Tattoos prevent Charge 4 heart rate from working

[nmwlondon]

I recently bought the Charge 4 as I felt like the heart rate monitor wasn't working as well at should on my Charge 2 and decided its time for an upgrade.

To my dismay, the heart rate monitor is actually WORSE on the newer Charge 4 so I took to google. Absolutely shocked to discover that the technology does not work with tattooed skin! I really think this should be mentioned before I purchase a product?

I read on the forum that putting a clear sticker over the LED can help, I ordered the £10 stickers but they were thick and uncomfortable. Can't help by wonder why Fitbit can not resolve this issue if it apparently can be solved by adding something as basic as an EPOXY sticker.
I am extremely frustrated as I love the Fitbit and app, and really find it helps to keep me in track. Any advice before I return this watch?

PS. I am using fitbit with the latest iPhone. I also find the Spotify function ridiculous and totally useless on the Charge 4. The whole point of me wanting Spotify on the FB was so i can leave my phone at home?! Overall really unhappy with this purchase.

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[Rich_Laue]

Different colors will absorb different light waves. So not all tattoos will affect it. 

If the color of the tatt absorbs the light and the sender is unable to get a consistent reading. Please remember that the light has to pass through the tatt twice. 

Maybe holding the unit further away from the skin spreads the beam out further allowing more light to pass through the non tatt areas. 

Can Fitbit improve this, maybe, did you want to join in a beta test? 

[SunsetRunner]

Hi @nmwlondon - If you google the situation with tracing heart rate over a tattoo, you will see that Fitbit is not alone. Apple and Garmin users are reporting the same problems. The reason - Permanent or temporary changes to your skin, such as some tattoos, can also impact heart rate sensor performance. The ink, pattern, and saturation of some tattoos can block light from the sensor, making it difficult to get reliable readings.  Can you possibly try wearing the device on your other wrist? (Assuming it does not have a tattoo) 

[nmwlondon]

Thank you for your reply!
I would like to be a part of any testing. I own a tattoo shop and know lots of fitness professionals who are heavily tattooed.

I have tried the EPOXY sticker thing but found the sticker to be too thick and irritating...I guess this is acting the same way as spreading the light as you mentioned.

I also read that the Charge 2 has a better heart rate read than than the later models because it has 2 LED lights where as the new models have just one. This is probably why I didn't have to much of an issue with the Charge 2 on the whole. The heart rate monitor mostly drops out when im working out and I guess sweat is thrown into the mix. Charge 4 is more often than not getting a reading. It does seem a step in the wrong direction and suggests this issue is not being resolved anytime soon.

I intend to return the Charge 4 for a refund and stick with my Charge 2 for now.
Does anyone know how many LED's the Flex 2 has for taking readings? I also have an Apple Watch 5 which I am yet to test during a work out, but I am very invested in Fitbit... I much prefer the app, tracking and also have the new Aria 2 scales... I dont want to give up!

[nmwlondon]

Also, in response I should mention that both wrists are heavily tattooed, mostly black ink... I think my left wrist is actually a little less tattooed but I have none the less tried both and found no difference. 

[Meryll]

I totally agree with you! Why doesn't Fitbit mention this on the specifications, really annoying.
I've had it with my Versa2, which i returned en now again with the Charge4. I think it is really unbelievable that they can't seem to solve this. 

[Flyboy12]

I am having exactly the same problem , I have a tattoo on both wrists , has anybody come up with a solution yet .

[Bulleit-Nelson]

I just switched from my charge 2 to the charge 4. Loved everything about it until I realized it wasn’t reading my heart rate. Poured over the forums trying to figure out what was wrong and found this thread.

Both of my wrists are tattooed. The one LED in this device has to be situated just so on my left wrist so that it doesn’t sit on any ink. The charge 2 never had an issue picking my heart rate up. Unfortunately, the screen cracked and died on the charge 2 so I can’t even switch back.

Yikes.

[AceMet3]

I just got my charge 4 a couple days ago and noticed my active minutes were not recording. I then realized the heart rate wasn't recording like it should be. Tried a ton of trouble shooting only to find this forum, and to find my charge 4 records hr perfectly fine on my dominant, non tatted wrist. I still love the fitbit but I guess I would have wished to have known this before purchasing. Sucks for people with both wrists tatted. Now I have to get used to my fitbit on my other wrist. Ugh. 

[SunsetRunner]

Hi @AceMet3 - Sorry you had to find out this way but happy you can wear it on your other wrist. If it’s any consolation, even the Apple Watch has problems with tattoos. If you google “tattoos, Fitbit, Apple Watch,” You will see various ways people resolved the issue. Might be worth checking it out, if you really prefer your Fitbit on the tatted wrist. 

[Rdubz]

Me too, I was so disappointed as I’ve had 3 separate fit bits and never had this issue until now. Just when I thought I was “upgrading”

[Cat.33]

I am having the same situation. I am also a tattoo artist and this has happened to a few of my clients recently, who have wrist tattoos. This definitely should be an easy fix for Fitbit. 

[hopemlove33]

thank you for posting this. i just got this device and was going nuts trying to figure out how to get the heart rate monitor to work. i moved it from the arm with a full-sleeve tattoo to my arm without tattoos and now it works. how frustrating!

[skinnybones2013]

I moved mine a little higher on my wrist and it started working.