Acne and Tattoos: Answers About Pimples & Ink
Today's Tattoo Corner topic is regarding acne and what effects it can have on a tattoo. Autumn asks:
Q) Hi Jinxi,
I've been thinking about getting a tattoo on my upper back, but the problem is that I get acne there from time to time. Would a pimple mess up the tattoo?
Thanks,
Autumn
Hi Autumn!
This is a great question and one that many people are concerned about. Of course, the severity of the acne is important in deciding whether this is a tattoo deal breaker or not. If you only have small outbreaks and it’s an occasional problem, you will want to simply wait until your skin is clear before you begin a project. However, if you suffer from more aggressive acne, it’s important to take precautions and talk to your artist before the planning stages ever begin.
Acne can be inflammatory and non-inflammatory depending on the case. Acne is usually caused by changes in the skin structures where hair follicles and glands reside. When changes happen, then breakouts can occur. Different chemicals and different blockages cause different kinds of acne. When the skin becomes infected, it is much more sensitive and prone to reacting badly, to not only tattoo ink, but to the actual abrasive process of getting the tattoo .
Since a tattoo basically leaves an open wound upon the epidermis, it of course needs to heal; and it needs every chance possible to heal well. If your skin is already irritated, sore, and red from acne, it will make it that much harder to attend to the aftercare steps that are essential to the tattoo healing process.
Talk to your artist and be honest with her/him about your history with acne. If the breakouts are an irregular occurrence, the artist might be fine with planning to tattoo in that area; but if it’s a high-risk spot, it might be well-advised to avoid the region altogether.
Getting pimples after your tattoo has healed is a different story though. Generally, once the tattoo has gone through the healing stages, a new pimple that breaks out in the area is not going to alter the tattoo. It might cause the piece to look a little abnormal for a few days, but the ink is already healed into the epidermis. Of course it’s wise not to pick at the pimple or irritate it further, but an outbreak that occurs after the fact should not be a problem.
If you suffer from scarring due to previous bouts with acne, this can be a bit more complex. Acne scars can be covered, but artists have differing criterion as to which projects they will begin. Covering these scars can be very time consuming and challenging. Depending on where the scar is, the tattoo might require more than one pass to get the ink to adhere. Scar tissue is very sensitive and it can be more painful for the collector to withstand because of the sensitive nerve endings. Again, these are issues you need to discuss with your artist before starting on a new piece.
One other issue that is important to consider is acne-related prescriptions. I have written before about medications and tattooing, but acne meds are sometimes very specific. Oral retinoids (like Accutane) and benzoyl peroxide can be damaging to tattoo ink, so be cautious before getting tattooed if you use either of these.
Benzoyl peroxide is basically a bleaching agent and has been known to cause fading to ink. This is especially dangerous if the tattoo is new and still healing. Accutane can be even more problematic. In an article published by the APT (Alliance of Professional Tattooists), this finding was reported:
"Clients using this medication will present skin that is very different from what we would hope for and expect in young skin. In addition to making the tattoo application difficult, it seems to interfere with the healing process."
Accutane can also cause extra skin sensitivity, which would of course result in a much more painful experience for a collector being tattooed. If you use either of these medications, it’s best to finish out the prescription and allow an ample amount of time for the drugs to withdraw from your system before planning a new tattoo.
As with all subjects that raise concern, the BEST advice is to always be open and honest with your tattooist. Nobody wants your experience to be positive and safe more than the artist and if you come to the shop with worries, please be up front and specific before you sit down in their chair. It will benefit not only the outcome of the ink that you wear, but more importantly, your health.
If there is ever a question, it’s best to put tattoo plans on hold and consult your doctor. Tattoos should be memorable and positive additions to your skin and to your life, so do all that you can to prepare for an optimum experience every time you add a new inked treasure to your body.
Be safe and happy inkin’.
Monday, September 13, 2010 at 8:05AM
Reader Comments (7)
Great question, thanks for the informative answer.
I have been wondering the very same thing, recently,Jinxi. This was another great blog post. Extremely informative. Is there anything you can't do?!! I don't think so! :)
This was incredibly helpful! Thank you so much for your time and all your research. I really enjoyed reading it :D
~Autumn
Great post, very informative. It is always helpful to find such informative article.
As a tattoo artist, I appreciate your thorough advice and will definitely refer my clients to this and other articles. Thanks Jinxi.
we provides you the best and most fashionable products. All the products are 100% high
quality, competitive price, free shipping with best and timely service, 100% satisfaction.
