What Can You Do If You Get a Keloid from a Tattoo?

Keloid disorder is a genetic skin condition in which a triggering event, such as a skin injury, can create keloids. For example, when needles are used to make a tattoo, they poke holes in the skin. As a result, tattoos can cause keloids because they harm the skin. This is a particularly challenging keloid to treat.

Anyone who has keloid disorder should refrain from getting tattoos or body piercings. However, if you decide to take the risk of getting one anyway and develop a keloid scar, do not worry. Dr. Kenrick Spence of the International Keloid & Scar Treatment Center is a skilled plastic surgeon with lots of experience treating keloid scars.

What is a Keloid?

Keloid scars are more prominent than other scar types. It is composed of collagen and fibroblasts, which are connective tissue cells. These cells migrate to the site of an injury to begin mending the skin.

Keloids are scars that grow after surgery, severe acne, abrasions, punctures or insect bites. It is also possible to get keloids after getting tattooed. This is because the artist repeatedly pricks your skin with a needle to embed the ink permanently. With so many minor wounds being made, keloids become a real possibility.

Keloids are thick, elevated bumps. They can cause pain or itching and have a shiny, smooth exterior. Keloids are easy to spot because they spread beyond the injury site, turning reddish-brown and making the original injury area much broader and longer.

How Do You Know If Your Tattoo Caused a Keloid?

Tattoos are not the root cause of keloid scarring, although improper wound care and a lack of follow-up after getting a tattoo could be contributing factors. If you have a keloid scar over your tattoo, it will distort the design so much that you will not be able to see it anymore.

Can You Get a Tattoo and Not Get a Keloid?

If your family has a history of keloid scarring, or if you have suffered keloid scarring from a skin injury in the past, it is recommended that you typically avoid getting a tattoo. If your skin reacts negatively during the tattooing procedure, you could be left with a keloid scar instead of a stunning work of art.

When a wound goes beyond the dermis, keloid scarring often follows. However, when done by a trained and experienced artist, a tattoo will never penetrate deeper than the skin’s surface. In this instance, you may usually prevent initiating a keloid healing from your tattoo if you avoid regions on your body where there are significant muscles and frequent movement. It is also a good idea to have a small, thick tattoo in an inconspicuous spot first and see how it heals before committing to a larger, more visible tattoo.

What Should You Do if You Get a Keloid from a Tattoo?

If you acquire a tattoo and then discover elevated scars weeks or months later, you should get in touch with the International Keloid & Scar Treatment Center. We can set up a consultation to determine the best treatment plan for your keloid removal.