Can You Get A Tattoo In Philadelphia If You Have Psoriasis?

Those with psoriasis might be hesitant to get a tattoo. While these individuals are not prevented from getting inked, there are a few things to avoid. Plaque psoriasis can occur on any spot on the body. As a result, choosing the ideal location for a tattoo can be challenging. If you have psoriasis, there are a few things that you need to take into consideration.

Can I Get A Tattoo With Psoriasis?

People with psoriasis get tattooed all of the time, but they are limited to certain areas of the body. If you have scale-like patches on specific body spots, you might want to choose another place. Some states prohibit artists from inking someone with an active psoriasis flare. Before you get inked, check with one of the Philadelphia tattoo shops to ask for advice on this skin condition.

In some individuals with psoriasis, there is something called the Koebner phenomenon. Any trauma to the skin, including a tattoo, can cause psoriasis lesions to develop. As a result, you might notice a few flare-ups near the tattoo. About 25 percent of people with psoriasis will develop a legion after skin trauma. If you have any concerns, you might want to speak to your doctor before scheduling a tattoo session.

Risk Of Tattooing With Psoriasis

In many cases, the individual will not have a problem with a tattoo. However, there are still a few risks. A tattoo breaks the skin’s surface and causes some minor bleeding. That can leave you vulnerable to skin infections, diseases, and allergic reactions.

You always want to find a shop with a good record of sanitation and cleanliness. If you are worried about sitting down for a tattoo, always reach out to the gallery. A professional shop will be happy to explain its sanitation process to you.

If you want to prevent any problems with your tattoo, make sure that the artist is reputable. They should have a current license and a few references. All professional artists use gloves and single-use needles to work on the clients.

Preventing Skin Irritation

The healing process from a tattoo can take several days to weeks. You always want to follow the recovery directions from your artist. If you notice swelling, burning, or redness, you should speak with a doctor. You might have an infection, and it needs to be treated immediately.

Some people with psoriasis will have an allergic reaction to the tattoo inks and dyes. These reactions can be mild to severe. Many inks contain several types of chemicals, including iron oxide, aluminum, mercury sulfide, and manganese. As a result, those ingredients can cause swelling or a rash.

One study has shown that tattoos created with red ink can cause an allergic reaction, especially for those with psoriasis. Yellow ink contains cadmium sulfide, and some people have reported a photoallergic response when exposed to sunlight.

However, these reactions could be caused by other factors. The sun can also produce irritation on the skin, including itching and redness. If you want to prevent any problems, you need to talk to your artist. They will be happy to answer any of your questions.

Tattoo Care For Psoriasis

In most situations, it takes about two weeks for the top layer of the tattoo to heal. During that time, the tattoo will scab over. You never want to scratch the skin. If you do, it can cause bigger scabs, ink loss, and even scarring.

When it comes time to clean the skin, always be gentle. Never scrub the skin in an attempt to remove scabs. They will fall off by themselves. Be careful with your new tattoo. Don’t directly touch the tattooed area with dirty hands, or you could introduce bacteria into the tattoo. Scratching can delay the healing process. In most situations, avoid coming in contact with the tattooed area.

Before leaving the studio, the artist should provide you with strict care instructions. Make sure to follow them. After a few hours, you can remove the bandage from the tattoo. However, you still need to cover it with clothes when heading outside. You want to avoid any excessive sunlight as that can cause irritation. Sunlight can damage the skin and fade the ink. If you do head outside, make sure to apply sunscreen.

Some artists will send ointment home with you. If you don’t get a take-home bag, the artist should provide a few recommendations for creams. You never want to dry out the skin. Well-moisturized skin is healthy and leads to a faster recovery time.

You should always avoid hot tubs and pools until your tattoo is healed. Don’t soak in a bathtub. Water can introduce bacteria into the healing tattoo and cause an infection.

After the tattoo has healed, you still want to provide extra care to that area. You can apply an unscented moisturizer to the skin. Not only does it help to prevent dry skin, but it will keep your tattoo looking good.

If the tattoo starts to burn or becomes red, you need to speak to a medical professional. Even with the best precautions, you could end up with problems, especially for those who have psoriasis.

Final Word

Tattooing could cause a flare-up for those who have psoriasis. However, those cases do not occur very often. If you have psoriasis, you will want to talk to your dermatologist about treatment options. These professionals can advise you whether a tattoo is a good idea for you. Along with that, please speak with your artist and let them know about your psoriasis. They may suggest where to place the tattoo that will not aggravate your skin condition.

Choose Local Tattoo Shops Near Me

If you want to get a tattoo, you need to find a high-quality and reputable shop. At Oracle Tattoo Gallery, we have the best artists in Philadelphia. Our artists will discuss any of your concerns and answer all those questions. We want you to be comfortable as you sit down for your next tattoo session. You can schedule a consultation by calling our shop at 215-638-1601.