Tattoo Experience

As a general rule, tattoos that are conspicuous are viewed as unprofessional. Many old folks view tattoos as a symbol of a blue-collar unprofessional person and some will refuse treatment by you if they see your tattoos. You will likely get no small amount of not-so-wonderful comments if your tattoos are visible.

Yes, I know people have tattoos on their ankles. But people don't generally look at ankles. They do look at hands, arms, faces, chests.

I'm thinking of getting a giant osteopathic symbol on my upper left back/shoulder... but again that is easily covered up. Maybe you can wear some kind of long glove to cover it up while you're in rotations / working to avoid negative comments?

Does anyone out there have visible tats and are docs/rotating students??

Bones DO said:

I'm thinking of getting a giant osteopathic symbol on my upper left back/shoulder... but again that is easily covered up. Maybe you can wear some kind of long glove to cover it up while you're in rotations / working to avoid negative comments?

Does anyone out there have visible tats and are docs/rotating students??

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You can't be serious...are you serious? What does 'an osteopathic symbol' even look like?

There's nothing you can do about your sleeve, and it's great if you enjoy it. As you obviously know, you'll have to work around your sleeve so that it's not apparent when you're in doctor mode. I'd say just get used to long sleeve shirts and maybe wearing a watch or something on that wrist. Chances are you will be wearing a long sleeve shirt when working anyway. If that works to cover it, then you're golden.

I'm assuming you're wanting to apply to DO schools since you posted on this board. Know that you'll probably have to show your tattoos at some point during your clinical lab. There are people in my class with tattoos (I'm one) and it hasn't seemed to be a big deal. But, then again no one has the extent of tattooing you seem to have with your sleeve.

As for new tattoos, you will have to make the decision where to put them. You can easily put them where your patients will be less apt to see them. And that's just a choice that you have to make to be a doctor. It seems that you know that your patients may not appreciate seeing your tattoos. So, it might be a good compromise to put them where your patients can't see them and you can enjoy them when not working.

Bottom line, you have to look professional. But, you can't give up the things you enjoy to be a doctor, even though it can seem that the field pressures you to do just that. You have to find ways to do the things outside of medicine that you like to do. You might have to compromise though. Otherwise, you'll get burned out.

Yea, I think the best way to go is just finding creative ways to cover up your sleeve. I have a big tattoo on my chest area so I just have to avoid wearing V-neck shirts while a clinical setting.

babdoc said:

I'm assuming you're wanting to apply to DO schools since you posted on this board. Know that you'll probably have to show your tattoos at some point during your clinical lab. There are people in my class with tattoos (I'm one) and it hasn't seemed to be a big deal. But, then again no one has the extent of tattooing you seem to have with your sleeve.

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I've got a fairly large extent of tattoo work, and I haven't had any problems with it in the first year and a half of school. Even in OPP lab when I have to take off my shirt and all of them are visible. I would imagine my school may be a little more liberal than some other DO schools though.

I would love any advice someone can give me about keeping tattoos above the elbow hidden during surgical rotations though! I've resigned myself to wearing long sleeves otherwise.

Nate.

elftown said:

Something like this, Bones?

I've always liked the way that looks.

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The Rod of Asclepius, nice. I'll probably get a similar tattoo (or possibly the caduceus as some organizations use it as well) after my first acceptance, Lord willing. I'll get mine between my scapulae where it will be covered.

OP, you're probably resigned to long sleeves, a watch and maybe some concealer or something similar on the borders of your work. Just a thought.

elftown said:

Something like this, Bones?

I've always liked the way that looks.

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Yes something like that but a little more artsy ... Similar to this



About 50% smaller and with the D in the upper left and the O in the lower right

I'll remove all you guys tattoos at $99 a square inch for a duration of about 10 sessions 20 years down the road!!





just kidding ...

JaggerPlate said:

I'll remove all you guys tattoos at $99 a square inch for a duration of about 10 sessions 20 years down the road!!

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Wait, I thought you wanted to be a real doctor?

Lol

Physio Doc 2 Be said:

Wait, I thought you wanted to be a real doctor?

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Hahahaha.

I was told that some medical schools have a dress code for their students which includes tatoos must be covered up. Some schools go so far as to tell you that you can't wear dread locks, display any facial piercings, or have more than two earring holes per ear.

