discrete tattoo?

Started by guppy3
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guppy3

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I want to get a small tattoo, but I'm worried that it will prevent me from getting into medical school or from being respected while I'm practicing.

Has anyone had an attending say anything about your tattoo? I want to work in pedes, either oncology or psychiatry--would this be an issue? Suggestions on locations that are easily hidden? I was thinking my ankle but I only wear skirts when I dress for business.

Thanks!
 
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You certainly won't have a problem if it is covered by professional dress. I know both men and women with tattoos, and I haven't heard of them having any problems. There are some patients out there who might think negatively of visible tattoo, especially on a woman, but again as long as it is in a hidden area it is a non-issue.

I think if you do a search you will likely find an extensive discussion of the subject.
 
I'm actually more concerned about going into pediatrics with a tattoo. It's not obscene, it's actually about my dedication to working with children. But, I would hate for a tattoo to stop me from going into the field I want (psychiatry or oncology)
 
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A visible tattoo will likely never be of benefit to you. It could be disadvantageous. Get it somewhere that is not exposed when you are wearing clothes.
 
guppy3 said:
I want to get a small tattoo, but I'm worried that it will prevent me from getting into medical school or from being respected while I'm practicing. I'm planning on getting a mom elephant with a baby holding onto its tail.

Has anyone had an attending say anything about your tattoo? I want to work in pedes, either oncology or psychiatry--would this be an issue? Suggestions on locations that are easily hidden? I was thinking my ankle but I only wear skirts when I dress for business.

Thanks!
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Get anything which can easily be covered by shoes or clothing and then your fine.
 
Do you plan on showing kids your tramp stamp? Where would this thing go that you'd worry about it not being covered up by professional dress?

Peds is probably more accepting than fields with older adults really. The most negative attitudes towards tattoos tend to be from the older generations.
 
Lots of people in my med school class had tats, but the key is that they picked places that were easy to hide. Think not just about how you normally dress but also about how you'll have to dress for some of the rotations. In other words, don't get it anywhere that it will be visible if you're wearing scrubs. You'll certainly wear scrubs during your surgery, EM, and ob/gyn rotations. Lots of people wear scrubs on call as well. Most people probably won't care, but you don't want to get on the bad side of an attending who may be the one person who thinks of people with tattoos as criminals or whatever.

I know of a child psychiatrist who has a small tattoo on her finger, but she's an attending. Attendings can get away with a lot more than students and residents can. I even know an attending who has unnaturally colored hair, which I'd never dare to do as a resident. 🙂
 
People are pretty judgmental, and tattoos don't exactly scream trusted professional. Be very careful about what you get and where you get it. I have seen tattoos that are beautiful art, but a lot of them you look at and just shake your head and wonder why. Good location candidates would be anywhere on your back or shoulders, upper legs, buttock.
 
peppy said:
Lots of people in my med school class had tats, but the key is that they picked places that were easy to hide. Think not just about how you normally dress but also about how you'll have to dress for some of the rotations. In other words, don't get it anywhere that it will be visible if you're wearing scrubs. You'll certainly wear scrubs during your surgery, EM, and ob/gyn rotations. Lots of people wear scrubs on call as well. Most people probably won't care, but you don't want to get on the bad side of an attending who may be the one person who thinks of people with tattoos as criminals or whatever.

I know of a child psychiatrist who has a small tattoo on her finger, but she's an attending. Attendings can get away with a lot more than students and residents can. I even know an attending who has unnaturally colored hair, which I'd never dare to do as a resident. 🙂
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Do you know if you are allowed to wear long sleeve scrubs on all rotations. Or is that absolutely incompatible with surgery as I assume it would be? I have a tattoo that comes down just below my elbow.

I could easily hide it if I were wearing long sleeves which I then rolled or pushed up my forearm.
 
chet said:
Do you know if you are allowed to wear long sleeve scrubs on all rotations. Or is that absolutely incompatible with surgery as I assume it would be? I have a tattoo that comes down just below my elbow.

