21/07/2026
If you’re taking medication and are considering a cosmetic tattoo (such as permanent eyebrows, eyeliner, or lip blush), it’s important to make sure the medication won’t increase your risk of bleeding, infection, or poor healing.
Here are some general guidelines:
* Tell your technician about all medications you’re taking before your appointment. They can let you know if they have any restrictions, but they cannot advise you to stop prescription medicines.
* Do not stop prescription medication on your own. If a medication could affect the procedure, discuss it with the healthcare professional who prescribed it.
* Blood-thinning medications (such as warfarin, apixaban, rivaroxaban, clopidogrel, or even regular aspirin in some cases) can increase bleeding during the procedure, which may affect healing and pigment retention.
* Medications that suppress the immune system (such as some steroids, chemotherapy drugs, or biologic medications) may increase the risk of infection or delayed healing.
* Certain acne medications, particularly isotretinoin, may affect skin healing. Many practitioners recommend waiting until after treatment, but you should follow your prescriber’s advice.
* Antibiotics or antiviral medications may or may not affect the timing of the procedure, depending on why you’re taking them.
* If you have diabetes, an autoimmune condition, or a history of keloid scarring, let both your healthcare provider and the tattoo artist know, as these conditions can affect healing.
Before your appointment:
* Avoid alcohol for 24 hours unless your healthcare provider tells you otherwise.
* Avoid taking over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or aspirin specifically to prepare for the procedure unless they are prescribed or your healthcare provider advises it, as they can increase bleeding.
* Follow all the technician’s aftercare instructions to reduce the risk of infection and help the pigment heal well. 💙