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While you can get tattoos with psoriasis symptoms, it may not be the best choice! It is better to get psoriasis treatment to avoid flaring up the condition.

Can I Get A Tattoo If I Have Psoriasis?

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Madeeha Syed

Everything You Need To Know About Micropigmentation

Overview

Contemporary micropigmentation, cosmetic tattoos, or permanent makeup is applicable to the brows, lashes and lips. While a &ldquo;delicate pink complexion&rdquo; can still be achieved, modern clients lean more towards freckle tattoos instead.&nbsp;

These services are widely available and exist in a variety of budgets depending upon the studio size, portfolio and skill level of the cosmetologist or tattoo artist. Micropigmentation is different from <a href="https://merisehat.pk/article/everything-you-need-to-know-about-getting-and-removing-a-tattoo">regular tattoos</a> in that it uses iron oxide pigments, glycerin, and water rather than ink. However, the process still has potential downsides and requires diligent aftercare.&nbsp;

This is a comprehensive guide on six cosmetic tattoo options, including their benefits, risks, and modes of application.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Everything About Micropigmentation

&nbsp;Currently, the most popular type of cosmetic tattoo is known as microblading. It is performed to achieve an appearance of fuller brows and includes micro-strokes that mimic (or appear as shadows of) the actual hair on one&rsquo;s brows.&nbsp;

Since the blade makes repeated incisions into the skin, it makes scratching sounds that might make some people feel uncomfortable.&nbsp;

This could be an excellent solution for people suffering from eyebrow madarosis, a condition which causes sparse brows. It could also be extremely useful for someone who has damaged brows due to scar tissue in the area.&nbsp;

Retouch: 18-30 months.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Lip tattoos provide the appearance of slightly blurred, fuller, and pink lips. While the trend originally started out as a permanent lip liner, it has now evolved to cover the entire surface area. The most popular colours are all shades of orange, pink, and red.&nbsp;

Since the process involves depositing pigments through microneedles into the skin, clients are advised to avoid blood-thinning substances such as coffee, aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, alcohol, and niacin (found in meat, poultry, peanuts, and some other foods) prior to the treatment.&nbsp;

Lip blushing gives the appearance of fuller lips without the use of cosmetic surgery. However, it is more painful than other cosmetic tattoo types because of the sensitivity of the area. While numbing creams are applied, you might still witness some discomfort.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

It takes around two weeks to heal, and you will have the appearance of a fresh lip filler for some days.Some tattoo artists will offer text or images on the surface. However, that classifies as traditional lip tattoos and involves the use of ink rather than pigments.&nbsp;

This is a great solution for people who suffer from perpetual anaemia or Addison&rsquo;s disease (a medical condition that causes lips to darken).&nbsp;

Retouch: 4-5 years.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

This involves depositing pigments into the surface area of the lash line. It gives the appearance of fuller brows. For people who want a permanent eyeliner, a variety of shapes can be chosen from (cat-eye or winged, for example) and tattooed just above the lash line.&nbsp;

Since this method involves close contact with the hair follicles on lashes, which are more delicate than those on the brows, it runs the risk of lash loss.&nbsp;

This can be preferred as treatment for people who have pale lashes. The tattoo would give their eyelashes a defined look so they won&rsquo;t need to use makeup.

Retouch: Annually&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Freckle tattoos have become a popular trend recently. This involves pigmentation either through a rotary motor or by hand with a needle. Each freckle requires around four pokes to complete.&nbsp;

Retouch: It depends upon the way your skin metabolises the ink; anaemic people require frequent retouches as the skin absorbs iron-based pigments faster.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

This is the same as eyebrow microblading, but for the scalp. It&rsquo;s usually a good solution for people suffering from alopecia or male pattern baldness.

Retouch: 12 to 18 months 
&nbsp;

As the name suggests, this type of cosmetic tattoo covers up scar tissue. The cosmetologist or tattoo artist will typically combine white and orange pigments to achieve your exact skin tone and then deposit the pigment on to a scar tissue or stretch marked area. However, this method is only applicable to hypertrophic scars as the process can&rsquo;t conceal keloids.&nbsp;

It is important to note that the pigments can separate over time and make the scar even more apparent than before. This is useful for trauma survivors, patients who went through major operations, individuals suffering from chickenpox scars or even those who feel uncomfortable with their stretch marks.&nbsp;

Retouch: 2-5 years&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Bottom Line

There are also other treatments, such as corneal and scleral tattoos (for people who have cataracts) and tattoos that limit the appearance of arthritis.&nbsp;

However, all types of micropigmentation carry the risk of infection and require diligent aftercare as well as a visit to the cosmetologist after six weeks to ensure safety.&nbsp;

In the long run, cosmetic tattoos can get inflamed in MRI scans. Not to mention that micropigmentation removal can sometimes be dangerous and counterproductive in terms of appearance (the lip <a href="https://merisehat.pk/article/everything-you-need-to-know-about-getting-and-removing-a-tattoo" target="_blank">tattoo removal</a>, for example, can cause black pigmentation if done incorrectly).&nbsp;