I could easily hide it if I were wearing long sleeves which I then rolled or pushed up my forearm.
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You cannot wear long sleeve scrubs in OR rotations. Germs love to hide in clothing and you will be scrubbing up to above your elbows. And anything where you will be doing bandage changes or other things that might get messy (ER rotations, etc) will make short sleeves more important. Honestly long sleeve scrubs are more popular on TV (Grey's Anatomy) than in real life because of the infection risks.

If you already have a tattoo, don't worry -- there isn't much you can do. But if you haven't gotten one yet, get one on a part of anatomy that remains covered by short sleeve scrubs. There are plenty of other ways to express yourself that won't have career implications. I've seen plenty of folks in multiple professions who missed out on nice jobs because they had to have that dragon claw running up their neck...
 
I have a full sleeve on my right arm that I got in my early twenties (now 29 and start MS1 in Aug). It is dark and is a pic of a demon (I was in a metal band). Since then, I have grown up and although it is a reminder of how my life used to be and what I have accomplished in changing my life for the better, I regret that it will be visible in short sleeves. I have people constantly ask what it is and the only thing I can respond with is that I got it when I was young and stupid and it means something different to me now than it did then.

My point: DO NOT risk getting a visible tattoo. You will most likely regret it later. I know that I will have to work extra hard to get people to trust me b/c of mine and will have to explain it often. If you are going to get a tat, get it somewhere that is not visible in scrubs.
 
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guppy3 said:
I want to get a small tattoo, but I'm worried that it will prevent me from getting into medical school or from being respected while I'm practicing. I'm planning on getting a mom elephant with a baby holding onto its tail.

Has anyone had an attending say anything about your tattoo? I want to work in pedes, either oncology or psychiatry--would this be an issue? Suggestions on locations that are easily hidden? I was thinking my ankle but I only wear skirts when I dress for business.

Thanks!
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Get the tattoo as a gift to yourself when you graduate from medical school. You will have had ample time to consider the pros and cons, you won't have to worry about it during admissions (and residency interviews later on), and you will be much more aware of good and bad bodily locations for it.

Should you change your mind in the meantime and decide that having ink semi-permanently injected into your dermis isn't going to contribute to your long term fulfillment, you just saved yourself some regret and laser treatments.
 
RFHawks said:
I have a full sleeve on my right arm that I got in my early twenties (now 29 and start MS1 in Aug). It is dark and is a pic of a demon (I was in a metal band). Since then, I have grown up and although it is a reminder of how my life used to be and what I have accomplished in changing my life for the better, I regret that it will be visible in short sleeves. I have people constantly ask what it is and the only thing I can respond with is that I got it when I was young and stupid and it means something different to me now than it did then.

My point: DO NOT risk getting a visible tattoo. You will most likely regret it later. I know that I will have to work extra hard to get people to trust me b/c of mine and will have to explain it often. If you are going to get a tat, get it somewhere that is not visible in scrubs.
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Man I got it worse. I have BOTH arms tattooed and Im a minority..(not a good mix due to stereotypes) Im in the process of getting them lazered off and it hurts like holy hell and cost $300 per visit.🙁 But it is fading thank god and should be gone by this August. I have had about 5 visits so far and gota hide it everyday at work.. Man its tough.
 
I am passionate about tattoos. I finished my half sleeve as a present for myself since I got into medical school.

I shouldn't have to sacrifice anything because of a career. Also, if this tattoo is my biggest regret at the end of my life...then I would say I did a decent job.
 
SeizeFate said:
I am passionate about tattoos. I finished my half sleeve as a present for myself since I got into medical school.

I shouldn't have to sacrifice anything because of a career. Also, if this tattoo is my biggest regret at the end of my life...then I would say I did a decent job.
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I've always wanted a full sleeve. Damn this profession..!
 
I love my sleeve. With any luck (and money) I will get the other sleeve done by the time I start med school. Oh well. I am a realist so I may graduate #1 in my class and never be able to match into certain specialties. It isn't the end of the world, and I am going to dictate my career and actions. At least that is my hope.
 
SeizeFate said:
I am passionate about tattoos. I finished my half sleeve as a present for myself since I got into medical school.

