Tattoos and Doctors?

Discover Your Odds of Getting into Medical School
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akwizeguy said:
i didnt realize i was required to have the same view as the group's view on tattoos
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Generally I only ask for a reasonable view, but that's quite a request around here. 🙄

I'm not planning on spending much time shirtless/pantless/naked in front of patients, so I'm just a little confused about how my tattoos would factor into their decision to make me their doctor when they'd have no clue that I have them.
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Won't your arm be covered anyway as a physician? The majority of the time?
 
Cerena said:
Won't your arm be covered anyway as a physician? The majority of the time?
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No. Scrubs are short-sleeved sweetheart, and men often roll up shirt-sleeves when in clinic to do physical exams. Women often wear short-sleeved tops.
 
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rhvl2.jpg


worked for him...
 
RomanCandle said:
rhvl2.jpg


worked for him...
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But look what hapenned to him. His own lack of acceptance of himself + daddy issues pulled a whole plane full of people into purgatory.
(PS. his tat is probaby just above scrub-top length. Certainly covered if he wore short sleeves underneath, and obviously not a forearm tat.
 
Don't get one that is visible. As several people have already commented, there are many very conservative physicians in the field. I know personally of one doc who refuses to hire qualified individuals with tattoos because he feels they are unprofessional ("it is unacceptable to have visible tattoos when you are interacting with the general public... blah blah blah"). You may never be told that your tattoos are preventing your advancement, but unfortunately they can still negatively impact your career if they are visible.
 
I know a girl with a visible tattoo whose been accepted into medical school..it's on her wrist.
 
iqe2010 said:
I know a girl with a visible tattoo whose been accepted into medical school..it's on her wrist.
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I have a tattoo on my face.

People are more accepting than you'd think, but if you're worried about what people--fellow physicians, nurses, patients, etc.--will think of you for having a visible tattoo then DON'T get one.
 
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tlaloc87 said:
I have a tattoo on my face.

People are more accepting than you'd think, but if you're worried about what people--fellow physicians, nurses, patients, etc.--will think of you for having a visible tattoo then DON'T get one.
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Truth.

If you feel that strongly about a tattoo, then get one. But don't complain if you get some backlash (if you even do).

If you don't feel that strongly about a tattoo or don't want to take a risk, then don't get one (or get a well-hidden one).

Whether people should be accepting of tattoos or not is irrelevant.
 
iqe2010 said:
I know a girl with a visible tattoo whose been accepted into medical school..it's on her wrist.
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Get thee to an evidence based medicine course. Or maybe an intro stats class.
 
tlaloc87 said:
I have a tattoo on my face.

People are more accepting than you'd think, but if you're worried about what people--fellow physicians, nurses, patients, etc.--will think of you for having a visible tattoo then DON'T get one.
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Details! What is it (I can only picture mike tyson right now for some reason LOL)? Did you think any of your interviewers were negatively influenced by it?
 
tlaloc87 said:
I have a tattoo on my face.

People are more accepting than you'd think, but if you're worried about what people--fellow physicians, nurses, patients, etc.--will think of you for having a visible tattoo then DON'T get one.
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Does it say "POOR IMPULSE CONTROL" in capital block letters?





Cool points for whoever gets the reference
 
Besides Tattoos I think my gauge might be a problem too. Right now they're only 14 but in time I might advance to 8g.

Plus, this summer when I return to my country I wanna get Buddhist Incantation on my forearm for good luck etc.
 
Darwinism said:
possibly a dumb question, but Who is that?
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Dr. Jack Shephard, from LOST. The island's doctor/hero archetype.

HumbleMD said:
But look what hapenned to him. His own lack of acceptance of himself + daddy issues pulled a whole plane full of people into purgatory.
(PS. his tat is probaby just above scrub-top length. Certainly covered if he wore short sleeves underneath, and obviously not a forearm tat.
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And Humble, the island wasn't purgatory, and Jack wasn't the reason they crashed. Didn't you watch the series finale? THE ISLAND WAS REAL 🙂
 
rmaximus said:
Hey guys!

Alright so I know there are a few other threads about this topic but I have a pretty specific question that I wanted others' input on (just for kicks). I have been thinking for a while now about getting a tattoo on my forearm, all the way up the forearm. Now, before you all freak out and say IT'S VISIBLE THAT'S A TERRIBLE IDEA.. the tattoo would just be the word 'survivor'. I had cancer two years ago (I'm a sophomore now in college) and that's what the tat would be about- me surviving cancer. Added to this is the fact that the reason I want to be a doctor is because of my whole cancer year and everything that happened.

So, what do you all think? Is it a bad idea regardless or is it maybe not as bad as getting some Japanese symbol or other typical tat?
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Just make it a gift to yourself for getting into medical school. And if the appeal should wear off in the meantime, all the better.
 
tlaloc87 said:
I have a tattoo on my face.

