How long after a tummy tuck do you need to wait before getting tattoo cover up?

Question

Stephen T. Greenberg, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi there and thanks for your question! A scar typically takes a year to fully mature.  I suggest waiting until your scars are healed before considering a tattoo.  Best of luck and hope this helps!

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Shannon40,every plastic surgeon has his own postoperative protocol which he recommends to his patients. I would suggest you to discuss this with your plastic surgeon.Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question.  Because of the long period of scar maturation I would wait at least a year before pursuing a cover-up.  Hope this helps.

Ira H. Rex III, MD · Answer

Most patients can get a tattoo on the scar after a tummy tuck at about six months. If you notice that the scar is still changing or maturing, you may have to wait longer.

Gaurav Bharti, MD, FACS · Answer

Each surgeon will have different recommendations on this topic.  It is always best to discuss with your surgeon.  For my patients I recommend waiting at least 3-6 months for a tatoo.  Full maturation of scars typically happens at 1 year, but often patients who want tattoos wish to cover them sooner.  Good luck.

Douglas Taranow, DO, FACOS · Answer

Shannon,The short answer is to wait until your scar is completely healed (usually one year).  You may find thta the scar is flat and no longer red around 6-8 months so this would be a safe time for you as well.Good luckDr T

A.K. Bhattacharya, MD, FACS · Answer

I would recommend waiting one year from your surgery date.  Scars take about a year to fully mature.  Having a tattoo performed earlier may cause problems with your incision.  Be sure to discuss this with your Plastic Surgeon as well. 
Best Wishes,
Dr. B.

Fara Movagharnia, DO, FACOS · Answer

Thanks for the question.  The most important thing to be mindful of is that your incision has completely healed because you could end up with a bad infection.  In all reality, you should wait several months after surgery to allow for the scar to mature, which means that it will have softened, faded and flattened out as much as possible.  If you do it too soon then the tattoo will distort as that healing process continues and your skin changes. Hope this helps!

Victor Ferrari, MD, FACS · Answer

Most tattoo artists won't even consider tattooing a scar until it is at least 1 year old.  The reason is because a tattoo on an immature scar will likely bleed the ink into the surrounding skin and look fuzzy or blurry.

Kim Taylor, FRACS · Answer

I would wait until the scar has completely matured.  This may be around the 1 year mark, sometimes longer.  The best person to advise you specifically would be your surgeon.  Contact them for an appointment to discuss.  All the bestKim

How long after a tummy tuck do you need to wait before getting tattoo cover up?

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Answers (12)

More Tummy Tuck Questions

Have I torn my tummy tuck stitches when I vomited? ( 13 days post op)

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