Therefore, any decisions made with regards to cosmetic tattoos should be carefully evaluated and thoroughly researched beforehand. You&rsquo;d want to ask the tattoo artist or cosmetologist for their qualifications, years of experience, and a portfolio of their previous work before you decide to go in for a treatment.&nbsp;

Zuha Malik

Introduction

<a href="https://www.merisehat.pk/article/everything-you-need-to-know-about-getting-and-removing-a-tattoo">Tattoos</a> are a permanent form of body modification created using an electric needle which inserts ink deep into the dermis.&nbsp; Before regulations and restrictions in Europe and North America, tattoo artists used to manufacture the tattoo inks themselves, and it would often contain toxic substances. Therefore, countries now regulate the composition of tattoo inks to prevent them from harming human health. In 2009-2010, Germany implemented strict regulations for the composition of tattoo inks<a href="#accordion">[1]</a>.. 
&nbsp;

Understanding If Psoriatic Patients Can Get Tattoos

If someone has psoriasis and wants to get a tattoo, it is not out of the question. A lot of people feel better after getting a tattoo, even if they have psoriasis. However, they need to be careful about whether it is worth the risk and if it will make their psoriasis worse. 
&nbsp;

Psoriasis symptoms occur in flares and can be triggered by multiple factors including stress, skin injuries, infections, or medications. The insertion of needles, though not like cuts and trauma to the skin, can also trigger psoriasis symptoms. Moreover, scar tissue formation at the site of the tattoo can give rise to flares even decades after getting the tattoo.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Tattoo artists usually pierce the skin with a machine when <a href="https://www.merisehat.pk/article/everything-you-need-to-know-about-getting-and-removing-a-tattoo">making a tattoo</a>. The ink is left behind with every poke. However, people who suffer from skin conditions are at risk of the following with tattoos: 
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Allergic reactions</li>
	<li>Infection</li>
	<li>Scarring</li>
	<li>Redness or inflammation 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Your immune system fights against germs and invaders. When a person has psoriasis, it causes problems in the immune system which makes the skin grow too fast. This is the most common symptom of plaque psoriasis. Moreover, other things also trigger and flare up symptoms, for example, injury to the skin. Whether it is a minor cut or a bug bite, it can make psoriasis worse. Additionally, getting a tattoo means chronic injury to the skin which can be a triggering factor for red spots, patches, and discomfort. 
&nbsp;

Although tattoo artists make tattoos on healthy skin, flare-ups in new spots are possible for people with psoriasis. They can occur in usual spots where psoriasis may seem like the least of concerns. The term commonly used for this is the Koebner phenomenon. First discovered in the 1800s, it is medically termed as plaques spreading to new places after injury. Also called isomorphic psoriasis, it occurs in one-third of people with psoriasis<a href="#accordion">[2]</a>. Moreover, in some states or countries, tattoo artists are prohibited from making tattoos on problematic skin and they play a major role in the skin health of their clients<a href="#accordion">[3]</a>.

&nbsp;

It is not very common for anyone to get tattoo-related complications, but it diminishes in some weeks. A study revealed that among 90 people, more than half of them had tattoos and only 30% had flare-ups post-tattoo<a href="#accordion">[4]</a>.&nbsp;Moreover, those affected were mostly the ones who had related skin injuries before as well. Although flare-ups in another part were not common, they happened to 7% of them; 80% of them claimed that tattoos gave them a sense of body image positivity. 
&nbsp;

The rare complications include the following:

<ul>
	<li>Itching&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Swelling</li>
	<li>Allergies</li>
	<li>Koebner Phenomenon (plaques in unusual places) 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

None of the participants of the research claimed to have severe complications. Those who did were the ones who were undergoing or required psoriasis treatment during the tattoo phase. 
&nbsp;

Conclusion

Every tattoo shop has a different set of tattoo after-care instructions. However, keeping the tattoo clean is always the priority. Just like psoriasis skin care, keeping the area moisturized prevents it from drying out and helps the tattoo heal. However, people should make sure that the cream or lotion they use is psoriasis-friendly (non-comedogenic and safe to use). 
&nbsp;

Staying out of the sun and avoiding water-based activities for two weeks is also one of the precautions people with psoriasis should follow. Moreover, clothes that cling to tattoos should also be avoided. 
&nbsp;

[1].Rahimi, I.A., Eberhard, I. and Kasten, E., 2018. Tattoos: What do people really know about the medical risks of body ink? The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology, 11(3), p.30.

[2].Sanchez, D.P. and Sonthalia, S., 2020. Koebner phenomenon.

[3].Rosenbaum, B.E., Milam, E.C., Seo, L. and Leger, M.C., 2016. Skin care in the tattoo parlor: a survey of tattoo artists in New York City. Dermatology, 232(4), pp.484-489.

[4].Kluger, N., 2017. Tattooing and psoriasis: demographics, motivations and attitudes, complications, and impact on body image in a series of 90 Finnish patients. Acta Dermatovenerol Alp Pannonica Adriat, 26(2), pp.29-32.