Getting a tattoo is a procedure that creates an open wound, and the immediate answer to whether you should get one while sick is strongly against it. Proceeding with a tattoo when your body is already fighting an illness compromises your health, increases the risk of complications, and negatively impacts the final result of the artwork. The process demands that your body’s resources be fully available for healing, and an active illness prevents this from happening effectively.
How Illness Compromises Healing
The body perceives the tattooing process as a trauma, which immediately activates the immune system to begin the repair and defense process. When you are sick, your immune system is already working overtime, deploying white blood cells and energy to combat the cold, flu, or other infection. Introducing a new wound from a tattoo forces the immune system to divide its focus between fighting the illness and repairing the skin barrier, a process known as immune diversion. This split attention significantly slows the rate of wound closure, delaying the initial healing phase.
A compromised immune response increases your susceptibility to a secondary infection at the tattoo site, as the body cannot mount a robust defense against bacteria that may enter the open skin. Furthermore, symptoms of illness like fever, chills, and dehydration complicate the physical healing process. Dehydration affects skin elasticity and the quality of the healing skin, potentially leading to poor ink retention, patchy scabbing, or a less vibrant final result. A tattoo that takes longer to heal is also exposed to the environment for an extended period, increasing the chance of infection.
Risks to the Artist and the Artwork
Beyond the physical risks to your own health, showing up for an appointment while sick poses ethical and practical challenges within the studio environment. The most immediate concern is the risk of contagion, as tattoo artists work in extremely close physical proximity to their clients for extended periods. Since many tattoo artists are independent contractors, getting sick means they lose income for every day they cannot work, making your honest communication an act of professional respect.
The physical symptoms of your illness can also directly compromise the quality of the artwork. Persistent coughing, sneezing, or shivering can cause involuntary movements that make it nearly impossible for the artist to apply clean, precise lines. This loss of control can lead to a flawed tattoo that requires future touch-ups or may never look as intended. The physical discomfort and lowered pain tolerance from feeling unwell can also lead to increased restlessness or fainting, making the session difficult and potentially dangerous.
Communicating and Rescheduling
If you wake up with symptoms before your scheduled appointment, the responsible action is to contact your tattoo artist or the studio immediately. Communicate honestly about your symptoms and explain that you want to reschedule to protect their health and ensure the best outcome for your tattoo. Giving as much notice as possible allows the artist to potentially fill the appointment slot, which they greatly appreciate.
Most studios require a deposit to book an appointment, and while you may risk forfeiting this deposit for a last-minute cancellation, prioritizing your health is always the better choice. Reschedule your session only after your symptoms have fully cleared and you feel your energy levels have returned to normal.
Recovery Time Guidelines
For minor illnesses like a cold, a buffer of 24 to 48 hours after full recovery is often recommended. If you had a more severe illness or took a course of antibiotics, waiting a week or two allows your immune system to fully recover its strength before undergoing the trauma of a tattoo.