Home News Ballymun woman regrets tattoo decision

Ballymun woman regrets tattoo decision

Thursday, 04 December 2008

A YOUNG Northsider has told how a tattoo tribute to her recently deceased grandmother turned into a painful ordeal. Nicola Dixon, from Ballymun, got a tattoo in memory of her beloved ‘Gran’ who passed away in October. However, the tattoo got badly infected, which is a risk associated with many body art works. “My hand swelled up like a balloon and I had to go to the doctor and to the hospital,” she told Northside People. “My skin looked so stretched, as if it would burst, and the pain was absolutely unbelievable.” The 25-year-old Coultry Road resident got a tattoo of rosary beads and a cross on her wrist and hand to remember her grandmother. “I got that design because it reminded me of when I was holding my Nanna’s hand when she was dying in hospital,” Nicola said. “She was very religious and was holding rosary beads. “I know people don’t often get tattoos on their hands because of the risk of infection but it was just my way of remembering my Gran forever. “I’m regretting getting it done now.” She added: “At this stage I’d almost like to get it lasered off again.” Ms Dixon, who already has 15 other tattoos, said this was the first time she had one that got infected and admitted it would make her think twice about getting more body art. When contacted, the owner of the tattoo parlour explained why Nicola would have been particularly vulnerable to infection. “Getting a tattoo on a hand is certainly not the most ideal place to have one done,” he told Northside People. “We usually advise against it because it is an area which is particularly prone to exposure to dirt and infection. “It’s unlike every other part of the body which can be covered and protected during the healing process. “Essentially, when you get a tattoo done, you are creating a wound that will scab and which needs to be kept thoroughly clean. “I had a look at the tattoo after it was finished and I thought it was perfectly done otherwise.” The tattoo artist said that in all parlours it is compulsory for each customer to sign a consent form which explains the risks attached to the procedure. Dr Hazen Kalout of the Castleknock Cosmetic Clinic explained why many people often regret getting tattoos. “Research shows that 60 per cent of people who get tattoos regret them at some stage of their lives,” he said. “A fraction of that 60 per cent then proceed with tattoo removal for different reasons, whether it is a case that their circumstances have changed: an ‘I love Peter’ doesn’t work when that ‘Peter’ is now called ‘David’. “Some people also get accidental tattoos where the words are misspelt or upside down. “The tattoo might also be offensive, something which they come to realise and regret when they get older.” Dr Kalout said there are two different methods of removing body art, which are carried out over eight to 12 sessions.