Tattoos with lupus.

[MonicaT]

Hello everybody.

I was wondering is it ok to get tattoos with lupus, and sjogrens. Does it kick flares off?

Thanks

[PMRpro]

This is a link to discussion on the same question 3 years ago:

healthunlocked.com/lupusuk/...

It is less whether it would kick off a flare than the risk of infection when you have a compromised immune system. Skin infections are not uncommon after tattoos, they are, after all, an open wound. Many people take longer to heal with just a simple cut - and that leaves the open wound of a tat for longer.

[MonicaT in reply to PMRpro]

Awww thank you so much. Il have agood read of this. Thank you xx

[CAUST3 in reply to PMRpro]

I found tasking daily zinc tablets a few weeks prior to piercings/ tattoos boosted my immune system and it's never had an infection. I have 12 tattoos and 14 piercings

[leo12]

Hi Monica I recently had a tattoo, the tattooist covered it after with a special film designed for burns which I left on for 5 days so it would heal without getting infected. I had no problems.

I suppose everyone is different and heals differently. I was desperate for a tattoo as I recently lost my Husband and Dad and wanted a lasting memory of them. Hope this helps. Xx

[MonicaT in reply to leo12]

Aww thats lovely. Glad you got your tattoo. Thanks for this. Lots of love xxx

[svfarmer]

hi Monica I have 3 tattoos with no problems what so ever , didn’t cause a flare . You must post a pic with your tattoo when you have it. Xx

[MonicaT in reply to svfarmer]

I will do. Thank you xx

[jackaboo]

Hi I`ve had several tats done. Do tell your tattooist as you can bleed a little more than others! Look after it well. Bephanthem is good for them whilst healing. Just choose a very good tattooist. Good luck xx

[MonicaT in reply to jackaboo]

Thank you xx

[Naturelle12]

Hi MonicaT

I asked the same question a few months back as I was thinking about getting a tattoo and wanted to find out other people’s thoughts/ experiences. I went ahead with mine but I told the tattooist that I had Lupus. He was mindful of that during the process. I did not have any colours- it was just black ink. It was covered post procedure and I removed it after 24hrs. I applied a non perfumed cream - Aveeno, until it healed. I did not have any flare up or infection at the site. The skin was slightly raised (a similar skin reaction that a non-lupus person would experience when there is a break in their skin integrity) but it settled down after 5-7 days. Be mindful though that it depends on your lupus activity and everyone is different! Hope this helps. Good luck 😉

[MonicaT in reply to Naturelle12]

Thank you xx

[Sher78]

I have both lupus & Sjogren's, as well as many other AI's including APS (so am on lifelong warfarin) and also hEDS. I have had 2 tattoos since diagnosis one on my lower spine and a small one on my stomach) as well as a couple of piercings and have had no issues whatsoever. Obviously, there is a chance that they could take longer to heal (I didn't have this issue with the tattoos but piercing took longer than normal to heal...no infections though) but everybody is different and it all depends on how lupus specifically affects you personally. I can only obviously speak from personal experience, but there was no flare and the healing was all as it should have been (I recommend keeping it covered for a fair few days and well moisturised). I even checked with my rheumy before hand (he was more concerned about the APS rather than lupus) but he was perfectly happy for me to do so, explained the risks and just told me to get my INR lower for a few days before, which obviously isn't an issue for you. Good luck.