Tattoo Care and Advice
93Before Tattooing
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Before You Get Tattooed
If you're getting ready to go get your first tattoo, here are a few things you should know:
Since tattoos are a healing surface wound, you really should to avoid hot tubs, swimming pools and soaking in bathubs of water during the healing period. Before the surface heals, the skin is susceptible to infection and public pools and water are easy sources of bacteria. Also, the soaking can cause the scab to come off too soon, which can also hurt your new tattoo. So don't go get tattooed the day before that beach vacation or cruise!
Make sure you get a good night's sleep the night before your tattoo appointment and be sure to eat a good meal a hour or two ahead of time. The process of enduring being tattooed is more tiring than most people would imagine and it often stresses the body the same way vigorous activity does, even though you aren't being highly active.
Do not drink alcohol or take aspirin before you get tattooed. Both of these thin the blood and can cause you to bleed heavily during the tattoo process.
If you are going to be tattooed for a long time, make sure you have a way of getting home that is safe, or have someone else drive you. Some people become disoriented or a bit fuzzy-headed after long tattoo sessions due to the endorphin rush.
If you have any allergies to antibiotic ointments, latex or petroleum products, be sure to tell your tattoo artist BEFORE they start to do any work on you. That way they can make sure any equipment or products they might use on you will be safe.
During Tattooing
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While You're Getting Tattooed
The actual tattoo process is the most exciting part. It's also the most painful. But here are a few suggestions to help you hang in there.
Try not to move around to much, or watch what the artist is doing. Any sudden movements on your part may result in a permanent mistake! Be sure to ask your tattooist to stop if you suddenly realize you have to cough or sneeze.
Bring along water or juice for you to drink. With larger pieces, sometimes people find they like to take a break and have a small snack to help them get through the process.
If there is music you really like to listen to, bring along some earphones and your portable music player.
If you are going to have to lay down to get tattooed, you might want to bring along a favorite pillow or a blanket to be more comfortable.
Some people bring along a friend for support. Make sure to ask ahead of time to make sure your tattooist is ok with someone hanging out and watching, or even if they can sit with you and talk or hold your hand.
Organic Tattoo Åftercare
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Tattoo Sunscreen
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Miami Ink Tattoo Fade Shield SPF 30 Sunblock Stick
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2008 Miami Ink Tattoo Fade Shield SPF 50 - Sunblock Lotion
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2008 Miami Ink Tattoo Balm Stick SPF 30 Fade Shield .6 Oz
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Tamanu Tattoo-Sunblock 3 OZ By Kava King
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Taking Care Of A Tattoo
Once your tattoo is done, it's not too hard to make sure it heals the best that it can. And it is worth the few days of special care after all that cost and discomfort it took to get it.
Whatever you do, do NOT pick at the scab on your new tattoo. If the scab comes off too soon, you run the rick of having the ink "heal out," which leaves a blank spot in the design and then you'll have to get that part redone. This can happen a little bit during natural healing, but picking at a scab pretty much guarantees it. No matter how much it itches, don't scratch it.
You can shower with your tattoo, but don't let it sit under the spray and get soaked. Wash it gently with a mild, natural soap using just your fingertips, and try to roll or scrape off as little scab as you can. Rinse quickly and make sure when you dry off to pat (not brush/scrape) the tattooed area.
Tattoos that are totally brand-new get a light smear of antibiotic ointment on them, until the scab forms. Once the scab starts, you will want to switch to a natural or organic, unscented lotion to keep the skin moisturized. You do not want to use anything that contains lanolin or petroluem jelly in it for healing your tattoo, as these will clog the pores and often contributed to the ink healing out. I personally tell people to avoid diaper rash creams (aka A&D ointment or bepanthen), as these very often do contain lanolin and petroluem. I've also learned that the Australian product Lucas Paw Paw Ointment contains petroleum jelly (although it doesn't say so on the label) so avoid that one too!
While tattoos are healing, you want to avoid skin trauma. This can include clothes that rub the area too much, any activities where the tattoo would get hit hard, anything that scrapes or scratches the healing surface and heavily sweating. Sweat is how the body cools itself AND gets rid of toxins. That toxic sweat can cause your new tattoo to become infected.
