Can You Safely Get a Tattoo If You Have Keloid Scars? What to Know

Can You Get a Tattoo If You Have Keloid Skin?

Keloid scarring is a condition where scar tissue grows beyond the boundaries of the original skin injury. This results in raised, irregularly shaped scars that can be pink, red, skin-colored or darker than the surrounding skin. Keloids tend to be thicker and more prominent than regular scars.

If you have a tendency to develop keloids, you may be wondering whether it's safe to get a tattoo. There are a few important considerations when getting inked with keloid-prone skin.

What Are Keloids?

Keloids form when the body overproduces collagen during the wound healing process. Collagen is a protein that provides structure and strength to skin tissue. In keloids, there is an excessive accumulation of collagen that extends beyond the original injury site.

Keloids can develop after any skin trauma, including piercings, burns, cuts, surgical incisions and tattoos. They can occur anywhere on the body but are most common on the earlobes, shoulders, chest, back and over bony prominences. Keloids do not spontaneously resolve and often continue to slowly enlarge over time.

Who Gets Keloids?

Keloids tend to run in families, suggesting a genetic component. They occur more frequently in people with darker skin tones, during puberty and pregnancy, and between the ages of 10 and 30 years old. Keloids are unusual after age 30.

People with hypersensitive immune systems that overreact to injury are also more prone to keloid scarring. Minor skin trauma that would normally heal without scarring can result in keloid formation in these individuals.

Can You Get a Tattoo If You Have Keloids?

It is possible to get a tattoo if you are keloid-prone, but there are risks:

• The tattoo needle penetrating the skin can trigger a keloid scar to form over the tattoo.
• If you already have keloids, they may become larger, thicker and more painful.
• Existing keloids in the area of the tattoo may distort the inked design over time.
• Color ink tattoos carry a higher risk than black ink tattoos.
• Getting a tattoo removed can also cause keloids.

These risks are dependent on individual factors like genetics, skin type, location of the tattoo, and the size and complexity of the design.

Tattoo Tips for Keloid-Prone Skin

If you have keloids and your heart is set on a tattoo, there are some precautions you can take to lower (but not eliminate) the chances of developing tattoo-triggered keloids:

• Choose an experienced tattoo artist familiar with clients who scar easily.
• Opt for a small, simple black ink tattoo with minimal line work and detail.
• Avoid large, intricate or multi-colored designs with fine details and shading.
• Pick a location away from pre-existing keloids like the inside of the upper arm or side of the torso.
• Have the tattoo done deeper in the skin to minimize skin trauma.
• Keep the area well-moisturized as it heals to improve elasticity.
• Avoid tanning beds, sunburns and irritation to the site.
• See your dermatologist at the first sign of an emerging keloid.

Treatment Options for Keloids

If you develop a keloid scar from a tattoo, there are treatment options to flatten and shrink the scar:

• Corticosteroid injections - One of the most effective treatments, corticosteroid is injected directly into the keloid which helps reduce inflammation and collagen production.
• Cryotherapy - Freezing the keloid with liquid nitrogen helps diminish the scar tissue.
• Silicone sheets/gel - Silicone applies gentle compression and hydration to soften and flatten the scar.
• Radiation - This can help prevent recurrence when used after keloid excision surgery.
• Laser treatment - Lasers generate heat to destroy keloid tissue while preserving healthy skin.
• Interferon injections - Interferons regulate the skin's healing response and prevent excessive collagen.
• Surgical removal - Excising the keloid can be effective but there is a high chance it will return without additional treatment.

Combining therapies often provides the best results. Small, early keloids respond better while large, mature keloids are harder to treat.

Prevention of Keloids

Since keloids are so difficult to remove once formed, prevention is key if you are prone to over-scarring. Here are some tips to reduce your risk of developing keloids:

• Avoid body piercings and unnecessary surgery whenever possible.
• Wear sun protection year-round to prevent burns.
• Minimize skin injuries by not picking pimples or mosquito bites.
• Treat even minor cuts right away with antibiotic ointment.
• Get stitches or steri-strips for larger cuts to close the skin.
• Massage scar sites with vitamin E oil to improve healing.
• Wear silicon sheets or gel plasters over healed surgery/tattoo sites.
• See a dermatologist promptly if you notice a keloid starting to form.

The Bottom Line

Keloid scarring can be a frustrating condition, both cosmetically and physically. People with keloids who want a tattoo need to weigh up the risks versus rewards very carefully.

While not impossible, getting inked increases the chances of developing permanent, raised keloids in the design. However, with some smart precautions, the risk may be reduced for some individuals.

Working closely with an experienced dermatologist and tattoo artist knowledgeable about keloids is advised. Smaller, simpler black ink tattoos in low-risk areas tend to create fewer issues.

But for those very prone to over-scarring, avoiding tattoos altogether is generally the safest option. For existing bothersome keloids, various treatments can help minimize their appearance over time.

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.