Getting a tattoo and undergoing tattoo removal are different matters. Take precautions if you want a tattoo while breastfeeding. The tattoo ink is unlikely to get into your milk supply and the ink is sealed under the first layer of your skin, so the baby cannot contact it. Moreover, no research exists that provides negative evidence of breastfeeding and getting tattooed. They may be concerned about the possibility of increased risks, despite the lack of evidence.
They may also be concerned about liability. If you do get a tattoo while breastfeeding, you may have to sign a legal waiver. The tattooing process carries risks. During the process, your skin is repeatedly poked with a small needle coated with ink. The ink is deposited in the second layer of your skin, known as the dermal layer.
Inks used for tattooing are not approved or regulated by the U. Food and Drug Administration for this use. Inks can contain a variety of materials including heavy metals and chemicals found in printer toner and paint.
Complications following tattoo application can require treatments that may not be compatible with breastfeeding. For example, certain medications cannot be used when breastfeeding. Additionally, you can transmit HIV through breast milk. Lasers remove tattoos over several sessions by breaking down the ink in the dermal layer of your skin into smaller particles. Your immune system sweeps these broken-down particles to your liver.
Your liver then filters them out of your body. E-lactancia explains:. Tattooing must meet all known safety and sanitation standards in order to avoid transmission of Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV infections. As a safety measure, blood banks and many human milk banks do not accept donation of biological products until a 4 to 12 months period has elapsed after tattooing. It is possible to have an allergy to the tattoo ink which may cause persistent swelling, itching and redness at the tattoo site.
You should not get a tattoo if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have an allergy to nickel or chromium. A tattoo should never be placed near the scar of a skin cancer. If you have any serious health problem such as HIV, heart problems, blood clotting problems, latex allergy, psoriasis, lupus, or sarcoidosis, talk with your health care provider to see if getting a tattoo is safe for you. If you have skin problems such as eczema or if you make keloid scars, a tattoo might cause those problems to become worse.
During laser treatment to remove a tattoo, the laser breaks the pigments in ink down into smaller particles which travel through the body and are stored in lymph nodes or other tissues. Spencer says. When you have a new baby, each decision you make can feel weighty, and you might feel unsure about the best decision for you and your baby.
Still, what is known about getting a tattoo while breastfeeding points to the fact that while doing it may be a low-risk activity in certain circumstances, it is not a risk-free activity.
If you do decide to get a tattoo, make sure you take all safety precautions necessary to decrease the potential risks. Get it free when you sign up for our newsletter. Updated June 21, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hepatitis B or C Infections. Updated March 31, Healthy Children. Serious Illnesses and Breastfeeding. Updated November 2, Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellFamily.
At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page. These choices will be signaled globally to our partners and will not affect browsing data. We and our partners process data to: Actively scan device characteristics for identification. I Accept Show Purposes. Table of Contents View All.
Table of Contents. Getting a Tattoo While Breastfeeding. Benefits of Getting a Tattoo While Breastfeeding. Safety Precautions. Does Hepatitis Cause Miscarriages? Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback!
0コメント