Initial healing from new tattoo to scabbed is about 3 days on average and the scab often falls off around days 7-10 but your individual skin healing can vary. The tattoo usually still has some dry skin on top (nicknamed "the saran wrap" phase by many because the tattoo can look shiny) after the heavy scab comes off and after two weeks the skin surface is often healed. The tattoo may be flat to the skin at this point, or it might take a little longer to become flush with the skin. Until the entire surface is healed you want to avoid any swimming or soaking in a hot tub!
Now and for the rest of your life, your tattoo needs as much sun protection as it can get. If the surface is still raw, do not put sunscreen on it, as it can can skin irritation. Keep it covered with soft clothing and out of the sun. Sunburn causes tattoos to lose colors or fade in intensity, and it can make fine lines and details turn blurry.
Remember: your individual skin healing and reactions may vary! If you think you are having a problem, go back and talk to your tattoo artist or see a doctor!
After Tattooing
Tattoo Aftercare Products
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.75oz tin of Tattoo Goo aftercare salve 3/4 oz
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How To Recognize An Infection
Tattoos can be red, swollen (raised-up), weepy/bleeding and just plain sore when they are done. The more complex a design and the longer you sat there, the greater the chances for these symptoms. If your tattooist had a really firm grip on you or if you tend to be sensitive to it, there might even be a few bruises.
If your tattoos increase in redness, become more painful, and either the skin or the fluids weeping out become yellow-greenish in color, those are all classic signs of an infection. In those cases, either go back to your tattoist or doctor to have the infection confirmed and evaluated.
If left untreated, infections can not only damage the tattoo itself, they can potentially lead to something life-threatening like blood poisoning.
Some people have allergic reactions to tattoo inks or and experience adverse skin reactions. To determine this, you need to see a doctor or dermatologist.
If you have more questions about if your tattoo might be infected, Go See Your Doctor!
Concealer for Covering Tattoos
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More Tattoo Aftercare Info
- Pre-Tattoo and Post-Tattoo Self Care - Body Art
Make sure to take care of yourself both before and right after you get tattooed. This can help make for a more pleasant experience and consequently better body art - "Care of Pet" - Tattoo aftercare instructions
Tattoo care sheet I was given with my third tattoo - HOW DO I CARE FOR MY NEW TATTOO?
The artist that did your tattoo will have something very definite to say about the care of your new tattoo, and it is probably a good idea to listen to him/her. Many shops will have an information sheet listing care instructions. - rec.arts.bodyart Tattoo FAQ, Part 6
How do I care for my new tattoo? Suggested Method #1: The Minimal Moisturizer Method Suggested Method #2: The Huck Spalding Method Suggested Method #3: The Noxzema Method Suggested Method #4: The FAQ Maintainer's Own Method - Tattoos and Tattooing
This decorative art form continues to be a growing attraction to teenagers. Teens as young as 13 and 14 are getting their first tattoos. It isn't just guys who are getting them, over the past twenty years the number of women getting tattoos has quadr - Keloids and Scarring FAQ - Body Art
This is a FAQ composited from the Bella Body Art e-mail and message board forums on the related topics of scarring and keloid scar formation.
PrintShare it! — Rate it: up down [flag this hub]
Got A Tattoo Question? - please note, only questions not already addressed will be approved/answered
i just got a cover up tat on my lower back...just 5 days ago not realizing 7 days later would be 4th of july! Im debating going to the river??? will this cause major trouble for my tat?
Craig, between the vague-ness of your question and the fact that I cannot see into the future of someone else's life, I have no idea.
Hi im going in for my first tatto on monday.lettering on top of my back.im going on holiday 3 weeks after..ive read your articles.Was wondering if you could tell me if it will be ok
Stella, you'll want to read the section on this hub called "Taking Care of a Tattoo."
hi, i had a tattoo done on me top right boob of a cats paw print its really tiny..its the size of a little finger nail...this was done like 3 days ago ive started to scab a lil but couldnt but help but notice a lil bit of scabbin is almost falling off and underneath there is no ink at all but my flesh, ive kinda put a lil moisterizer to smooth it bk over hoping it will stay stuck down but im scared it will all fall off and i there wont be any tattoo underneath...ive read everything the leaflet they gave me and did everything the intructions said why is this happening?
