Keloid scars

[Ninjacat]

Hi, I am not sure if this is the correct forum - I searched about but could not find anything specific to scarring. My son who is now 18 went through a period of self harming at the tops of his arms. They are now keloid scars horizontal from one side to the other. He would like tattoos and I am asking if anyone has experience, either first hand or professional as to whether this would create a problem for the scars already in-situ? Or whether they may have had successful tattoos. The tattoo shops he has been to do not offer any advice. Many thanks. Justine

[lovesradio]

Hi, a GP or dermatologist may be able to provide a more useful response for you and your son. I find it quite disappointing that the tattoo studios cannot offer more help!

[Ninjacat in reply to lovesradio]

Hi lovesradio, thanks for replying. We are going to see the GP and I will ask for a referral to dermatology. Yes I know shame the tattoo studios don’t offer any advice - maybe they don’t want any come back.

[lovesradio in reply to Ninjacat]

Fingers crossed for a helpful response! Your son deserves it.

[Shell567]

Hi Justine, tattooing over or near a keloid scar sounds like a specialist job.

"The practice of inking over a keloid is called scar tattooing. It takes a lot of skill and time to safely and artfully tattoo over a keloid.

If you’re going to tattoo over a keloid or any other scar, wait at least one year to make sure your scar has fully healed. Otherwise, you might reinjure your skin.

Choose a tattoo artist skilled at working with keloids. In the wrong hands, the tattoo might damage your skin even more and make the scar worse." healthline.com/health/keloi...

[Ninjacat in reply to Shell567]

Hi Shell567 - thank you very much for your advice. Gratefully received.