That’s just part of the consequence of having so many. The United States alone has more than 20,000 tattoo parlors open and running today, and as you might expect, some are better than others. For example, if you choose an unhygienic tattoo parlor, that could push your risk of contracting an infection even higher. In fact, it might be even more critical for some people with diabetes.

Finding a Reputable Tattoo Parlorįinding a safe place to get your tattoo done is just as important as any other part of the process. Additionally, any issues with neuropathy, blood circulation, or problems with your kidneys are also reasons to put off getting a tattoo. If your A1C is consistently higher than 9.0, your doctor will most likely recommend that you wait a while to get your tattoo. Nevertheless, as a general rule, you should aim to have several months of tests with an A1C lower than 8.0. Your doctor may set specific goals for you based on your current health and your personal history. As you might expect, if your A1C levels are within acceptable levels, your doctor is more likely to clear you to get a tattoo.

The more you keep your blood sugar in check as a person with diabetes, the lower your chance of developing an infection becomes. If you haven’t had very good A1C tests lately, then your doctor will probably recommend that you hold off on your tattoo for a while until you get things under control.įinally, if you have a history of being prone to infections, then your doctor may recommend that you not get a tattoo at all. However, as a diabetic, your doctor will likely give you advice on whether your diabetes is controlled enough for you to get a tattoo. Your doctor may be able to walk you through your predispositions to such reactions, as well as other risk factors that may apply to you. If, for example, you experience an allergic reaction to the dyes used in your new tattoo, you could end up in a life-threatening situation. You see, even non-diabetic individuals can have adverse reactions to tattoos in rare situations. Your doctor or physician should tell you whether or not getting a tattoo is a good idea for you from a health perspective and offer you care and preparatory advice. Talking to your doctor is always the first thing you should do when considering a tattoo, even if you do not have diabetes. We’ll delve deeper into these three steps below.

Finding a reputable, hygienic, and trustworthy tattoo parlor.

Getting (and keeping) your blood sugar under control.

Tattoo preparation for an individual with diabetes involves three main steps. We’ll go into the steps you should take in the sections below. Anyone should take some time to prepare before getting a tattoo, but this is especially true for those with diabetes. If you think that you have your diabetes in control well enough that getting a tattoo is worth the risk, you can start your preparation process. Those with type one diabetes are at even higher risk than those with type two diabetes. However, it’s essential to keep in mind that even with proper A1C management, people with type one or type two diabetes have a higher-than-normal risk of getting an infection after a tattoo. It just means that you have to be much more careful about keeping your blood sugar and A1C levels in check during your healing process, as well as minimizing your risk for infection. On the contrary, many people with diabetes get tattoos and heal successfully afterward. This doesn’t mean you can’t get a tattoo if you have diabetes. Since people with diabetes can’t regulate their blood sugar the same way non-diabetics do, a tattoo can end up being a source of infection when it doesn’t heal properly. Well, believe it or not, high blood sugar levels in your body can affect how effective your body is at healing itself. After all, diabetes just raises your blood sugar, right? What does that have to do with getting a tattoo? However, for those who don’t have diabetes, it might seem like a strange thing to be cautious about. If you have diabetes, you probably already know why getting a tattoo can be a risky endeavor. Why Shouldn’t I Get a Tattoo With Diabetes?

Long road tattoo