Chase, homemade tattoos are often poor quality just by the fact that the people who do them have such a poor knowledge of tattoo technique and don't know enough about preventing infection via proper medical sterlization of tools.
i did a homemade tat, and i didnt put any moisturizer on untill today when i read u need to... I did it like 4 days ago and now it scabbed and rose... will my tattoo be ruined
Ashley and Lauren, please read the section on Taking Care Of A Tattoo. Both your questions are covered in that area.
i work as a swimming swimming instructor and i had to go in a day after my tattoo for three hours and the day after that as well for the same amount of time. i was wondering have i troubled the healing process at all and is chlorine bad for the tattoo? moreover, how often would i wash and apply the tattoo cream?
Is it okay to walk on the beach with a foot tattoo that is about a week old? If I don't get it wet in the ocean?
Rodrick, sometimes when someone's skin is really traumatized, some of the ink "heals out." Also, tattoos colors can be effected by people's own skin tones/shades. Once the tattoo finishes healing, go back and see your artist if you need some spots touched-up again.
Cecily, fake tan stuff looks orange, why would you want to put that on anything? I have no experience with tanning creams/ointments/whatever myself, but putting fake tanning solution on a healing tattoo would probably result in a nice infection. From what I've read, putting fake tans over healed tattoos have no effect on them.
Leland, that would all depend on the person, how much weight they gained or lost, the age of their tattoo, the exact placement and how fast the weight change occured. As far as the lower back vs the stomach, that area doesn't change as much or as fast comparatively, which is why it's become a popular spot to get ink. If the weight gain was slow and the person took care of their skin (stayed really hydrated/moisturized), nothing might happen. But extreme and rapid weight gain can damage a tattoo if the skin location is really stressed by the change, but that goes for any location on the body.
Samantha, I've never had someone ask me this question before. I had one of my own wrists tattooed this past December so I'm familiar with having that area tattooed, but to hear you say the design is "stretching" sort of doesn't make sense. All I can think is that your artist made some sort of error in how they tattooed you (either too shallow or too deep). When that happens, the ink molecules can be moved around by the skin's fluid system. I suggest you go back and talk to your tattooist about this.
does anyone have this experience?? i tattooed on last sunday.. and today is the fifth day... the skin dried somehow and some of the dead skin coming off.. and i saw pink colour tattoo instead of red?? i had black/red tattoo... but the red somehow became pink... why is it like this??
Is it okay to put FAKE tan on your new or old tattoos?
hypothetical speaking, what happen to your tattoo on your smotach or lower back if you lost or gain weight? just curious.
LOVE YOUR HUB! (:
i just got a brand new tattoo 2 weeks ago & now its streching. Whats the cause of this? Is it normal?-I havent gain weight & plus the tattoo is on my wrist.
Rik, how much or how heavily people scab can really vary with their own healing and how "heavy-handed" their tattooist was on them. Since the scabs contains bits of lymph fluids, blood and tattoo ink, they do seem very dark and tattoos look lighter when they come off. Some people also react to inks differently and occasionally "heal them out" which can sometimes require a touch-up appointment.
christie, I've not heard of anyone having an adverse tattoo reaction from flying, although new foot tattoos are sometimes bothered by the friction of shoes and socks.
Hi. I had my first tattoo done 12 days ago. It takes up about half of my upper arm. It didn't start scabbing for about 5 days, but has all scabbed now. My concern is, it seems to be scabbing again, even for a third time in some places. Is this normal? The second and third lot of scabbing is not as heavy as the first, but my tattoo seems to be getting a bit lighter each time. Would continuing to use the moisturising gel I was given help, or should I stop that now? (I kinda stopped using that after about a week)
Hi anyone who can answer...I am going on a holiday soon and am wanting to get a tattoo done on my foot while I am over there....will probably get it done a couple of days before I fly home. Will it be safe to fly with this new tattoo?? Is there anything that could happen to it on the flight I should be made aware of.....
Ashlee, you'll have to talk to individual artists to find out what their touch-up policy is and generally you need one if some part of your tattoo doesn't heal up well.
Tiffany, I recommend NO tanning. Not before and definitely not after tattooing. Any tanning will just ruin the art so if tanning is really your thing, I suggest you never get tattooed.
Jessie, you have to go see a doctor or tattoo artist and determine if you are having an adverse reaction to the ink or if it's some sort of infection. Only once you figure out what's happening can a proper treatment be applied...
I have 2 questions. Do ALL tattoo shops give you FREE touch-ups? & How do I know if I need a touch-up or not?
