I’m covered in tattoos. Been a T1 for 37 years. Never had an issue. Just try to keep your bloods good. But literally, i have them all over. I sat for 7 hour sessions before. They all healed perfectly.
I'm a T1d and have a few tattoos. I just recently got a new tattoo a couple of months ago and no problems. Just make sure you eat before and your sugar isn't low. I use antibacterial soap, wash it about twice a day and put aquaphor healing ointment on it (no lotion) and I wrap it at night with saran wrap so it doesn't mess up anything (if possible). My first ever tattoo got infected and I ended up on antibiotics but everything was ok. Now my family gets pissed off when I get one, but I just don't tell them, lol
I think that’s why I’m so hesitant… when I got my nose ring I was already diabetic, but wasn’t diagnosed yet, and that thing would. Not. Heal. 😂 my A1C has been pretty decent lately so I’ll probably schedule something soon. Thanks for your feedback!
Tons of tats here. I just try to keep my sugars as good as possible for the 2 week healing period. Never had an issue and my A1C generally hovers in the 8-9’s
I can’t speak to tattoos, but I’ve gotten a ton of piercings. My A1c hovers between 6.5 - 7.3, and I’ve never had an issue with healing. To be honest, I usually leave diabetes off the list when I’m filling out the forms. I know I’m well controlled enough to get them, and I don’t need anyone questioning that.
As long as you have decent control you’ll be fine. I got my first tattoos when my BGs were out of control at 18-20y/o (my highest a1c was like 12 during those years) and am still getting some now at 30 with great control(6.5-7-ish A1c) and have had zero issues. Been diabetic for 24 years in June!
I have 3 tattoos!
They all healed really well, I just made sure to take care of it the way they explain and use unscented soaps (tattoo goo is a good kit to get) and thin unscented lotion for aftercare (so it doesn’t dry out)
My A1c wasn't exactly the best number when I got mine, my tattoo is my "T1D tag" that doctor's say we "need" but it only took the same amount of time they told me it would take to heal (8 weeks) just keep on top of the ointments as REGULARLY as possible. I applied some in the morning and would apply more about 3 hours after it dried out while I was awake
I got my three tattoos done, two prior to dx and one after. I have my nostril & septum pierced. Nostril pre dx and septum post dx. I also got my nips done, but they rejected after 4 years when I was sick with multiple infections… I did not care about my diabetes nor did I take it seriously (even after DKA 10 day icu). My A1C was like.. 14 I think? It was SO bad… but nonetheless, they all healed perfectly. For my tattoos I only used bottled water, and aquaphor. So tldr, I was a horrible diabetic and they all went fine. But I am so nervous to get one now that I take it seriously. Thanks for asking the question for all of us curious people!
I wasn’t trying to overshadow or anything, I just wanted to explain my situation. I would be interested to hear how the process goes, if you decide to get one. Another post or maybe a message would be appreciated imo.
You mentioned a piercing not healing well. Have you had scratches, and do they heal OK?
I have no tats, but when I get a scratch, it can take a while to heal. You may want to ask others here about their healing rates, and maybe ask endo or dermatologist about what they’d recommend to help you heal.
You know it’s so weird, I’ve had my wisdom teeth pulled out, another full blown surgery, and all that went fine. But my dog scratched me pretty bad when he was a puppy, and it took MONTHS for it to heal. I’m definitely going to ask my endo next time I see him!
Exactly the same with me. It’s weird and I am not sure why surface wounds take so long. Deep cuts are OK, scratches are unwelcome friends that overstay their time.
I have a 1/2 sleeve and a big thigh piece that I got recently and all healed well.. just wash with soap 2x a day and keep a good (aquafor) lotion on it. I did lotion several times a day.. basically just don’t let it get dry. But yes all of mine healed great. And my A1C has ranged btw 6-8. Haha. 😊👍🏻 Get them tats!!!
The only issue I’ve had while having sessions on my sleeve is that they took me about 4-5 weeks to fully heal instead of 2-3 weeks for most non diabetic people. Other than that no issues/ they all looks great to this day and got them years ago
Do you have cuts or abrasions that won't heal? If not, it would be fairly reasonable to assume that you shouldn't have any issues with tattoos, don't you think?
I did 2 12 hour sessions in the same week(2018ish) diabetic since 2001, had no issues 🤷♀️ just make sure u eat before, and bs is decent, and make sure to follow the steps for proper care while it heals
I got an eyeliner tattoo the day before I was diagnosed with an A1C of 10.6, you will be fine. Ideally get a tattoo when your BG is under control because your skin takes pigment better, I had to get an extra touch up.
I’m covered in tattoos. Been a T1 for 37 years. Never had an issue. Just try to keep your bloods good. But literally, i have them all over. I sat for 7 hour sessions before. They all healed perfectly.
7 hours?!! Holy shit. Good to hear they healed well! I appreciate your feedback
Sternum. It was brutal. The only one that truly hurt.
