Is it true that you can’t have an MRI if you have tattoos? Generally speaking, it’s safe to have magnetic resonance imaging or MRI if you have tattoos. However there are a few things you should consider.

Reports have been widely circulated, concerning burns in tattooed areas-dark black tattoos in particular-during MRI scans. It’s unknown how often the problem occurs but, the magnetic field and radio waves that MRI uses to created detailed cross-sectional images of your body may have been the cause.

Researchers suspect that the burns are related to the potentially magnetic iron oxide component in some black tattoo inks, which conducts electricity and heated during an MRI.

If you need to go under an MRI, tell your doctor about your tattoo. More likely your doctor may recommend placing ice packs or cool compresses over your tattoos during MRI.