So, the place I usually go to get my tattoos told me they refuse to tattoo a diabetic person anywhere below the waist. I have quite a few but all on my upper body except for one on my ankle that I got before I was diagnosed as diabetic. I wanted another on my leg but they refused to do it.
Has anyone else heard of this or had this problem? I don't fault them, rules are rules. But at the same time I sign off their liability to any healing or infection problems every time I get work done...I'm not sure why my signing off on the liability for tattoos on my legs would count any less.
I still love my artists though and got 2 new tattoos the day they refused to do my leg tattoo. =D
i have 2 small ones on my foot. and one just below waist. and more above but iv never had problems. they knew i was diabetic. they just say to keep an eye for infections and healing.
they may just be worried you wont heal well? ask them the reason behind it?? diabetes and legs are a problem maybe they just worrying…
Yeah that was basically what he told me. He said they won’t do it because diabetics don’t heal easily below the waist. Either way I think it should have more to do with the healing process I’m willing to put up with and how I take care of it until it heals. I guess I’m just going to have to find another shop to do any work I want on my legs.
I still feel its weird that they are worried about being liable when I sign off on everything every time I go.
Yeah, knowing what I know about the guy I would want to think that was more his reasoning. My artist is really proud and outspoken about his morals, and I love that about him honestly.
I guess I’m just curious to know if anyone knows of anyone who is diabetic and has had complications from getting a lower body tattoo, I never had and until he said something about it to me I had never heard of it before.
I would surmise the artist’s morals are based in flawed logic. It sounds like a perversion of the belief that diabetics have lots of leg amputations from complications - which is not true. The fact is that uncontrolled diabetics get the leg amputations.
If the artist is willing and capable of rational and logical thought, then he might be able to revise this “moral” he carries. Because if a diabetic is well controlled, and cares for the healing tattoo properly, there is no more real risk than a tattoo on a non-diabetic who cares for their art in the same way.I see this as closer to discrimination than some righteous moral.
I have multiple tattoos on my legs. Never had a problem with the tattoos or the artists.
i haven’t had a problem with it, and lately i think it’s only because i live in the san francisco area and they tend to be overly liberal. the person that did my fish was a little hesitant to do them in one go so we did it a step at a time - black ink first, let it heal, then the color - they’re about 11 inch koi fish right on the ankle with the tail going onto the foot - basically the worst part for a diabetic to get a tattoo
if you’re in good health and they know it, they should work with you on it. i think the artists that are strict about it are usually only that way to protect themselves from strangers. yes, you do sign liability waivers, but if an infection happens and it leads to serious problems, and a lawsuit ensues, that waiver won’t hold up as well as you might think in court.
you can always find another artist for leg tattoos though if your preferred one(s) won’t do it under any circumstances yeah?
Thanks everyone for your replies. I appreciate you taking the time to offer what you know about this for me.
@Joe~ Thanks for the perspective. I don’t think he would discriminate purposefully, but I do think you are right about it being a form of discrimination. I think thats why I brought it here because I needed the perspective of someone who understands diabetes. It was the first time that I had ever felt like my disease was stopping me from doing what I wanted, and I was ashamed of it in the moment…I do have a little social anxiety though and the conversation took place in front of several employees and clients and I did not like the attention at all.
@hirize~Yeah and that’s what I’m going to have to do to get the work done that I want since he won’t do it. I don’t mind that really but I know his artistic style and I know I love it. He’s done 6 of my tattoos, and I’m just more comfortable going to him since I know him so well at this point. The koi there sounds like it would be gorgeous also btw.
ive gotten several on my legs and ive been diabetic since 12… my sugar has been out of control also… i never told the tattooist that i was diabetic thats a personal preference in my opinion it should really have nothing to do with you getting a tattoo unless your 60 and have a reallyyyy hard time healing…
I had this problem, but i ended up going to another artist and not telling him i was type 1, got my entire foot covered in a sandle, love the tattoo, but the healing progress was painful and scary,
I do not regret getting it done, I’m just saying to weigh out the complications that could arrise, against how badly you want the tatt. if its small go for it, mine is huge, so it just took a bit longer to heal.
keep in mind though if you have any neuropathy or bad curculation it may take a bit longer to heal, and youll need time off work to keep it extreamly clean and moisturized.
I never heard of it as I have a tattoo below my waist. I healed nicely and still love my tattoos that I want a few more (I have 3 total). I am sure there are artist that would do a tattoo below the waist. I know the place I go to is willing.
I have a vine with a dragon fly, other insects and butterflies and flowers, that starts on the top of my foot and curves all the way up to my thigh...I have completed this tattoo in stages and have had no issues at all with healing or with artists - maybe its different in Scotland?
I also have bats thats curve around my hip and up my side - no issues with that either...
maybe you should look around other artists and see if they have the same rule? would be a pity if you are stable and keen to have one ....im type 1 - and have been most of my life
I haave 11 big pieces in all areas of my body. All done after i was diagnosed. All artists knew. 3 on my feet alone. Never have i had an issues.
I am also getting laser hair removal done (permanent) They told me no laser below the knee for reasons that some diabetics have neuropathy and you can't feel the heat/pain of the laser and they can burn you, but never from a tattoo!
i have a tattoo on my right foot, and stars on my hips.. all the others are above the waist... but, i have never heard of any such thing. circulation issues can become a problem... so, i guess they are just trying to cover themselves where they can. i did however have a problem with getting piercings before. I have my nose and upper lip (monroe) pierced but did them at home by friends who are piercers. when i tried to get my bellybutton done at a shop, i was refused twice because of my diabetes.
i assume the only reason they say none below the waist is because of poor circulation leading to delayed healing... but, that can really happen anywhere with a tattoo. so, if you want some below the waist, go to a different shop for those ;)
