Hi all, just wondering about advice regarding getting a tattoo while on Kesimpta. Obviously immunocompromised but getting a tattoo should be fine?
Hey AAJM,
My reply is hard but true.
You’ve answered your own question and you’ll be acutely aware of the dangers for INKS to be injected under your skin.
I need to tell you I’m a Grandma to a 28yrs old man. For years I’d asked him to never have a tattoo. Obviously most ppl his age are getting covered with permanent tattoos. So no big surprise when my grandson followed suit, aged 26, with soft and subtle tatts.
Now they’re darker and more tattoos than ever. To me, they don’t look nice at all. But I am 73 so I guess an old woman (a young one though).
So I’m biased and admit it. However, I think you’re being really responsible to ask MSers their opinion and I respect that. I also accept Tattoos are the norm of the Trend…BUT…
NO tattoo for you is the safe reply AAJM. Would you advise anyone with an immune suppressant medical condition to have needles and coloured INKS put under their skin to stay there permanently?
Any risk, even the tiniest, minimal, risk of contamination & cross infected equipment that a tattooist uses is HIGH RISK, particularly to yourself with MS.
Bacteria from needles, tools, cloths,towels, the couch bed, air borne particles etc are so gross.
The tattoo shops & staff I’ve seen don’t exactly scream hygienic!
I guess you’ve seriously considered all of the above. Have you read the consequences of tattoos gone wrong?
You’ll know that MS in itself isn’t fatal but blood poisoning can be!
Good Luck AAJM, whatever you decide.
Take care,
Chrissie
Hi AAJM
As a fan of tattoos, I’ll give the same advice I give anyone considering a tattoo - check out the tattoo artist / shop v.carefully. Are they health certified - reputable tattoo artists take hygiene very seriously and will be more than willing to discuss any concerns you have, show you round and explain their cleaning regime - the shop should have a medical grade autoclave for sterilising non-disposable equipment; the needles should be disposable needle packs, they and the razors, ink pots, and gloves should be disposed of immediately after a tattoo is finished and replaced with new for each customer. The chair/couch should also be disinfected between each customer - some tattoo shops disinfect and place a paper cover on the chair/couch.
If a tattoo shop isn’t prepared to show and explain the above, walk away from it and find somewhere that will.
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I would say the same as everyone else… nothing wrong with a tatt, but do your homework first - you want a really good artist with a studio that conforms to all the hygiene requirements, and who understands what you want.