Getting rid of radiation tattoos?

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  • JJOntario
    JJOntario Member Posts: 356
    edited June 2015

    I'm thinking of changing mine into a little tiny black heart. Unless I'm wearing a bathing suit or a really low cut top...no one can see it .

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  • crabbiepattie
    crabbiepattie Member Posts: 108
    edited June 2015

    I'm allergic to many adhesives so the stickers weren't an option for me during rads - I got the tats. My RO said I could get them removed after treatment. A wonderful tattoo removal shop removed them for free using a laser. Not much difference the first visit, gone after the 3rd visit.

    I've seen pictures of some really nice tattoos to cover the dots - cool!

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  • Okie9000
    Okie9000 Member Posts: 13
    edited June 2015

    My dots are blue. Occasionally I look quickly in the mirror and wonder " what is that blue thing- must have dripped something- oh, yeah, thats the dot!" No issue for me, but my RO team asked first and even stressed me regions prohibit tats. I had tattoos before so no sweat. Hubs thinks they are cute, just like my slightly smaller post lumpectomy Leftie. so they stay. They are part of me, just like the cancer and treatment is part of my history; just like my two scars are part of my skin.

    Ultimately, tattoos or sharpies: your choice. Tell them when they do your CT mapping so you are in control.

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  • bedo
    bedo Member Posts: 1,866
    edited May 2016

    Call these people. You can find one in your area. They'll be gone. It's free.

    http://www.aslms.org/newbeginnings/


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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2016

    I am so glad to have found this thread. The recent news that tattoos were the next step for me in this whole process really had me uspet and tearful. I am so glad to hear people have refused these and that pens are able to be used instead. I am willing to NOT shower for 6 weeks if I have to over this one!!! Although, I am not sure this would be a good idea.

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  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited May 2016

    Dollydimple - I'm one who insisted on the Sharpie marks rather than tattoos. The techs simply covered them with clear, round stickers to protect the ink. I had a few extras in case one came off over the weekend (don't think I ever needed them) and the technicians checked them each day. It added maybe 20 seconds per treatment, seriously.

    I had the o.k. from my RO to do this. She would have preferred the tattoos but that was her problem, not mine. I did have to remind the technician who did my simulation that I was not having tattoos; she was all set to do them as a matter of course, so be sure you speak up as often as needed!

    For me it obviously worked out very well and I hope it does for you, too, showers and all. :)


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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2016

    Hopeful, I am going in with your attitude then. I am NOT having any tattoos at all. So glad to have seen this tonight. Thanks xx

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  • New-girl
    New-girl Member Posts: 358
    edited May 2016

    I had my simulation done last Thursday and choose to have the sharpie and tape. They said if they came off I would have to reschedule the simulation thus delaying the start of radiation. Tough I thought I am not getting one more cancer reminder along with radiation. I have showered, bathed and exercised hard ( sweating profusely for one hour) and stickers are still on. I do not scrub them and once I begin going everyday for radiation, the tech said she would touch up anything that faded or came off. Since this is my second go around, I am much more demanding of what I am willing to deal with.

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  • Paxton29
    Paxton29 Member Posts: 221
    edited May 2016

    I wasn't even aware they tattooed you--my RO's team just used sharpies/stickers from jump. One day one of them said she would re-mark me, she didn't want to tattoo me, and I thought, whaaaa? I am very opposed to tattoos for myself (others may do as they please, my husband has a couple and they don't bother me). So far, no trouble with the marks (8 of 36 treatments done). They've remarked me once but it was no trouble.

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  • Rockym
    Rockym Member Posts: 1,261
    edited May 2016

    Good for everyone who takes a stand for themselves. I am at 5 years next month and my surgery scars have faded. I had no rad tats since I refused. I am still so happy as my breasts have settled back to their previous look :-) I still have no feeling under my armpit, but that is far better then looking at black or blue dots on my body.

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  • Scwilly
    Scwilly Member Posts: 489
    edited May 2016

    I had always thought of turning the on on my right boob (now a foob) into something, a small heart, butterfly etc. Not ever having been inclined to have tattoos I'm not sure I ever will, but maybe I ill one day.

    Has anyone done this?

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  • macb04
    macb04 Member Posts: 1,433
    edited May 2016

    I have been zapped on 4 separate occasions and the blue dots are still visible, although fainter. I plan to get them zapped again soon. I hate them and didn't realize I could have skipped them. It is a reminder of the horrific burning I endured, bleeding sores all over my chest by week 4.

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