Getting a tattoo does have the potential to make eczema worse, but that there are sensible precautions you can take, and it shouldn’t necessarily put you off getting the ink of your dreams!

Like almost anything that damages the skin, tattooing can put you at risk of infection and eczema flare-ups. The process involves a needle depositing ink through the top layer of skin (the epidermis) to the middle layer (the dermis), so people with eczema need to follow the same precautions as anyone else would to make sure the damage heals safely and well, but with the caveat that eczema-prone skin already has a compromised barrier function and might need extra attention.

Here are four main points to consider if you have eczema and are planning on getting a tattoo:

• Don’t get inked while you’re in an active flare; postpone if necessary.
• Be ultra-careful to avoid infection with meticulous cleanliness routines
• Don’t use any product on your skin for the first time in case you’re sensitive to it!
• Talk to your artist! Tell them about your eczema and ask about hypo-allergenic inks.

For more detailed information about getting a tattoo if you have eczema, see our blog Will Eczema Ruin My Tattoo?

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