Diabetics being Tattooed

If you are a diagnosed diabetic please let your artist know so he/she can advise you on any special methods of after care they recommend. Depending on the degree of the disease and the area of the tattoo diabetes can have a profound effect on healing and diabetics should take extra special care of their tattoos during the healing stage. Consult both your doctor and your artist before having a tattoo proceedure done...It could make all the difference in the world on how your tattoo heals and looks down the line! Good tattooing....TAz of Painted Angel Studios

agreed, diabetics should avoid being tattooed, diabetes, and high blood sugar levels prevent the body from healing in a timely manner. IF YOU ARE DIABETIC AND CONSIDERING A TATTOO< PLEASE CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR FIRST.

My mother is very much Diabetic, and has 4 tattoos...no problem :)

I am Diabetic and have one tattoo...ALL OVER!!...but I have had few problems however some diabetics DO have healing problems...this is just a fact...I am glad your mom was one of the lucky ones!!...TAz

I had a guy come in filled out a waiver and wrote nothing about any medications or the fact that he was diabetic, he was getting his tounge pierced. Anyway everything went fine, until five days later he came back complaing of severe pain, and asked me if it might be that he was diabetic. I took him back in my room and asked him to stick out his tounge, and he couldn't, so I lifted it up and the bottom had completely healed over the ball, I had cut it out w/ a scalpel, and it was not plesant, needless to say he had not writen down his meds. because he was not taking them, and didn't think it would mater......HELLO!!!

Hi all just wanted to say that I am a type 2 diabetic and take my meds and watch what I eat so it is under control. Thing is I asked the doctor and was told I had nothing to worry about since I did not seem to have any problem healing that I could have it done but to just watch that it did not get infected and if it did to get in to have it checked. Sound about what should be told to anybody getting a tat just my two cents.

ahhh damn it... i have diabetes also. Im only 18 and havent had any healing problems but I guess I should check with my doctor first. What a bummer guess I have to reschedule my appointment......

Just because a few people have tattoos and are dibetic does NOT mean that you shouldn't take every precaution!! Diabetics ARE prone to serious infections and if they get tattooed need to be especially careful. I don't care if your Aunt Betty or your Grampa Bill has full sleeves and are raging diabetics that doe NOT mean its safe. Being careful is the code of every responsible tattoo artist. TAKE NO RISKS!!!

hey everyone. i just wana say that i have type 1 diabetes have had it for 15 years now. im 17 and have 3 tattoos. on my wrist neck and up my side. i wouldnt say my sugars are great and all my tattoos and piercings are fine, never been infected. if you want one go for it. take care of it. and you should talk to your speacialist b4 runnin off and getting one just incase something were to go wrong.

I am a diabetic and I posted this under another forum, but I think this one is MUCH better suited. I am currently 16, almost 17. I am waiting until I'm 18 (or older...depends on if my mind is made up by then on the precision of details) I want script tatto of Diabetic written on my wrist. I never wear my ID braclet (I know it's dumb). I have been a insulin dependent diabetic since I was 22 months old. I'm pretty much certain I want it, and I have already discussed it with my family. I have read over all kinds of posts, I know how slow healing is and I know it will hurt in extremeties I can't imagine. But, I know I want this (like I said, waiting to be legal). I know the risks and know the only benefit is a big ink spot on me. :) Is there any tips from anyone for this subject?

Hey I'm a type 1 diabetic and I've had diabetes for almost 12 years now, and I must say as someone who has in the last 2 years gotten 3 tattoos, I have not had any problems at all..It's just like what other people here have said, as long as you take care of your blood sugars especially during the weeks after getting the tattoo, and follow aftercare instructions! I try to wash mine more frequently as well to avoid infection =) Also, EAT SOMETHING before you go in for your appointment! Otherwise you will feel really woozy! I'm hoping to get two more on my wrists in the upcoming weeks, Just waitting to clairify it with my doctor! For the first lil while taking care of it may seem tedious but it's totally worth it after!

I have been type 1 diabetic for 27 years and didn't get a tattoo until i was in my early 40's. I have two tattoos so far and haven't had any problems with them healing. I think it all depends on how well you take care of yourself and also on how clean the tattoo place is and the person that applys the tattoo.

I am diabetic, I currently have 5 tats and plan on many more. As long as your taking care of yourself, the only big difference for diabetics is the healing time. GENERALLY SPEAKING-Diabetics take longer to heal, but if bloodsugar and everything is under control, healing time may not be any different from someone without it.

I am a diabetic and have an absolute addiction to tattoos. I am finding that any tattoo I have done above my knees is ok. The ones done recently below my knees and on my feet are not healing well. They get red and inflammed and are very painful for alot longer than I have ever experienced in my life. I think that for diabetics, getting tattooed is ok, but from my personal experience, I would avoid doing anything towards the bottom of your legs. It seems to me through the research that I have done on diabetes, the lower parts of the legs are the most affected by the disease. Good luck to anyone getting the tattoos done and by all means talk to your artist and your doctor before getting something done. Just cause it seems harmless doesnt mean that it can't lead to serious medical problems and a really f***ed up permanent mark on your body that you will have to carry for the rest of your life!!!

I am a diabetic, I have 3 tattoos. 2 were before I as diagnosed and 1 after. The one after being diagnosed was on my ankle and I didnt have a thought in the world at the time about being diabetic. I dont know why I didnt think of it but I just didn't. My numbers have been under control for at least a year prior to getting it. I never had any infections etc. it healed just as quick as my other two did. I have now had Non diabetic A1c's for 4 years, I am getting my 4th tatt later today. As long as your numbers are of good control I see no reason why you couldnt get one. Its the crazy people who ignore their numbers that I would never suggest getting a tatt.