Hello,
I am planning to get another tattoo soon, but since my diagnosis, I have to ask my friend diabetes first, like everything else. Please make sure your A1c is at acceptable levels, and possibly check with your GP first. Size of tat does not matter, it's your healing capabilities that do. Please remember that it is essentially a wound, and there will be initial bleeding, and like any wound needs to be treated as such.
I have also read somewhere that some tattooists will not tattoo some people if they cannot prove that they are in good health (they have their license to protect I guess), so please do some thorough research before you get one. Perhaps call your prospective tattooists and ask for more information. Good tattooists will be helpful and informative, so if you are not sure, visit the parlour, ask questions, check their licenses and certificates (usually displayed somewhere on the walls), and tell them what risks might be involved as you are a diabetic.
I have promised my self my next tat as a reward for reigning my stupidly high numbers since diagnosis, so I have to wait till my next A1C results, but this gives me time to plan the design of my tat and find a reputable place to get it done.
Getting a tat does not shorten your life. If this was the case, I and MANY people out there should have died 10 times over by now.
BTW, I don't think that leprosy is a risk factor when getting a tattoo. Nor is gangrene. If these are true risk factors, perhaps reconsider the person who is tattooing you. Having been inked in different countries and several times over, I think that if you take your time, (don't be impulsive about that Daffy Duck tat!) do research, find a reputable tattoist, then there are very low risk factors involved, diabetic or not.
Please also bear in mind that tattoos are for life, not just for Christmas, so plan wisely, but if it all goes horribly wrong, you can get it removed by laser treatment. This is safe, painless and non-scarring but can be expensive. So you don't have to live with it forever any more, but of course if you are going to get one, then I assume you have no plans to get rid of it!
I hope this helpful, good luck!
I'm Type2 insulin dep. Having a tattoo (just a tiny one) has been on my "things to do before I die" list for many years. Will having one shorten the amount of time I have left to fulfil my list? Any advice as to which areas of my body are safest will be much appreciated. 
