You may find that your tattoo changes while you're pregnant, though. Chloasma (brown pigmentation that happens during pregnancy) can affect the color of a tattoo, for example. Weight gain and stretching of the skin can distort a tattoo. And stretch marks can also damage a tattoo – sometimes permanently.
Unfortunately, as your tummy grows during pregnancy and your skin stretches to accommodate the tiny human who has set up camp in your tummy, so will your tattoos. The change in the appearance of tattoos will differ from mama to mama and according to how your care for your skin during pregnancy.
Existing tattoos, whether pregnant or not, do have a tendency to fade and their rate of discolouration does depend on each woman's skin condition as it ages. Colour tattoos usually fade sooner than tattoos with purely black ink, and may need re-inking after a few months.
"If you got tattooed and didn't yet know you were pregnant, then don't stress it too much,” says Barbara. “The risk of infection is small, but to clear your mind, you can always speak to a doctor. But do not get tattooed if you know you're pregnant.
Is it safe to get a tattoo while TTC or breastfeeding? "Because of the many potential risks for mother and fetus, my advice is to avoid tattooing for women trying to conceive, throughout pregnancy, and until completion of breastfeeding," noted Dr. Tsur. Transmission of disease and infection are the primary concerns.
During pregnancy, your abdomen and breasts expand as your skin stretches to accommodate baby and all of the extra blood and fluids that are a normal part of a healthy pregnancy. These changes can actually change the appearance of existing tattoos, which may not return to normal post-pregnancy.
Overall, the health of your growing baby should be of the upmost importance to you. And for that reason, we strongly discourage anyone from getting tattooed while they're pregnant or breastfeeding. Even though the risks of complications are small, why take any chance at all?
"While there is currently no scientific evidence that suggests that the ink used in tattoos can cross the placenta, there are still some risks associated with this procedure," says Dr. Nisarg Patel, MBBS, MS (Obstetrics & Gynecology) at ClinicSpots.
Generally, preexisting tattoos don't cause harm to unborn or newborn children. One concern is that the ink could migrate into the milk supply, but it's nearly impossible for the ink to transfer from the parent's bloodstream into the breast where the milk is made.
Most research, although limited, shows it's safe to colour your hair while pregnant. Some studies have found that very high doses of the chemicals in hair dyes may cause harm. However, these doses are massive compared with the very low amount of chemicals you may be exposed to when colouring your hair.
It is suggested that mothers wait at least until 9-12 months after birth, when the child is no longer dependent solely on breastmilk before getting a tattoo.
"You don't need to pump or dump," Maria says "as the particles don't go into the milk". If you're having a long tattoo session Maria advises that you do pump to "avoid complications with your milk supply."
The stencil tattoo — which is not permanent — confused many viewers, causing them to leave negative comments condemning the tattoo artist. “Hell nah I would never do that,” said one user. “Are they FR por baby,” another said. “You can't tattoo a child under 18 years old!
Health risks of getting a tattoo while breastfeeding
It's possible for bacterial infections to be transmitted while getting a tattoo, but the Australian Breastfeeding Association says risks are likely to be low when visiting a trusted parlour that follows strict hygiene and sterilisation guidelines.
Although the risk is small, it is recommended that you wait to get a tattoo until after your baby is born. Little information is available about the safety of skin dyes used for tattooing during pregnancy. It is possible that the chemicals in the dye may affect the development of the baby during the first 12 weeks.
A Miscarriage Tattoo is a public and permanent exclamation that this child was real, loved, and is deeply missed. Some parents choose “explicit” tattoos, like footprints with wings and the child's name or date of loss.
Many artists won't tattoo on pregnant women, so be sure to inform the shop and your artist ahead of time to avoid any last-minute issues.
While no organization overtly recommends against getting a tattoo while pregnant, Dr. Nazarian advised against it. You may run a small risk of developing an infection or allergic reaction. Both of those outcomes are potentially harmful or can unnecessarily complicate your pregnancy.
Ink Ingredients
Heavy metals in the skin should be avoided when pregnant. Ask about the ingredients of the tattoo colors you plan to choose. If they include any heavy metals, like lead, antimony, beryllium, chromium, cobalt nickel, cadmium, or arsenic, it's best to wait until after pregnancy.
Women experience changes to their skin during pregnancy. It's inevitable! As your tummy stretches, so may any tattoos that you have around your waist, pelvis or mid-section. Stretch marks occur as your baby grows.
Cover-up tattoos are the most common tattoos people get inked over existing tattoos and birthmarks. This type of tattoo is generally used to cover up very distasteful tattoos that are unbecoming. For some people, getting a tattoo over a birthmark is a great way to create a unique design for your body.
Well, while some tattoos are known to bring bad luck such as gruesome ones or your partner's name, getting your child's name inked does not bring bad luck. While there are cases where people have had to deal with bad luck in the past because of their tattoo designs, you surely won't have this problem.
Does Ink Affect Breast Milk? Generally, it is thought that ink molecules are too large to pass into breast milk after receiving a tattoo. However, tattoo ink can take months and even years to break down in the body, so there's just no way of knowing right now if you can safely nurse after getting a tattoo.