Tattoo Info
Health and Safety
Disclaimer
We are not medical professionals. This page is provided for informational purposes only. If you have medical concerns regarding getting a tattoo, always talk to a doctor. Use this page as a starting point to help raise awareness, but be sure to do your own research and consult with medical professionals.
If you have skin or medical conditions affecting the area you want tattooed, let your artist know in advance. That way they can ensure any necessary accommodations for your safety and comfort. Read on for some information on common conditions.
Safe to Tattoo Conditions
Moles
Tattooing around a mole is generally safe! In most cases, it’s best to adjust the design or placement to avoid the mole altogether, so make sure to discuss this with your artist beforehand.
If you plan on getting a tattoo directly on a mole, there are a few things to consider. First, it may cause excessive bleeding in the area, which can make your artist’s job more challenging. To ensure it’s easy for your doctor to monitor for changes, it’s important not to fully cover a mole with ink. Too much ink around or on a mole can obscure potential issues.
Although there’s no evidence that damaging a mole can cause skin cancer, if you’re concerned it’s best to consult a doctor. Aside from the concerns mentioned above, it’s safe to tattoo around moles. Still, like with any other trauma you might experience near a mole, it is a good precaution to monitor the area after your appointment.
Scars
Tattooing over an unhealed scar is not safe. It can cause further scarring, and it can affect the healing of the tattoo. If the scar is fresh, tattooing can cause the wound to reopen.
We also advise against trying to cover scars with skin-toned pigment since tattoo ink doesn’t behave like natural melanin. Your skin’s colour will change with the seasons and sun exposure, but the tattoo won’t change in the same way. Tattoos fade over time and what once matched your skin may not hold up in the long term.
You can get tattoos on and around healed scars, but make sure the scar is fully healed first. You can tell a scar is healed when there is no more redness around the scar. The scar will become either lighter or darker than your natural tone, depending on your skin type and the nature of the scar.
At Mystic Moon Tattoos, we determine if a scar is ready to tattoo based on appearance, not age. This is because, depending on the level of trauma, scars can take different amounts of time to heal. An unhealed scar can be indicated by redness in or around the scar, or if there’s any evidence of active injury in the area.
Click here to see example photographs with different types of healed and unhealed scars.
Stretch Marks
It’s safe to tattoo over stretch marks! Your artist will take certain precautions when designing and tattooing to avoid causing any unnecessary damage to the area. An experienced artist knows how to work with the skin’s texture to minimize issues.
Dermatitis, Eczema, or Psoriasis
It’s usually okay to get tattoos if you experience dermatitis, eczema, or psoriasis, but avoid getting tattooed during an active breakout. Be mindful that getting a tattoo might irritate your skin and potentially cause a flare-up. If you have severe forms of these conditions, it’s a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional before booking your appointment.
Breastfeeding
There are no additional risks to getting a tattoo while breastfeeding. However, like with any tattoo, there’s a small chance of infection, and if that happens, it might not be safe to continue breastfeeding. Be mindful that your body is recovering from pregnancy and going through the stressors of early parenthood, so make sure to check in with yourself about whether it’s the right time to get a tattoo.
Unsafe to Tattoo Conditions
Pregnancy
Never get a tattoo when you are pregnant. There is a chance that tattoos can cause unexpected stress on your body which may lead to a miscarriage or premature labour. Pregnancy also lowers your immune system, making infections more likely. After giving birth, it’s important to give your body and mind time to recover before considering a tattoo.
Acne
Tattooing over acne isn’t safe. Acne contains dead skin, oil, pus, and dirt, and puncturing the skin can introduce these into deeper layers, leading to infection. Wait until your skin has cleared up before getting a tattoo in the affected area.
If a small amount of acne shows up right before your appointment, the artist can tattoo around the acne, and touch up the gaps later.
Wounds
Tattooing over fresh or healing wounds can prevent both the wound and the tattoo from healing properly. Often, pigment will not hold in wounded areas. It can also lead to scarring and increase the risk of infection. At Mystic Moon Tattoos, we suggest waiting for the wound to heal or re-booking your appointment. If it is just a scratch, or another small wound, we can tattoo around the area, and once your skin is fully healed you can come back for a touch-up on the areas we had to avoid.
Other Health Considerations
Ink Allergies
In very rare cases, people may experience allergic reactions to tattoo ink. These can include dermatitis, granulomas, lichenoid, and pseudolymphomatous. Most ink allergies manifest as swelling, itching, flaking, and red bumps.
Allergies are most common with red pigments. Mercury salts, iron oxides, cobalt chloride, and manganese are common ingredients in these inks which some people are sensitive too.
Allergies can appear shortly after getting the tattoo or even months or years later as your body changes. Over several years the flare-ups tend to become less common.
While most allergic reactions clear up on their own within a few days to a week, it’s always better to be safe. If you think you’re having an allergic reaction, visit a doctor.
Immune Deficiencies
If you have an autoimmune disease or any other health condition that affects your immune system, it’s a good idea to consult a doctor before getting a tattoo. Conditions such as lupus, multiple sclerosis, HIV, arthritis, and psoriasis can affect your experience being tattooed. In many cases, it’s safe to get a tattoo despite these conditions, but everyone’s situation is different, and a doctor can offer the best advice.
Photosensitivity
When you are photosensitive, certain ink pigments can cause reactions when exposed to sunlight or bright lights. This can result in redness, swelling, or itchy bumps, with yellow, black, red, and blue inks being the most common culprits.