Hey everyone,

I am considering getting Mizuta ( MESU TAH ) on my left shoulder blade, but my skin gets keloids with deep cuts in it. When I say deep I am talking like knife wounds.

I am curious if any artist has encountered a person that developed a keloid after getting a tattoo?

Or should I not be concerned?

Thanks!
Joe

http://tattoo.about.com/b/a/028262.htm

4. KELOID FORMATION: If you are prone to developing keloids -- scars that grow beyond normal boundaries -- you are at risk of keloid formation from a tattoo. Keloids may form any time you injure or traumatize your skin, and according to Office of Cosmetics and Colors (OCAC) dermatologist Ella Toombs, M.D., tattooing or micropigmentation is a form of trauma. Micropigmentation: State of the Art, a book written by Charles Zwerling, M.D., Annette Walker, R.N., and Norman Goldstein, M.D., states that keloids occur more frequently as a consequence of tattoo removal.

a la http://www.drdaveanddee.com/tattoos.html

Large, raised scars may develop known as keloids. Tattooing is not recommended to known keloid formers. Keloids while not easily removable may be improved or flattened with the use of topical or preferably injectable steroids directly into the keloid. This may need to be done on an interval basis to keep them flat. Medical insurance does not tend to cover this as scars usually fall into the “cosmetic” category on policies. Topical steroid creams/ointments/tape may help, but do not tend to be as effective for keloids. The use of Mederma on a freshly healed wound may help expedite the healing process and work to improve the ultimate aesthetics of the keloid. Silicone gels and patches have become more available for use in keloid treatment. With the prior side effects claimed to have arisen due to silicone breast implants, I am less inclined to use silicone topically. It is no longer available for injectable use into wrinkles.

a la http://www.dermadoctor.com/pages/newsletter113.asp

I think after this small amount of research on the matter I've sort of come to the conclusion that it's your own decision. You know your body best. If you know there's a chance to develop a keloid then take preventative measures and really care for your tattoo with the utmost altertness. Invest in Mederma and other scar reducing medications. Tell your doctor what you're planning. Tell your tattoo artist of your history. Maybe get a mostly grayscale tattoo to avoid other complications or do line art and pause for the coloring bit to see how it's going to turn out after it heals. Use common sense and you'll be fine.

Brought to you by Minimal Research Inc. and In My Humble Opinion Co.

Hot Wired Soul...

Thanks for taking the time to provide such thorough information with reference links... It's folks like you that keep this online communinity useful

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Originally posted by whytepanther:
Hot Wired Soul...

Thanks for taking the time to provide such thorough information with reference links... It's folks like you that keep this online communinity useful

Thank you. I try to only answer topics that I can find reliable sources on. I've not yet gotten my tattoo so I can't offer any first-hand experience from either side (artist or enthusiast). But as I've been researching for myself it's not so hard to jump right into it when I see people who don't have the time to do so on their own. And there is always a disclaimer that I've no clue (first hand) what I'm actually talking about. I have the luxury of an available computer and time to use it.

Also, this community has helped me on my question. And I know it's really exhausting to write a question and no one seem to take interest in it.

And I like to type a lot (if you haven't already figured that out--heh)

I also want to know about it.... i know its better to not do it, but i seem to develp them only on my arms and chin.. well.. thats where i have them really.

One because of a shot when i was a baby and the other one cos i split my chin skin open...

I have had opther injuries such as a god bite and splitin my skin open a bit below my knee and ive scared just fine. and also an operation rite below my eyeborw.

Is there a chance i only get it in those two places??? I wanna get my tatto on my lower back...

http://keloid-scars.com/

Seems like a very credible source on all things keloid.

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y

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y

So have you gotten your tattoo done? I am concerned as well. I just made an appointment to get my first tattoo for next week. Wouldn't you know only a few days after making the appointment, I found information on keloid scarring being possible esp if you have a history. I have a small keloid on my shoulder and a very small one on my chest, which I have had for over four years.

I have wanted a tattoo for half my life and am reluctant to cancel my appointment. From what I've read, you (and I) have a higher risk of developing one than those who have not had a history. But I have injured my skin plenty of times since developing the ones I have and have not developed any more.

Maybe I will just talk to my artist and do a small star or something before getting the larger one I really want, just to test the waters.

Would love to hear from anyone else in the same situation.