Removal of radiotherapy tattoos

[Raggycrow]

Hi. Just wondering if anyone knows if the tattooed marks for radiotherapy can be removed in the same way as a normal tattoos? They are only tiny dots but I'd love to be rid of them. I'm going to ask in some tattoo parlours soon anyway but just in case someone already knows about this and/or has experience. Thanks!

Sorry, OP, no advice at all, but what an interesting question. I hope it's good to be done with your treatment, and that you'll get someone more informed along shortly.

Would it be a good idea to ask your doctor if it’s ok first?

Thanks @MidYearDiary It is - I actually finished over a year ago I'm just very slow to get around to things!

I would speak to a tattooist who also offer laser. From my experience with tattooist and cancer patients, I also find you'd get a lot that would do it free of charge. Lots tattoo over cancer related scars for free etc.

Good luck x

Thanks so much @K0OLA1D that's useful to know.

They are normal tattoos.

You'll never need them again as if you ever had radiotherapy again (hopefully not) they will have to plan the treatment area again and give you new tattoos.

Thanks @graceinspace999 I did ask at the time they did them if it would be possible to get them removed later and they said it would be - they just didn't know specifics.

I have read that most places who do the remodel will do it for free for radiotherapy tattoos too. I was thinking of getting mine removed but never got round to it and kind of think of them as battle scars now.

Thanks @AnnaMagnani that's good to know.
Thanks also @Peridot1What's the remodel please?

I think not enough people are told that they aren’t necessary…..i said I didn’t want them ( I had 15 sessions) …..it wasn’t an issue….I had marker pen dots done at the Ct planning session….these were then covered in dressings …..I had the dressing changed once a week ( so twice) ….the dressing were waterproof…..so theoretically I could have got them wet….but I just kept them out of the shower heads way ( I had been doing this for 5 months with a Picc line so wasn’t an issue)…..on my last treatment they removed the dressing…3 showers later the dots were gone

@Kitkat1523 I think a few months after I had the radiotherapy they were due to change their system so people wouldn't have to get the tattoos - I was just slightly unlucky with timing. I did let them know I would rather not have them but it wasn't an option for me.

You were failed by the service….it should be an option for everyone…..I’m talking 12 years ago and more ..not last year…..it’s lazy….far easier to tattoo someone…..our cancer hosptial is amazing ….hope you get sorted OP

I also would like the tattoo on my chest removed as it's quite obvious and I have been thinking about it. But, I was in no way 'failed by the system' as the tattoos are very low down on the list of after-effects from my whole treatment

I assume you can get them removed like normal tattoos.

I’ve seen people get a tattoo to cover them too.
I guess it’s a bit of a way for them to honour themselves too (sorry I know what I’m trying to say but can’t find the right word).

Out of interest, how big are the dots? I was told I was going to have them done for radiotherapy - didn't realise there was another option. But knowing me I would lose the marker pen, dressings or not, through getting hot and bothered (that's what happened with my sentinel node marker pen drawing, and that was only overnight!!).

@PaperbackWrighter Mine are really tiny - like a little dot with a pen.

Yes they can be be removed.

I was told at the time they were given to allow an accurate representation for the future of where your radio was targeted- so I was assuming they weren’t to be removed? But I’d never actually checked that out… interesting. I do remember going to get mine and thinking it would be some kind of tattoo gun used to make this “special mark” not a Dr with a needle and a sharpie 😆

This is how my dad sees his. He also loves being able to tell people he has a tattoo because he's a very respectable old gent from the days when only 'sailors and criminals' had them.

I completely forgot i had those - just looked down and found them!

That’s a typo! Sorry! I meant removal.

I got mine removed for free. This was advertised (and funded) by the hospital but the service was provided by a local clinic providing skin treatments. Having been told that the tattoos would be tiny, size of a pen dot, mine were more like very visible purple splodgy comma shapes and I wanted the two on my sternum removed. I didn't mind the ones on the side of my ribs as I can't see those! One only took a few sessions, but the bigger one took quite a few more. Eventually it fades to a small white scar. The treatment was fine, feels like a small sharp flick, and a bit like a burn for a few days afterwards.

I can only see one of mine without needing a mirror, the one I can see doesn't bother me at all, it's basically a green freckle.

I was a bit surprised at the time that they're done "prison" style 😀

@Peridot1 Ah ok! Thanks - sorry I probably should have been able to work that out from the context 🙈

@PaperbackWrighter I just told them I wasn’t happy with tattoos and they immediately offered me marker pen with a plastic dressing over the top. Had no issues with this at all. My friend had to have hers redone as her treatment was delayed over Christmas and everything had moved around. I think they should be more upfront that you don’t have to have them if you don’t want them.