"Is it Safe to Get a Tattoo with Psoriasis? What You Need to Know"

While getting a tattoo with psoriasis isn't impossible, it does pose more challenges. If you have psoriasis and wish to get a tattoo, you must understand the risks.

Here are some things you should consider:

• Koebner Phenomenon

• Location

• Flare-ups

• Refusal

• Infection

KOEBNER PHENOMENON

Psoriasis tends to happen in episodes, also known as flares. Flares can be triggered by stress, infections, allergies, and skin injuries. A tattoo is technically a skin injury, as you're causing trauma to the skin and leaving an open wound. A tattoo may trigger a psoriasis flare. Furthermore, it may become a site for flares even years after you've been tattooed.

The Koebner Phenomenon (KP) states that psoriasis flares can be triggered by damaging previously unaffected skin. A person with psoriasis may develop new patches along the site of the skin injury. KP can affect areas that are usually spared, such as the face.

Even if you typically only get psoriasis on a specific part of your body, once you get tattooed, you can develop a psoriasis patch on your tattoo due to the trauma inflicted on the skin.

Some people get tattooed frequently and have zero implications. Others end up with a recurring site for psoriasis flare-ups.

LOCATION

When you have psoriasis, choosing a location for a tattoo may be complicated. For one, you'll have to strategically plan your tattoo appointment for when you don't have a psoriasis flare-up on the spot you'd like tattooed. Of course, you can always plan to get a tattoo in an area where you don't get a flare-up, but this can be limiting for some.

It'll be in your and your artist's best interest to inform them of your psoriasis. It will make them aware of the challenges and allow them to be understanding if you must reschedule due to a flare-up.

It's unsafe to lie to your artist about having psoriasis. Complete transparency will help your artist provide a comfortable experience for both of you.

FLARE-UPS

Psoriasis flare-ups aren't always predictable. You may have a flare-up on the area you're supposed to get tattooed the day before your appointment. In this case, you'll have to reschedule your appointment or choose a new placement.

Tattoo artists won't tattoo over a psoriasis flare-up, and if they do it's a huge red flag and you should find a new artist. It's unwise to tattoo over skin lesions such as sunburn, eczema, blisters, psoriasis, etc.

REFUSAL

In Wisconsin and a few other states, tattoo artists are not permitted to work on any areas of the body with skin lesions. Some states specifically include psoriasis.

Whether it's legality, safety, or experience reasons, an artist has the right to deny tattooing you. If an artist doesn't feel comfortable working with you due to a condition, you should find an artist with experience in that area.

INFECTION

If proper aftercare isn't implemented, an infection can happen to any tattoo. However, this is especially hazardous for people with psoriasis. To avoid possible infection, make sure you follow the aftercare provided to you by your artist. Read this article on tattoo aftercare for more information.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The greatest risk of getting tattooed if you have psoriasis is the potential of creating a recurring flare-up site. Although this doesn't happen to everyone, it's possible anytime someone with psoriasis gets a tattoo.

If you plan to get a tattoo, ensure you're transparent with your artist to assure the process is as efficient and comfortable as possible.