Are you a tattoo person? Maybe you have a lot of body art already but had to take an ink hiatus during chemotherapy. One MyBCTeam member said, “I have several tattoos in various places, and I love them all!”

Or maybe after breast cancer chemo, you’d like to get your first tattoo to celebrate your strength. “I think I want ‘Survivor’ written with a ribbon and the date of my diagnosis,” shared another member.

If you’ve had a double mastectomy along with chemotherapy treatment, nipple tattoos may be part of your reconstruction. “There are tattoos out there that LOOK like real nipples. It’s called 3D nipple tattooing, and there is one artist in particular who is PHENOMENAL at it,” one member explained.

Before you decide to go under the needle, there are a few health concerns to consider. Here, we answer your questions about when, how, and where you can safely get your next tattoo after chemotherapy.

🗳️ Have you gotten a tattoo after breast cancer treatment?

Yes, and it healed well.

Yes, but I had healing problems.

No, but I’m interested.

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How Long Should You Wait After Chemo?

There’s no universal waiting period for tattoos after chemo. Recovery happens at different rates depending on factors like:

• The chemotherapy you received
• Your blood counts
• Your overall health
• The healing process
• Whether you’re still receiving other cancer treatments

Your oncology team can help determine when your skin and immune system have recovered enough for tattooing.

Where Should You Get a Tattoo After Chemotherapy?

When deciding where on your body to get your tattoo, you may want to consider safety as well as appearance. Many breast cancer survivors get decorative tattoos over healed scars following lymph node removal, lumpectomy, or mastectomy.

If you want a decorative tattoo over a surgical scar, the scar should be completely healed first. This can take up to a year or longer after surgery. This timeline is different from 3D nipple tattooing, which may sometimes be done a few months after the final reconstruction procedure once the area has healed.

One member shared, “I’ve had a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction. I am trying to decide whether to continue the process and get nipples tattooed.”

Following breast reconstruction surgery, some people get nipple tattoos directly over their surgical scars. Plastic surgeons recommend waiting until the breast reconstruction site has healed. This helps to ensure the right placement.

Some areas require special care, including:

• Lymph node surgery sites
• Places that have received radiation
• Areas with lymphedema (swelling) or a risk of lymphedema

Tattooing these areas may require extra caution, especially if you already have lymphedema, have had lymph nodes removed, or have skin damaged by radiation. Infection or skin injury may create additional problems, so ask your care team whether the location you are considering is safe for you.

How Does Your Skin Change After Chemotherapy?

MyBCTeam members often discuss how their skin changes after chemotherapy, including developing symptoms like acne or intense itchiness.

Pain

People who’ve undergone chemotherapy and are contemplating their first tattoo may worry about how painful it might be. Everyone feels pain differently, and getting a tattoo may hurt more on certain body parts than others.

The most painful areas generally include the chest, ribs, and stomach. Getting a tattoo on parts of the body with thicker skin and more fat, including much of the arms, tends to be less painful.

One member who has had multiple tattoos as well as multiple breast cancer treatments shared reassuring words: “After having a mastectomy, lymph nodes removed, expanders, and reconstruction, your pain threshold is probably on a different scale than the person who told you your tattoo would hurt.”

Allergic Reactions

It’s also possible to have an allergic reaction to tattoo pigment. At some tattoo studios, you can request a patch test prior to getting a tattoo to see how your skin reacts. Patch tests can help, but they’re not guaranteed to rule out an allergic reaction.

Once you get a tattoo, the area will likely become swollen and discolored. It may also start to itch or bruise. This is normal, though if you see signs of infection, you should speak to your healthcare provider.

Warning Signs of Infection

Your skin can show you reasons to be concerned after getting a tattoo. If you notice any of the following symptoms, contact your healthcare provider.

• Warmth in the area
• Swelling in the area or the lymph nodes
• Pain
• Pus or crusting
• Fever
• Persistent rash and itching
• Worsening skin discoloration

Other Side Effects

Chemotherapy can also impact your hair and nerves. Side effects like alopecia (hair loss) and tingling or shooting pain are important to consider when deciding where to tattoo.

Where Should You Go for a Tattoo?

Before you commit to a tattoo artist, take a look at their past work. Make sure their style and skill are at a level you are comfortable with. Also consider your budget and location, as prices vary greatly from place to place.

Safety Considerations

Most importantly, it’s critical to go to a tattoo artist who observes all hygiene and safety regulations. Check whether your local area requires licensing or health inspections for tattoo artists. If so, make sure they’re in good standing.

Using gloves and new, sterile, single-use tattoo needles is important to reduce the risk of infection. Any reusable equipment must be properly sterilized between clients. The artist should also use safe ink-handling practices, including clean single-use ink containers and sterile water when dilution is needed, because tattoo ink itself can sometimes become contaminated.

Some Plastic Surgeons Do Nipple Tattoos

For a nipple tattoo, you could consider having it done at a plastic surgeon’s clinic or in a hospital instead of at a tattoo parlor. MyBCTeam members often debate the place to get a nipple tattoo.

One member stated, “I personally feel that it’s better to have the nipples tattooed by a professional tattoo artist. There are several who do this kind of tattoo now. Some plastic surgeons also have regular tattoo artists on staff.”

Speak to Your Doctor

When done safely, getting a tattoo after chemotherapy can be a meaningful decision to mark a significant milestone in your life. To prevent infection or other adverse reactions, be sure to wait until you feel fully recovered from chemotherapy or surgery.

Before you get a tattoo after chemotherapy, talk to your oncologist about when it’s safest for you to proceed with your tattoo plans. They’ll also want to consider your current medications and any future treatments before giving you the OK to get a tattoo.

Your healthcare provider may also be able to counsel you on what to discuss with your tattoo artist, which areas of your body you should avoid tattooing, and how to keep your tattooed skin clean and healing properly.