Washingtonian said:

I was told that some medical schools have a dress code for their students which includes tatoos must be covered up. Some schools go so far as to tell you that you can't wear dread locks, display any facial piercings, or have more that two earring holes per ear.

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The medical world is pretty conservative.

fracking double posts...

I think more people are getting used to tattoos - they sure are more popular now than ever. Who knows - maybe they won't even be a problem in 10 to 20 years.

"In June 2006 the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology published the results of a telephone survey which took place in 2004. It found that 36% of Americans ages 18–29, 24% of those 30-40 and 15% of those 41-51 had a tattoo.[9] In September 2006, the Pew Research Center conducted a telephone survey which found that 36% of Americans ages 18–25, 40% of those 26-40 and 10% of those 41-64 had a tattoo.[10] In January 2008, a survey conducted online by Harris Interactive estimated that 14% of all adults in the United States have a tattoo, just slightly down from 2003, when 16% had a tattoo. The highest incidence of tattoos was found among the gay, lesbian and bisexual population (25%) and people living in the West (20%). Among age groups, 9% of those ages 18–24, 32% of those 25-29, 25% of those 30-39 and 12% of those 40-49 have tattoos, as do 8% of those 50-64. Men are just slightly more likely to have a tattoo than women (15% versus 13%)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tattoo#cite_note-harris-10"

Sure, tattoos still are largely stigmatized by the professional community and by older people as being associated with criminality. But then again, if you had breasts thirty-forty years ago, medical school was an uphill battle.

Lorbis said:

Sure, tattoos still are largely stigmatized by the professional community and by older people as being associated with criminality. But then again, if you had breasts thirty-forty years ago, medical school was an uphill battle.

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I think if you played ball for now, it would be a whole new world once you start practicing. My buddy preceptored recently with a doc who showed up in cowboy boots and blue jeans (and used to have his dog follow him around while seeing patients, until the dog died). Point is that, if you go into private practice, you can do whatever and people will still like you, as long as you are a good doctor.

Siggy ... that is extremely funny.

Oh, here's a random medical tidbit about tattoos. I've heard several anesthesiologists say that they won't do an epidural on a woman that has a tattoo on the small of their back (you probably know them as a "tramp stamp" ). That can be problematic for a woman when it comes time to have a baby. I guess it's because they don't feel comfortable sticking a needle through an area with ink into the CNS area.

babdoc said:

Oh, here's a random medical tidbit about tattoos. I've heard several anesthesiologists say that they won't do an epidural on a woman that has a tattoo on the small of their back (you probably know them as a "tramp stamp" ). That can be problematic for a woman when it comes time to have a baby. I guess it's because they don't feel comfortable sticking a needle through an area with ink into the CNS area.

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Anybody with a tramp stamp would probably be anatomically and physiologically capable of passing a Volkswagen. Anesthesia, rest easy.

hooperg said:

Anybody with a tramp stamp would probably be anatomically and physiologically capable of passing a Volkswagen. Anesthesia, rest easy.

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did med school in atlanta, i don't remember many people having tats, let alone having them visible.

did residency in la, nurses and docs with tats, but no one with full sleeves.

now i'm an attending in vegas... i know an er doc with full sleeves on both arms, and he wears regular scrubs. plenty of medical personnel from ekg techs to nurses to docs here have tats. i haven't heard any of the heads of any of the departments complain, nor have i heard any patients complain.

it's probably not as big a deal as you would think.

Difference is you're talking about an attending with tats, OP is a potential medical student with tats. Attending is more permissible than student.

My best friend's older brother got the Tom Delonge forearm double band ( http://www.vanishingtattoo.com/images/tattooed3x/TomDeLonge1x4.jpg ) right out of high school and regrets it horribly. He says that he's been required to wear a long sleeve shirt for essentially every job he's ever had, and this isn't even including office jobs. He's gotten more, but only on areas that can't be seen wearing a short sleeve shirt.

Kevon said:

I have a left-handed helix down my spine. It is not colored yet, but still deciding whether I will or not. I plan on getting a caduceus tattoo on a shoulder blade and maybe a "Primum non nocere" tattoo down a forearm after graduating from med school.

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Please look into Aesclepius.

Bacchus said:

Please look into Aesclepius.

