The trend of tattooing comes in waves. While twenty years ago, it was fashionable to have a butterfly tattoo on your lower back, today abstract drawings and inscriptions across the body are popular. Trends change quickly, but what you have tattooed on your skin is not so easily changed. Before deciding to get a tattoo, it’s important to consider all the aspects associated with it.
Tattooing comes with risks beyond just the possibility of disliking it over time, especially health risks that people often overlook when making their decision. Take a look at the skin conditions that may arise from tattooing.
Allergic Reactions
The most common issue is an allergy to the tattoo ink itself. An allergic reaction can appear immediately—redness, itching, or a rash—or even years later, as redness and raised skin at the tattoo site. Allergic reactions can occur with both permanent and temporary tattoos.
If an allergy develops, consult an experienced dermatologist who can recommend appropriate treatment. In some cases, the solution may be to remove the tattoo.
Keloid Scars
These are raised scars that form after skin injury. Tattooing is considered one such “skin injury.” Therefore, people prone to keloid scarring should be aware of the risk of developing these scars in the tattooed area.
Tip: Look into methods for removing scars.
Photosensitivity
New tattoos temporarily increase skin sensitivity to the sun. A rash or redness may appear. That’s why it is essential to take extra care of your skin after getting a tattoo. Ideally, avoid sun exposure for five weeks or use a sunscreen with a high SPF.
Taking care of your skin in summer is important, even if you don’t have a new tattoo. Read more about how to protect your skin.
Infectious Skin Diseases
Infection is another risk associated with tattooing, as special tattoo needles are punctured into the skin. If hygiene protocols are not followed, an infection can develop at the site of the injury. Symptoms may include redness, swelling, pain, or pus at the tattoo location.
How to Minimize Risks?
To avoid undesirable skin diseases after tattooing, certain rules and procedures need to be followed. Here’s how to proceed to prevent health problems.
Choose a Renowned Studio and Tattoo Artist
This step is crucial to ensure that the studio you choose follows hygiene standards. Check the studio’s reputation and make sure it has a valid license.
What hygiene measures must be followed during tattooing?
- Sterility: Ensure the studio uses sterile tattoo needles, tools, and equipment. The correct procedure involves the tattoo artist using disposable needles and following necessary sterilization processes.
- Clean Skin: Before tattooing, the artist should clean and prepare the area of the skin to be tattooed. They should also have clean hands and wear protective gloves.
- Clean Environment: The entire studio should be clean and adhere to hygiene standards.
Test for Allergic Reactions
This step is not strictly necessary, but it’s recommended if you suspect that you may have an allergic reaction to the inks being used. How to test? Ask your tattoo artist to perform an allergy test before starting the tattoo. The artist will apply a small amount of ink under the skin, and after a while, they can identify any potential allergic reactions before proceeding with the full tattoo.
Care for Your Tattoo
Proper care of the tattooed skin is essential for minimizing the risk of infection and ensuring proper healing. Here are some recommendations:
- Follow Instructions: Be sure to follow the advice your tattoo artist gives you in the studio to ensure your tattoo heals as quickly as possible.
- Clean the Skin Thoroughly: Wash the tattoo area with antibacterial soap and keep it dry. You can also speed up healing by using a tattoo cream.
- Avoid Sun Exposure: As mentioned, skin is more sensitive to the sun after a tattoo, so it’s best to avoid direct sun exposure or use sunscreen.
It may happen that, despite following all the instructions, your skin and the tattoo simply don’t “match,” and the tattoo will need to be removed. Or, as your taste changes with age, what you liked ten years ago may no longer be something you want on your skin today. In either case, if you decide to have your tattoo removed, choose an easy, quick, and gentle solution offered by reputable aesthetic medicine clinics.