Tattoo cover up

[juniorminty]

Hello!

I just started my clinical rotation for school last week and it's been really really great! I am in the LPN program at my school and we've just been doing bed baths and changing linens and charting but it's been awesome getting out of the classroom and 'getting my hands dirty' finally!

I just had a question for those of you out there with tattoos. I have several, most are covered by clothing except for one on my wrist. Our program and both hospitals we do rotation at have a strict 'no visible tattoos/piercing' policy when we're in clincials. Currently I use just white sports tape wrapped around my wrist to hide it, and that has worked out fine. Our instructors suggested either long sleeve shirts under your scrubs (but we're in South GA so it's already hot as heck here), or some kind of ACE wrap/bandage.

I know that most hospitals have tattoo policies and I am not sure that what I am doing now would fly once I am working at a hospital. I have also been wanting to get a tattoo on my shoulder that extends down partway on my upper arm, and I am sure scrubs would cover it but I would like to know what to do in case they don't. Does anyone currently working in a hospital have tattoos or know someone that does? What did you or they do to cover them? What is acceptable at your hospital?

[BaltimoreHon, BSN, RN]

At our school, and the hospital I work at there is a policy that all visible tattoos needs to be covered. What worries me about covering ink with bandaids, wristbands, etc is the problem with cross contamination. You need to wear something that can be cleaned/sanitized between patients. A watch would work if it is waterproof. Dermablend would be good option as long as you are minful of latex content. I have never seen anyone called out on their visible tattoos unless they were objectionable.

[LegzRN]

I have one on my left wrist that is mostly covered up with wristwatch. Then again, it is white ink and not very noticeable in the first place.

[meteorite36]

Move to California - doesn't seem to be a problem here. The Dermablend is worthless, even for a cover up for evening dresses where it is not subjected to water or friction. The wristwatch idea sounds good, and you could always get one of those long sleeved sports shirts from an outdoor store which are supposed to wick away the sweat. Good luck.

[juniorminty]

Dermablend (and other like products) may be great but patients may have allergies on their components. I once got systemic reaction because of that; having this product permanently applied on wrist area, it would be really difficult to avoid contamination of water while giving baths.

I have Dermablend and I have used it to cover a tattoo on my back for my wedding. I wouldn't use that at the hospital because, as you said, some clients may be allergic to some of the ingredients. Being that my tattoo is on my wrist it will be in close proximity when I'm caring for patients. Also it is water proof but not soap proof so as much as I wash my hands, it will probably not last a whole shift.

[irishmama721]

I have been wondering about this same thing for when I start school in August. Same issue, tat on my left wrist about an inch-and-a-half square.

[loriangel14, RN]

It is no problem where I work. Several coworkers have visible tattoos and a couple have multiple piercings (ears and noses).One even has the tragus of both ears pierced.My charge nurse has a bery large tattoo on the calf of her leg and she wears capris in the summer to show it off.

[PrettyInInk]

http://www.tat2x.com/tattoo-full-arm-sleeve.html

http://www.tatjacket.com/

I've used those cover sleeves during my phlebotomy clinical rotation at two different hospitals. Nobody ever knew I had a full sleeve on one arm. They come in neutral colors like 'skin tone', white, and black so it wouldn't clash with scrubs. I also like that they just cover the arm, instead of wearing an entire long sleeve shirt. I never got too hot- and they were easily washable. :)

[Tree525]

I've got a full sleeve. Literally, there isn't one spot on my left arm that isn't covered with tattoos all the way from my shoulder to my wrist. I recently graduated nursing school and I wore long sleeves under my scrubs for the entirety of my time in clinicals. I also worked as a student nurse and did the same. Never once did I have a problem with faculty or administration, and there were many times where I'd have to roll my sleeves up during grooming etc. I wore thin cotton long sleeve shirts under my scrubs ( even during summertime) and never found heat/ comfort to be a problem. Give it a shot. I hear that under armor is highly recommended. I know they make a brand of apparel that can keep you cool when warm out and warm when cool out, just depends on what your looking for but it is expensive... There are several knock off brands that do the same thing for much cheaper.

[NamasteNurse, BSN, RN]

A girl I work with covers the ones on her wrist with sweat bands to match her uniform. Since you now know that tats are mainly frowned upon in your profession, why would you be planning another one. In my experience, the upper arm ones always show whenever you move. Your shirt sleeve doesn't stay still.

[BluegrassRN]

Live in a relatively small town, conservative area, and visible tattoos must merely be tasteful, with no official definition of what is considered tasteful. I did clinicals in several hospitals in surrounding larger cities, and all but one allowed visible tattoos.

[caitmarie813, LPN]

My watch covers mine up! But all the boys in my class have to wear long sleeves to cover theirs up. And we not allowed to have more than one pair of stud earings in and no face piercings.

[asluss]

I have tats and piercings, but most of mine are not visible. Sometimes the ones on my ankles are when I sit if my pants legs come up. The last place i worked you could wear capris and mine would show and quite a few of our nurses and our social worker had the inner wrist tats. Most places won't say much as long as they are tasteful. But it's different during clinical rotations.