I shouldn't have to sacrifice anything because of a career. Also, if this tattoo is my biggest regret at the end of my life...then I would say I did a decent job.
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The real world doesn't give a **** about your passion. I'm a non-trad and I too have seen people not hired or not get the respect because of things like tattoo, piercings, or weird hair style/coloring.

Welcome to the professional world. If you want to do anything outside the hipster universe, you'll have to play by the rules. Doubly so if you go into one of the conservative professions, like medicine or law.
 
gucci-ice-cream-tattoo1.jpg


You should get a Gucci Mane, who doesn't respect icecream?
 
Lokhtar said:
The real world doesn't give a **** about your passion. I'm a non-trad and I too have seen people not hired or not get the respect because of things like tattoo, piercings, or weird hair style/coloring.

Welcome to the professional world. If you want to do anything outside the hipster universe, you'll have to play by the rules. Doubly so if you go into one of the conservative professions, like medicine or law.
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You could always open up your own practice or join a specialty more catered to young folks. Most people my age don't care about tattoos or piercings, and I think that is going to be a trend.
 
Negrodamus said:
You could always open up your own practice or join a specialty more catered to young folks. Most people my age don't care about tattoos or piercings, and I think that is going to be a trend.
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Wayne Brady makes Bryan Gumbel look like Malcolm X.
 
Negrodamus said:
You could always open up your own practice or join a specialty more catered to young folks. Most people my age don't care about tattoos or piercings, and I think that is going to be a trend.
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This field already exists, it's called prison medicine.
 
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i've always wanted a sleeve... i think i might eventually work my way to one aslong as u can cover it up i think its perfectly fine. GO FOR IT get that baby elephant u always dreamed of!
 
RFHawks said:
I have a full sleeve on my right arm that I got in my early twenties (now 29 and start MS1 in Aug). It is dark and is a pic of a demon (I was in a metal band). Since then, I have grown up and although it is a reminder of how my life used to be and what I have accomplished in changing my life for the better, I regret that it will be visible in short sleeves. I have people constantly ask what it is and the only thing I can respond with is that I got it when I was young and stupid and it means something different to me now than it did then.

My point: DO NOT risk getting a visible tattoo. You will most likely regret it later. I know that I will have to work extra hard to get people to trust me b/c of mine and will have to explain it often. If you are going to get a tat, get it somewhere that is not visible in scrubs.
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cant u wear some sort of long sleeve shirt under to cover it up?
 
Parts Unknown said:
This field already exists, it's called prison medicine.
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LOL. To each his own, but I personally do not think that an "artistic" tattoo would ever be worth it for one going in to the medical field. I have a bit more understanding for tatoos with significance to ones life (like my "mom" tattoo on my shoulder....jk), but even then it probably isn't worth it. It may be cool, but the older generation, your superiors, will likely always look down on it. Just the sad reality. But again, Suum Cuique
 
MB333999 said:
cant u wear some sort of long sleeve shirt under to cover it up?
Click to expand...

In my hospital experience (shadowing, volunteering) I wear long sleeves whenever possible, even under scrubs if there are no objections. However, long sleeves are not always an option and in these circumstances I have had to explain my tattoo. I try to put a positive spin on it (got it when I was young and wild) and make some kind of joke about maturity/growing up. I'm not that bummed about it really. I was in a metal band and a wild man in my early twenties; this is part of my journey and that period has taught me many valuable lessons.

Some senior physicians didn't care at all. Some did but didn't say anything.
 
Iapyx said:
LOL. To each his own, but I personally do not think that an "artistic" tattoo would ever be worth it for one going in to the medical field. I have a bit more understanding for tatoos with significance to ones life (like my "mom" tattoo on my shoulder....jk), but even then it probably isn't worth it.
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This sort of raises an interesting point, as I have always seen the appeal of tattoos as being subversive expressions of individuality. A lot of folks point out that tattoos are becoming more common and accepted, which is true, but that would seem to negate a lot of their allure. It's difficult to pull off that twinge of nonconformity if everyone is doing it the same way. Hell, if you're in a metal band these days you may stand out more if you don't have ink.

