Tattoos Masking Skin Cancer

 

 

Could your tattoo be hiding a skin cancer or problem mole? While many studies have shown no links between tattoo ink and the development of skin cancer, tattoos can present a different problem. 

 

Tattoos can mask problem moles or skin cancers, making evaluation by your skin care provider more difficult. If possible, it is best not to have tattoos over existing moles or lesions on the skin. If these spots were to change over time, the changes could be masked by the tattoo pigment. If you already have a tattoo over a mole, make sure your dermatologist is carefully evaluating these areas for any change. The tattoo pigment can alter the appearance of the mole, making it appear more or less dangerous than it actually is. Also, if you are considering have a tattoo removed, make sure your provider examines the skin underneath the tattoo, as the laser used for tattoo removal could also mask changes in an underlying mole. 

 

At Florida Skin Center, we use dermatoscopes, a special light, to carefully evaluate all moles within a tattoo to evaluate for change. Routine skin checks are vital in the early recognition and treatment of skin cancer in tattooed, as well as non-tattooed, skin.