence of tattoos. This review highlights the potential, limitations, and novel treatment concepts of using q-switched ruby laser systems.

El trauma en la piel: un análisis paleopatológico de tatuajes paracas-necrópolis

El tatuaje es un tipo de modificación cultural del cuerpo que consiste en insertar tinta dentro de las capas dérmicas a través de una aguja u otro material. La práctica del tatuaje causa un trauma en la piel con el objetivo de ejecutar un diseño conocido, cuyo resultado es una marca indeleble en el cuerpo. Este artículo analiza las consecuencias paleopatológicas del tatuaje en un conjunto de momias tatuadas del periodo Paracas Necrópolis procedentes del Cementerio de Warikayan, localizado en la costa sur del Perú. A partir de los resultados obtenidos de los análisis bioarqueológicos, complementados con los análisis de tatuajes mediante microscopia óptica, fluorescencia de rayos X y reflectografía infrarroja, se localizan los tatuajes y se inspeccionan en busca de lesiones derivadas de la práctica de modificación cultural. Los resultados indican que el 43% de los individuos Paracas analizados tiene tatuajes. Las localizaciones más frecuente para los tatuajes eran el dorso y la palma de la mano (21%), los dedos de la mano (16%) y el antebrazo (14%), Se ha encontrado una prevalencia de tatuajes considerablemente alta en mujeres. El pigmento utilizado es el carbón y debido a la similitud de los diseños tatuados con aquellos registrados en mantos textiles y vasijas cerámicas de la cultura Paracas, es posible pensar que los tatuajes están relacionados con el estatus social.

EPA-0786 - Tattoo as a subculture and new form of substantional addiction: The problem identification

Tattoo prevalence among young people assumed epidemic. It transformed into tattoo-addiction (tattoo-mania) and influences significantly on personality psychology and mind. Youth addict-audience with searching, delinquent and psychopathy-like radicals, generated drug addictions is one of tattoo configurations habitation key cohorts. was to study tattoo-addiction prevalence scale and clinical peculiarities for identification in narcology as sustantional addiction new form. for the research were information sources: 1) mass media; 2) Internet-monitoring results; 3) own research of students' youth cohort; 4) testing cohort of chemical and substantional addicted respondents. of the research gave evidence that tattoo-problen in modern human has pivotal constituents of addiction syndrome conforming to ICD-10 clinical criteria: 1) specific tattoo-sensations search («acute intoxication»); 2) stable desire for tattoo-designs persistent refreshing (pathological drive syndrome); 3) (psychological and emotional discomfort sensation on the eve of new tattoo-interventions (withdrawal syndrome psychic equivalent); 4) expansion of dimensions and volumes of tattoo-design and colour scale (tolerance symptom); 5) thirst for tattoo-rage while covering the body with diverse patterns, combined tattoo and piercing (dipsomaniacal state symptom); 6) change of integument localization zones at tattooing (rotation of sensations); 7) tattoo-aggression consequences evidence (skin defects, chronic septic foci, innervation disorders, mental, behavioural disorders). Large-scale involvement, stability and further spread of tattoo-phenomenon: 12% of youth assess situation as «bad» and «awful», the rest 88% – as «excellent», «good», «not bad». New problem of tattoo-addiction emerged in clinical narcology requires study, identification, working out the program of treatment, prevention and needs considering in new ICD-12 Version.

Tattoos on 18-year-old male adolescents - Characteristics and associated factors

BACKGROUND Prevalence of tattoos is around 10-26% in men and 10-22% in women, and can involve negative effects such as: regret, removal attempts, physical and biological changes of the skin and association with some viral diseases. OBJECTIVE to determine the prevalence, characteristics and factors associated with tattoos in recruiters joining the military. METHODS the recruiters were examined by dermatologists that documented the presence or absence of tattoos, as well as their sizes, colors, designs and patterns, and whether they needed a parent's consent to get a tattoo. RESULTS 1,968 recruiters were examined and the prevalence of tattoos was 10.82% (213), 141 (66.20%) had a single tattoo, 44 (20.66%) two tattoos, 15 (7.04%) three tattoos, 9 (4.23%) four tattoos, and 4 (1.88%) had more than four. Of the total sample, 168 (80.77%) reported getting the first tattoo before the age of 18. 158 (74.53%) were monochromatic. In relation to size, 108 (50.70%) had tattoos of up to 10 cm, 75 (35.21%) had tattoos measuring between 11-20cm, while 30 had ones over 21cm (14.09%). CONCLUSIONS The population studied had a high prevalence of tattoos for their age, the percentage of complex (large and polychromatic) tattoos was also high.

