Tattoos in medicine/medical careers

I'm just curious on how liberal medical school are towards potential students with tattoos on their lower arms/would be visible if the person was wearing scrubs? I want a tattoo, however I think there's a line to which it's acceptable and was wondering what the general consensus is on them

Why not get one on your upper arm? No one (at work) would be able to see it there

They would never find out until you started unless you wore a t-shirt to the interview, and the offers generally aren't conditional upon unblemished skin so you'd be fine there. It's more of a matter of professionalism than anything else. I think it's just quite uneccessary tbh, your forearm isn't the only place you're allowed to get a tatoo.

dont get it where it is clearly visible

No one will tell you to your face but tattoos are still a taboo in the work place...people just tend to make...judgements about a tattooed person. As a doctor, I don't think you want to be at the butt end of those judgements.

Ive never understood tattoos really...drawing on our bodies lost its meaning after we turned 5 no?

I'm just curious on how liberal medical school are towards potential students with tattoos on their lower arms/would be visible if the person was wearing scrubs? I want a tattoo, however I think there's a line to which it's acceptable and was wondering what the general consensus is on them

If it's small and on your wrist i'm sure it'd be fine - you can just wear a bracelet or a watch if people think it looks unprofessional, although you may have to check with NHS guidelines if you can wear things on your wrists, just in case its prohibited like long sleeves and ties...

Easier not to have one on your face or lower arms ... it probably wouldn't stop you getting into medical school, but if it's visible in work clothes it will prompt irritating judgemental comments from both consultants and patients.

I guess if you want to have it on your wrist you have to weigh up the risk of being judged against how much you want a tattoo. But if you have it somewhere that you can't see it when dressed for work/in scrubs, no-one will care.

I think it's a small design and I have skinnier wrists so it'd look out of place on my upper arm, good thought though



That's true, I guess it's not going to be something like a pentagram though I just worry about level of professionalism as I'm not sure as to the extent that professionalism runs, as apparently some doctors don't even look like they make a tiny bit of effort..


I gave you an upvote thing because I didn't understand why your comment was disliked. I still think there's a taboo about it, but personally I just like the look of it, there's no deep significance to it, I get told I act like a 5 year old a lot so I guess it's not a problem

It could actually affect the health of the patient. Patients feel reassured by the white coat & tie wearing professional looking doctor. Turning up looking like you just left a rock gig may have an adverse placebo effect on the patient.

I've worked in healthcare for over 10 years. Most people who ask about my tattoo are just curious about it. I've never made anyone worse because if it. What a silly idea!


Edit: neggers gonna neg! How about entering into a meaningful debate rather than just anonymously hitting a button.