Talk To Your Healthcare Provider First
Before you commit to a date and a design, you should consult with your practitioner. While all blood glucose levels should be individualized, the American Diabetes Association suggests that most adults with diabetes should aim for a hemoglobin A1C of around 7%, which means that your estimated average blood sugar is about 154mg/dL.
If your blood sugars are much higher than this, your healthcare provider will probably recommend that you reconsider your tattoo for a time when it is safer for you.
Choosing The Best Tattoo Parlor For Your Ink
There are certain things that are hard to find, and locating one of the best tattoo parlors for your body art is one of them, especially if youre a diabetic. If you want it done right, there are certain rules to follow. Remember, you have only one body so take care of it
Take time to research. If you spot a tattoo you fancy, ask the bearer where they got the ink. Check out websites and narrow them down, see the place in person, and how they do their work. Ask for a personal recommendation to meet the people they tattooed.
A reputable tattoo parlor should comply with the licensing requirements of the state. The staff should be professional, practice health, and safety standards.
The inks should be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and should be free from metals and solvents.
A professional tattoo studio should require the client to sign a release form asking if you are diabetic before the artwork begins. They only serve clients 18 and above.
Do Emts Notice Medical Alert Diabetes Tattoos
Its so common these days to see type 1 diabetes medic alert tattoos on Instagram, but before you swap your medic alert jewelry for a tattoo, its important to find out if EMTs and healthcare professionals in emergency rooms even notice or look for a medic alert tattoo on a patient.
The answer is that EMTs will not necessarily look for a medic alert tattoo.
A friend of mine is an EMT, explains Leanne. She said they cant assume you have diabetes just because of a tattoo because it might be there to represent your childs diabetes.
However, theyre still likely to notice it, and then consider checking your blood sugar and eventually learning that you have diabetes. So its not completely lost, its just not an exact and equal replacement for medical alert jewelry.
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What Are The Risks
Tattoos are permanent body art etched into the skin using electrically driven needles. The needles insert ink into the dermis . When you get a tattoo, the needle punctures break blood vessels. As a protective response, your body produces a natural defense against the injury and can become inflamed and bruise.
Ensuring that the tattoo establishment is licensed and clean is important in mitigating risk. Proper and thorough care of the skin after a tattoo session is also critical in preventing infections. But even with the greatest of care, there is still some risk of having an adverse reaction, which is likely to be higher in people with diabetes, especially those with elevated blood sugar.
Diabetes & Tattoos What You Need To Know
If you read outdated books on living with diabetes, those of us living with this disease shouldnt even walk around our house barefoot let alone get a tattoo! But these days, people with all types of diabetes are living dangerously by walking barefoot in their own home and even getting tattoos that are about diabetes.
You can absolutely get a tattoo if you live with diabetes, but there are still a few things you need to consider before popping into your local tattoo parlor.
In this post, I will cover everything you need to know about diabetes and tattoos, what it looks like when things go wrong and if doctors and EMTs even trust those diabetes-related medical alert tattoos!
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A1c Requirements For Diabetics Getting Tattoos
As much as we sometimes HATE checking and living by our A1C, it is a relatively good tool that lets us know how are blood sugar has been. If you really want to get some fresh ink, whether its a small tattoo or a sick sleeve, you need to be sure your A1C is in check.
Having a high A1C going into a tattoo session can provide a plethora of problems. Elevated blood sugar levels mean decreased immune response. When you decide to get under the needle, your skin barrier is being perceived up to 3000 times a minute. Having a higher A1C puts you at higher risk for an infection and infected tattoos are not only dangerous to your health but just arent sexy.
Some doctors recommend having an A1C < 8% while some Certified Diabetes Educators recommend an A1C < 7% prior to getting a tattoo.
A higher A1C might suggest blood sugar management could be a struggle for you possibly because a change in your life, activity level, or even stress level so be sure to reach out to your endocrinologist or CDE to see if they can help you!
If you plan on investing in a tattoo, invest the months prior into your diabetes management as well.
You Are Greater Tattoo
This is a very sweet and simple tattoo that may not look like something important, but it means something beautiful. The symbols of this tattoo mean I am greater than my highs and my lows. All the people who get this tattoo Come. are suffering from diabetes. It is important to understand that this tattoo represents something much bigger than that. Not only people suffering from this medical condition to should get this tattoo, but everybody who wants to support them and wants to help them should get it. This sweet and simple tattoo could be everything that you are looking for.
