When shouldn't you get a tattoo?

Author: Jane Prosacco  |  Last update: Sunday, October 12, 2025

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.

How do you know if you shouldn't get a tattoo?

Make sure you're ready

Don't let other people pressure you into getting a tattoo. And don't get a tattoo if you've been drinking alcohol or using drugs. If you're confident that you want to get a tattoo, talk to friends who already have one. Ask if they have suggestions or tips for you.

What medical conditions stop you from getting a tattoo?

I've got a medical condition... can I still get tattooed?
  • Just so you know… ...
  • Diabetes - ...
  • Certain medications including blood thinners - ...
  • Any condition needing immunosuppressants - Crohn's disease, Lupus, Some skin conditions, etc - ...
  • Skin conditions like Excema and Psoriasis - ...
  • On antibiotics? - ...
  • HIV/AIDS -

Is there a bad time to get a tattoo?

By getting your tattoo in spring or summer, you will miss out on the benefits that come with getting tattooed in the winter. At the same time, there are higher chances of infections when the fresh tattoo is exposed to the sun.

What shouldn't you do before a tattoo?

Avoid Alcohol and Blood Thinners: Refrain from alcohol, aspirin, and other blood-thinning medications for at least 24 hours before your appointment. This can minimize bleeding during the tattooing process. Eat a Good Meal: Have a solid meal before your appointment to keep your blood sugar stable.

Are Tattoos A Sin? | Cliffe and Stuart Knechtle

What messes up tattoo healing?

NEVER itch or pick your tattoo: Picking off scabs or itching your tattoo will delay healing and may damage your ink. Drying your tattoo with washcloths or towels can also remove scabs and delay healing. Friction from wearing tight pants or shirts over your tattoo can also irritate the skin.

Where to not get your first tattoo?

Most Painful Places to Get Tattooed
  • Feet. The top of the foot is a popular place to get tattooed. ...
  • Ribs. The rib cage is arguably the worst place on the body to get your first tattoo. ...
  • Fingers. Fingers are made up of bones, tendons, and joints. ...
  • Groin. ...
  • Head. ...
  • Armpit. ...
  • Upper Back. ...
  • Outer Arm.

What is the best age to get a tattoo?

All in all, the best age to get a tattoo is when you can afford to invest in a high-quality design you are happy with and when you feel mature enough to know you will be happy with your choice in the long term.

What season is best to get a tattoo?

Considering all that's been said, WINTER IS AN EXCELLENT TIME TO GET A NEW TATTOO . The cold weather creates the ideal environment for tattoo healing and can help reduce the risk of damaging the new tattoo. With winter clothing and less sun exposure, you can relax and enjoy your new tattoo with fewer worries.

When can you not have a tattoo?

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.

What type of skin should not be tattooed?

Oily Skin: The Slippery Canvas

For oily skin, the excess sebum production can: Make it harder for tattoo ink to settle properly in the skin. Cause colors to appear less vibrant over time. Increase the risk of ink spreading under the skin.

Is black tattoo ink toxic?

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), a group of chemicals which are known carcinogens, was found in a fifth of the samples tested and in 83% of the black inks tested by NICNAS. Other hazardous components included barium, copper, mercury, amines and various colourants.

What are basic tattoos to avoid?

If you don't want to regret your body art, read this list of tattoos that you should never get.
  • White Ink Tattoos. White ink tattoos are the latest trend. ...
  • Face Tattoos. ...
  • Partner's Name. ...
  • A Cheap Tattoo. ...
  • Any Tattoo While Intoxicated. ...
  • An Offensive Tattoo. ...
  • What to Do If You Don't Like Your Tattoo.

What medications affect tattoos?

Examples include: Accutane, tetracycline medications (minocycline, doxycycline, etc.) Acne medication makes your skin extra sensitive. Skin sensitivities while receiving a tattoo can lead the tattoo process to feel more pain during the tattoo than normal.

What tattoos don't age well?

Unfortunately, tiny tattoos may not age well. Tiny tattoos are small and have lots of detail in one concentrated space. These intricate details will be lost with time as your skin changes.

Where do tattoos last the longest?

Areas less likely to fade
  • Ribs.
  • Torso.
  • Upper thigh.
  • Butt.
  • Back.
  • Back of neck or behind your ears, if you have long hair.
  • Any areas exposed to sunlight less often.

Do fine line tattoos age badly?

Fine line tattoos are said to fade more aggressively than regular tattoos, though both tattoo styles will fade with time, and may need touch-ups. The longevity of your tattoo in either style relies on the location of the tattoo, how well you care for your skin, and the excellence of the tattoo artist you choose.

Where to never get a tattoo?

So what are the worst places to get a tattoo on the body? Areas like the feet, hands, stomach, chest, elbow, lips, and inner ear are not good tattoo locations. It's essential to consider a few things when choosing a proper placement, such as pain intensity, practicality, and visibility.

What is a good first tattoo?

Outlines are typically starting points for tattoos. Script or cursive tattoos are also among the best ideas for first tattoos. They are typically meaningful to those who get them and are a great way to start your tattoo journey.

What is the most painful tattoo?

Armpit. Condemned by many as the most painful place to get a tattoo, the armpit area is repeatedly reported as an uncomfortable experience – so much so that tattoo artists now advise against armpit tattoos.

What is tattoo pain comparable to?

How bad do tattoos hurt? There's no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to how much pain you'll feel when getting tattooed. But if you're wondering what type of pain to expect, Caranfa says the experience is comparable to the feeling of a cat scratch or a sunburn.

Do people cry during tattoos?

Do People Cry or Faint During a Tattoo? You might have heard horror stories about people passing out or crying from the intense pain of a tattoo. Pain, however, is usually not the culprit when someone faints during a tattoo.

Are tattoos a sin?

Christianity. Some Christians take issue with tattooing, upholding the Hebrew prohibition. The Hebrew prohibition is based on interpreting Leviticus 19:28—"Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you"—so as to prohibit tattoos. Interpretations of the passage vary, however.

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