Tattoos after late autism diagnosis

I do like the look of tattoos on other people. Not sure If I will ever get one, But maybe one day I will. 

Hi Iain, interesting reply.

Just want to say - I don't want to upset anyone with tattoos, it's their body and their choice.

I've had a think and I can't really explain it. I also don't like graffiti or the writing people do on the walls of their houses these days (live, laugh, love, etc) or clothing with pictures or writing on.

I had a tattoo about ten years ago, not autism related, but it scarred my skin. When I went to get it covered I was told the tattooist had gone far to deep into my skin and created a colourful scar rather than a tattoo. It's covered now with flowers but I can still see the star shaped scars sticking out! Be cautious, go to someone reputable. Luckily, mine's on my lower back so I don't have to look at it, I forget about it until I catch it occasionally in the mirror.

Love this. I have an bracelet with it on, it's like a secret code to recognise other ND people.

Lotus said:

Personally I'm not keen on tattoos and don't want one myself.

Would you be willing to share why you are not keen on them? I'm curious as to the thought processes behind it.

I too was against them for the longest time but once I got to know some people from the scene that is heaviliy into these, I started to see that they are quite an effective way to express yourself.

There are plenty of people who get one as a fashion statement of through FOMO but for me I see it as a good way to express something about yourself by wearing your symbol as a mark of pride.

My old view was that the body is fine just as it is and why do you need to mess it up, but once you see how much thought and effort goes into some of the tattoos it may change your perspective.

Personally I'm not keen on tattoos and don't want one myself.

Love the tie dyed sheep!

I have no tattoo's whilst I dont' dislike them on others, or most of the time, I do find some a bit strange, I wouldn't want them on me, what if I change my mind? What if I spent all that money and didn't like them, or like Martin came up in a rash or was allergic to the ink or something?

I am very much the same person I was before diagnosis, just with some welcome reasons why I am the way I am. I have never liked tattoos, which is just as well as I have very reactive skin and would come up in horrible nettle rash, bruising and/or bleed into my skin, if I tried to get a tattoo.

Very true, thank you!

I was called the black sheep of the family. I don't have anything to do with them anymore.

I'd like to think of myself as a tie dyed sheep lol 

I personally see the jigsaw puzzle as the piece I didn't realise was missing. I thought I was broken. And now that I've found it (late diagnosis) I'm complete. 

I don't have any tattoos, but if I was to get one it would be an unobtrusive infinity symbol which represents autism and neurodivergence. You could get one one the back of your shoulder and quite small. it would be great!

I'd considered getting one or two to mark it, but have refrained so far as I want to be sure I'm not going to regret them. I'm now almost a year "post diagnosis" ,  or as I like to refer to it (in a terminator way) as "self awareness date" 

I see a lot with the "jigsaw piece" tattoo, but then also hear a lot of anger towards that symbol as it represents something incomplete or broken.

I have already got a couple, ones a fairly big pattern covering up a previous "rushed decision" hence I'm cautious about the chance of regret.

My ideas included a couple of Latin phrases, some symbols I'd seen, a little black sheep was something I'd thought might be good. Maybe something I know relates to autism but not something outwardly obvious.

I'm also considering getting my wedding ring re done as a tattoo, as wearing a gold ring causes me sensory issues and bouts of contact dermatitis.

I might wait till summer then get one or two. 

More improving it's shape, colour and adding a touch of feminity around it. 

Thanks for your Bunny. 

I know what you mean about symbols. Sometimes their meanings change over time. So there's that too to consider x

Are you considering blacking it out or laser removal?

Somehow the removal feels to me to be more like removing the bad decision and wiping the slate clean.

Thanks for your reply Iain.

I completely agree about being cautious. I feel I'm barely off the starting block regarding my journey. 

I do have some things in mind, but they can wait. I do however need a bad one fixed - a bad cover up job, that I've lived with for more than 20 years. This is part of my self care process. 

If nothing else, having some work done will remind me of the pain. And I may wish to go no further after that.

JustBe said:

I'm considering this. Because the person I thought I was, isn't me at all.

I would caution against getting a tattoo at this stage.

You mention your idea of self has changed - do you feel the new idea is fully formed and set in stone?

If not then it may be open to evolving as your self awareness journey continues so in your shoes I would wait until I feel fully "complete" in my self image and then choose what to have permanently marked on my body.

I have my own plan for a full sleeve but I've tied it to a specific target I want to reach (since it is also quite expensive) which relates to my autism (like a 3D exposition of mechanical elements under the skin - a bit like the Terminator).

I think I’d quite like to get a tattoo. And I do think it could be a nice way to mark this momentous discovery about myself. But I’m worried about the process. Including how painful it could be, and that my skin might react badly to it. I also read some worrying articles about the inks during my online deep dives. Example:

https://www.cancer.org.au/iheard/does-tattoo-ink-give-you-cancer

The other issue is the choice of design, which I’ve previously spent quite a while thinking about. In terms of autism-related symbols, the rainbow infinity symbol might have appealed - except that the concept of infinity freaks me out! :)