Tattoos and diabetes

[mell1682]

Well since I have no friends with diabetes to ask this ?...I figured I'd start here. I don't have any tattoos cuz they scare me...the idea of needles and the risk of infection terrify me. As diabetics, do we have to be more cautious than a non-diabetic when getting a tattoo? Just curious...

[notme]

Hi Mell, There have been a lot of discussions about tattoos and diabetes in the past few months. This is an older one, that may have some of the answers you are looking for on the subject. http://www.diabetesforums.com/forum/chit-chat/14580-tattoos-to-be-not.html

If that particular thread doesn't answer your question, just go to the top of the page where it says "search" and type in the word "tattoos". All of the past threads will come up for your reading pleasure! ;)

[BeautifulRising]

As long as you're taking care of the tattoo as well as making sure your BSL's are at a good level, you should be fine.

[Twisted]

I just got a tattoo of the star of life in red and the word "DIABETIC" over it on the inside of my right wrist just a few weeks ago and had no problems at all. Like BeautifulRising said, if your BG is controlled and you clean and dress the tattoo properly I don't see any reason why you would have a problem.

[Tattoo azz]

I just got my 5th Tatt, all you need do is make sure your bg levels are under control and look after the tattoo during the healing period (usually 6-8 weeks) i.e wash with unscented soap twice daily and use whatever lotion/cream your tattooist recommends. I won't lie, having a tattoo is not without pain but it all depends on where you want one. If for example you want one near bone then be prepared because it will hurt more than if you have one on your forearm or upper arm/ thigh/ buttox. Also check out your tattooist make sure they have all the certificates they need, and also use the web to find a good shop and designer. Lastly make sure you really, really want one and have a general idea of what you want, if your tattooist is any good they will have a good chat with you before anything is finalized.
Good luck
Azz

[cj-levine]

make sure you bgl is good during the tattoo process and make sure that your artist is quality. My skin rejected some ink when my bgl was 180 or so.