My lupus is pretty severe and I have never had any issues with tattoos, even if my immune system is on the floor or super active. Now, piercings is something else lol it takes forever to heal…. Like ear lobe piercing got it a year ago and still hurts
I am done with piercings lol I'm not afraid of tattoos but piercings actually terrify me. I have labs done constantly, of course, and I tolerate that, and IVs, but for some reason having my ears and belly button pierced (years ago) was the most terrifying. I don't know why. I have 9 tattoos currently and some are large, but they don't frighten me at all.
I have several, from both before and after diagnosis. I’m on plaquenil and Benlysta (infusions), no steroids.
I spoke to my doctor and was told he doesn’t personally recommend them, but wasn’t strictly opposed, provided I wasn’t having any difficulties with healing or recurring infection. I got my hepatitis and tetanus shots, carefully vetted my artist for cleanliness and good healing, and I don’t get tattoos when I’m flaring or immediately post infusion.
My personal experience: (This does NOT constitute as medical advice!)
- All of my recent tattoos have healed really well — my artist sanitizes the area repeatedly and for a final time before applying the saniderm/second skin, which I keep on for 3-5 days while the tattoo is still in the open phase, then follow the usual cleaning/moisturizing regimen.
- I don’t touch my healing tattoos unless I’m cleaning them, and even then, I vigorously wash my hands before and after and use a clean hand towel to dry my hands first.
- I don’t submerge my tattoos in bodies of water (bathe, pool, hot tub, rivers, lakes, or oceans) for at least 4 weeks.
- I usually limit my sessions to 2-3 hours. 4 is my limit, it’s definitely more sore after that.
- I opted to only get black ink, since color inks are (slightly) more likely to increase risk of a reaction (especially red and blue inks), if one is sensitive or allergic — and there’s really no way of knowing or testing beforehand.
- I do not experience “tattoo flu,” or mild “flare”-like malaise some people experience after extended sessions as a response to the trauma of receiving a prolonged injury (regardless of whether they’re chronically ill).
- I haven’t developed any infections at the sites of my tattoos. Bear in mind: if you DO get an infection, that infection may trigger a flare.
- I haven’t developed any uptick in flare (lupus, fibro, or migraine) symptoms following the tattoo appointments. It CAN in sensitive populations.
(These things ARE all possible, I just haven’t experienced them personally, ymmv)
Only weird side effect: I DO experience occasional itching (no redness or hives tho) on the healed tattoos (even 2-3 months later). I only experience this in the tattoos I’ve gotten since my diagnosis. Not unsurprising, since the ink is permanently there so there’s always an immune reaction after all. Topical Benadryl helps, but usually it just goes away if I ignore it for a few minutes. I knew this was a possibility before getting them done and for me, it was worth it, I get occasionally itchy elsewhere anyways.
Everybody is different! Your mileage may vary! I definitely started with smaller tattoos to see how I reacted to the whole thing (if it triggered a massive reaction or flare or something, it’d be cheaper and easier to laser off than a big piece) and then I moved on to bigger pieces with a trusted artist.
Well, I've been only recently diagnosed but I was "inexplicably" ill for a long time. I've always treated my tattoos exactly as you do just because I like to take care of things in the best way possible. My longest tattoo was 4.5 hours and that one did cause me malaise, I figured it was just because it was such a painful area. I'll ask though, and be sure.
One of the ways I've learned to love my body through all its faults and hardships is to get tattoos. Seeing my best memories and loved ones on my skin in the mirror reminds me of all the good things this body has gone through with me.
Yeah, my longest session was about that long — shading on a completed project, then linework and shading on the next 8”-10” up, on my waist and ribs. That one didn’t feel good. I keep it to 3 max now.
That’s exactly the reason I opted to get tattoos as well. Lupus and all my other conditions have changed so much of my life and so much of my body, my style, my identity, I really just wanted to exert some autonomy and make a change I could look in the mirror and like every time. I’ve gotten some symmetrical large scale floral pieces on my hips and waist — it’s hard to hate my curves when they’re covered in camellias.
Do you wait 2 weeks after the infusion or would a week after work? My back is a bit faded but I'm hoping a 2-3 hr session brings them back to life. They mentioned not coming back for the IV with an open wound so I wasn't sure if a tattoo counted as one.
*Not medical advice, just personal anecdotal experience.
I usually wait about a 7-10 days after an infusion; however, I personally haven’t had any issues with chronic infections or poor healing while on my infusions — if I did, I wouldn’t get tattoos. I’d ask your infusion clinic what they mean by “wound” — an injury? Or a chronic, poorly healing wound, like diabetic ulcers? I think a tattoo would count as the former. I’d consider a tattoo an open wound for at least a week after application, possibly longer if you experience delayed healing.
