Where do you hide tattoos?

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ccrone

ccrone

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Do you have tattoos? If so, where/how do you hide/disguise them for interviews? I get the double whammy: my husband is not a fan of body art, so I have to put them in locations that he'll find less ostentatious.

I have one tattoo on the back of my neck (so it's covered by my hair, unless I'm wearing my hair up), and I'm longing to get one on the arch/instep of my left foot (could hide in my shoe). I'm thinking about getting something on my left wrist, that could be concealed by a watch or bracelet.

How about you guys? Are you inked? What/where? Do you worry about an interviewer seeing your ink at an interview?
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I believe there is special make-up that completely conceals tattoos, not sure how expensive that is, but it might be something to look into rather than worrying if your clothes/accessories are covering them.
 
I don't have any tattoos and don't plan on getting one. However, I refuse to make decisions based on what other people might think; a medical school interview isn't enough to make me do or not do something...I'm getting a suit, and that's enough 😛 ... so, kudos to you for doing what YOU want 🙂

BTW, a left wrist tattoo is probably going to be pretty visible, even with a watch/bracelet, and there are probably going to be days where you can't wear either. There's also the risk of your watch/bracelet shifting and exposing your tattoo.
 
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I remember a girl on the interview trail who had a MASSIVE tattoo covering her entire calf. For some reason, instead of wearing pants, she decided to wear a skirt and try to cover the tattoo with a bunch of bandages.
 
For special events, talk to prom specialists. There are special concealers and bandages designed to hide tattoos.

I would be hesitant to get a tattoo on my instep b/c I don't think it would hold up well. Probably pretty darn painful too!

Back of neck is bad if you're somewhere you're not supposed to have tattoos. Unless you have super thick curly hair, it's going to shift and people will glimpse it.

The wrist is okay if you just want something small. My friend got a chinese character that he put a band-aid over, and then a large watch over the bandaid. Works better for men unless you can sport a large watch.

I would put on shorts and a tanktop and see where you can hide it there. Upper thigh tattoos or back tattoos are pretty standard.

I've always wanted an Ironman calf tattoo. Next step: Actually complete an Ironman 😉
 
I have thick, dark hair, and the tattoo is on the nape of my neck, pretty close to the edge of my hairline. Nobody sees the back of my neck unless I want them to. 😉 My husband constantly fiddles with my hair, and it's still easy enough for him to avoid seeing it. You really cannot see it unless I have my hair pulled all the way off of my neck.

Maybe I'll post a picture of it later. 🙂

Thanks for all of the great tips, guys!

This is the sort of thing I'm thinking about getting on my wrist:
http://media-cache6.pinterest.com/upload/12103492718073664_ft0KoMpt.jpg
 
Wearing a suit should cover them and if they are on hands/fingers then an extra long suit jacket or rings/ band aids...also you can google tattoo make up coverage...
 
Left shoulder-Army unit crest and a quote, right shoulder-random tribal spiral (first ink, meh, silly choice), left wrist-barbed wire with a drop of pink and blue blood off the bottom to represent my kids (hides easily under any watch) entire right forearm/hand-bone structure of my arm and hand-but it's in UV ink so it'll impossible to see unless I go clubbing with the interviewers 😉
 
lower back. Have a native american dream catcher that represents my tribal roots.


Yeah right!


Be prepared to hide them almost forever.... I've heard of at least one incident of a M1 getting a professional violation for having them out in the open. But I can imagine only if they are gaudy and large.

 
Shoulder blade and pec if you are male are good options and you never have to worry about them being seen in public.
 
I would like to get a tattoo of three words on my right wrist:
Dream
Believe
Achieve
I'd like them on top of each other. Both of my grandparents just passed away, and they got me a bracelet this past Christmas with those words on it so this means a lot to me. Anyone have any thoughts on the location?
 
The problem with right wrist is a) this is the hand you shake with, making it far more likely to be seen and b) only left-handers generally wear a watch on their right wrist, so your options for covering are a) makeup (ruined shirts) or b) bandages (are you a cutter!?!?)
 
