While it is technically possible to get skin art when you have psoriasis, Jeremy S. Fenton, M.D., a dermatologist with Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City, explains that something called the Koebner phenomenon increases the odds that it will set off a skin flare in response. Although he recommends against getting a tattoo if you have psoriasis, there are guidelines to follow that may make a flare less likely.
Jeremy S. Fenton, MD: So, if you have psoriasis and you're considering getting a tattoo, you have to realize that you are at an increased risk of some complications.
Psoriasis exhibits something called the Koebner phenomenon, which means that trauma to the skin can induce psoriasis in the area where you had the trauma.
Now, if you're going to get a tattoo, you definitely don't want to get a tattoo in an area of active psoriasis. Tattoos definitely cause trauma to the skin, and you want to have good wound healing after the tattoo is performed in order to get the best result and minimize side effects. So having any active inflammation in the skin can cause complications.
In general, I would recommend against getting a tattoo if you have psoriasis, but if you're going to do it, a couple of things you should keep in mind. Like I said, don't get in an area of active psoriasis.
Also, think about where you normally get your psoriasis. So if you're somebody who gets scalp psoriasis, but you never had psoriasis on the arm, you may be okay to get a tattoo there and it may not trigger any psoriasis.
But you do have to realize, if you do get a tattoo you are at a higher risk of triggering psoriasis in the area, which could complicate wound healing and could potentially increase the risk of complications.