Big discount for big order. Welcome to make your choose.
louis vuitton
lv
louis vuitton
wallets
louis vuitton
purses
louis vuitton
sunglasses
louis vuitton
bags
louis vuitton
handbags
lv
louis vuitton bags
louis vuitton
outlet
louis vuitton
lv
louis vuitton
wallets
louis vuitton
purses
louis vuitton
sunglasses
louis vuitton
bags
louis vuitton
handbags
lv
louis vuitton bags
louis vuitton
outlet
louis vuitton
lv
louis vuitton wallets
louis vuitton purses
louis vuitton
sunglasses
louis vuitton bags
louis vuitton
handbags
lv
louis
vuitton bags
louis vuitton
lv
louis vuitton
wallets
louis vuitton
purses
louis vuitton
sunglasses
louis vuitton shoes
louis vuitton bags
louis vuitton
handbags
lv
louis
vuitton bags
cugg boots cheap
cheap ugg boots
discount uggs
uggs on sale
cheap ugg boots on
sale
cheap uggs on sale
discount uggs on sale
ugg classic boots sale
cheap ugg boots for
sale online
cheap ugg boots wholesale
cheap ugg classic
boots on sale
UGG classic boots
cheap ugg classic
boots
ugg discount boots
discount uggs boots
discounted ugg boots
cheap uggs boots
uggs for cheap
ugg tall boots
ugg short boots
ugg boots sale
ugg boots on sale
ugg boots on cheap
ugg discount
cheap ugg boots for
women
cheap ugg boots online
cheap ugg boots for
sale
cheap ugg boots for
Kids
cheap ugg boots on
sale
cheap ugg boots
for sale online
cheap ugg boots
wholesale
cheap ugg boots for
girls
cheap ugg classic
cheap ugg classic
tall boots
cheap ugg classic
cardy boots
cheap ugg classic
short boots
UGG Slippers
UGG Slippers for women
ugg slippers for women
uk
cheap ugg slippers
for women
UGG Slippers for men
ugg slippers for men
on sale
UGG Slippers for men
uk
UGG Slippers on sale
ugg slippers on
sale for women
womens ugg slippers
on sale
coquette ugg
slippers on sale
UGG Slippers sale
mens ugg slippers sale
UGG Slippers cheap
ugg slippers discount
ugg slippers
discounted
ugg slippers for kids
ugg slippers clearance
mens ugg slippers
clearance
ugg slippers outlet
UGG Sandals
ugg sandals for women
ugg sandals on sale
ugg sandals men
ugg sandals for men
ugg sandals women
ugg sandals sale
ugg sandals halendi
ugg sandals amazon
ugg sandals clearance
UGG Sneakers
ugg sneakers for women
ugg sneakers women
ugg sneakers uk
ugg sneakers evera
mens ugg sneakers
UGG Classic Sheepskin
Glove
ugg sheepskin gloves
fingerless sheepskin
gloves
ugg shearling gloves
ugg igloo gloves
ugg fingerless gloves
ugg men's gloves
ugg australia gloves
ugg long gloves
ugg gloves sale
ugg gloves women
ugg gloves black
ugg gloves australia
ugg gloves uk
ugg gloves cheap
ugg gloves and mittens
mens ugg gloves
black ugg gloves
UGG Fringe Cardy Knit
Boots
ugg cardy boots
ugg cardy boots
reviews
ugg cardy boots sizing
ugg fringe cardy boots
ugg boots classic
cardy
ugg cardy reviews
ugg cable knit boots
ugg classic argyle
knit boots
cheap ugg knit boots
ugg knit boots with
buttons
UGG Classic Kids Boots
ugg boots for kids
ugg boots for kids on
sale
ugg boots for kids
cheap
ugg boots for kids uk
ugg boots for kids
canada
fake ugg boots for
kids
discount ugg boots
for kids
clearance ugg boots
for kids
pink ugg boots for
kids
replica ugg boots for
kids
purple ugg boots for
kids
ugg style boots for
kids
ugg kids boots
ugg kids boots sale
ugg kids boots
clearance
ugg kids boots on sale
ugg kensington kids
boots
ugg kids cardy boots
ugg kids cardy