Ive got over 10 tattoos. None of them can be seen with a short sleeve shirt on.....however when the shirt comes off thats a different story. Just get the tattoo where it will be easy to conceal. Its the best of both worlds.
 
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had a patient that had one on his shaft. was tattooed like a snake. gotta say... was pretty nuts
 
Ismet said:
I believe there is special make-up that completely conceals tattoos, not sure how expensive that is, but it might be something to look into rather than worrying if your clothes/accessories are covering them.
Click to expand...

You can't conceal in medicine in places you need to scrub. You will be washing your hands/wrists/elbows multiple times a day even in nonsurgical fields -- it's a messy job. Just get your tattoos in places that will be covered when wearing scrubs (ie your torso, thigh, butt) and you are set.
 
Law2Doc said:
You can't conceal in medicine in places you need to scrub. You will be washing your hands/wrists/elbows multiple times a day even in nonsurgical fields -- it's a messy job. Just get your tattoos in places that will be covered when wearing scrubs (ie your torso, thigh, butt) and you are set.
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I think people are asking more for the interview trail than for clinicals/residency/practice.
 
I have sleeves. My suit covered everything. My first interview I had makeup up to my forearm. My second I didn't. Accepted. Might be an issue later. Such is life.
 
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VisionaryTics said:
I remember a girl on the interview trail who had a MASSIVE tattoo covering her entire calf. For some reason, instead of wearing pants, she decided to wear a skirt and try to cover the tattoo with a bunch of bandages.
Click to expand...

😕
really? where has all the common sense gone?
 
FrkyBgStok said:
I have sleeves. My suit covered everything. My first interview I had makeup up to my forearm. My second I didn't. Accepted. Might be an issue later. Such is life.
Click to expand...

Like this guy, I'm sleeved, have my entire back done, one on my chest, and several on my legs that are "offensive" to most people. I just wear a suit, as I will as a physician. It may become an issue should I decide to pursue surgery, which is definitely high on my list. Currently, I wear underarmour beneath my scrubs, am completely covered, and have never had a problem. Furthermore, all of my PIs have known I was tattooed (after I got hired) and have never had a problem. However, some institutions don't allow anything to be worn under scrubs.

I wouldn't change it for the world, though. I love being me when I leave work. Plus, most people don't recognize you outside of work; which is great if you're going into rural medicine.
 
I have a large tattoo on my forehead. It is a pink heart with the word "Mom" in it. What do I do?
 
Special make up should take care of 95% of it
 
I love body art and so does my hubby. I currently have a big one on my calf, tats on my shoulder blades, my upper back tat just barely peeks out on my lower neck and my largest one is my entire right bicep down to my elbow. I also have gauged earlobes, pierced lip and a pierced nostril. I can hide all of it and look normal within minutes! (I plan to get more tats BTW)

Piercings are easy...flesh colored retainers aka plugs that magically make it look like I have no holes in me.

As for tats it is really about location, the right type of clothing and if necessary makeup. Wear clothing that covers them, I can cover all of mine fairly easily. Of course once I am in med school I am not coming to school in long sleeves and pants everyday, but that is besides the point. If the tat cannot be covered with clothing you can whip out some makeup. It is best to rub some primer on it first (you can get a bottle of primer for $3 at most stores selling makeup) then put on some liquid foundation that matches the skin tone of that area. I would suggest getting a couple foundations that seem close to the tone since foundation looks darker when it dries and you need something dark enough to cover the tat. Let that dry then use a powder foundation over the top. To make it look more natural use darker foundation on areas that naturally have more contouring on your body. Then you can put a finishing powder over that.

The problem is if you get nervous and start sweating you might wipe some of that off dependent upon where it is and I don't know how dark your tattoo is or large. You can always get body sleeves which are like nude colored lightweight clothing you wear underneath your clothing although that really won't work for a neck tattoo since they are usually shirts, catsuits or pants.
 
Please-dont-discriminate.jpg
This was sent to me so I decided to share
 
LupaCupcake said:
. . . This was sent to me so I decided to share
Click to expand...

I read that article a while back. It was awesome.