I was curious about bed tanning after getting a tattoo. It would def. be after it was healed, but I was wondering if you know ppl that still tan after.
hey is me Jessie again, will the bubbles go away? id would go to that tattoo artist but is 4 states away from me. i was on vacation & got a tattoo.
Jessie, a bubbly texture can be a sign of an infection or an adverse reaction to the ink itself. I suggest paying a visit back to your tattoo artist so that they are aware of your skin's response.
hello my brand new tattoo has 'bubbles' on top of them. is that good or bad? is there anything to prevent it?
-Jessie.
Jessica, you will want to go talk to a tattoo artist about pricing. Each person sets their rates differently.
First of all, I'd like to say THANK YOU for this article. I've been lazily searching for information on tattoos for quite some time, and this was definitely one of the most helpful pieces I have run across. In addition, thank you for allowing us to ask questions and taking the time to respond. =)
I guess my main question is pricing...I know that it varies on many different factors. But basically, I'm tattoo-dumb and wondered if you could give me any sort of estimate at all whatsoever? I'm wanting a heart...half being a treble clef and the other half a bass clef. It will be solid black...no shading or anything of the sort. I'm also thinking it should just be around 2 inches tall because I'm planning on getting it behind and a little below my ear.
I've never used coconut oil on a tattoo, nor have I ever heard of anyone using it, so I can't personally recommend it.
hey can i use pure coconut oil to get my tatto healed
Rashell, I've seen a few people lose pale colors from just one bad sunburn, or for the tattoo to suddenly really drop in brightness or clarity, but there's no way to predict how much sun exposure an individual gets before their skin art is damaged.
I got a tattoo back in october, and today i just ran out of the house without thinking and didnt put sunblock on. Then i went fishing all day, and i have a pretty nasty sunburn. Will this one-time burn have a noticable effect on my tattoos? or is it just prolonged exposure that damages?
Well, Larry, if you aren't going to make the effort, then your tattoo will just get faded much more quickly over time. When you get something that lasts forever, it means you either take care of it forever, or you don't.
how am i supposed to keep from getting sun on the tat on my forearm?!? i dont wear long sleeves an im not gonna spend the rest of my life puttin on sunblock,
Crystal, well obviously it's not normal to what you've experienced before, but it's not out of the ordinary for tattooing. Tattoos and how they heal can change due to placement on the body (skin textures vary with location), how "heavy-handed" the artist is, and the complexity of the design and shading of the artwork.
I got a tattoo 3 days ago..this is my 7th tattoo so I am pretty familiar with the healing process but this one is healing much differently. It is on my arm and it is getting a really heavy gross looking scab. Its extremely lumpy and think..not like the tattoo's I have had before. They only got a really thin scab on the top of them. This one also seems to be oozing a bit. It looks pretty gross. Is this normal?
Sarah, I have no personal experience with Tattoo Goo. But otherwise your tattoo sounds normal. It's still forming the scab which is why it left the outline on the gauze, the surface is still a bit open.
I got a tattoo 2 days ago. I've had some of the ink heal out. I got it on my stomach near my hipbone and covered it with guaze when I wore jeans last night so that the jeans wouldn't rub the tattoo. When I took the guaze off a few hours later there was a perfect butterfly shape with all of the colors of my tattoo on the guaze. Is that normal? The tattoo still looks fine, but I'm wondering what your suggestion is on what to do when I need to wear jeans...I mean I can't go around wearing sweatpants all the time! I'm also wondering after reading all of the after care instructions if what my tattoo artist gave me is okay to use. I am using Tattoo Goo, and he told me to use it for 5 days 4 times a day. Any experience with Tattoo Goo? Thanks!
Trisha, very detailed work and color shading often involves having the same area tattooed over more than once and it may be that this just creates too much trauma for your skin. Please note, this is me just guessing from you not saying that your first tattoos were detailed with lots color, just these last three. The only other thing I can think is that washing the tattoos so much may be irritating them. After all, new tattoos aren't very happy being wet.
In the last year I have gotten 3 different tattoos, all 3 had lots of detail, and color. All 3 tattoos I have had helaing problems with. Heavy scabbing, and color loss. I thought maybe the first 2 was because of the ointment, then on the third I went back to using Bag Balm. That is what I used to heal my first tattoo several years ago, and I used to heal the touch up on first tattoo with no problems. But sure enough I had problems healing again. This time I did not get as many scabs, and I did not loose as much color, but I still got heavy scabs in some places, and lost some color. I wash the tattoo 3x's a day, apply ointment, and so on. Any ideas on what is happening.