Getting a tattoo that is the representation of your medical condition, like type one diabetes, requires a lot of attention pre and post the making of the design. Apart from that, the people who get these tattoos need to ensure that their blood glucose levels are in constant check and their design is perfect for them because it will be a part of their body forever. If you are skeptical about these designs, you may get a temporary tattoo and convert it into a permanent one later. Although there are numerous designs to choose from, we hope that our list of top 10 designs is something that you like. If you want to explore further, you can also check out
- Cute type 1 diabetes tattoo
- Type 1 diabetes support tattoo ideas
- Medical alert bracelet tattoo
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Can You Get A Tattoo If You Have Type 1 Diabetes
Living with Type 1 diabetes does not man you cant get tattooed. However, in addition to the hygiene measures that apply to everyone, it is recommended to take a few particular precautions. It is strongly recommended that your diabetes be balanced. Dont forget to tell your tattooist that you have Type 1 diabetes and to talk to your doctor if you have any doubts.
Type 1 Diabetes Tattoo
This tattoo is pretty simple and straightforward. The words type one diabetic are written on the side of the forearm very clearly. This tattoo is to make the healthcare professionals aware of your medical condition so that they can take necessary precautions before doing any kind of surgery or giving you any kind of medicine. The tattoo has been made with fine strokes of black ink so that it is clearly visible at all times, even if it fails away in the long run. The font of the words is such that it looks pretty on the arm and doesnt make you feel like you are going through a medical condition like diabetes.
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Tattoo Healing For Diabetics
Having diabetes means you will most likely take longer to recover and your tattoo artist will know this. Dont listen to all your other friends with $19 I Heart Mom tattoos who offer their non-medical, non-professional advice on how to heal your new tattoo. Listen to your tattoo artist.
While most people take around 2 weeks to optimally heal from a tattoo, diabetics can sometimes be double that. Dont risk your health, money, or tattoo quality by shorting or getting lazy with the healing process. Whether your artist recommends Tegaderm, A& D ointment or anything of the sort, follow their instructions for an extended period of time to be sure your tattoo heals healthily and beautifully.
Some people will say to not get your feet, hands, or other areas tattooed because of slower healing times especially associated with poor blood circulation but there are quite a few tatted type 1 diabetics who have lower A1Cs with ankle, foot, and practically full body tattoos! If you are currently fighting complications or have poor circulation, it is best to consult your doctor before getting a tattoo so they can help you stay as safe and healthy as possible.
Whether you want a meaningful tattoo, a medical tattoo or just an epic design because you appreciate the art form, T1Ds and T2Ds with tattoos are not a problem!
Areas With Impaired Circulation
Its easy to forget that even if your A1c has been under 8 percent for decades, areas of your body inevitably have impaired blood circulation compared to others.
Our hands, feet, ankles, and even your shins are the most common tattooable areas on your body that can easily have poor blood circulation. That means these areas are less ideal for a tattoo simply because they may not heal as quickly or are at a greater risk of infection during the healing process. If you already have diagnosed neuropathy, and youre choosing to get a tattoo despite suggestions that you shouldnt, it would be wise to avoid any of those affected areas.
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Blood Sugar And Tattoos
Having diabetes doesnt mean you cant have a tattoo or piercing. But your blood sugar levels must be in range before you do.
If they arent, your tattoo or piercing might not heal properly or quickly, and risk getting an infection. Your blood pressure should also be stable to stop these problems. You might want to discuss it with your diabetes team before going ahead to check everythings okay.
Getting a tattoo can take a long time and be painful, which will make your blood sugar rise. Make sure you talk to the tattoo artist and take breaks regularly so you can monitor your blood sugar levels throughout.
Bring snacks and hypo treatments just in case.
When Its Time To Get Your First Tattoo
If there was ever a time to be a little bit obsessed with your blood sugar management, the days before you get your tattoo and the few weeks that follow when its working to heal are worthy of diabetes management obsession.
Its critical to remember that just because your tattoo is healed on the outside of your skin within that first week, there is still a great deal of healing that takes place in the tissue below your skin. The more your blood sugars stay in a healthy range during the weeks after getting a tattoo, the better it will heal, the more quickly it will heal, and the less likely youll experience a healing-related complication or infection.
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Choice Of The Tattoo Artist
Tattooing is perfectly safe as long as it is done in an approved establishment that respects the essential rules of hygiene. When choosing your tattoo artist, check that the tattoo parlour is clean and uses sterile equipment. Before making an appointment, you can also check the tattooist’s credentials and read reviews by other clients.