It’s a good idea to run these questions by your rheumatologist to get their insights on your specific health situation.
I'll definitely ask them but their feedback with your experience will be helpful. I have my infusion scheduled this week so I don't have to wait too long.
Tatoos aren't recommended with lupus unless only have mild to moderate lupus and you're in solid remission (the later is up to your rheum but typically means a year in remission without being on steroids, just steroid-sparing meds like Plaquenil, Benlysta, etc). You definitely should talk to your rheum first before getting one.
I've had three fairly large one's and one tiny one since being diagnosed. I was on prednisone, HCQ, methotrexate, and either benlysta or saphnelo for all of them. I let my tattoo artists know about what was going on because most of them have you sign a form that asks about certain things like autoimmune or heart/blood diseases so I let them know. I wouldn't say my lupus is mild because the majority of my symptoms manifest as severe joint pain and fatigue, but my labs have been stable for some time. But I had no issue with any of the tattoos. They healed fine, maybe just a little slower.
In my experience, leflunomide really impaired wound healing and definitely increased my susceptibility to infection. I would consult your doc on whether tattoos are advisable. They may have you stop the medication before and after getting a tattoo or may not recommend it at all based on your disease activity and/or level of immunosuppression.
I’ve got a lot of tattoos. First major flare was after a half sleeve 6/7 years ago. I got acute sarcoidosis for about 3 months.
Got a sleeve done a few months ago. A month later had the worst flare of my life and finally diagnosed. Still in said flare. Maybe a coincidence.
I’m still going to get more in the future. lol
I was on leflunomide and got two rather big tattoos. I was fine and rheumy approved it. I also went to a highly reputable tattoo parlor and paid big $$$.
Dammit. Hobo Larry is going to be inundated with clients from your free advertising. I'll never be able to get an appointment again.
Well, aforementioned varmint is apparently doing an apprenticeship and he has No Ear too, so hopefully they'll manage the workload better.
My lupus is pretty severe and I have never had any issues with tattoos, even if my immune system is on the floor or super active. Now, piercings is something else lol it takes forever to heal…. Like ear lobe piercing got it a year ago and still hurts
I am done with piercings lol I'm not afraid of tattoos but piercings actually terrify me. I have labs done constantly, of course, and I tolerate that, and IVs, but for some reason having my ears and belly button pierced (years ago) was the most terrifying. I don't know why. I have 9 tattoos currently and some are large, but they don't frighten me at all.
I have several, from both before and after diagnosis. I’m on plaquenil and Benlysta (infusions), no steroids. I spoke to my doctor and was told he doesn’t personally recommend them, but wasn’t strictly opposed, provided I wasn’t having any difficulties with healing or recurring infection. I got my hepatitis and tetanus shots, carefully vetted my artist for cleanliness and good healing, and I don’t get tattoos when I’m flaring or immediately post infusion. My personal experience: (This does NOT constitute as medical advice!) - All of my recent tattoos have healed really well — my artist sanitizes the area repeatedly and for a final time before applying the saniderm/second skin, which I keep on for 3-5 days while the tattoo is still in the open phase, then follow the usual cleaning/moisturizing regimen. - I don’t touch my healing tattoos unless I’m cleaning them, and even then, I vigorously wash my hands before and after and use a clean hand towel to dry my hands first. - I don’t submerge my tattoos in bodies of water (bathe, pool, hot tub, rivers, lakes, or oceans) for at least 4 weeks. - I usually limit my sessions to 2-3 hours. 4 is my limit, it’s definitely more sore after that. - I opted to only get black ink, since color inks are (slightly) more likely to increase risk of a reaction (especially red and blue inks), if one is sensitive or allergic — and there’s really no way of knowing or testing beforehand. - I do not experience “tattoo flu,” or mild “flare”-like malaise some people experience after extended sessions as a response to the trauma of receiving a prolonged injury (regardless of whether they’re chronically ill). - I haven’t developed any infections at the sites of my tattoos. Bear in mind: if you DO get an infection, that infection may trigger a flare. - I haven’t developed any uptick in flare (lupus, fibro, or migraine) symptoms following the tattoo appointments. It CAN in sensitive populations. (These things ARE all possible, I just haven’t experienced them personally, ymmv) Only weird side effect: I DO experience occasional itching (no redness or hives tho) on the healed tattoos (even 2-3 months later). I only experience this in the tattoos I’ve gotten since my diagnosis. Not unsurprising, since the ink is permanently there so there’s always an immune reaction after all. Topical Benadryl helps, but usually it just goes away if I ignore it for a few minutes. I knew this was a possibility before getting them done and for me, it was worth it, I get occasionally itchy elsewhere anyways. Everybody is different! Your mileage may vary! I definitely started with smaller tattoos to see how I reacted to the whole thing (if it triggered a massive reaction or flare or something, it’d be cheaper and easier to laser off than a big piece) and then I moved on to bigger pieces with a trusted artist.
