Is It Safe to Get a Tattoo If You Have a Cold? Everything You Need to Know

Can You Get a Tattoo If You Have a Cold?

Getting a new tattoo is an exciting experience. After picking the perfect design and mustering up the courage, you likely can't wait to finally get some fresh ink. However, if you come down with a cold or another illness right before your appointment, you may wonder if you need to reschedule.

Getting tattooed requires breaking the skin with a needle hundreds to thousands of times a minute. This can weaken your immune system temporarily and make you more susceptible to infection. Because of this, tattoo artists typically recommend that you do not get tattooed when you're sick.

How Colds and Other Illnesses Can Impact Tattoos

Colds and other minor illnesses may increase your risk of complications with new tattoos in a few key ways:

• Your immune system is compromised, making it harder to heal properly
• Coughing and sneezing can disrupt the healing process
• Medications may cause adverse reactions or thin the blood

More specifically, here is how different cold and flu symptoms can negatively impact tattoo results:

Congestion and Sinus Pressure

Stuffy nostrils, sinus pressure, and excess mucus production can make breathing challenging when reclined in the tattoo chair. Since you need to lie still for an extended period, congestion may cause lightheadedness or dizzy spells.

Sore Throat

A sore, scratchy throat may make you prone to coughing fits during your tattoo session. Not only can coughing jostle the tattoo artist's equipment, but the force can pull at and disrupt fresh ink in your skin.

Fever

A higher than normal body temperature can impact how well your skin holds tattoo ink. The heat causes excess sweating, which can push color to the surface before it fully sets. A fever may also dull pain reception, making it harder to gauge if your tattoo artist is going too deep.

Body Aches

Generalized body aches and muscle soreness will only intensify when holding still for a long session. The discomfort can cause excessive fidgeting and skin irritation.

Fatigue

Exhaustion and tiredness may prevent you from sitting upright in the tattoo chair safely. Plus, mental fatigue and impaired concentration raise the risk you could forget vital aftercare steps later.

Is It Safe to Get a Tattoo with a Cold?

Technically there are no steadfast rules prohibiting you from getting tattooed when you have a minor illness. However, proceeding despite congestion, coughing, or other symptoms poses additional problems.

First, you'll likely struggle to lie still for as long as needed to complete the tattoo. Squirming can distract your artist and result in blotchy lines or uneven shading.

You also may bleed more than expected. Viruses and infections leave blood vessels inflamed and fragile. The tattoo needle could cause increased bruising, bleeding, and damage.

Finally, skin takes longer to heal when you are under the weather. Lingering inflammation, scabbing, oozing, and irritation can ruin the final look of the tattoo.

How Long Should You Wait Until Getting a Tattoo?

As a general guideline, you should wait until all cold and flu symptoms fully resolve before getting tattooed. This includes:

• Waiting 24 hours after a fever dissipates without medication
• Allowing cold symptoms like nasal congestion and cough to improve
• Giving acute nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea at least 48 hours to resolve
• Waiting for energy levels and normal sleep patterns to return

Your immune system remains depressed for roughly one week after acute respiratory illnesses. However, getting an unnecessary infection risks permanent skin damage. Thus, it is wise to postpone for up to 14 days following a viral or bacterial sickness.

What to Tell Your Tattoo Artist

Be upfront with your tattoo artist about recent and current illnesses. Disclose even minor conditions like:

• Seasonal allergies
• Common colds
• Stomach bugs
• Bladder infections

Additionally, provide details on any medications you are taking. Antibiotics, antihistamines, fever reducers, and other drugs can influence bleeding risk, pain tolerance, and healing ability.

Open communication allows the tattoo artist to tailor their approach. They may opt for smaller or shorter sessions to accommodate your health status. Or, the artist may ask to reschedule for optimal safety.

Tattoo Aftercare When Sick

While ill-advised to get a tattoo when actively sick, some people may choose to proceed regardless due to scheduling constraints. In these cases, diligent at-home care is vital for proper healing.

Follow Your Artist's Instructions

The number one rule is to follow your tattoo artist's provided aftercare instructions to the letter. This commonly involves:

• Leaving new bandages on for 24 hours post-tattoo
• Gently washing the tattoo two to three times per day thereafter
• Applying a thin layer of fragrance-free lotion one to two times daily
• Avoiding direct sun exposure while healing

Watch Closely for Infection

Check for signs of infection, including:

• Expanding redness past the tattooed area
• Yellow or green pus
• Warm skin surrounding the tattoo
• Fever recurrence

Infections require prompt antibiotic treatment, usually via oral tablets or creams. See your doctor at the first hint of infection.

Avoid Picking Scabs

As difficult as it may be, do not pick peeling skin or scabs. This can remove color and lead to scarring or poor healing. Moisturize generously so dead skin will slough off on its own.

Skip Risky Home Remedies

You may see suggestions online to apply household products like lemon juice or petroleum jelly to new tattoos to ease dryness or itching. However, these items can cause further skin irritation and damage.

Additionally, avoid taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen unless your doctor confirms it is safe. These drugs heighten bleeding risks.

Preventing Future Tattoo Infections

While getting tattooed with an illness is inadvisable, coming down sick randomly after receiving new ink can happen occasionally too. Along with prudent aftercare, there are steps you can take before getting a tattoo to lower future infection risks.

Choose an Experienced, Reputable Tattoo Artist

Not all tattoo studios adhere to strict sanitation protocols. Opt for an artist with ample experience and a solid history of five-star customer reviews.

Ideally, your chosen tattoo parlor should have an autoclave machine on-site to sterilize equipment. Gloved hands and single-use ink caps and needles also signal responsible practices.

Give Your Immune System a Boost

Support immune function leading up to new tattoo day by:

• Reducing alcohol intake
• Quitting smoking
• Sleeping enough
• Exercising regularly
• Minimizing unnecessary antibiotic use
• Taking a probiotic supplement

A healthy body better resists invading germs that can hijack healing skin.

Carefully Select Tattoo Location

Areas prone to friction and contamination carry higher infection risks. For example, a foot or ankle tattoo rubs against shoes and socks daily. Fingers and hands contact germs regularly too.

Opt for spots like the upper back, arms, or chest that remain covered and protected while healing whenever possible.

The Bottom Line

Getting sick is often out of your control. So while less than ideal, sometimes having a cold or infection when a new tattoo is scheduled happens.

In these cases, have an open conversation with your tattoo artist about limitations and risks. With their guidance along with a commitment to careful aftercare, you can likely still get a tattoo safely even while under the weather.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.