Is It Possible or Better to Avoid It?
A personal story from a tattooed girl living with diabetes
Hi everyone!
My name is Enikő Kocsis, and I’ve been living with diabetes for 12 years.
I got my first tattoo while I was still considered healthy, but not long after, I was diagnosed with diabetes.
After a few years’ break, the tattoo craze caught up with me again, and I knew I wouldn’t stop at just 1 or 2 designs.
Although I didn’t think much about the risks at the beginning of my diagnosis, I eventually realized that there are some things worth paying attention to—so I created a few personal rules for myself when it comes to getting tattooed.
1. Book your appointment wisely!
For me, this means scheduling sessions between two meals. That way, I don’t have to pause for a big meal, and my insulin and food intake won’t interfere.
It’s well known that your blood sugar can drop or spike during a tattoo session, so I try not to overwhelm my body with both digestion and the pain at the same time.
2. Bring snacks and glucose tablets!
If I start off with a near-normal blood sugar level, I always bring my “emergency kit” just in case.
3. Check your levels!
Sometimes I check every 30–60 minutes. It gives me peace of mind and helps me stay on top of things.
4. Stay hydrated!
Hydration is important for everyone—diabetics too!
Sometimes I drink water just to distract myself from the pain.
5. Hygiene is CRUCIAL!
Diabetics need to be especially careful with aftercare and hygiene.
If the studio looks dirty or the equipment doesn’t appear sterile—don’t even start!
Thankfully, I’ve worked in two different tattoo studios myself. The latest is Inkroom Tattoo, where cleanliness is top priority. I can confidently recommend them!
6. Area od the tattoo
Avoid tattooing areas where you inject insulin!
These areas carry a higher risk of infection.
Personally, I no longer get tattoos below the knees, because they heal more slowly and may not turn out nicely. But it’s up to each individual to decide what risks they’re comfortable with.
Aftercare is key!
Always follow proper aftercare instructions! Ask your tattoo artist for their recommendation—it’s not always necessary to wrap the tattoo for days, but never leave a fresh tattoo exposed.
I typically change the wrap every 3–4 hours and use a healing cream to promote better recovery.
When I change the wrap, I wash the tattoo clean, gently blot it dry with paper towels (never a cloth towel—lint can stick), and apply Bepanthen ointment, though there are also creams made specifically for tattoo healing.
I usually keep the area wrapped for 1–3 days, depending on the size, location, and what I’m doing during the day.
In Summary:
Tattoos are not off-limits for diabetics—they just require more attention than for non-diabetics. But honestly, not that much more. The above are just tips from my personal experience over the years.
One last bit of advice:
Don’t start with a full back piece! Try a smaller design first to see how your body reacts.
The healing process (normally around 2 weeks) might take a few days longer for us—but that’s totally “normal”.
I hope this helped! Go for it—just be smart about it!
