Can You Tattoo Over A Mole?
Introduction
Almost every person in the world is born with moles in their body. And the number is around 10 to 40 moles on average. So, it is a normal case for many when they opt for a tattoo and there are visible moles in the tattooed area. So, you want to get a tattoo but there are moles in the tattoo area. So, you may think – can you tattoo over a mole?
You can tattoo over a mole, but it may create some complications. Moles can serve as an indicator of cancer (when they alter their shape, pigment, texture, edge, or size). It’s also hard for a tattoo artist to acquire the correct shade while tattooing over a mole. Also, it can result in excessive bleeding and further infections.
For this, it’s suggested that you get rid of the mole first and then start your tattooing process. Worth mentioning, removing moles isn’t a complicated treatment. To know more about tattooing over a mole, stay tuned with this article.
Can You Tattoo Over A Mole?
It’s better not to tattoo over a mole because there are some health risks including excessive bleeding.
Most of the moles are harmless but, there is a chance some of the moles can become cancerous. In fact, keeping an eye on the shape of your moles, their form changes, or the appearance of other pigmented patches is crucial to keep an eye on skin cancer risks.
Generally, we would recommend not tattooing over a mole. Also, most tattoo artists would decline to tattoo over the mole. Additionally, there are some states in the USA that strictly prohibits tattoo artists from tattoo over a mole.
But eventually, it varies according to the mole you have. If the mole is very small and not getting bigger, it is quite safe to tattoo over it.
However, there are certain risks involved with tattooing over moles, such as the chance that the tattoo ink can negatively impact the mole. Therefore, it’s best to speak with a dermatologist. They’ll be able to tell you whether the mole can be tattooed over and suggest the most effective technique for doing so.
Why Tattoo Artists May Not Tattoo Over Your Mole?
There are very few tattoo artists who will agree to tattoo over your mole. And those who will agree do not have much information or do not follow the rules and regulations of the industry.
There are some valid reasons why most tattoo artists will decline the offer to tattoo over your mole-
It’s hard for The Artist to Get the Color Right
The first and biggest reason not to tattoo over a mole is that it is extremely difficult for tattoo artists to get the color right.
The mole isn’t like normal skin, and it also doesn’t absorb ink as normal skin does. When tattooing over a mole, tattoo artists say that it absorbs too much ink too rapidly, giving the impression that it is overly pigmented.
Every tattoo that you receive from a professional tattoo artist serves as that artist’s resume, so if they aren’t sure they can make your tattoo look good, they might refuse to do it at all.
Excessive Bleeding
Bleeding is quite a regular issue when you get a new tattoo. After all, you are continuously pricking your flesh with a needle. But the bleeding caused by the tattoo gun is usually minimal and controllable.
With moles, the case is different. They must cope with a lot more blood than usual, as anyone who has attempted to tattoo over them (or who has unintentionally cut one while shaving) will agree. Adding to the challenge to tattoo this excessive bleeding, also increases the risks of subsequent issues.
Works As a Health Issue Indicator
The most frequent justification given by tattoo artists for not tattooing over a mole is that your mole’s natural color is crucial for assessing your health.
A change in a mole’s color is one of the most obvious signs that it has developed into cancer. Because the ink pigments cover a mole’s original color when you tattoo over it, you might not notice when the mole’s color starts to change.
Early cancer treatment is a must when dealing with the disease. The necessity for treatment may be delayed if you are unaware that your mole has changed color because of a tattoo covering it.
Legal Issues
Different states in the USA have different rules and regulations for tattooing. It’s an industry practice not to tattoo over a mole. As we previously mentioned, moles work as an indicator of cancer, which is why it is strictly banned in some states to tattoo over the mole.
Things to Consider Before Getting Tattooed Over the Moles
As you can guess, tattooing over moles requires a second thought, here are a few factors you should remember before taking an action.
Are The Moles New?
Has the mole been there since birth? Probably then, you’re mistaking them for birthmarks. Please feel free to get a tattoo if this is the case.
The same is alright if your mole appeared during your adolescence and has not changed since.
You need to pay more attention to moles that have been changing as adults. Moles are nothing to worry about because they increase in shape as we age and have been exposed to a sufficient quantity of sunshine.
Some people develop more moles as they age due only to genetics, which is unavoidable.
However, even though they are probably harmless, we advise that you pay more attention to these ones since you’ll want to keep an eye out for any unusual growth or changes in their appearance or color.
If there is a change, you should consult a doctor and/or dermatologist to ensure that there is no underlying condition that requires treatment.
You won’t be able to actively watch or notice any changes and seek treatment if you tattoo over them. In these situations, it’s better to work out a design around the moles you have.
Get Clearance from Your Doc or Dermatologist
As previously mentioned, you should get advice from a dermatologist before getting a tattoo over a mole that only recently (within the last five years) emerged and is big.
Anyhow, it’s a good idea to get them examined. Your doctor or dermatologist may give you the all-clear to be tattooed if it has been shown that they are benign.
Working over the mole
Work moles into your design rather than tattooing over them if you want to keep an eye on them. With a skilled tattoo artist, even if you have a lot of moles on your body, this is pretty simple to do. The black areas will blend in with the tattoo ink in the majority of designs.
There are methods to incorporate the moles into the design without compromising aesthetics, even if you use bold, or a variety of colors. The same is true for bi, huge moles.
But once more, it actually depends on how good or experienced the tattoo artist is. A properly experienced artist can provide unique designs so that he or she can tattoo around the moles.
What Is The Option If You Still Want To Get Tattooed?
If you’re set on getting a tattoo to hide one or more moles, there is a way to cover the moles without having to worry about any of the risks that come with it: Get the surgical removal done.
An intensive method is to have the mole surgically removed. However, dermatologists regularly perform it on malignant moles as a relatively well-liked treatment. But once you’ve healed from the cosmetic mole removal, you’ll probably still have a mark where the mole was.
The nice part is that most tattoo artists would not mind if you tattooed over the scar area after you have properly healed.
Conclusion
Did you get the answer you were looking for?
Yes, there are certain risks of tattooing over a mole, but you should properly assess the situation and decide. If you are still determined to cover the mole but hesitant about whether to tattoo, you can check the option we talked about in this article.
We would recommend not hurriedly taking the decision but rather thinking it through. Good luck!
