Why You Should Think Twice Before Getting A Tattoo If You Have Acne

Tattoos have nearly doubled in popularity in the last few years, but if you're hoping to join the ink club as someone with acne-prone skin, you might want to reconsider. According to our interview with tattoo artist Syd from SYZYGY Precision Tattooing, it's best to delay your ink sesh while dealing with breakouts, as acne can make it more difficult to achieve the precise design you're looking for while also increasing your chances of infection.

"It's generally not a good idea to tattoo directly over active acne," Syd shares exclusively with Glam. "The main issue is that it can be harder to get clean, consistent lines, and there's also the risk of infection. Plus, if the skin is irritated or inflamed, it's going to be more sensitive and might not heal as well. It's always better to wait until the area has cleared up." 

This advice specifically applies for areas such as the face, chest, back, arms, and groin, or regions of the body prone to breakouts. Body acne, in particular, raises concern among tattoo artists, since face tattoos are less common. Regardless of whether you're interested in fine lines or the elevated blackwork tattoo trend, the consensus is that ink and acne are a recipe for disaster, and experiencing any active breakouts in the target area qualifies as a good reason not to get that tattoo — at least, until they've completely healed.

Although artists typically avoid tattooing areas with acne, specific circumstances may permit you to get away with it. "If there's just a small zit near the area, it's usually not a big deal — we can work around it or adjust the design slightly," tattoo artist Syd reveals exclusively to Glam. "But if there's a breakout right on the spot where the tattoo's going, it's better to reschedule."

Essentially, what this means is that if you notice any active breakouts before your appointment — that is, inflamed pustules, papules, etc. — the right thing to do would be to notify your tattoo artist. Informing the artist would be a safe bet, as they can determine whether it's possible to go ahead with the appointment or if it's best to reschedule. This decision may depend on factors such as the size of the tattoo, the desired location, and the severity of the breakout. "You really want the skin to be in its best condition for the tattoo to heal well and look its best long-term," Syd tells Glam, and repeatedly dragging a needle over an irritated pimple is likely not conducive to proper healing.

Even if your breakouts have finally healed and you're ready to follow through with your tattoo appointment, this doesn't mean that you'll no longer break out in that area. In fact, it's possible to break out after your appointment. "Some people do experience minor breakouts around the tattoo during the healing process. It's not super common, but it can happen, especially if your skin is already acne-prone," tattoo artist Syd explains during an exclusive chat with Glam. Therefore, those with sensitive, acne-prone skin should be mindful of potential breakouts following an ink sesh and take the necessary precautions to prevent further irritation.

After your session, keep the area as clean as possible to care for your new tattoo and prevent future breakouts. "That being said, you don't need to clean the tattoo more often than usual," Syd notes. "Overwashing can actually irritate the skin more." This is because fresh tattoos are similar to open wounds, so they're equally vulnerable to infection. "Just stick to the normal aftercare routine — gently cleaning the area and keeping it moisturized without clogging the pores," Syd advises. Additionally, if your tattoo has fully healed but you break out in zits around the area, rest assured that you can still exfoliate over a tattoo to buff away dirt and dead skin cells, albeit gently and in moderation.