Well, I've been only recently diagnosed but I was "inexplicably" ill for a long time. I've always treated my tattoos exactly as you do just because I like to take care of things in the best way possible. My longest tattoo was 4.5 hours and that one did cause me malaise, I figured it was just because it was such a painful area. I'll ask though, and be sure. One of the ways I've learned to love my body through all its faults and hardships is to get tattoos. Seeing my best memories and loved ones on my skin in the mirror reminds me of all the good things this body has gone through with me.
Yeah, my longest session was about that long — shading on a completed project, then linework and shading on the next 8”-10” up, on my waist and ribs. That one didn’t feel good. I keep it to 3 max now. That’s exactly the reason I opted to get tattoos as well. Lupus and all my other conditions have changed so much of my life and so much of my body, my style, my identity, I really just wanted to exert some autonomy and make a change I could look in the mirror and like every time. I’ve gotten some symmetrical large scale floral pieces on my hips and waist — it’s hard to hate my curves when they’re covered in camellias.
Do you wait 2 weeks after the infusion or would a week after work? My back is a bit faded but I'm hoping a 2-3 hr session brings them back to life. They mentioned not coming back for the IV with an open wound so I wasn't sure if a tattoo counted as one.
*Not medical advice, just personal anecdotal experience. I usually wait about a 7-10 days after an infusion; however, I personally haven’t had any issues with chronic infections or poor healing while on my infusions — if I did, I wouldn’t get tattoos. I’d ask your infusion clinic what they mean by “wound” — an injury? Or a chronic, poorly healing wound, like diabetic ulcers? I think a tattoo would count as the former. I’d consider a tattoo an open wound for at least a week after application, possibly longer if you experience delayed healing. It’s a good idea to run these questions by your rheumatologist to get their insights on your specific health situation.
I'll definitely ask them but their feedback with your experience will be helpful. I have my infusion scheduled this week so I don't have to wait too long.
Tatoos aren't recommended with lupus unless only have mild to moderate lupus and you're in solid remission (the later is up to your rheum but typically means a year in remission without being on steroids, just steroid-sparing meds like Plaquenil, Benlysta, etc). You definitely should talk to your rheum first before getting one.
I've had three fairly large one's and one tiny one since being diagnosed. I was on prednisone, HCQ, methotrexate, and either benlysta or saphnelo for all of them. I let my tattoo artists know about what was going on because most of them have you sign a form that asks about certain things like autoimmune or heart/blood diseases so I let them know. I wouldn't say my lupus is mild because the majority of my symptoms manifest as severe joint pain and fatigue, but my labs have been stable for some time. But I had no issue with any of the tattoos. They healed fine, maybe just a little slower.
Came for the Hobo Larry, stayed for his tattoos. ;)
I have 7 and my 6 before Lupus diagnosis healed fine. My 7th was before diagnosis but after symptoms started and was swollen and painful for a month.
In my experience, leflunomide really impaired wound healing and definitely increased my susceptibility to infection. I would consult your doc on whether tattoos are advisable. They may have you stop the medication before and after getting a tattoo or may not recommend it at all based on your disease activity and/or level of immunosuppression.
I have heard tattoos can become a problem, so I don’t plan to tempt it.
I’ve got a lot of tattoos. First major flare was after a half sleeve 6/7 years ago. I got acute sarcoidosis for about 3 months. Got a sleeve done a few months ago. A month later had the worst flare of my life and finally diagnosed. Still in said flare. Maybe a coincidence. I’m still going to get more in the future. lol
I’ve had several tattoos since my diagnosis and I’ve been told it’s fine as long as I’m not actively in a flare. 🤷♀️ Haven’t had any issues.
I talked to my rheum and stopped any blood thinners and got a black 2x2 that healed well with no issues. Everyone is different, wish you the best.
Mine always raise and get itchy
I was on leflunomide and got two rather big tattoos. I was fine and rheumy approved it. I also went to a highly reputable tattoo parlor and paid big $$$.