Exploding Tattoos? The truth about MRI scans and tattoos.

Ever heard the story about the person who went for an MRI scan and their tattoo was ripped out of their skin?
Well in this post I'm going to put that myth to rest!

An MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, creates images of inside our bodies in the form of very thin slices, the two major functions of an MRI is the powerful magnetic field and the radio frequency pulses.
MRIs are used to diagnose more obscure medical situations such as infection of the brain or spine, most people will have to have at least one MRI scan during some point of their life.

But fear not all of my tattooed readers!
Tattoos will not have any impact on an MRI scan.

The main basis of the MRI and tattoo myth is that when tattoos were done over twenty years ago, the ink used had small particles of metal in it. It is these small fragments that are said to react with the magnetic field from the MRI machine and pull up from under the skin. However, despite small reports of some slight discomfort, the only impact that older tattoos can have on an MRI is that they can in some instances cause distortions on the results, rendering them useless.

With tattoos that have been done within the past twenty years, there is a lot less concern. Since tattooing has become legal, so has implementing regulations on them, which includes regulating the kinds of ink permitted to be used. Modern tattoo ink no longer contains the same small metal fragments it did over twenty years ago.

If you still have concerns, talk to your doctor, there are alternatives to MRI scans.

Below is a video from Myth Busters proving that the theory is wrong:

My Journal: Bethany Wolosky

I met Bethany while interning at the Patricia Field boutique in New York last year. She's from Brooklyn and has some of the coolest ink I've seen! When I first met her she just had the roses on her shoulders, so it's been awesome seeing how her sleeve has progressed.

Hooker being eaten by a shark by Jacob Des at The End Is Near - Brooklyn.

Zombie Unicorn

Blue Rose on elbow (ouch!)

'Red Blooded American Girl' and Eagle

Gypsy lady with snake

'True Romance'

Inspired by a vintage valentine card for her Mami Gladys

All of the above were done by Mohawk John at Three Kings in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Max Kuhn

Her second to most recent tattoo, a skull and dagger on her palm. I'll be doing a follow up post about how her palm tattoo is surviving in the future!

Follow Bethany on her tumblr 

aluxuryproblem.tumblr.com



Procedure

I'd never really thought about what exactly happens once a tattoo is complete, what exactly does your body do? How does it react? Well if anyone else has been wondering heres a look at what your body actually goes through.

A tattoo is the placement of pigment (ink) into the skins dermis. The dermis is the layer of dermal tissue that is under the epidermis. As the healing proceeds the damaged epidermis flakes away. Pigment remains trapped within the skins fibroblasts while the upper dermis is mended.

Interesting right?

It's also interesting to look at other cultures take on the art of tattooing.
Tribal cultures traditionally cut designs into the skin and then would proceed to rub the wound with ink or ashes.
Others would hand tap the ink into the skin with sharpened sticks made from bone or wood.

The modern procedure is done with a tattoo machine, the electric machine inserts ink into the skin either by a single needle or a group of needles. The needle/ needles are attached to a bar that is attached to an oscillating unit. This unit rapidly and repeatedly drives the needle in and out of the skin at a speed of around 80-150 times a SECOND!

Anatomy of a Tattoo Machine

Picture credit to the awesome Myra Phan at myraphan.com

My Journal: Anthony La Bruno

 Anthony La Bruno, a 23 year old photographer originally from Jersey City, NJ, now lives in Charlotte, NC with his fiancé. Anthony got his first tattoo at 16 which has now progressed to a full sleeve and much more. He got into the scene through the music he listened to growing up, listening to punk rock and learning to skate were the catalyst to him being inspired to get tattoos.

Full Sleeve
done by Adam Paterson @ Body and Soul/JCTC
Inspiration for fireflies and dead tree by Saves The Day. 

Love Letter Typewriter
done by Chuck Daly @ Jersey City Tattoo Co
Tattoo in memory of Diana La Bruno(mother) Inspiration by the band Mineral.

Accept Yourself
done by Adam Paterson @ Jersey City Tattoo Co
Song by The Smiths, encouragement to keep going and believe in yourself.

Nightingale
done at Body and Soul Tattoo
Song by Saves The Day. Infers the type of love a man should have for a woman.

Heartagram
Done at Whatever Tattoo in NY

Ankle Heart
also done at Whatever Tattoo NY

Johnny Cupcakes
Tattoo done in bedroom by a friend.

For more of Adam and Chuck's awesome work and where to find them check out :

http://www.jerseycitytattoo.com/

Brief History

This won't be a detailed post into the exact history of where, when and why tattoos came into existence, it will just be a brief guide.

If you're looking for more precise information I'd highly recommend Wikipedia.

The art of tattooing has been practised for centuries, the earliest remains of tattoos were actually found on 'Otiz the Iceman' from circa 3300 BC. Tattooing was and still is widespread amongst tribal groups in places such as; Taiwan, Borneo, Africa, Japan and New Zealand. In the Western world today the origins of tattoos lay in Polynesia; tattoos became popular amongst European sailors who eventually brought the art back to Western societies.

Types of tattoos include:

Traumatic- Injuries that involved asphalt or lead etc.

Amateur and Professional- both via the traditional method with modern machinery.

Cosmetic- including permanent make up

Medical- convey medical information about wearer e.g. blood group

Intro

Hi Everyone!

This is my Tattoo Journal blog, I'll be posting about cool tattoo related things going on the Charlotte area, new technology involving tattoos, artist interviews, shop reviews and posts on interesting people with tattoos.

Bodies are like a journal and tattoos are the entries, reminding us of happy times, sad times, awesome places and amazing people.

Enjoy!