November 5, 2026, 5:33 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
Estimates suggest that one in four people in Germany is tattooed.1 Tattoos and tattooing are no longer a fringe phenomenon. It is therefore important to understand the connections between permanent skin decoration and potential health effects. Often, the focus is on how existing tattoos can affect the body. However, ideally, there are a few things to consider before getting tattooed, as an expert at FITBOOK reveals.
Scientists are increasingly interested in the effects of tattoos on the health of their wearers. Studies already suggest that tattoos can influence the immune system and may increase the risk of skin cancer and cancer in the lymphatic system.2,3,4 Initial investigations have shown correlations but have not proven that tattoos were the actual cause or necessarily lead to cancer later in life.
However, the fact is that tattoos can obscure the view of the skin beneath. This could complicate skin cancer screenings as part of cancer prevention. Those who choose to get tattoos despite this knowledge can take a few steps to minimize the impact on screenings.
How a Tattoo Artist Can Help
The desire for a tattoo is set, the design chosen, and the next step is to go under the needle. This is routine for any tattoo artist. What many people getting tattooed don’t know is that their tattoo artist, as an expert in their field, should not just start without first examining the area of skin to be decorated. Dermatologist Dr. Timm Golüke explains to FITBOOK: “The most important thing is actually that tattoo artists learn to assess pigments, that is, pigmented skin changes, and not to tattoo over them.”
In practice, this means that the tattoo artist may advise against covering a pigmented area with a tattoo, depending on its size, or may leave smaller pigments like moles visible within a tattoo design.
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Consulting a Dermatologist Before Getting a Tattoo Can Be Advisable
If someone wants a tattoo in an area with a larger brownish skin discoloration, they should first get medical clearance. Good tattoo artists would not just tattoo over it in the studio but would recommend this medical clarification. As Golüke explains, a dermatologist can then accurately assess how important it is for the skin area to remain free of tattoos. In most cases, it is advisable to simply choose another spot for the tattoo: “In 99 percent of cases, one would say: ‘No, please leave it out, make proper photo documentation, and check once a year to see if it changes.’”
Also interesting: Dr. Emi Arpa: »These skin changes can indicate diseases
Are Colorful or Black Tattoos More Obstructive During Skin Cancer Screening?
According to the dermatologist, the type and color of the tattoo play a minor role when it comes to skin cancer screening. “Basically, a dark tattoo and a colored tattoo are equally obstructive. In both cases, a mole can always be tattooed over, so it is no longer visible during screening,” says Golüke.
So: When getting tattooed, make sure the tattoo does not cover an area with significant skin changes. Tattoo artists should always leave moles uncovered. This way, you can try to minimize the risk of malignant changes going undetected during skin cancer screenings.
But even if all this is observed, it cannot be ruled out that the skin in an area previously free of moles and discolorations may change due to cancer under a tattoo–and this may not be detected or only discovered late during screening.