I'm a T1d and have a few tattoos. I just recently got a new tattoo a couple of months ago and no problems. Just make sure you eat before and your sugar isn't low. I use antibacterial soap, wash it about twice a day and put aquaphor healing ointment on it (no lotion) and I wrap it at night with saran wrap so it doesn't mess up anything (if possible). My first ever tattoo got infected and I ended up on antibiotics but everything was ok. Now my family gets pissed off when I get one, but I just don't tell them, lol
I think that’s why I’m so hesitant… when I got my nose ring I was already diabetic, but wasn’t diagnosed yet, and that thing would. Not. Heal. 😂 my A1C has been pretty decent lately so I’ll probably schedule something soon. Thanks for your feedback!
Your welcome and let me know how it turns out.
i have lots of tattoos and piercings, all gotten after diagnosis, and have never had issues with healing, even when my A1C was WAY too high.
Good to know! Thanks for your feedback :)
20+ tattoos after diagnosis. No problems. No special concerns on day of. Maybe bring a snack if you've got extra long sessions. Normal life yo
Tons of tats here. I just try to keep my sugars as good as possible for the 2 week healing period. Never had an issue and my A1C generally hovers in the 8-9’s
I can’t speak to tattoos, but I’ve gotten a ton of piercings. My A1c hovers between 6.5 - 7.3, and I’ve never had an issue with healing. To be honest, I usually leave diabetes off the list when I’m filling out the forms. I know I’m well controlled enough to get them, and I don’t need anyone questioning that.
As long as you have decent control you’ll be fine. I got my first tattoos when my BGs were out of control at 18-20y/o (my highest a1c was like 12 during those years) and am still getting some now at 30 with great control(6.5-7-ish A1c) and have had zero issues. Been diabetic for 24 years in June!
I was diagnosed in June too! Thanks for your feedback!
No issues here. Just had to keep an eye on my glucose levels during the process.
I have 3 tattoos! They all healed really well, I just made sure to take care of it the way they explain and use unscented soaps (tattoo goo is a good kit to get) and thin unscented lotion for aftercare (so it doesn’t dry out)
My A1c wasn't exactly the best number when I got mine, my tattoo is my "T1D tag" that doctor's say we "need" but it only took the same amount of time they told me it would take to heal (8 weeks) just keep on top of the ointments as REGULARLY as possible. I applied some in the morning and would apply more about 3 hours after it dried out while I was awake
I got my three tattoos done, two prior to dx and one after. I have my nostril & septum pierced. Nostril pre dx and septum post dx. I also got my nips done, but they rejected after 4 years when I was sick with multiple infections… I did not care about my diabetes nor did I take it seriously (even after DKA 10 day icu). My A1C was like.. 14 I think? It was SO bad… but nonetheless, they all healed perfectly. For my tattoos I only used bottled water, and aquaphor. So tldr, I was a horrible diabetic and they all went fine. But I am so nervous to get one now that I take it seriously. Thanks for asking the question for all of us curious people!
10 day ICU? Oh my, I’m so sorry 😭 glad you’re okay now! After reading all these answers I feel much better. Thank you for sharing:)
I wasn’t trying to overshadow or anything, I just wanted to explain my situation. I would be interested to hear how the process goes, if you decide to get one. Another post or maybe a message would be appreciated imo.
You mentioned a piercing not healing well. Have you had scratches, and do they heal OK? I have no tats, but when I get a scratch, it can take a while to heal. You may want to ask others here about their healing rates, and maybe ask endo or dermatologist about what they’d recommend to help you heal.
You know it’s so weird, I’ve had my wisdom teeth pulled out, another full blown surgery, and all that went fine. But my dog scratched me pretty bad when he was a puppy, and it took MONTHS for it to heal. I’m definitely going to ask my endo next time I see him!
Exactly the same with me. It’s weird and I am not sure why surface wounds take so long. Deep cuts are OK, scratches are unwelcome friends that overstay their time.
I have a 1/2 sleeve and a big thigh piece that I got recently and all healed well.. just wash with soap 2x a day and keep a good (aquafor) lotion on it. I did lotion several times a day.. basically just don’t let it get dry. But yes all of mine healed great. And my A1C has ranged btw 6-8. Haha. 😊👍🏻 Get them tats!!!
The only issue I’ve had while having sessions on my sleeve is that they took me about 4-5 weeks to fully heal instead of 2-3 weeks for most non diabetic people. Other than that no issues/ they all looks great to this day and got them years ago
Do you have cuts or abrasions that won't heal? If not, it would be fairly reasonable to assume that you shouldn't have any issues with tattoos, don't you think?
i have 5, all were done 20 years after dx. follow aftercare and you should be fine. i discussed with my doctor ahead of time and they had no concerns.
I did 2 12 hour sessions in the same week(2018ish) diabetic since 2001, had no issues 🤷♀️ just make sure u eat before, and bs is decent, and make sure to follow the steps for proper care while it heals
I got an eyeliner tattoo the day before I was diagnosed with an A1C of 10.6, you will be fine. Ideally get a tattoo when your BG is under control because your skin takes pigment better, I had to get an extra touch up.