Is a tattoo okay during pregnancy?

Getting a tattoo during pregnancy is not a good idea. Your skin will change and stretch as your pregnancy progresses, and after pregnancy, your tattoo will likely look different as compared to when it was placed.

If you want to get a tattoo during pregnancy, the recommendation is to wait three months after pregnancy due to the known risks the ink or dye could have on the fetus. Other risks could be an infection, Hepatitis B or C or possibly HIV if proper health and safety regulations are not followed correctly.

Safety precautions with tattoos while pregnant

If you choose to get a tattoo, there are standards that the tattoo artist needs to abide by. The artist needs to be registered with the state board if it is required in the state you live. The artist should wear gloves at all times, keep the area clean and well organized, and have an autoclave, used to sterilize items, visible somewhere in the area. New, single-use needles, dressings, and the bottles of ink or dyes should still be wrapped until the tattoo artist is ready to begin.

Henna: A safer alternative to tattoos

Natural henna is an alternative that is much safer. Although they are not permanent, henna tattoos can still have the same fun effect. Natural henna is “earthy” tones that stain the skin and can last for several weeks.

It is important to know when getting a henna tattoo that natural henna is not available in black.  Black henna is not natural nor is it safe for anyone to use. Black henna contains para-phenylenediamine (PPD), which is the chemical that is common in permanent hair dyes. PPD can cause burns and blisters that can be difficult to diagnose and treatment could last for several months.