I have a couple large tattoos that I love and I've read about how accutane can damage new tattoos.. but I was wondering if it has any effects on tattoos that have been long healed. Will it make them fade more rapidly or anything like that?

thanks

Hey there. I've not been on accutane (yet), but I imagine if your skin is exfoliating at a faster pace due to the medication, then the tattoos are going to "age" right along. I've got one also that I'd not like to see messed up. So anybody who has been on or is on accutane, have you noticed a difference in your tattoo(s)?

I'm pretty sure that its only bad to get a tattoo while on tane, cuz the needle is used to normal (harder) skin. I doubt there'll be any effect if you've already had the tattoos done awile ago. Check with the derm anyway

come on.. someone here has got to have had a tattoo done before they went on accutane.. how did the tattoo hold up after the treatment was done.. did it look washed out or anything?

I'm currently on my 3rd course of accutane in almost 10 years. I had two tattoos before starting my first course of accutane and they both look faded, although that could also be from just natural aging.

Last year I had a 3 quarter sleeve done on my arm. I started my 3rd course last month and because the skin is so dry it damages the tattoo's vibrant look. I talked to my derm and she told me to moisturize the area as much as possible. If it becomes too dry, the skin will flake and the outer layers of the skin (the epidermis) will peel and damage, exposing the the inner skin (the dermis). The ink is stored in the dermis and if exposed you will eventually lose some of that ink. So, just try to protect it using lots of lotion.

On 12/12/2007 at 1:39 PM, metalman said:

come on.. someone here has got to have had a tattoo done before they went on accutane.. how did the tattoo hold up after the treatment was done.. did it look washed out or anything?

I got a small tattoo behind my ear before I knew I wasnt supposed to get one and this was while I was on month 2 of accutane. It literally healed the exact same as all of my other tattoos and it has been 3 1/2 month since with no issues at all. I am not a dermatologist so please do not use me as an example! Id follow the advice of your dermatologist and not get one until youve been off accutane for like a month or so!

1 minute ago, emilyjane2019 said:

I got a small tattoo behind my ear before I knew I wasnt supposed to get one and this was while I was on month 2 of accutane. It literally healed the exact same as all of my other tattoos and it has been 3 1/2 month since with no issues at all. I am not a dermatologist so please do not use me as an example! Id follow the advice of your dermatologist and not get one until youve been off accutane for like a month or so!

All of my previous tattoos have not faded or changed and they legitimately look the exact same