People are more accepting than you'd think, but if you're worried about what people--fellow physicians, nurses, patients, etc.--will think of you for having a visible tattoo then DON'T get one.
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It is to your benefit to address and consider what others think. It works out fine in some areas of life to not give a damn, but your career and interactions with other professionals is one area where it very much does matter what others think of you.

Never give anyone a reason, no matter how trivial, to not like you. Being remembered for your appearance is usually not a good thing in medicine. I've heard more than a couple of people rip on students for lesser things than tattoos. You can tell yourself, "I don't care what others think!" but the sad fact is that your grades, especially during the clinical years, can be affected by what others think.
 
toff4l said:
When I see a tattoo, I see poor judgement or someone who is not thinking about the future because tattoos never look good when your skin starts to sag.
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If your skin is sagging, nothing looks good...
 
i have many tattoos, mostly on my torso though i have a sort of half-sleeve thing going on that ends at my elbow. I usually cover it up with a rolled up long sleeve shirt of some sort, I can wear that under short sleeve scrubs right?

Anyhoo I think our generation and subsequent generations are becoming much more accepting of tattoos. I've noticed that after a person gets to know me, and then I show them my tattoos, they think it's the coolest thing ever and that they fit me very well. I don't think I've had one negative reaction to my tattoos except at the beach or something in front of strangers.
 
I have tattoos on my feet that are very visible. I have found that most people are more interested in the story behind them rather than in judging me on having them. But knowing that judgmental people do exist I covered them with makeup for interviews and plan on wearing shoes that cover them whenever I have to interact in a professional setting. It sucks but in the end I got the tattoos for me not anyone else so it doesn't really bother me to cover them up.
 
I have a wrist tattoo. For interview purposes, I'm wearing long sleeves. But I also think that the acceptability of tattoos depends on location almost more than anything else, and I don't mean their location on your skin but your geographic location for going to med school. West Coast culture is way more relaxed than East Coast culture about a lot of things.

In the event that one has a tat and is feeling super paranoid about whether it will play peekaboo from under clothing, there's always this:
http://www.dermablend.com/index.aspx

It's what they use in da movies, and given high marks by exotic dancers with scars. Don't ask me how I know this. 😀
 
imo Just don't get anything outlandish as it will seem immature. Tat's have suc ha bad connotation for such dumb reasons. I myself am not a tattoo fan, as I hate to have my skin all inked up with that nasty stuff, but I do respect the opinion of others and I don't criticize. So do whatever you want, just think before you get it, especially when getting it in the lower or or on your neck or face.
 
Parts Unknown said:
Just make it a gift to yourself for getting into medical school. And if the appeal should wear off in the meantime, all the better.
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I want to get another tat as a gift to myself for getting into med school--if/when I'm accepted. 🙂

brandonh4 said:
If your skin is sagging, nothing looks good...
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Well, saggy tattoo skin probably won't look that much worse than saggy non-tattoo skin.



I have a gecko tattooed on my shoulder. I got it when I was 19--wanted it for a long time. I've never regretted it! I want another one (cherry blossom on my outer thigh above the knee) but I'm content to wait a while until I get it. It's worth the time I spend to make sure I really do want it. I wish I could get a wrist tattoo, but I think that will probably wait until I'm an attending with a secure job.
 
BushidoBrown said:
Does it say "POOR IMPULSE CONTROL" in capital block letters?





Cool points for whoever gets the reference
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One of the few books I still reread on occasion. His other stuff is pretty phenomenal too, though quite a bit more complex. Not sure if it's his most recent, but the last I read was 'Anathem.' Far more demanding than any of his previous work, but I thought it was time very well spent.
 
JKinSC said:
One of the few books I still reread on occasion. His other stuff is pretty phenomenal too, though quite a bit more complex. Not sure if it's his most recent, but the last I read was 'Anathem.' Far more demanding than any of his previous work, but I thought it was time very well spent.
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Ditto; I read The Diamond Age recently and it was pretty baller 👍

Anathem is pretty heavy, especially when he goes into the philosophical interludes, but he does an amazing job at world-building; the writing style of that book reminds me of Ursula K. Le Guin's old stuff.
 
I generally think tattoos look trashy but your idea is simple enough and obvs has a lot of meaning behind it. Personally I think it would be fine; patients may even really enjoy hearing the story behind it/knowing that doctor are real people too.

