Type 1 and tattoos

bel4_20 · #1 (**permalink**) 07-18-2005, 07:36 PM

Any Type 1's here have a tattoo done recently or done at all, I'm not sure if this has been brought up yet in the forums but I'm gonna get one very shortly and I just want to know if there is anything I should know before I do it or is there any conflicts with getting inked with T1? Thanks

Cinnabon · #2 (**permalink**) 07-18-2005, 07:41 PM

Havn't had a tatt, but other risky procedures.. yea.

Let me know how it goes....I would just keep my BS levels nice and as stable as possible...

duck · #3 (**permalink**) 07-18-2005, 08:00 PM

Tattoos are dangerous for a diabetic--we don't heal fast enough...

(notice the left arm, not a great pic of the tat, but still, who am I to listen to bad advice?)

Smoky Joe · #4 (**permalink**) 07-18-2005, 08:06 PM

I've got a few all done between five and ten years ago.
Some of them took multiple sessions.
I had no problems after any of them, either when applied or later.

I checked into it for well over a year before actually getting any ink, but I don't remeber everything I learned. I do know that not too long after I was diagnosed, Diabetes Forecast did a interview with Brett Michaels from Poison (probably 1989) and I think the article spent some time discussing tatts and diabetes. If I still have it, I'll post back if it said anything useful.

All in all, I think if you don't have difficulties healing due to your diabetes, it should be ok.

camjen1 · #5 (**permalink**) 07-18-2005, 08:11 PM

I have one tatoo but it was hard to get it. I had alot of artists turn me down because of diabetes. Finally I quit revealing that I had diabetes and I finally got one. Mine healed pretty fast and have never had a problem with it. I guess you can pretty much compare it to having surgery. If you maintain your sugars you shouldn't have a problem.

Smoky Joe · #6 (**permalink**) 07-18-2005, 08:33 PM

Ok, I don't know what makes me more of a dork - that I still have it or that I still knew right where to find it!

Really, I save the magazine because at 19, it felt good to know that diabetes did not have to be the end of a normal life - and I always liked Poison anyhow

It was the September 1989 issue, and the only comment about tattoos was:

Quote:

Philip Levy, M.D., editor in chief of Diabetes Forecast, cautions that, although tatoos aren't necessarily harmful for people with diabetes, skin infections can occur more frequently when you have diabetes, making tatoos somewhat risky. Also, tatoos are permanent; attempts at removal can be unsuccessful and painful, sometimes even requiring skin grafting with intensive scarring.

Ok, so its not the most elucidating, but there it is, for what its worth.

And, ya know, I'd think people with diabetes less likely to be intimidated by getting pricked with a needle. LOL.

Good luck with it.
Jeff

archimeech · #7 (**permalink**) 07-19-2005, 04:51 AM

I've wanted a tattoo since I was 14, but never really bad enough to actually go get it. lol Be careful where you put it, make sure your sugars are well under control before getting it, and while it's healing. Even discuss it with your doctor. If you're serious about getting it, tell the doc' "look, I'm going to get one wether you think it's a good idea or not, how about making sure I know what to do to keep it healthy while healing." We're the customer, remember. No reason for them to make you feel bad about yourself, but they can help should you need some antibiotics or what not.

And remember, when spelling my name in a tattoo, it's got 2 Es in it, and don't use any fancy scroll text that no one can read. Just a simple, "My heart belongs to Meech" with a couple of flowers and an arrow through a pulsating islet cell will suffice!

bel4_20 · #8 (**permalink**) 07-19-2005, 06:32 AM

lol....very funny archimeech but I think I'll pass on that idea. I'm convinced I'm gonna get one my sugars are not to bad (thanks to the pump) and what the heck I really want one.

duck · #9 (**permalink**) 07-19-2005, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bel4_20

lol....very funny archimeech but I think I'll pass on that idea. I'm convinced I'm gonna get one my sugars are not to bad (thanks to the pump) and what the heck I really want one.

You can just write up "My heart belongs to Meech" in Chinese like I did...

duck · #10 (**permalink**) 07-19-2005, 08:05 AM

By the way, I've got multiple tattoos, the kanji band across my left arm and a big kanji on my left pec that says "dad" with my son's name in kanji intertwined with it...And I have multiple piercings as well, and would get more *things* pierced if I was not a "professional" worker. But as it is, I will be getting another tattoo soon if I have another kid, and I'll probably end up putting one down my spine at some point. I personally think when people say diabetics shouldn't get tattoos that they are ignorant. :****mate:

Smoky Joe · #11 (**permalink**) 07-19-2005, 04:43 PM

Cool, Duck.

I hear you on that "professional" nonsense - kinda ruins it.
I don't even get business casual these days, so I'm just holding off on more until closer to retirement.

BJC411 · #12 (**permalink**) 07-19-2005, 05:37 PM

I had my tatoo done about 2 years before being diagnosed and the biggest thing is to do is keep it clean and moist, use neosporin(or something) for a few while and then use good lotion after that, that way it stays moist and doesnt dry out and scar. They will usually want you to come back within the year to get it touched up, my tattoist did anyways.

mickeem · #13 (**permalink**) 07-20-2005, 06:25 AM

I had my tattoo done last year... (only 1 so far), the artist asked me if I was a Diabetic, I said yeah, Not thinking anything of it, he said make sure I bring my monitor, as it was his experience that BG Levels drop...

Well, Ii brought it (At the time I was MDI), and it went up, so everyone is different, once again.... and I took the normal few days to heal. No problems here.
I plan on getting another in a few weeks, actually...

Good Luck!!

Dewey · #14 (**permalink**) 07-20-2005, 08:32 AM

I have quite a few tattoos (4 on my ankle, 2 on my wrist, one on my upper arm, one as a ring, etc.).

All healed well and I had no problems with the healing process. All are in color, too. Sometimes, the best thing to do is get one of those store-bought temporary tattoos (to ensure it is something you'll wind up being permanently "cool" with), or doing a Mindhi Henna tattoo (one that lasts for several weeks or so). Things like those are what helped me decide if I was going to be happy with them. A friend of mine got one on her wrist with the medical emblem and the word Diabetic on top (and Allergic to Penecillin on the bottom). It looked Awesome and was wayyy colorful! When I asked her why she chose to do that (cause it's a super cool idea - and I wanted her take on it), she told me that she didn't like the bracelets and the small sizes of the emblems on them. She said this would definitely attract more attention, should the need ever arise. The words were legible and it looked fantastic!

If I ever felt like getting another one, that would be the one!

Cielo · #15 (**permalink**) 07-20-2005, 08:50 AM

I only have one...you have to make sure to keep the site WELL LUBED at ALL times. They'll tell you what type of lube to buy. I let mine dry up a little and it scabbed up and when the scab lifted, it took some of the ink with it. As a result, I had to get it redone twice so that it is now complete. So just keep it WELL LUBED!!!!

Where are you putting it and what are you getting!?!?!?!?!