I wish I didn't have to take out my piercings. I took them out on New Year's Day after I graduated in December 2007. I had a bridge (a surface piercing at the bridge of your nose, between your eye brows), a 2g septum, snake bite (a spike on each side of your lip), and two unmentionables that had to come out prior to an admission back in 2002. I worked at several places with those facial piercings, including a management job, and always had to take them out. It was such a hassle and rather obvious. I miss them all, but especially my bridge. :_(

On a side note, the one thing that will suck for me (with sleeves) is surgery rotations, scrubbing in next to the attending. I'll have to work extra hard to break stereotypes and ensure they know I mean bidness, especially since I'm looking heavily into surgical specialties.

Meh. Back to work.
 
LupaCupcake said:
I love body art and so does my hubby. I currently have a big one on my calf, tats on my shoulder blades, my upper back tat just barely peeks out on my lower neck and my largest one is my entire right bicep down to my elbow. I also have gauged earlobes, pierced lip and a pierced nostril. I can hide all of it and look normal within minutes! (I plan to get more tats BTW)

Piercings are easy...flesh colored retainers aka plugs that magically make it look like I have no holes in me.

As for tats it is really about location, the right type of clothing and if necessary makeup. Wear clothing that covers them, I can cover all of mine fairly easily. Of course once I am in med school I am not coming to school in long sleeves and pants everyday, but that is besides the point. If the tat cannot be covered with clothing you can whip out some makeup. It is best to rub some primer on it first (you can get a bottle of primer for $3 at most stores selling makeup) then put on some liquid foundation that matches the skin tone of that area. I would suggest getting a couple foundations that seem close to the tone since foundation looks darker when it dries and you need something dark enough to cover the tat. Let that dry then use a powder foundation over the top. To make it look more natural use darker foundation on areas that naturally have more contouring on your body. Then you can put a finishing powder over that.

The problem is if you get nervous and start sweating you might wipe some of that off dependent upon where it is and I don't know how dark your tattoo is or large. You can always get body sleeves which are like nude colored lightweight clothing you wear underneath your clothing although that really won't work for a neck tattoo since they are usually shirts, catsuits or pants.
Click to expand...
I appreciate this outlook. "do what you want, but understand there may be consequences". Too many people want to have their cake and eat it too. If you want visible body art you need to be accepting of professional consequences - if that isnt cool be ready to hide it in a hurry to get what you want 👍


LupaCupcake said:
Please-dont-discriminate.jpg
This was sent to me so I decided to share
Click to expand...
I suspect this man is not a real doctor.....
 
Deutsch Arzt said:
No, he is indeed a real doctor. If memory serves me, I believe he practices in NY state.
Click to expand...

oh, if you guys have some background on him I stand corrected then 👍

I just assumed he was a token dude that fit the marketer's profile who they wanted to strap in a white coat for the subliminal rhetoric :laugh: you know, like random actor #7 who comes on screen on a commercial sporting a stethoscope.
 
SpecterGT260 said:
oh, if you guys have some background on him I stand corrected then 👍

I just assumed he was a token dude that fit the marketer's profile who they wanted to strap in a white coat for the subliminal rhetoric :laugh: you know, like random actor #7 who comes on screen on a commercial sporting a stethoscope.
Click to expand...

http://www.davidjoresmd.org/

he is real. I have read a couple articles about him, seems like a real chill dude.
 
typicalindian said:
mother ****er did you seriously steal my avatar?
Click to expand...

HAHAHAHHAHA, holy crap. I had no idea there were more people with the same avatar. I recently changed mine to the dancing one but I had it sitting in my folder of funny gifs...

edit: I changed it to something else... you can have it for a bit, but I shall rotate to the avatar eventually yo! brace yourselfffffff
 
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Slowpoke said:
HAHAHAHHAHA, holy crap. I had no idea there were more people with the same avatar. I recently changed mine to the dancing one but I had it sitting in my folder of funny gifs...

edit: I changed it to something else... you can have it for a bit, but I shall rotate to the avatar eventually yo! brace yourselfffffff
Click to expand...

thanks man! I'll find a newer-funnier one soon 😀
 
My tear drops under the eye were always a great conversation starter in interviews.

😉
 
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