Piercing and tatooing in high school students of Veneto region: prevalence and perception of infectious releated risk.

Body piercing (P) and tattoo (T) is a growing social phenomenon over recent years. Nowadays in Italy little is known about the prevalence, the attitude, the medical and social consequences of these activities. The purpose of this study is to examine the prevalence distribution and the attitude towards P and T and the perception of the risk for infections, in a sample of high school students living in the four Provinces of the Veneto Region (Italy). An anonymous, self administrate multiple-choice questionnaire about piercing and tattoo practices was distributed during the 2009-2010 academic year to a sample of randomly extracted grades to obtain information about sociodemographic characteristics, family educational level, personal attitude, prevalence and perception of the importance of the sanitary, technical and artistic competence of the operator. The correctly compiled questionnaires were 2712 (95.4%). Males and females were respectively 46.2% and 53.8% (mean age 17 +/- 1.7 years). The 20.2% and the 6.4% of all the students had already experienced respectively P and T and resulted "very interested" the 46.7% to P and the 57.4% to T. Esthetical motivations are the main ones referred to use body art. The most part of interviewed subjects (81.6%) think that it is possible to have an infection, but only about 50% of students reported to know specific information about transmission of HIV, Viral Hepatitis and skin infections. The parents' educational levels do not influence the perception of the risk of infection. The majority of interviewed subjects (88.0%) prefers to undergo body art practices in a qualified center. Only the 30% of students recur to a medical help to solve problem of infection. The piercing and tattoo prevalence rate in our study (P: 20.2% and T:6.4%) resulted similar to other Italian ones (range reported: P: 20.3-35.1%, T: 4.8-8.6%), showing an increasing trend with age. Since a high rate of interviewed students referred a substantial ignorance about the risk of transmission of body art related infectious diseases, it is suitable to promote as soon as possible among the youth educational interventions and counseling.

Tattoo Frequency and Types Among Homicides and Other Deaths, 2007–2008

An estimated 25% of the US population aged 18 to 50 years has a tattoo, which have been associated with markers of high-risk behaviors including alcohol and drug use, violence, carrying weapons, sexual activity, eating disorders, and suicide. This study compares tattoo prevalence and type in a homicide population to those of an age-, race-, and sex-matched control group of nonhomicide deaths. The data for this study were abstracted from autopsy records maintained by the Jefferson County Alabama Coroner/Medical Examiner's Office for the years 2007 and 2008. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the association between homicide and tattoo presence and characteristics were calculated using conditional logistic regression. There was no association between tattoo presence and death by homicide; however, among blacks, memorial tattoos were significantly more common among homicides compared with other types of deaths (odds ratio, 2.50; 95% confidence interval, 1.10-5.68). The results of the current study suggest that specific types of tattoos, but not all tattoos, may be risk factors for homicide. Other factors, such as race and lifestyle, along with tattoos may need to be considered.

Personality Differences between Tattooed and Non-Tattooed Individuals

This study examined differences between tattooed and non-tattooed individuals on a range of personality and individual difference measures. A community sample of 540 individuals from the southern German-speaking area of central Europe completed a survey consisting of measures of the Big Five personality factors, Need for Uniqueness, Self-esteem, sensation seeking, Religious and Spiritual Beliefs, Attitudes Toward Tattoos, tattoo possession, and demographics. Preliminary analyses showed that 22% of the total sample possessed at least one tattoo. Further analyses showed that, compared with non-tattooed (n = 420) individuals, tattooed participants (n = 120) had significantly higher scores on Extraversion, Experience Seeking, Need for Uniqueness, and held more positive Attitudes Toward Tattoos, although effect sizes of these group differences were generally small- to medium-sized. These results are considered in relation to the contemporary prevalence of tattoos in socioeconomically developed societies.