ugg kids cardy ii
ugg kids cardy pink
multi
ugg kids classic tall
ugg kids
classic tall marquis knit
ugg kids
classic tall stripe cable knit
ugg kids lil sunshine
ugg kids size chart
ugg kensington kids
ugg kensington kids
boots
ugg look alikes for
kids
ugg knockoffs for kids
ugg shoes for kids
ugg boots on sale for
kids
ugg style boots for
kids
uggs for kids on sale
uggs for kids outlet
UGG Kenly Boots
ugg kenly grey
ugg kenly reviews
ugg kenly chocolate
ugg kenly espresso
womens ugg kenly boots
cheap ugg kenly
women's ugg kenly
UGG Adirondack Boots
UGG Adirondack Boots
ii
UGG Adirondack Boots
men's
UGG Adirondack Boots
uk
UGG Adirondack Boots
tall
ugg adirondack boots
canada
ugg adirondack ii
ugg adirondack ii sale
ugg adirondack ii
boots
ugg adirondack tall
boots
ugg adirondack sale
UGG Adirondack Boots
ii sale
UGG Adirondack
Boots ii otter
ugg adirondack boot
reviews
ugg adirondack boot
otter
UGG brookfield tall
Boots
ugg brookfield tall
UGG brookfield Boots
ugg brookfield short
ugg brookfield black
UGG Classic Argyle
Boots
ugg argyle boots on
sale
ugg argyle boots sale
ugg argyle knit boots
ugg argyle knit
ugg argyle Boots
ugg argyle Boots on
sale
ugg argyle Boots sale
ugg argyle UK
ugg argyle review
ugg argyle knit uk
UGG Classic
Bailey Button Boots
UGG Bailey Button
Boots
bailey button triplet
uggs
bailey button uggs
bailey button ugg
boots on sale
UGG Bailey Button
Boots on sale
UGG Bailey Button
Boots leopard
UGG Bailey Button
Boots kids
UGG Bailey Button
Boots sale
UGG Bailey Button
Boots cheap
UGG Bailey
Button Boots cheatnut
UGG Bailey Button
Boots uk
UGG Bailey Button
Boots 5803
UGG Bailey Button
Boots reviews
UGG Bailey Button
Boots black
ugg bailey button
triplet
ugg bailey button on
sale
ugg bailey button
bomber
ugg bailey button
triplet boot
ugg bailey button
review
ugg bailey button
triplet kids
ugg bailey button
triplet sale
ugg bailey button
toddle
bailey button uggs
sale
UGG Classic Cardy
Boots
UGG Classic Cardy sale
UGG Classic Cardy
review
UGG Classic Cardy
black
UGG Classic Cardy on
sale
UGG Classic Cardy moss
UGG Classic Cardy
oatmeal
UGG Classic Cardy
greys
UGG Classic Cardy tall
UGG Classic Cardy fig
UGG Cardy fig
UGG Cardy boots
UGG Cardy sale
UGG Cardy boots on
sale
UGG Cardy review
UGG Cardy kids
UGG Cardy boots sale
UGG Cardy ii
UGG Cardy sizing
UGG Classic Crochet
Boots
ugg suburb crochet
boots
UGG Crochet Boots
ugg crochet boots sale
ugg crochet collection
UGG Classic Mini Boots
UGG Mini Boots on sale
UGG Mini Boots uk
ugg mini mel
UGG Mini Classic
ugg mini black
classic ugg mini
ugg mini mel large
ugg mini mel pink
UGG Classic Short
Boots
UGG Classic Short
Boots on sale
UGG Classic
Short Boots black 5825
UGG Classic
Short Boots chestnut
UGG Classic Short
Boots black
UGG Classic Short
Boots gray
women's UGG
Classic Short Boots
cheap UGG Classic
Short Boots
UGG Short Boots on
sale
UGG Short Boots sale
black UGG Short Boots
ugg short black boots
ugg australia
classic short boots
classic short boots
UGG Classic Tall Boots
UGG Classic Tall
Boots on sale
UGG Classic Tall
Boots chestnut
UGG Classic Tall
Boots black
UGG Classic Tall
Boots gray
cheap UGG Classic
Tall Boots
UGG Classic Tall wool
UGG Classic Tall sale
UGG Classic Tall
cheatnut
ugg classic tall
wool stripe
ugg classic tall black
ugg classic tall
blackberry wine
ugg classic tall
fancy women's
