From Tattoo Artist to Doctor

[Thomas91]

The question is about perception. What is the real outlook of obstacles throughout a career in medicine with a history of being a tattoo artist. Professors, college admissions, hospitals, and colegues that so much as google my name are presented with half my portfolio. There is no hiding this past, so what happens when it does comes up?

I ran a clean shop after my apprenticeship and it's all I've done since high school (4 years). I started studying for a B.S. Biology this spring and have a strong 4.0 start. I work as a personal trainer at the college gym (ACSM certified) and I don't currently market or offer tattooing.

The photo is a peice I did on my own leg, the ink is 2 years old.

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[deleted480308]

I don't think you'll have too much trouble from most people if you can hide your tats in a suit.....

 

[QofQuimica]

Yeah, hopefully you don't have tattoos on your face, neck, or hands. If you don't, you should be fine. There's nothing illegal or immoral about operating a tattoo parlor or having a tattoo on your leg. There are plenty of physicians who have tattoos they can cover up while at work, so you certainly wouldn't be alone. However, if you do have face/neck/hand tattoos, that's likely going to be a problem, and you should consider having them removed if you're serious about going to med school.

BTW, what the heck is that thing in the picture?

 

[deleted480308]

Yeah, hopefully you don't have tattoos on your face, neck, or hands. If you don't, you should be fine. There's nothing illegal or immoral about operating a tattoo parlor or having a tattoo on your leg. There are plenty of physicians who have tattoos they can cover up while at work, so you certainly wouldn't be alone. However, if you do have face/neck/hand tattoos, that's likely going to be a problem, and you should consider having them removed if you're serious about going to med school.

BTW, what the heck is that thing in the picture?

knife stabbing picture?

 

[QofQuimica]

knife stabbing picture?

Hmm, I think you're right. Well, fortunately that's one he could easily cover up. 😉

 

[FutureDrB]

@Thomas91

http://doctoraveronica.blogspot.com/2014/01/can-doctors-have-tattoos.html

http://thedo.osteopathic.org/2012/02/is-the-world-ready-for-tattooed-pierced-physicians/

 

[Thomas91]

Just to be clear, I'm not worried about the tattoos I have. My question is about my work history.

How often does that come up?
Would other physicians and professionals look down upon this when they find out?

It's not something I would put on a resume, but it's not something I can hide from my past either.

 

[Goro]

That's an interesting career path! Will definitely make for some interesting interview questions.. As long as you show me that you can handle medical school, and want to be around sick people for the next 30-40 years, know what you're getting into, and understand what a doctor's day is like, and are not a babbling idiot, I'll accept you!

So send an app to my school, somewhere west of the Missouri River.

The question is about perception. What is the real outlook of obstacles throughout a career in medicine with a history of being a tattoo artist. Professors, college admissions, hospitals, and colegues that so much as google my name are presented with half my portfolio. There is no hiding this past, so what happens when it does comes up?

I ran a clean shop after my apprenticeship and it's all I've done since high school (4 years). I started studying for a B.S. Biology this spring and have a strong 4.0 start. I work as a personal trainer at the college gym (ACSM certified) and I don't currently market or offer tattooing.

The photo is a peice I did on my own leg, the ink is 2 years old.View attachment 184904

 

[QofQuimica]

Just to be clear, I'm not worried about the tattoos I have. My question is about my work history.

How often does that come up?
Would other physicians and professionals look down upon this when they find out?

It's not something I would put on a resume, but it's not something I can hide from my past either.

I already said it's not an issue to own a tattoo parlor.

 

[ridethecliche]

Total aside, but did you see the post on the guy that tattoos nipples for women that have had mastectomy's?

http://www.upworthy.com/meet-a-tattoo-artist-who-does-for-women-what-a-surgeon-cant?g=2&c=ufb3

 

[Thomas91]

I already said it's not an issue to own a tattoo parlor.

Not legally. But opinions cloud peoples judgement everyday. Do you think other physicians opinion of me would not be affected by this at all? Especially the the older generations.

 

[Thomas91]

Say I were to continue to tattoo professionally throughout my time in undergraduate school, and even during med school. Is there a negative view on that?

 

[QofQuimica]

Dude, it's not like you owned an adult bookstore, a hookah bar, or an abortion clinic where large numbers of people might have some moral qualms about your former career. Yes, if you have any indecent pics in your online portfolio, you might want to take those down. Otherwise, and I'm speaking as someone coming from the South, I can't think of why anyone would care. There are plenty of docs who have tattoos. Most of them patronized a tattoo artist to get those tattoos, because most people with the prison type of do-it-yourself tattoos aren't now physicians. Is being a tattoo artist an unusual background for a premed? Sure. But it's not something that is going to raise anyone's concerns about your character or morality.

You should not count on being able to hold a job of any kind during med school, much less run a business. During college? Go for it. Work as much as you're able and sock some serious cash away if you can.

 

[Law2Doc]

knife stabbing picture?

Yeah, assuming you dont have tattoos on places that can't be covered with scrubs, I think the biggest problem you will have is if they actually get interested and ask to see an example of your work and this is the best you've got. Few if us could tell what it was, and the theme once known is disturbing. Nobody wants a Doctor with a poorly drawn knife stabbing his leg. (I initially thought it was some sort of a leech with a shovel...) maybe you could find a good cover up guy who could use all the red and turn it into a bleeding heart or something more benign.

 

[pizza1994]

What about a tattoo on the upper arm? Is that fine? I have a huge quote there

 

[Thomas91]

Yeah, assuming you dont have tattoos on places that can't be covered with scrubs, I think the biggest problem you will have is if they actually get interested and ask to see an example of your work and this is the best you've got. Few if us could tell what it was, and the theme once known is disturbing. Nobody wants a Doctor with a poorly drawn knife stabbing his leg. (I initially thought it was some sort of a leech with a shovel...) maybe you could find a good cover up guy who could use all the red and turn it into a bleeding heart or something more benign.

I agree that quality work is important, and I may be off topic, though I would have to defend the knife tattoo. Photos can be deceiving and this is the case here. Viewed larger and rotated clockwise this pic works, but the tattoo works at any angle in life up to 10 feet away. The shadows and proportions give it depth and the old wood texture isn't that bad.
I would have to dig to find the proper photo of that ink, so in my defense I will post one more tattoo from my portfolio. If you don't recognize him, I am sorry, and you should google Mario.

 

[QofQuimica]

The content of the first tattoo doesn't bother me per se. I think I'm just having a hard time wrapping my mind around a hairy knife with hairy blood and a hairy shadow, Thomas. I like the other one much better.

 

[wholeheartedly]

Yoshi!!


Ah, memory lane.

Seriously though, I don't see your career as an issue.

 

[Law2Doc]

What about a tattoo on the upper arm? Is that fine? I have a huge quote there

If it's already there don't worry about it -- it's there. If you are contemplating one and plan to go into medicine, get it someplace that can be covered by scrubs.