Tattoo over a scar from an arm lift, how long do I have to wait after healing in order to get one?

Question

Hi, I just got an arm lift done. I wanted to get a full sleeve tattoo which will cover my full arm from top of shoulder to wrist all around.

Joubin Gabbay, MD · Answer

I'd wait for at least three months to begin the sleeve tattoo process on the arm in general (EXCLUDING the scar!), and start tattooing over the scar at about one year after your operation.  Of course, that's assuming the scar is healing well.  Definitely discuss the matter with your surgeon.  It is very important that you seek the advice of a surgeon who is experienced with the procedure, and a certified by the American Board of plastic surgery.
I wish you the best, 
  
Dr. Gabbay

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi, thank you for your question regarding  how long do you have to wait after healing in order to get a tattoo over a scar from an arm lift.  Most plastic surgeons who specialize in arm lifts get this question almost on a daily basis.  Many patients who undergo arm lifts plan to get an arm tattoo to cover the arm lift scar.  However, in the end, very few patients get an arm tattoo after a brachioplasty.  All scars take a full two years to heal.  During this time, scars go through a remodeling phases by replacing immature for more mature collagen.  Scars are influenced by your genetics, suture materials used, tension on the arm lift incision, your care of the incision after the arm lift surgery, tension, swelling, and exposure to sunlight (radiation).  Furthermore, arm lift scars can be minimized using silicone creams, silicone strips, and arm sleeve compression.  Additionally, arm scars can be minimized with a FRAXEL laser or injections of steroids.  However, usually these ancillary procedures are unnecessary because the arm lift scars heal so well.  In general, most plastic surgeons suggest you wait at least six to eight months after an arm lift before you consider an arm tattoo.  First, you may want to show off your new skinny arms and not want an arm tattoo after all.  Second, the arm lift scar may not absorb to tattoo dye if the tattoo is performed too early.  Good luck.  I hope that I have answered your question regarding how long do you have to wait after healing in order to get a tattoo over a scar from an arm lift.

Since an arm lift can be a challenging surgery, please seek an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon with significant experience performing these types of lifts. Other names for an arm lift include brachioplasty and arm reduction.  Do your research.  Make sure they have performed at least 150 arm lift procedures.  Make sure they have the before-and-after pictures to prove it. Carefully examine their before-and-after photos and review their RealSelf profile.   Sincerely, Dr. Katzen, MD, MBA, FACS, FICS (Plastic Surgeon, President of  the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, International College of Surgery, and American Board of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery,  and  member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

Sacha Obaid, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question! For my patients, I typically recommend they wait 6 months to a year before tattooing over incisions. I recommend discussing specific post op questions with your plastic surgeon. Best of luck!

Roberto Gonzalez, MD · Answer

Usually is best to wait until scar has faded out to really see how is going to look. It may take 1 year to get there.  At this point you can have a tattoo placed over it. Hope it helps

Gary L. Ross, MBChB, FRCS · Answer

It is always best to wait until the scar has completely faded. Tattoos are best when the scars are pale and not red/pink. I am sure your surgeon and your tattoo artist would say the same and best to take their advice. If it was me personally I would wait for 12 months min before considering a Tattoo over an arm lift scar as arm lift scars take longer than most to settle.

Tania Medina de Garcia, MD · Answer

Hello dear!! 
  
Thanks for the question and provided information as well.  
  
I recommend my patient complete properly the healing, most of the time is between 6 months and one year. 
  Good luck :)

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Congratulations on having undergone the arm lifting surgery.   Best to run this question by your plastic surgeon; in my practice, I would ask patients to wait about a year. Best wishes for an outcome that you will be very pleased with.

Jared Troy, MD · Answer

As others have said, you need to wait until the scar has fully matured. The brachioplasty scars are notorious for taking longer than just about any other scar to mature. While the time frame of 6-12 months is a good general guideline, its best to wait for the scar to no longer be red. When it is white and soft, its typically fully healed.

Julie Khanna, MD, FRCSC · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Ideally your scar should be well healed, flat and faded.  This an often take up to one year.  Double check with your surgeon before proceeding.  Equally important is to be sure that your tattoo artist is well versed with the tattooing of scar tissue.
Best of Luck, 
Dr. K.

Giovanna Ghafoori, MD · Answer

Hi, TTAnderson.  Congratulations on your arm lift! Every plastic surgeon has his/her recommended time for tattooing after plastic surgery, so I would defer to him/her.  But generally, I recommend waiting 6 months providing healing has been uneventful and the scar is thin, flat, and stable.Arm lifts often can have more problematic scarring -- taking longer for the scar to "quiet down" and fade, as well as having a higher risk for scar problems: thickening, atrophy, discoloration, widening, stretching, etc.  If there are scar issues, these may need to be addressed before tattooing -- for example, scar thickening may require a repeated course of steroid injections and silicone sheeting.In addition, tattooing directly in scars may be more difficult and the pigments may not take as well.  Risk of skin tearing, ulceration, and/or infection may be higher, especially in an unstable scar.  It is very important to go to a tattoo artist with extensive experience in tattooing within scarring.A tip to consider if you start with partial tattoos before the full sleeve in an effort conceal your arm lift scars:  In my observation, I find tattoos placed along a scar in an effort to conceal the scar may actually look odd and make the scar more conspicuous.  A more random, meandering tattoo design, that goes in and out of the scar, will very nicely camouflage the scar and detract from the scar itself.Best of luck!  Dr. Ghafoori

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