Q and A

Question

I am HIV positive, what is the risk if I want a tattoo?

Can you offer any advice for someone who is HIV positive and wanting to get a tattoo with regard to risk factors, precautions etc. Is it better to wait until my CD4 count is above a certain number? Does it really matter? I’m taking HIV medication with an undetectable viral load and CD4 count of 243 at my last lab results.

Thanks.

Answer

Thank you for your question.

There are some things to consider when deciding to get a tattoo. The most important thing is to make sure you do not get any additional infections. Try to use a reputable tattoo artist who uses single use ink pots and disposable needles and tubing. This way you can protect yourself from other infections such as hepatitis C.

Your CD4 count should not make any difference to you having the tattoo. However, if your CD4 count is very low, like below 100, it may mean you are more vulnerable to infections from the wound until the tattoo has properly healed.

As with any tattoo whether you are HIV positive or not, the after care is also important to make sure you do not get any skin infections from the wound. Following the aftercare advice of your tattoo artist is very important.

11 comments

  1. Roy Trevelion

    Hi Matt,

    Thanks. I hope you don’t mind but I’ve edited down your comment. Please read Charlotte’s reply. It gives all the info needed by those of us who are HIV positive.

  2. Matthew

    Hello Everyone.

    My Name is Matt, I’m an Artist in the world of Tattoos.

    Artists do what you love to do and tattoo. Just be precautions with everyone that sits at your chair.
    Hope this was helpful. God Bless You All.

  3. Roy Trevelion

    Thanks for this comment Mike.

  4. Mike

    You always feel better being honest about you HIV status

  5. Sonny

    I am a tattoo artist and dound this question via a google search. On a tattoo release form you will have to state whether or not you have HIV. If you lie on this form you are breaking the law, and you are violating the trust of the person who will be working on you.
    I tattoo many people who are HIV+. As long as they know the risks involved and are up front with me than I never have a problem. Not all tattoo artists will tattoo someone who is HIV+ but many will. We are tought to treat each client as if they are HIV+ anyway.
    I would strongly encourage anyone positive to tell your tattoo artist your status up front. If something were to go massively wrong and they wind up getting a needle stick and contracting HIV, then I would imagine a lawsuit would insue and you would probably go to jail if you didnt disclose your status upfront.

  6. Lisa Thorley

    Hi Brendan,

    This is a personal choice. However, as there’s no risk of transmitting HIV, then there’s no reason why you should discuss your status if you don’t want to. You should however make sure that you get your tattoo done in a repeatable place and that all the equipment that they use is sterilized.

  7. Brendan

    Should I tell my tattoo artist I’m positive even if I’m undetectable?

  8. Lisa Thorley

    Hi Scott,

    The above post gives some good advice. If you’re viral load is undetectable then I wouldn’t be too worried about telling anyone. Also even if it is, they should be using equipment that is sterile.

  9. Scott

    How do you ask if certain criteria can be met without telling the artist that you have aids, do you have to tell them, what happens if I don’t tell him. What are questions I can ask before deciding To get tatto

  10. Nombu

    Thanks for this, I just found out that i am positive and I was willing to have a tattoo, but I was scared because of my status.

Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *