How common is tattoo infection?

Author: Dr. Eddie Corkery  |  Last update: Thursday, May 1, 2025

Tattoo infections are rare. In fact, as few as 6% of people who get a tattoo experience any type of infection. While the numbers may be small, the complications from a tattoo infection can be very serious.

What are the odds of a tattoo getting infected?

A 2016 study that looked at the risk of infection with tattoos found that 0.5–6% of adults who had a tattoo experienced infectious complications. If a tattoo causes severe symptoms or pain that lasts for more than a few days, it can be a sign that there is an infection that needs medical attention.

How easy is it for a new tattoo to get infected?

Any time you receive a tattoo, there's a risk of infection. Even if you go to an experienced tattoo artist and the shop looks clean and sterile, it can happen. There's also a risk of infection with at-home tattoo kits and ceremonial tattoos that are part of cultural celebrations.

What is the infection rate for tattoos?

Between 1–5% of those who get a tattoo experience tattoo-related skin infections [4].

How common are complications from tattoos?

Medical data shows that about 5% of people who get a tattoo develop an infection, and up to 10% experience short-term complications. You're correct that tattoos have been known to interfere with certain types of medical scans, such as an MRI.

Tattoo Fails and Infections

Who should not get tattoos?

If you have a medical problem such as heart disease, allergies, diabetes, skin problems like eczema or psoriasis, a weak immune system, or a bleeding problem, talk to your doctor before getting a tattoo. Also, if you get keloids (an overgrowth of scar tissue) you probably should not get a tattoo.

Can you get sepsis from a tattoo infection?

Tattoos and body piercings provide an opening in the skin that can allow germs to enter your body and cause infections. These infections could cause sepsis. It's for this reason that anyone who receives a tattoo or piercing must take special care to reduce the risk of contracting an infection.

Why do they ask if you have tattoos before surgery?

Infection can occur after tattoos and even the most well-done and safe of plastic surgery procedures. If there is any chance one procedure will affect the other, your cosmetic surgeon will guide you to the best (and safest) direction.

How common is Hep C from tattoos?

Although rare, people can get hepatitis C during a tattoo. This can occur if a tattoo artist does not sterilize their equipment and follow appropriate, hygienic measures.

Is a tattoo ruined if it gets infected?

Will an Infected Tattoo Still Heal? A mild infection that is caught and treated early likely won't ruin the tattoo, but the longer it's left untreated, the more risk you run of visual changes to the tattoo.

Why do I feel sick after a tattoo?

Tattooing can result in several complications such as localized and systemic infections, inflammatory skin eruptions and neoplasms. We recently experienced a 26-year-old man diagnosed with typical TSS following tattooing. He complained of fever, chills and erythematous rash at tattoo site.

What is the most common way tattoos get infected?

An infection might be due to contaminated ink or equipment that isn't sterilized correctly. Getting a tattoo at a studio that doesn't follow good safety steps also can raise your risk of a skin infection. Other skin problems. Sometimes an area of inflammation can form around tattoo ink.

How long after a tattoo are you at risk for infection?

Worsening red, itchy bumps at the tattoo site. Redness and swelling: remember that mild redness is to be expected the first two to three days after getting a tattoo. If it progresses, worsens or accelerates three to five days after getting the tattoo, you need to take action due to high likelihood of a skin infection.

Are tattoos bad for your immune system?

The consensus is no. Some researchers have argued that tattoos may be boosting the immune system. Anthropologists from the University of Alabama likened getting tattoos to going to the gym – each workout strengthens the body.

How soon after getting a tattoo can you have surgery?

In fact, having a tattoo in the weeks before or after your Surgery significantly increases your risk of infection and can impact on your healing and recovery after Surgery. For these reasons, CosMediTour encourage their Clients to avoid getting tattoos for six weeks before and after surgery.

How do hospitals feel about tattoos?

Some healthcare facilities, especially hospitals and clinics with more conservative dress codes, may have policies requiring nurses to cover visible tattoos, especially those on the hands, neck, or face. They usually do this to maintain a professional appearance and avoid distractions and potential patient discomfort.

Why is anesthesia not used for tattoos?

Your Tattooist should not use local anaesthetic to numb the area as these can damage the skin and you may react to it.

How quickly can sepsis develop?

How long does it take for sepsis to set in? According to the Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety, sepsis can progress quickly, causing death in as little as 12 hours. Sepsis Alliance states, the risk of death increases by 7.6% for every hour that passes without treatment.

Can tattoos be 100% removed?

It is difficult to give a one-size-fits-all answer to this often asked question, but broadly speaking, yes a tattoo can be 100% removed so long as your immune system is working effectively and you follow our sun-safe aftercare guidelines.

Will insurance cover tattoo removal?

Does insurance cover tattoo removal? No. Since tattoo removal is considered cosmetic surgery, you can't get insurance coverage or use FSA or HSA funds to pay for the procedure.

How much is it to remove a 6 inch tattoo?

Across the United States, laser tattoo removal cost can range between $200 to $500 per removal treatment, which usually varies based on factors like tattoo size. At Removery, we also offer the option to pay-per-session and the average cost per removal session is $175 to $600, depending on the size of the tattoo.

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