Tattoo on skin - despite being Keloid Prone

[WJJB]

Hello All,

It has always been a wish of mine to get a tattoo and especially now having been through a rough time I wanted to "celebrate" with a tattoo.

My problem is I've got keloids, in various places on my chest, breast and chin.  I have and continue to get them injected regularly, with a cortisone steroid solution.  I once asked my doctor about the tattoos, but she being old-fashioned wouldn't give me a straight answer as to whether or not I could have perhaps, a small one on my thigh area somewhere.  Of course I would seek a tattoo artist with lots of experience and one who wouldn't "hammer" into my skin with the needle.

What I would like to know is, my doc told me that that the trunk area of the body is "no man's land", is there a chance that I could get a small (1"x3") on my leg without having to develop keloid scars?

Thanks very much
J

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
One who is prone to keloids can develop it and tattooing is one of the easiest ways for keloids to surface. I suggest you to avoid getting any tattoos as ekloids can appear.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your dermatologist. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[mooksmom]

IF you are one of those people who form keloids, I would NOT get any tattoo. And since you HAVE keloids that you are having injected...that's a pretty BIG red flag for tattoos.