Tattoo

Beachbag said:

Hello 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.


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im a type1 diabetic and i have 4 tats and nothing went wrong with any of them so enjoy gettin tattooed im gettin my 5th tat nxt week

Hi I found out I was diabetic because of getting a tattoo.
I had a medium sized tattoo on my upper chest and was having a laugh with a friend about getting it extended, when I was asked by his boss who owned the tattoo studio where he worked, if I would be interested in trying to break the guinness world record alongside another mutual friend.
To do this I had to take a full medical and that's when I found I was a type 2 diabetic, after correcting my diet my doctor gave the go ahead and we were both tattooed for 28 hours solid. We got the record but then it was beaten 2 months later.
All of my tattoos are coverable by a t-shirt and shorts, except for my three children's names on my lower right leg.
I had no problems with healing and it's not affected my job, I'm the area product specialist for a major printer and copier company.
Always go by recommendation and check out any prospective tattooists. Just ask them if they use new sterile needles, quality safe inks and ask if you can watch them work if possible.
The reasons for these questions is some sterilise and reuse needles which can result in blunt or bent ends. The ink question is because some use carpet dyes to save money. If you can watch them work you can then get a feel for if the are clean and organised.
My tattooist always asks people to come for a chat before he will agree to work on them, if they haven't got time to give advice or info they probably aren't that good.

I got one recently

If it's on your bucket list, do it. Something small like a bee or ladybird isn't going to cause much hassle in the way of healing. A tattoo is pretty much like a bad graze, and unless you have issues with your peripheries, shouldn't pose a problem if you follow the advice and guidelines of your tattooist.
I have back, arms, wrist and feet tattooed. All were done in the last 10 years, so at least half would have been done with high blood glucose! Especially my feet... which were both done over the last 2 years. I have had no healing problems.
Pain-wise, feet were by far the worst... my left foot has a tattoo that covers the top and goes up the front of my ankle. When it was done my tattooist commented that I was the first person to have it done without flinching, moving, or asking for a break. I told him that it was because I was gritting my teeth so hard that I couldn't speak! Would never repeat that experience.
Contrary to what most people say, my wrists were the least painful but took a longer time to heal (about 2 weeks).

My Mom came with me to watch me get a tattoo once. She claimed that she wanted to check the facilities were safe and clean etc. Mom is a typical, reserved, marks and spencers-wearing 60-something year old. So imagine my shock when I turned around to see her sitting in the chair having an Elvis tattoo done on her shoulder.
She never shows it off, but she doesn't regret it.

Hi Beachbag,

Based upon my own experiences, tattoos are fine, mine didn't hurt but can be minor pain around boney areas. Healing is similar to a scratch/ scrape, healing process forms a scab which then flakes off leaving colourful shiney tattoo which in time returns to normal skin.

Tattoo removal with laser is as painful as having tattoo (some say more!) time consuming and expensive. I had 12 sessions and greens and oranges still remained. After laser treatment skin blisters up (suprisingly no pain), fluid seeps out and skin peels off whilst washing/showering with no scabbing.

Tattoo removal cream, currently I am using a cream to remove the last of the greens and orange and after 2 weeks there is already a reduction so expect to see forearms clear in about 6 weeks!

Would I have a tattoo again? Yes, but in an area that was hidden by t-shirt sleeve etc.

Had them done in my youth, 18 years old, laser removal in mid 30's and using cream in mid 50's!

Enjoy the experience, a pretty butterfly will look nice!

Jake

Make sure you have some MediSwabs to hand after the procedure; before it starts to scab you need to remove as much blood & fluid from the surface. Wipe gently. If not, the heavier the scab, the more likely the ink will be drawn from the skin into the forming scab.

DO NOT DO THIS on a healing/scabbing tattoo - it must be kept as dry as possible!

Had both arms, legs and chest done between '82 & '84 - before type-2

PS. CHECK THEIR WORK BEFORE GOING AHEAD!

Im a type 1 and have a half sleeve and half my back covered mine are all fine i use bepanthen on them and they healed beatuifully

tattoos are completely safe for a diabetic following these guidelines
1, use a reputable company
2, high blood sugar levels can slow down the healing process leading to risk of infection so cleanliness is vital during the healing period ( which can take an extended period of time for a diabetic)
I've had 3 done and apart from a slightly longer healing time I've had no problems at all.