That's Fit

Tattoos are more popular than ever it seems, especially since technology has made them less permanent than they used to be. Whether it's from a struggle to differentiate themselves from the crowd, a new crazy way of artistic expression, or simply because they ran out of space, some people have started getting tattoos on their eyeballs. And we're not talking about permanent makeup or anything else on the outside of the eye -- we're talking ink injected right into the cornea.

Corneal tattooing is dangerous for a number of reasons, because in addition to the usual tattoo risks the cornea version can include infection, perforation, hemorrhage, scarring, and blindness. It started as a means of repairing eye damage and covering scarring, but it's becoming a more and more popular cosmetic procedure.

So would you let a tattoo artist stick a needle in your eye? Talk about regret!

Cosmetic medical procedures are becoming more and more commonplace everyday as technology advances, but there are still serious risks associated with even the simplest of procedures. Permanent makeup, which is basically just tattoos, is one that can easily have serious and devastating side effects. Studies have shown that certain shades of the tattoo ink used for permanent makeup cause allergic reactions in a significant number of patients, with redness, swelling, and even permanent bumps in the skin called granulomas resulting. The especially scary part is that it's possible to develop an allergy to the pigment at any time -- even in a tattoo you've had for years!

I for one would never want something permanent like this on my face, with or without the chance for nasty side effects, but for those who like the idea -- is it worth the risk?

Do you know the health risks associated with getting a tattoo? According to the FDA--and a recent article on MSN Health and Fitness--one in four Americans between the ages of 18 (the legal age to get a tattoo in most states) and 50 has a tattoo, but chances are not all of them are not aware of the health risks of getting inked.

This article had personal appeal to me: I have four tattoos. I made sure before I got the first one to look into any possible health or side effects before committing to one. Although tattoos are no longer "permanent" the idea of them still is, and the effects to overall health can certainly be.

Anyone remember the Pamela Anderson debacle? She got a tattoo, and by allegedly sharing a tattoo needle with Tommy Lee, she got hep C. She underwent outpatient treatment for the disease which required a lot of very powerful medication along with constant visits to the doctor. Hep C is potentially life-threatening but many otherwise healthy people live with the disease.