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While the 'Rod' is the actual symbol for medicine, several organizations use the caduceus as well. My own state school uses it in their seal and I feel as though I've seen a D.O. school use it in their seal as well, though I don't remember which one. *I've looked at so many schools this app cycle they are all a blur to me.* I personally am quite conflicted, I know the RoA is the 'correct' symbol but I think the caduceus would make for a cooler image, however I'd be bothered knowing I had the 'wrong' symbol permanently tattooed on my body.

I also want Primum Non Nocere tattooed above the chosen image, but then I have conflicts using a Latin phrase with a Greek symbol.

Ahh, c'est la vie. If i get accepted, it'll be a good problem to have.

Kevon said:

I have thought of getting the snake tattooed up my arm, with the idea being that my arm acts as the rod. Don't you dare steal my idea. *wink* I would definitely be thinking long and hard about having a tatoo that would be visible on my arm, I might do the leg instead if the idea goes to fruition.

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I've been planning mine between my scapulae since I realized medicine is where I need to be. Don't worry, I won't steal your idea, but if I do and we attend the same school, I'm totally telling everyone you are the copycat!

This thread needs more tat pictures!!

tkim said:

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I told Dad not to get the 'Git-R-Dun' tattoo, but he just wouldn't listen. I never should have bought him that damn Blue Collar Comedy Tour DVD for X-Mas last year.

interesting I have a "tramp stamp" and I had an epidural I do not recall seeing they can reject giving you one if you have a tramp stamp on any of the paperwork they make you sign.

babdoc said:

Oh, here's a random medical tidbit about tattoos. I've heard several anesthesiologists say that they won't do an epidural on a woman that has a tattoo on the small of their back (you probably know them as a "tramp stamp" ). That can be problematic for a woman when it comes time to have a baby. I guess it's because they don't feel comfortable sticking a needle through an area with ink into the CNS area.

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I have 4 tattoos I always made sure they are in places that when the time arises they can be hidden. The medical field is getting less conservative, but I would not want to risk it do not do the neck or face please LOL and no nazi tats LOL

JaggerPlate said:

This thread needs more tat pictures!!

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In before Mr. Ice Cool. (Would post now, but I'm in lecture...)

faith2 said:

interesting I have a "tramp stamp" and I had an epidural I do not recall seeing they can reject giving you one if you have a tramp stamp on any of the paperwork they make you sign.

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That's just one anesthesia group at the hospital I have worked at. It probably depends upon the doc.

faith2 said:

interesting I have a "tramp stamp" and I had an epidural I do not recall seeing they can reject giving you one if you have a tramp stamp on any of the paperwork they make you sign.

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To the Tramp Stamps!!

JaggerPlate said:

I told Dad not to get the 'Git-R-Dun' tattoo, but he just wouldn't listen. I never should have bought him that damn Blue Collar Comedy Tour DVD for X-Mas last year.

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local guy who managed to escape from prison for a week:

FrkyBgStok said:

I am interested in people that have or see people deal with visible tattoos in their med school, rotations, etc. I have searched and haven't found people addressing this issue, just people fighting about tattoos.

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A good number of my classmates have tattoos, myself included. Some are conspicuous, some not at all. Also, when I was doing my ER rotation, one of the attendings had tattoos on both of his shoulders. ER tends to be a lot more low key than other areas but it does show that people are becoming less uptight about body art.

My tats are inconspicuous. Occasionally, patients will see the one on my leg and in some ways in makes them more comfortable with me and will be more forthcoming with H&Ps.

The short of it is don't worry. Unless your tats are on your neck or your face, as people have joked, your sleeve tat will be hidden in the hospital by your white coat and if you're just wearing scrubs and feel uncomfortable with that, you can wear a shirt underneath. But I highly doubt anyone during pre-clinical years will give a crap. Usually we just compare and I've gotten compliments from my preceptors.

JaggerPlate said:

This thread needs more tat pictures!!

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Siggy said:

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Coo LICE.

tkim said:

Coo LICE.

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It is against SDN ToS to post revealing personal information about other posters. I think JaggerPlate would like it if you would quit reposting his pictures.

Physio Doc 2 Be said:

It is against SDN ToS to post revealing personal information about other posters. I think JaggerPlate would like it if you would quit reposting his pictures.

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Ugh I know. That's the last time I trust someone who tells me the pictures are for 'medical purposes only.'