Vitiligo and Tattoos: Everything You Need to Know About
Posted on
Do you have vitiligo?
Are you considering to get a tattoo to hide the spot but not sure whether or not it’s safe?
Worry not!
If the answer to the above questions is yes, then you’re reading the right post.
In this post, we are going to discuss everything you need to know about vitiligo and tattoos.
So, let’s get started…
What is Vitiligo?
Vitiligo is a condition in which the skin starts to lose its pigment cells, as a result of which the skin becomes white. This can lead to discolored patches appearing in a variety of locations on the body. It is a fairly uncommon disorder that affects roughly one percent of individuals around the world.
You may be curious about whether or not it is safe to get your skin that has vitiligo tattooed. However, many people who have vitiligo have chosen to have tattoos, and the results have been positive.
Vitiligo is not a lightening of all colours; rather, it is the loss of color-producing cells called melanocytes. As a result, it is highly unlikely that the tattoo ink itself will fade as a result of vitiligo. Therefore, vitiligo should not have any effect on tattoo ink.
Shall a person who suffers from Vitiligo get tattooed?
The answer is not cut and dry because there are several things, such as the severity of the vitiligo, and the purpose of the tattoo to consider before a person with vitiligo goes for a tattoo.
Some people with vitiligo choose to hide a vitiligo spot with a tattoo that is the same color as their skin so that their skin seems even. While others with vitiligo opt for a picture or phrase tattooed over their spots to serve as a distraction. Whatever the reason, there is a lot to consider before one with vitiligo gets his/her skin inked.
Is it a good idea to get a Tattoo on the Vitiligo spot?
There are a variety of reasons why it is typically not a good idea to attempt to hide a patch caused by vitiligo by tattooing. First of all, you must know that it is exceedingly challenging to find tattoo ink that is an exact match for the color of a person’s skin. Know that the color of the skin changes over time as a result of factors such as age, seasons, and sun exposure.
In addition to this, people with vitiligo face the Tyndall effect. In this, the color of ink that is tattooed deeply into the skin appears drastically different when light from the ink passes through the layers of skin.
Therefore, regardless of what color you choose for the tattoo, it will end up looking very different once the ink has been engraved into the dermis.
Also, vitiligo’s stability is a major concern. In most cases, the problem grows drastically. In such a situation, you may see a ring of white skin forming around the tattoo, which won’t do much to help disguise the vitiligo.
Moreover, vitiligo can be made worse at the affected location by any trauma or damage to the skin, including the puncturing of the skin by a tattoo needle.
So, if you have vitiligo and are considering getting a tattoo, there are a few things you should take into consideration beforehand. More often than not, covering a vitiligo spot with a tattoo is considered a great idea. It is because the color will not likely match exactly. Also, the color of the skin changes, making the spot bigger where you have a tattoo. Instead, it is more common to find it to be a good idea to try to cover the place with a different color.
A tattoo could make your vitiligo worse or lead you to develop a new spot if your case of vitiligo is considered active. This means that you are either developing new spots, your existing spots are growing in size, or spots arise when you harm your skin.
The choice is yours to make; nevertheless, if you do decide that getting the tattoo is worth the risk, go ahead and enjoy it to the fullest!
I have Vitiligo; can I get a tattoo?
Before you go ahead and get a tattoo on the vitiligo skin you have, there are a few things you need to take into consideration first.
You need to question yourself why you want to get a tattoo:
- To hide your skin issue or
- To draw attention to it.
Yes, people have different objectives when they choose to get tattoos. So, if you have vitiligo, you need to first understand how stable your condition is.
Aside from that, you will need to find a tattoo artist who has expertise working with skin like yours. It is because not all artists are professionals or experienced in inking with skin issues that are similar to yours.
With active vitiligo you may find getting a tattoo a problem. It is because active vitiligo is a condition in which your spots tend to grow or spread largely. So, it is crucial to give it thought to how your active vitiligo will impact your tattoo. You should also think about how accepting of the tattoo you will be if your skin tone alters in the future.
Keep this in mind if you’re planning to get a tattoo to cover up your vitiligo.
So these are the things that you must consider before getting a tattoo. If you’re okay with the issues mentioned here, then there will be no problem in getting a tattoo.
What kinds of tattoos are safe for people with Vitiligo?
Individuals who suffer from vitiligo tend to have a strong preference for particular tattoo patterns and styles. However, it is recommended that you speak to your skin specialist or dermatologist to ensure that it is safe for you to get a tattoo with vitiligo.
In addition, you need to discuss your condition with your tattooist, as they could be able to offer you some guidance or recommendations on the job that you want to get done.
Here are some of the tattoos that people with vitiligo can go for:
Skin Coverage
Some persons with vitiligo choose to acquire tattoos so that they can conceal the changes in the pigmentation that the condition causes. Finding a tattoo ink that is the exact shade of your skin might be difficult. If you still want a tattoo, then you should discuss the procedure with a tattoo artist. Make sure to choose a qualified tattoo artist for the job. Make sure the person has experience doing tattoos that are similar to the one you want. It is because only a professional tattooist will be able to create the ideal shade of ink for your skin. If you have active vitiligo, tattooing won’t help you much.
Distraction
A tattoo that covers up the affected area is a popular choice for those who want to draw attention away from their vitiligo. People who do not suffer from active vitiligo tend to get the best results from this. It is due to the fact that your condition does not spread beyond the outline of the pattern.
Highlighting
Vitiligo is a skin illness that affects pigmentation, and some patients choose to embrace rather than conceal their condition. They highlight the unique and beautiful qualities of their skin by designing their tattoos to reflect their vitiligo. Doing so allows them to express themselves creatively while also drawing attention to the differences in their appearance.
A lot of people with vitiligo choose to get attractive images or slogans as their tattoos in order to embrace their condition.
Obviously, having a tattoo on or close to your vitiligo isn’t the only option available to you when it comes to dealing with this skin condition. Many people prefer having a tattoo in different locations. They do it to make sure their tattoo design is not harmed in the event that their vitiligo becomes active.
All in all, getting a tattoo while suffering from vitiligo is always an option. You don’t have to worry about it as it does not pose any health risks.
Is there any danger associated with tattooing with vitiligo?
If you have vitiligo and are considering getting a tattoo, there are a few considerations you need to give careful attention to before moving forward.
Skin Alterations: Keep in mind that your vitiligo could become active at any given moment, which would result in a change in the pigmentation of your skin as well as potentially affect the design of your tattoo.
If you are considering getting a tattoo to cover your vitiligo, you should be aware that doing so may result in the need for ongoing touch-ups or adjustments in the future.
Koebner Response: Tattooing involves repeatedly poking holes in the skin with needles, which can cause significant damage to the surface of the skin. Any injury or trauma to a psoriatic patient can cause new psoriatic lesions to appear in previously healthy skin. This is known as the Koebner response.
Wrapping it up…
So, there you have it: everything about vitiligo and tattooing. It is recommended to speak to your primary care physician before you plan to get a tattoo if you have vitiligo. Also, it would be safe to speak to your tattoo artist as well to make sure everything goes as planned.
Make sure to consider all the aspects of getting a tattoo with vitiligo, including the possibility of a Koebner Response.
Happy Tattooing… ☺ ☺