Most Common Causes Of Infections In Tattoos
Preventing an infection in your new tattoo while it heals is actually pretty straightforward.right? Just keep it clean! But theres a nice long list of things that can easily introduce an infectionmany of which you might not even think of, like the type of body lotion you use every day!
- High blood sugars in those with diabetes
- Unsanitary tattooing environment
- Bathing in dirty watertake showers instead!
- Letting others touch your new tattoo
- Using too much lotion apply only as directed, not constantly
- Generally unhealthy lifestyle habits around nutrition, alcohol, sleep, etc.
Keep it clean and dry. Dont scratch or pick at it. Use vaseline or another recommended tattoo moisturizer. And when youre showing it off to your new friends, tell em to keep their hands off it!
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What To Do If Your Doctor Says You Can Get A Tattoo Or Piercing
If your provider says that youre doing a great job controlling your diabetes and can safely get a tattoo or piercing, the next important step is to do it as healthfully as possible by being proactive to prevent any issues from popping up. Follow these general guidelines:
Do your homework. Find a reputable place to get a piercing or tattoo, a place that uses safe and sterile procedures. Ghiloni recommends asking friends for their recommendations, then checking with the Better Business Bureau or your local board of health to inquire about the facility.
Tell the artist at the parlor that you have diabetes. No matter which parlor or where on your body you plan on getting your tattoo or piercing, its a good idea to give the tattoo artist or piercer a heads-up that you have type 2 diabetes. They won’t kick you out, but it’s important for them to take your condition into consideration while youre in the chair.
Before you go, ask about healing. Especially if this is your first tattoo or piercing, you may not have any idea what to expect as it heals. Ask the tattoo parlor what your tattoo should look like, Ghiloni says. Is crusting or scabbing normal? As soon as it veers off normal, contact your doctor, she adds.
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Can You Get A Tattoo If You Have Diabetes
If you are a diabetic, or suffer from any other autoimmune condition or cancer, you should make an informed choice about getting a tattoo or a piercing. Many people with this condition have had tattoos and piercings completed successfully without any further complications, but its important to do your research. Heres some things to consider.
Understanding the tattoo process and how it affects diabetics skin
Anyone who has diabetes knows that they must carefully weigh up the consequences of anything they do. It pays to be fastidious when it comes to the management of this disease especially when considering getting a tattoo. The epidermis protects you from infections. As tattooing is the process of inserting indelible ink into the dermis layer of the skin, it involves piercing the skin many times over and could therefore present a higher potential risk of infection, but it all depends on your own personal diagnosis and ensuing management of the condition.
Tattoo considerations if you are diabetic:
As a general rule, your haemoglobin A1C should be sitting at 7% and this test is the best indicator of how well the diabetes is controlled. If the last couple of tests come in around 7% and there are no other significant health concerns, getting a tattoo should be safe. If you are outside of this range, you run the risk that the tattoo or piercing will not heal properly and could become infected quickly.
Diabetes, Tattoos and Aftercare
Where Should People With Diabetes Get Inked
People with diabetes are advised not to get a tattoo. The high blood sugar levels diminish the ability of the body to recover from wounds that can lead to infection. However, this should not deter a diabetic from getting inked. But, before having one, you should be sure that your diabetes is in check.
High levels of blood sugar will aggravate the curing process and the danger of contamination. The blood pressures should be within acceptable levels. Remember that blood sugar levels may rise while you are getting inked.
Before popping into your tattoo parlor, keep these things in mind.
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Avoid Body Locations With Poor Circulation
Avoid getting a tattoo on body sites where you may have poor circulation. Certain areas of the body, such as those further away from the heart, can be susceptible to reduced circulation, particularly in people with diabetes.
If you have diabetes and have poor circulation, it is probably best to avoid tattooing areas such as the legs, feet, hands, and buttocks. Poor circulation can reduce the body’s ability to heal wounds, increasing the risk of infection.
One Last Thing: What About Medical Alert Tattoos
Rather than wearing a medical ID bracelet revealing your diabetes status, some people are choosing to get medical alert tattoos on various parts of their bodies, where they cant be lost. This is certainly a personal preference. Some people say half the time they wear their bracelets, and half the time they dont. So if theyre open to it and want a medical tattoo, I dont mind. I think its a cool option, Rinker says. She says that all the same advice applies in this case: Get clearance from your diabetes care provider and do your homework on the location of the tattoo and the tattoo artist whether the artwork is for medical or personal reasons. She also adds that if you dont like your bracelets but a tattoo isnt for you, you can find other options, like a more attractive or less obtrusive bracelet or necklace.
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