Steve, of the two things you asked, I think the bigger danger would be heavily sweating. That's how the body gets rid of a lot of toxins and is a really easy way to infect a new tattoo. Skin expansion and contraction isn't a problem unless it rips the scab. I'd say lighten up a tad on the workout routine and make sure to drink a lot of water to make your sweat contain less irritants.
I am getting a tattoo on my arm, and I have been reading the questions and advice and all. My question is, after I get the tattoo, is it advisable/inadvisable to go to the gym and work out vigorously? Will the sweat be a problem or the stretching and contracting of the skin?
Stephanie, since you say your tattoo is in black and white, getting any work done to it will not make it appear "brighter."
I got my first tattoo 8 months ago (using black and white ink), and it healed without any problems. My tattoo artist said the studio offers free touch-ups within the first year of getting a tattoo. How can I tell if my tattoo needs a touch-up? Would it be beneficial to take advantage of the free touch-up to help brighten the ink from the original tattoo?
Since pimples (zits) are just blocked pores in the skin, the answer is yes. You can also get mosquito bites on tattoos. In either case, picking or scratching can lead to permanent art damage.
i got my tattoo 5 days ago and i wondering do pimples or zits grow on or around a tattoo? if i does can i mess up a tattoo? thanks
Lisa, i would not recommend drinking after getting tattooed. The blood-thinning effect on the still-healing tattoo can lead to excessive surface bleeding, sometimes even a day or two after getting tattooed.
Pombas, I've had tattoos that took up to a week to scab, and others which seemed to be scabbing over the very next day. I've found it can really vary with location, at least in my own experience.
is it ok to drink after the tattoo...i'm talking later that night?
hi.. i made my second tattoo three days ago and still didn't scabbed is this normal? my first tattoo scabbed from the second day and i am a bit worried any useful suggestions would be thankfull..
thnx...
Mob, it's not only unsafe, it's illegal. If you are so nervous about getting tattooed that you would need to take medication (self-administered or otherwise) to calm yourself before doing so, you shouldn't even be getting tattooed. If you're that scared or nervous, it's better to just not go through with the experience.
Chicko, my advice would be to read this HubPage again.
Is it safe to get high to calm my nerves before getting a tattoo
i got a tattoo about six days ago on my upper left ankle and been applying a cream called multimycin which my tattoist recommended. well everything seemed fine i followed the basic instructions on tattoo aftercare but i think my tattoo is starting to scab and in the morning when i woke up a small part appeared without a scab and looks lighter then the whole tattoo and kinda faded. what kind of advice can you give me...???
Shannon, getting hair coloring on healing tattoo would be bad, and most likely the active ammonia solution would cause a chemical burn to the open skin tissues and be extremely painful. You definitely don't want that.
I was wondering if coloring my hair would affect the tattoo during its healing process. I do not want the color dripping down my arm whike rinising it to mess it up.
Unless your animals are crawling all over your fresh tattoo, they shouldn't be a factor. Now, if your house is so dirty with pet hair that you're getting it all over the tattoo, then the best course of action is to clean the house. If the clothing is really rubbing the tattoo surface, then wear something that leaves it uncovered.
Should i wear a t shirt over it or a tube top and have it airing. Since I have animals I am not sure which is safest. any advice?
Danielle, what you are describing is the completely normal shedding of the scab. It does wind up colored and shaped just like your tattoo.
Hello. I got a tattoo of a flower on my right shoulder blade. It is very colorful. I used aquaphor for the first 4 days and this 5th day have started to use curel non scented lotion. Now i have noticed when i wash it and rub lotion on it that small pieces of my skin are coming off, some with the ink and exact tattoo design. Of course I am not picking it. So how do i was it and put lotion on it and not rub off more skin. I have not had scabbing, just this flaking. Also, my first night i ware a t shirt and it kinda got stuck so the 2nd night i wore a tube top so no clothing was on it. But, I have a dog and a cat in my house so I was afriad the air was not so clean and that animal hair might get on it. So the thrid night and on I have worn a cotton t shirt. Should I wear this t shirt or a tube top since i have animals?
