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Can I Get a Tattoo over a Tummy Tuck Scar?

asked 3 years ago by Khet in New York
Latest answer by Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS
Question viewed 24,497 times
Tags: concealer, scar, tattoo

15 answers to Can I Get a Tattoo over a Tummy Tuck Scar?

A tattoo is a great idea.

Khet, It is perfectly fine for you to get a tattoo over your incision. Many of my patients have done this and I think it looks nice. However, you may be surprised, but the scar/incision will likely not look at bad as you may be expecting. In most cases, after six months to a year, the scar is hardly noticeable. However, this is not true for everyone, so it is nice to have the option to place a tatoo. If you do choose to get a tattoo, I would suggest waiting at least 3 to 4 months... more

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

Tattooing over Tummy Tuck scar

You can tattoo over an abdominoplasty scar. You want to make sure the scar is completely healed. In addition, be sure your swelling has resolved. This can take at least 6 months. I hope this helps.

Steven H. Williams, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

O.K. To Color Outside (and over) The Lines

Although the scar from an Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) is generally placed very low on the abdomen just above the pubic area, and is hidden by most clothing, some patients choose to do a bit more camouflaging of the scar by tattooing over the scar. I have seen tattoos in the design of a string of flowers, stars, or abstract shapes. Some patients have also returned with a sunburst pattern around the belly button, as well. There is no reason why a patient cannot have a tattoo over a scar if... more

Athleo Louis Cambre, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Things to think about before you tattoo that scar!

Great question... a few thoughts. It is entirely possible to tattoo a scar. Keep in mind that a scar takes approximately 10-12 months to fully heal and mature. You should ask yourself what is your goal in tattooing this scar? Is it to hide the scar, to minimize it? If so, there are other options you may want to consider first such as a scar revision where we can move the scar down to a position that it will be hidden under your clothes Best- Pat Pazmino, MD, FACS Board Certified, American Boar more

B. Pat Pazmino, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

www.miamiaesthetic.com

Just wait until the scar is mature first.

Hello, The scar can take 6-12 months to mature. Then you can tattoo it if you wish assuming there are no healing problems. It may be worth dropping by your surgeon's office to get the "OK" before the tattoo. Best Regards, John DI Saia MD

John P. Di Saia, MD
Orange Plastic Surgeon

A great idea

The tattoo is fine as long as the healing is complete. Tattoos can be medical tattoos that use complementary colors to fade the scar or cover-up tattoos and then your imagination is the best cover-up.

Robert M. Freund, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

One can always tattoo over a scar

One can always tattoo over a scar and a significant number of patients choose to do so. You should preferably do it when the scar has healed completely and be aware that what may be fashionable today may well be way out of style in the future.

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Tattooing Tummy Tuck scar not uncommon

Abdominoplasty scars will reepithelialize within 48 hours, but the scars may take months to completely heal. Initially, the scars may become thickened and discolored, two processes which are correctable with time and topical treatments. Tattooing of scars is not uncommon and should be performed at least 2 to 3 months after surgery. This is a permanent option, in most cases, and should be performed after much thought.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

OK to Tattoo Over Surgical Scars

It is fine to tattoo over surgical scars as long as they are mature - by that I mean no longer red or pink and when they are soft. This would be after a minimum of 6 months and in some cases a year or more.

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Tattoo over tummy tuck scar.

The answer is yes. As long as you are healed from the surgery you are able to get a tattoo to cover up the scar. I have had a few patients that have done this in the past.

Jaime Perez MD
Tampa Plastic Surgeon

www.jaimeperezmd.com

Tummy Tuck - Can I Get a Tattoo over a Tummy Tuck Scar?

Sure - as long as you wait until the scar has healed adequately. Exactly how long this is varies from individually to individual, and you should not do anything without your surgeon's approval but I have a number of patients who have done this quite successfully. Needless to say, there are risks with all procedures, including tattoos, but the vast majority heal well and adding some color and/or design to mask or enhance the car is done commonly. As long as your PS says... more

Alan Engler, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Tattoo over Tummy Tuck scar

You can certainly get a tatoo over a tummy tuck scar. In fact I have a patient who did this very thing for her back scar from a lower body lift.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Tattoo of abdominoplasty scar (tummy tuck)

Yes, you can. In fact I have had two paitents obtain ornamental tattoos in order to camouflage the abdominolasty incision. Typically there are no special precautions when performing the tattoo

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Tattoo to hide scars

It certainly is reasonable to use a tattoo to camouflage a scar, but I would suggest waiting to till the scar is done healing before getting the tattoo. We like that scars shrink - but if you tattoo over a wide immature scar and then it shrinks, it will compress the ink along the scar line and this maybe very noticeable. Everyone heals at a different rate, but when the scar is flat and white, you know you are done. In the meantime, it is worthwhile using scar creams to help accelerate... more

Michael A. Bogdan, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Tattoo over a Tummy Tuck Scar.

Some patients will do this to help camouflage the incision. I would suggest that you wait for the scar to completely mature before having the tattoo done. This can be 10 to 12 months after surgery. I would have your plastic surgeon give the "OK" before going to a reputable place...