You may be too young to remember, but when Madonna got her bellybutton pierced there was a huge collective groan from thousands of alterna-chicks nationwide, who quickly removed their own navel rings in solemn accord.

Would a good serial killer get tattoos? Probably not - no benefit to having identifying marks.
 
guppy3 said:
I want to get a small tattoo, but I'm worried that it will prevent me from getting into medical school or from being respected while I'm practicing. I'm planning on getting a mom elephant with a baby holding onto its tail.

Has anyone had an attending say anything about your tattoo? I want to work in pedes, either oncology or psychiatry--would this be an issue? Suggestions on locations that are easily hidden? I was thinking my ankle but I only wear skirts when I dress for business.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

As echoed above, as long as your tattoo's are covered it doesn't hurt you at all. A surgeon I shadow pretty much has a half sleeve on his right arm and no one has mentioned anything to him. Personally, I have 6 tattoo's, all covered with a short sleeve shirt. Unless I were to take my shirt off, no one would ever know I had any. This allows me to get a tattoo if I want, and also look professional when I need to be. You can have your cake and eat it too in this case. <<<<<< =bad cliche😳
 
if you are really nervous about it you could always go for piercings! I have eleven 🙂 You can always change your mind and let the holes close or take them out during work hours or for interviews.
 
Thanks for all the replies! Seems like getting my elephants on my wrist isn't going to happen 🙁 I'll probably settle with getting one on my foot. I would hate it if my tattoo would stop me from doing what I want with my life, especially since it's symbolizing pediatrics for me.

What are the types of comments people get about their tattoos while in medical school and/or residency?
 
As, I've said before... My name is Devan O'Donaldson, so I decided to get the words "DO for Life" tattooed on my arm. Unfortunately there are not many DO's in my area, mainly older MD's who are set in their ways. However, I usually don't have to wear a DO identification badge, which is really convenient. I also think it helped me get into an osteopathic school( My interviewer loved it).
 
haha. This is what I'm getting the day I get into medical school, its also going to be how I tell everyone their loved one has moved on.

3404330693_d33b66c742.jpg
 
Lokhtar said:
The real world doesn't give a **** about your passion. I'm a non-trad and I too have seen people not hired or not get the respect because of things like tattoo, piercings, or weird hair style/coloring.

Welcome to the professional world. If you want to do anything outside the hipster universe, you'll have to play by the rules. Doubly so if you go into one of the conservative professions, like medicine or law.
Click to expand...
👍👍👍👍 Dam man you hit that right on the nose. lol You can have all the passion and self creativity all you want but the professional world dont give a ****. I realized this and accept it.
 
As an electrical/computer engineer, I elected to get this on the back of my right ankle 😉

Always hidden in professional situations, and it's gotten me mad props from other engineers/physics folk when I'm out and about in sandals or something. I thought about doing a CMOS inverter on my arm, but that's a little too exposed for my taste.
 
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Im glad this thread was revitalized. I have a similar question. I really want to get my eyebrow pierced. Obviously if I did I would just take it out as needed. But my question is, how obvious is it that someone has the piercing when it is out? Can you see the holes easily? I don't know anyone who has one.
 
Goblue89 said:
Im glad this thread was revitalized. I have a similar question. I really want to get my eyebrow pierced. Obviously if I did I would just take it out as needed. But my question is, how obvious is it that someone has the piercing when it is out? Can you see the holes easily? I don't know anyone who has one.
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It won't be obvious, especially for an eyebrow piercing. If you take it out there will be a slight hole, but no one would be able to tell. Only someone who has had their own piercing done, or knows a lot about piercings would pick up on something like that.

If you really want it done then go for it. You just can't take it out for a couple weeks after you have it done, so make sure you don't have interviews or something professionally important. Needs time to heal over or else your hole will close up when you remove it.
 
So is a "discrete" tattoo one that is distinguishable from all the others? (grammer for teh winz)

Also, I've been thinking about getting this plastered on my back right below " STRAIGHT THUGGIN' " in big Gothic letters:
Mr-Bean-mr--bean-166155_598_328.jpg
 
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