I have just turned 18 and really want to get a tattoo but I don't know if I should because I have eds. I would really appreciate some tips/pointers on what to expect if I do get a tattoo, would it heal correctly are there any other complications? Thanks

I have 3 tattoos, and they've all healed fine. My first one I was 16 (mom came with me, she has 20-ish... lol and all healed perfectly fine), second was 2 years ago, and my last one was more recent, all healed perfectly fine. This was also before I knew about EDS. It also depends on how your skin heals, how it reacts to things, etc. Everyone is different. I had to have my first one recolored because it had faded. I'm 26 now and probably had the last tattoo done when I was 24.

With the tattoos I was fine. Peircings are where I had issues. I've had one set of ear peircings done when I was little. They are so stretched now that I can fit a 16 gauge into it (my belly button ring... haha). I had a second pair of holes done when I was in college and never healed properly. Same thing with my belly button piercing. It never healed at all. I ended up taking it out.

Like I said, every one is different, and this is only my experience.

What are you thinking of getting??

I've got 5 & they are all fine. I joke that my tattoos come with braille because you can clearly feel every detail of them. I don't know anyone else who has a tattoo that can be felt as much & as detailed as mine. That said, you can't see that I scarred more than most people since the ink hides it. I got them all before I knew I had EDS, but I am still planning on getting more.

Same here! I've always joked about having Braille tats. But I have every intention of getting more. I'm not Dx w/ EDS, but I have many reasons to believe that it factors into my medical history. (long story...) Anyway, mine have all healed beautifully. (I used to work in a tattoo studio and became very familiar with after-care techniques and what works best for me, etc.)

Just don't be in a hurry to get inked. You're gonna' be looking at that design for the rest of your life. I know way too many people who are sick of waking up to Tweety Bird or Taz e----v----e----r----y danged day!
And don't be cheap! Where tattoos are concerned, there is a lot to be said for You Get What You Pay For.

There is at least one other thread around these forums somewhere regarding tats. Try searching for it. Some good info there.

I have 2 that I got before I knew about EDS. They healed fine. The tattooist commented, for the one I got about 14 years ago, that my skin "takes color really well." He was kind of freaked out about it. Too bad it is a black woodcut-art type piece haha.

My conch piercing was kind of a disaster though. Took a really long time to heal and I ended up just taking it out.

I'm getting a tattoo for my 21st in a few weeks, just wondered whether any of you used Emla cream to numb the skin? I know people do and some of my friends have. I've used it before when I was younger and had to have regular blood tests.

Also where are your tattoos? I want mine on the back of my neck, I originally wanted it on my foot but one of my consultants suggested I didn't because of the skin on my feet.

Mine are on either shoulder on the back, and at the base of my neck.

I also have "braille" tattoos!!! lol. I seriously want another one... lol. I want a little dragonfly behind my ear, but not sure if i can get one there. I also kind of want a 1/4 sleeve...