Also, I met a researcher from Harvard that had full sleeves on both arms, and it only added to his intrigue. However, he was only a PhD, not an MD :laugh:
 
I'm getting my first tattoo next month right before I start med school... on my scapula, though, so it'll always be covered in professional clothes/scrubs/white coat attire. it basically symbolizes most of the reason why I'm going into medicine... my gift to myself 🙂
 
lisi326 said:
I'm getting my first tattoo next month right before I start med school... on my scapula, though, so it'll always be covered in professional clothes/scrubs/white coat attire. it basically symbolizes most of the reason why I'm going into medicine... my gift to myself 🙂
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Good luck with that. I am almost furnished with a half back piece (my med school acceptance gift to myself) and going over the scapula hurt. It is a great place for a tattoo, just be ready for some discomfort.
 
avion321 said:
Good luck with that. I am almost furnished with a half back piece (my med school acceptance gift to myself) and going over the scapula hurt. It is a great place for a tattoo, just be ready for some discomfort.
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thanks for the warning 🙂 I had back surgery when I was 18, so my pain tolerance is pretty awesome. and it's gonna be a pretty small one anyways
 
I am covered in tattoos from right wrist to pec. I do not feel this interfered with me getting a residency or my interactions with patients. Having long sleeves or a white coat help cover up when necessary.

The only problem I see with it is that some people will not like it, and hence not like you. But really, if someone's goal is to make everyone like them they WILL be disappointed.
 
I have my version of the tree of life on my left forearm. The trunk spirals into a DNA helix. It serves to remind me of my undying love for biology and why I study what I study. I've known doctors with tattoos and I never thought them to be unprofessional. A lot of it has to do with your attitude and personality. True, some conservative doctors above you may not agree with your decisions and will write you off immediately. I think SURVIVOR is a great tattoo idea and might help your patients relate to you. Too often are doctors hard to relate to from a patient's POV, so good on you for being a real person, not just a white coat.
 
I disagree with many peoples' outlook on tattoos. One of my child's pediatricians has tasteful tattoos all over his arms. We enjoy the care he's provided to our son greatly, and never thought twice about him because of his tattoos.

I have two - a half sleeve on my upper left arm, and one on my forearm, 50% of the way down my arm. I don't expect anyone to give me a serious problem about it. I never have. I usually get many compliments from the elderly, and I live in a community with many retired folks. It's all about how you present yourself in other ways. A person with tattoos can appear and act professionally. Plus, I've seen some very unprofessional physicians without tattoos.

Obviously a line should be drawn somewhere on appearance, such as being groomed, and not having crazy rings all over (mostly because of health protocol and possibly accidents with catching). It's the fallacy of the beard. How much is too much? How far is too far? And even if we determined that tattoos should and are a big no-no in the professional arena, should we then not forgive those who made 'mistakes' in their past, and could potentially bring about huge benefits to the field in which they're seeking?

We may very well be surprised to gain knowledge of some individuals who have things in their past that would have made us disregard them professionally, while they really are brilliant. I've had patients describe me as being one of the most caring individuals in the facility I used to work for, before they say my tattoos. After they saw them, they were surprised, and acted no differently toward me.


If anyone is really that concerned, there's always water-proof makeup and your lab coat that can cover things up.
 
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I don't think its a good idea, even given your reason. If you must have it why not compromise and put it on your back or something
 
i have 2 tattoos, one on my back and one on my leg. chose these locations specifically so they are easy to cover up
 
I don't understand tattoo prejudice.
 
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Temerit said:
I don't understand tattoo prejudice.
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Prior to the early 1990's tattoos were pretty much limited to bikers, prisoners, sociopaths, and pirates. Seemingly overnight they came into vogue. Everyone and their dog ran out an got inked up. Right on cue we are seeing an amazing proliferation of tattoo removal services.

Hence, I suspect the people who have tattoo prejudice can fall into one or more of the following categories:
1. Those who are old fashioned, who still associate tattoos primarily with bikers, prisoners, sociopaths, and pirates.
2. Those who think they are lame because half the country under age 40 has them.
3. Those who see them as an indicator of shortsighted thinking.
 
Why don't you wear a snapback to your interview as well?
 
Gut Shot said:
Prior to the early 1990's tattoos were pretty much limited to bikers, prisoners, sociopaths, and pirates. Seemingly overnight they came into vogue. Everyone and their dog ran out an got inked up. Right on cue we are seeing an amazing proliferation of tattoo removal services.

Hence, I suspect the people who have tattoo prejudice can fall into one or more of the following categories:
1. Those who are old fashioned, who still associate tattoos primarily with bikers, prisoners, sociopaths, and pirates.
2. Those who think they are lame because half the country under age 40 has them.
3. Those who see them as an indicator of shortsighted thinking.
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more like late 70's and early 80's when hard rock came onto the scene big time

I can understand your first two points, but number 3 makes zero sense. Just about anything you do that isn't for a long term benefit can be seen as an indicator of shortsighted thinking.

I would consider marriage is a great indicator of shortsighted thinking because the consequences can be HUGE if you regret doing it later in life, but for some reason it is universally accepted.

If you want a tattoo, get one and don't care about what anyone thinks. Society will judge you if you have one or not so why live life worrying about what others are saying?
 
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