If you have psoriasis, there are things you should know before you head to the tattoo parlor.
First, if you’re interested in getting a tattoo because you think it will disguise your psoriasis — specifically, the thick, scaly, itchy patches called plaques formed by a buildup of extra skin cells — you may want to reconsider. Tattoos likely won’t conceal these patches, and could in fact lead to additional problems with psoriasis symptoms.
“It’s a good idea to ask your doctor if a tattoo could make your condition worse,” says Edward Prodanovic, MD, a dermatologist in St. Louis.
Here Dr. Prodanovic answers some common questions about tattoos, especially for the 8 million Americans living with psoriasis.