Val, I give advice based on the 20 years that I've been getting tattooed. This hub actually details the healing method I was given by multiple studios over the years, but if you don't want to read it and don't like what I'm telling you, and you don't like what your tattoo shop told you, there's really nothing more I can say to reassure or advise you.
Im not sure just because the people at the tattoo shop said go get un-sented Lubriderm and they didnt say to use anything else. I mentioned I had some stuff at home called "Webber" and she said NO use Lubriderm and so I did. Im probably over reacting but this tattoo is in memory of my grandfather, I am in love with it and don't want anything bad to happen
Val, it's not "rubbing off." Your tattoo is so new, the surface is still open which is why any fluids that leak out of it are colored with the ink. Make sure not to keep it too wet, and you should be putting antibiotic ointment on it until it starts to scab, not lotion.
I just got a tattoo done yesterday, I find that some black is on my bra strap and on my pillow when I woke up. Im using un-sented Lubriderm like the tattoo shop said but like I am worried that its not supposed to rub off.
Here on the Hub, I've given some guidelines for what to look for in lotions and there are links to tattoo aftercare products. Outside of that, what you choose to use is up to you. You will know your own healing process, skin and needs better than I will.
I just got a new tattoo placed over an old one that looked like crap. I don't remember what I was told when I had gotten the old one and the person that did it said A&D but what I read in some of your posts is that, that is bad advice. I was wondering what about Palmer's Cocoa Butter Fragrance Free or Curel Ultra Healing (some lady in a video said Curel is a good one to use) So many people say different things its hard to know what's the best thing to use. Any brand names you would advise to use and not to use? Any help would be appreciated. Thank you =)
Hey thanks! I went to the Tattoo Expo here in San Francisco tonight and most of the artists said the same thing. The guy who did mine probably used a lighter shade of red and I should just go back in a month or so and ask him to touch it up with a darker red. Thanks again for the info. Great post!
Jay, when you say the red appears pink, it could be just the shade used by your tattooist, it could be due to how much of the ink is healing out or it could be due to how your own skin tone effects the appearance of the ink. You need to make sure your tattoo is completely done healing (no scab, not raised up) before you get any touch-ups or re-coloring done or there's a slight chance you can trigger the formation of raised scar tissue.
I just got my name in varsity letters along my right fore arm about a week ago. The first few days, the black outline and red inline of the letters was very bold and dark, but now that the tattoo has started scabbing and peeling, the red color has become pink. Will getting the red parts touched up again help to make it darker? How long should I wait?
Danni, if you don't work to keep the scabbing tattoo dry, it's not going to heal well at all. You may have to keep your foot in a plastic bag when you shower if that's the only way to keep the scab on and dry. Feet are a tough heal too, as they get so much friction from footwear and frequently the ink heals out.
Hey i have a quick question.. i got a flower on my foot about 2 weeks ago and there is ONE area of my tatt that is SCABBED and gross.. and it looks like its going to need some serious touchuping when it heals.. but its a proces.. it SCABS up HARD .. then i shower.. and it goes back to much.. scabs up again.. i get a shower.. it turns to mush.. i dont know how this is going to heal.
Scarab, time and natural skin aging will ultimately cause tattoos to seem less bright but the only thing that really, really speeds up the process is sun exposure. I also try to avoid getting bug bites or cuts on tattoos, as the skin breaks and/or scratching can mar the designs as well.
Hi Relache, I got my tattoo about 45 days ago, and it looks pretty good, healed and everything. But now that it's healed, is there anything I should do in order to keep my tattoo bright and cool for many years? I mean, besides using sunscreen when going to the beach. Thx for the advise.
S, if you read the hub, you'll find my recommendations for taking care of a tattoo that I've used for the past 20 years myself.
hi. my tattooist said it's the best way that you don't put anything (ointment or lotion) at all for your brand new tattoo.. so i didn't put anything at all yesterday, but i feel like tattoo area is so dry and painful... should i put ointment??
Jerome, if you'd read any of this Hub, you'd know already that getting your tattoo ahead of your beach trip means you'll have to keep it entirely out of any ocean water, hot tubs or pools. And it's going to be EXTREMELY sensitive to sun exposure while healing.
And your points about your skin condition post-trip are pretty valid too.
