Cheap roadside tattoos raise serious public health concerns

Kakinada – Andhra Pradesh: The growing trend of low-cost roadside tattooing near Devi Cinema Centre in Kakinada has triggered serious health concerns, with medical experts warning that unregulated tattoo practices are putting hundreds at risk of infections and long-term health complications.

Tattoos at throwaway prices, risks at heavy cost

Tattooing, once considered a specialised art, has now turned into a roadside business offering tattoos for as little as Rs 100 to Rs 200. Educated and uneducated people alike are seen queuing up to get names and symbols inked, raising alarms among health officials.

No hygiene, No licence, no accountability

Health authorities point out that most roadside tattoo operators lack even basic safety standards. Major concerns include:

No sterilisation of needles or equipment
Untrained individuals posing as tattoo artists
Absence of licences or medical permissions
Tattooing done on pavements and roadside stalls
Use of low-quality inks resembling toxic substances

Such practices, experts say, are extremely unsafe and unsuitable for public health.

Medical warning from health department

Dr. M Subhash Chandra cautioned that while tattoos may appear fashionable, they carry hidden and serious health risks if done without proper precautions. He explained that tattooing involves injuring the skin, and when unhygienic tools or inferior injectors are used, the risk of infection increases significantly.

Risk of infections and allergic reactions

According to Dr. Subhash Chandra, unsafe tattooing can lead to:

Skin infections
Swelling, redness, pain and itching
Pus formation
Severe allergic reactions in some individuals
Possibility of serious, even life-threatening diseases

People are advised to be fully aware of these side effects before opting for body art.

Tattoos may affect employment opportunities

The Health Department also highlighted occupational risks associated with tattoos. In sectors such as defence services and certain corporate jobs, visible tattoos may lead to restrictions or loss of employment opportunities.

Call for regulation and public awareness

Medical experts stressed that those who still choose to get tattoos must do so only at licensed, professional studios that follow strict hygiene standards and use certified inks.

Dr. Subhash Chandra noted that in villages and towns across the state, many innocent people are already suffering health problems due to unsafe tattooing practices. He urged the government to intervene, regulate roadside tattooing, and launch awareness campaigns to protect public health.