ugg classic tall
fancy boot
ugg classic tall logo
ugg classic tall
metallic
ugg classic tall
metallic boot
UGG Classic Tall
Romantic Flower
ugg classic
tall romantic flower 5802
ugg romantic flower
boot
ugg romantic
flower boot on sale
UGG Classic
Tall Stripe Cable Knit
UGG Tall Stripe Cable
Knit
UGG Classic Stripe
Cable Knit
UGG
Classic Tall Stripe Cable Knit boots
UGG Stripe Cable Knit
boots
UGG Elsey Boots
UGG Elsey Boots on
sale
UGG Elsey wedge
UGG Elsey wedge boots
UGG Gissella Boots
UGG Gissella black
UGG Gissella review
UGG Gissella uk
UGG Gissella
UGG Highkoo Boots
Highkoo uggs
highkoo boot by ugg
Highkoo ii uggs
Highkoo ii
highkoo ruched boot
ugg
UGG Infant Erin Boots
UGG Infant Erin
UGG Infant Boots
UGG Infant Boo
ugg infant booties
ugg infant snowsuit
ugg infant shoes
UGG Erin pink
UGG Erin blue
UGG Erin sale
UGG Erin baby
UGG jimmy choo
ugg jimmy choo siobhan
ugg jimmy choo uk
ugg jimmy choo price
ugg jimmy choo
collaboration
nicky hilton ugg
jimmy choo
UGG Knightsbridge
Boots
UGG Knightsbridge
Boots black
women's UGG
Knightsbridge Boots
UGG Knightsbridge
Boots uk
UGG Knightsbridge
Boots sale
UGG Knightsbridge
Boots 5119
ugg
knightsbridge boots women's reviews
UGG Knightsbridge
review
UGG Knightsbridge size
10
UGG Knightsbridge
black size 7
UGG Knightsbridge 5119
UGG Knightsbridge
black
UGG Knightsbridge grey
UGG Knightsbridge sale
ugg knightsbridge
espresso
UGG Langley Boots
UGG Langley Boots on
sale
ugg langley silt
UGG Metallic Boots
UGG Metallic cardy
UGG Metallic logo
UGG Metallic copper
UGG New Style Boots
UGG Nightfall Boots
genuine ugg nightfall
boots
UGG Nightfall Boots
sale
UGG Nightfall Boots
chestnut
UGG Nightfall Boots uk
UGG Nightfall uk
UGG Nightfall black
UGG Nightfall 5339
UGG Nightfall review
UGG Sheepskin Cuff
Boots
UGG Sheepskin Cuff
Boot review
UGG Sheepskin Cuff
Boot uk
UGG Sheepskin Cuff
UGG stella tall Boots
UGG Suburb Crochet
Tall Boots
UGG Suburb Crochet
Tall black
UGG Sunburst Boots
UGG Sunburst tall
UGG Sunburst tall
black
UGG Sunburst uk
UGG Sunburst tall sale
UGG Sunburst cheap
UGG Sundance II black
UGG Sundance II
chestnut
UGG Sundance 2
ugg sundance limited
edition
UGG Tess Suede Boots
UGG Tess boots
ugg suede boots 5230
UGG Ultra Short Boots
UGG Ultra Short Boots
uk
UGG Ultra Short 5225
UGG Ultra Short sale
UGG Ultra Tall Boots
UGG Ultra Tall balck
UGG Ultra Tall
cheatnut
UGG Ultra Tall review
UGG Ultra Tall uk
UGG Ultra Tall 5245
UGG Upside Boots
UGG Upside 5163
ugg handbags on sale
ugg handbags uk
cheap ugg handbags
ugg handbags sale
Fashion is quite distinctive and characteristic to a certain extent. So although you have the latest of fashion trends and the seasonal favorites, they might not work for all. But one sure thing to work out everytime are the designer product.
cheap ugg knit boots
ugg knit boots with buttons
UGG Classic Kids Boots
ugg boots for kids
ugg boots for kids on sale
ugg boots for kids cheap
ugg boots for kids uk
ugg boots for kids canada
fake ugg boots for kids
discount ugg boots for kids
clearance ugg boots for kids
pink ugg boots for kids
replica ugg boots for kids
purple ugg boots for kids
ugg style boots for kids
ugg kids boots
ugg kids boots sale
ugg kids boots clearance
ugg kids boots on sale
ugg kensington kids boots
ugg kids cardy boots
ugg kids cardy
ugg kids cardy ii
ugg kids cardy pink multi
ugg kids classic tall