Page 2 | Removal of radiotherapy tattoos

Raggycrow · 2024-09-05T16:17:02+00:00

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!

PaperbackWrighter · 07/09/2024 11:40

tam23 · 06/09/2024 19:00

@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.

Thanks for this. I think though I would be more worried about keeping the marker pen in place and radiotherapy being given correctly than I would having the tattoos!

PaperbackWrighter · 07/09/2024 11:51

As this thread is radiotherapy related and mine is upcoming (5 days in a few weeks' time though date TBC), I wondered if any of you guys would mind answering a couple of questions:

Did you drive yourself to radiotherapy? (Mine's a good 40 mins away - that's when traffic's off-peak) and the route is a little bit motorway then a tricky A3 road - I'm a confident driver and often drive this route to see friends but not sure for my treatment. One option is drive easy route to friend who lives halfway between here and hospital and then she drives the trickier part. (Another friend has offered to drive me all the way there for some of the days but she lives even further away from it than me so I feel a little bad.)
Did you experience any side effects during the treatment or came after? I have sensitive skin and get heat rashes / contact dermatitis at the drop of a hat. Anyone else similar and you do you have any tips?

Thanks so much!

Ifailed · 07/09/2024 11:55

Out of interest I popped into a tattoo studio on the way to town, they told me they'd laser over them for free.

tam23 · 07/09/2024 12:01

@PaperbackWrighter Sorry just reread my post and it’s not clear. My friend had to have her tattoos redone as everything had moved! I treated myself to a very expensive ultimate blow dry a couple of times and just washed carefully. They only did the marks a week before, for tattoos they do them 3-4 weeks before, so I only had to be careful for a couple of weeks,

Upthejunctionandroundthebend · 07/09/2024 12:04

PaperbackWrighter · 07/09/2024 11:51

As this thread is radiotherapy related and mine is upcoming (5 days in a few weeks' time though date TBC), I wondered if any of you guys would mind answering a couple of questions:

Did you drive yourself to radiotherapy? (Mine's a good 40 mins away - that's when traffic's off-peak) and the route is a little bit motorway then a tricky A3 road - I'm a confident driver and often drive this route to see friends but not sure for my treatment. One option is drive easy route to friend who lives halfway between here and hospital and then she drives the trickier part. (Another friend has offered to drive me all the way there for some of the days but she lives even further away from it than me so I feel a little bad.)
Did you experience any side effects during the treatment or came after? I have sensitive skin and get heat rashes / contact dermatitis at the drop of a hat. Anyone else similar and you do you have any tips?

Thanks so much!

Edited

With radiotherapy it depends where it is targeted. I had it on breast (3 dot tattoos, I wasn't asked, just given them, but they don't bother me), and the radiotherapy didn't cause any problems, and I drove to all appointments.
I did slather myself with aqueous cream afterwards as suggested on the Internet, but didn't get any soreness. But it would be different for other areas of the body.

PaperbackWrighter · 07/09/2024 12:06

Upthejunctionandroundthebend · 07/09/2024 12:04

With radiotherapy it depends where it is targeted. I had it on breast (3 dot tattoos, I wasn't asked, just given them, but they don't bother me), and the radiotherapy didn't cause any problems, and I drove to all appointments.
I did slather myself with aqueous cream afterwards as suggested on the Internet, but didn't get any soreness. But it would be different for other areas of the body.

Show quote history

Thanks so much for this - mine is breast too (right). Was it a longish drive like mine? Just wondering if there's any tiredness etc.

BCSurvivor · 07/09/2024 12:07

I had mine in 2018 and tbh they've never really bothered me because they are so tiny.
But what does bother me is all the tiny moles that have joined them since radio...15 regular plus 5 boosters...under my bra line!

puckingfixies · 07/09/2024 12:30

@PaperbackWrighter I'm 12 days through a 15 day course of rt for breast cancer. I travel daily, it's almost 100km and takes one and a half hours each way.

Daughter and I have been sharing the driving but she's gone back to college this weekend and I'm planning to drive myself the last three days. I am tired but I think it's more the drudgery of doing this day in and day out than actually physically tired.

I also have sensitive skin - lots of allergies, burn easily but am using the Flamigel provided by the hospital (can also be bought on Amazon) and so far my skin is fine.

Upthejunctionandroundthebend · 07/09/2024 13:11

PaperbackWrighter · 07/09/2024 12:06

Thanks so much for this - mine is breast too (right). Was it a longish drive like mine? Just wondering if there's any tiredness etc.

Show quote history

It was 11 miles. Also in right breast which helped, as it meant I was changing gear with left hand (still had a bit of soreness from lumpectomy). I didn't get tired really but equally wasn't doing that much, I could just go into the office when I felt like it etc (no kids and not working so much, it was actually quite nice to get out each day and have an actual routine! ). I did 5 weeks of daily sessions. I didn't have chemo.

Compash · 03/05/2025 21:43

Refreshing this old thread - does anyone know a place in Cardiff that removes these dots please? I only want the one in my cleavage removed, like a big black pen mark, but I see it every time I shower or undress and I hate it... Got a big birthday coming up this year and want to get rid of it as a treat to myself.

Hope everyone's doing well! 🤗

graceinspace999 · 14/05/2025 08:07

Compash · 03/05/2025 21:43

Refreshing this old thread - does anyone know a place in Cardiff that removes these dots please? I only want the one in my cleavage removed, like a big black pen mark, but I see it every time I shower or undress and I hate it... Got a big birthday coming up this year and want to get rid of it as a treat to myself.

Hope everyone's doing well! 🤗

Hi I’m sure someone will
answer you soon.
I had lumpectomy and radiation. Part of my breast was dyed blue and remains to this day.

I suppose it’s my survivors badge 😊

I would be very careful and get medical clearance before letting anyone stick needles in your breast.

I had a needle aspiration (in hospital) to remove a seroma and developed infections that got me three weeks in hospital.

Two years later I asked my surgeon could she correct my now very deformed and bruised looking breast and she said absolutely not with my history of infections.

It’s pretty weird so I was wondering if I could make an ‘only fans’ page for it and maybe earn enough to go on my dream trip to Alaska 🤞😊😂😂

papadontpreach2me · 26/05/2025 08:37

Yes they can be lasered off, It’s the same ink.