If it was me, I wouldn't get tattooed around this trip at all, but what you do is entirely your choice.
hi, thanks so much for the information. im in a bit of a jam here, ill be meeting up with my brother for roughly two weeks and within this time we're planning to get a tattoo. the thing is we are also goint to a have a beach trip for 5 days, and heres my question. will it be ok or advisable to get the tattoo 5 days before the trip or a day after the trip. ive been doing some light research on this matter... i really wouldnt jeopardize the outcome and quality of the tattoo. if we do it before the trip im afraid of the soaking and the sun, though i can just put a shirt on to block the sun. but then if we get it after, im afraid the skin might be too dry or tanned for the ink to settle in.
in need of guidance,
jerome
thanks so much!
jadesecret, try reading my Hub called "Ideas for Tattoos," http://hubpages.com/hub/Ideas_for_Tattoos
i was just thinking of getting a tattoo someday and this article of yours is really informative! I would like to know how you choose tattoos because obviously, you wouldn't want someone to have the same tattoo as you do.
Dannyw, it sounds like you are having either some sort of infection or allergic reaction. My advice is you go see a doctor right away and get a proper medical diagnosis.
Steph, you're going to have to be the judge of whether you can wax or not. After all, it's your leg, not mine.
I got some more work done on my tattoo about a week ago and now little red bumps are forming in groups all through out my arm and they itch. It is also hot to the touch. Is this something i should be worried about?
Hello, and thanks for the great advice. I got my first tattoo a little over a month ago. My question is: Is it ok to wax the area now? I'm afraid that the pulling will mess it up even though I am almost sure that it has completely healed. Any advice?
That's an awesome tattoo! Props to the artist who did it! My husband just recently started getting involved with tattooing. It's an interesting process to watch him learn. I have two tattoos myself, but nothing as big as yours. Informative hub. Thanks!
this is really beautiful...nice post...thanx for sharing...its amazing...
Shelby, yes it's a bad idea. Not only are you at risk for making bad decisions while medicated, but your immune system will already be dealing with the after-effects of your anesthesia and post-op medication. You'd be much better off waiting until your body has fully recovered.
hi, i was wondering, im getting some teeth pulled and i will be put under anesthesia and then afterwards i am giong to have to take antibiotics and vicodin(if needed). and i was wanting to get a tattoo 2 days after, is this a bad thing?
Jesse, I'm just going to have to make a "guesstimate" here. To me, if the whole scab and following dry skin phase are done, you're probably in the clear. Those are both signs that the skin is still actively healing, and that's when it's most susceptible to infection from sweat carrying toxins through the skin, or from damage if friction from clothing rips off bits of the scab prematurely. But like I said, that's just me guessing about how someone else might heal. In the end, you're the one who's going to have to decide when you're ready to exercise again and then see what happens.
I got the better part of a tattoo right at 2 weeks ago. I cannot get a straight answer on how long I need to wait to work out, at the very least I would like to start running again, but concerned about heavy sweating and my new tattoo?
EJ, most people find out they have allergies to lanolin by wearing wool (it's in the fibers), but yeah, lanolin and mineral oil are not good for tattoos. As for the steroid cream, you'll have to stick to professional medical opinions, as in you'll need to go find a 2nd one if you aren't sure about the doctor you saw. I'm not a medical professional myself and have zero experience with anything contains steriods.
Thanks for having this page:) I woke up on the second week aniversary of my feet tattoo (both tops of my feet) with pretty much a full blown red hot itchy rash underneath my tattoo, and now it's spread beyond the art, up my ankle. I used Eucerin Intense care moisture crap on it the afternoon before the rash came(for the first and only time on the tattoo, but I have used it before on the bottoms of my feet before they had tatts).. It has lanolin in it and mineral oil (duh). The doc (who doesn't have any tattoos) said ink allergy/rejection and gave me mild steroid cream to help the itching rash. My tattoo artist said allergy to lanolin cause he only uses black ink, or black ink mixed with water for shading (I have both), and he's seen something similar on another tattoo that the person used lanolin on. The tattoo itself looks pretty solid, but itchy bumpy red. There seems to be barely maybe a tiny bit of "healing out" on some shaded areas. Will the steroid cream mess up the tattoo if I use it? What's the deal? Cheers
Matt, I can't say for sure how getting tattooed will effect you and the ability to do your work, but I do know that heavily sweating with a new healing tattoo can cause them to become infected, since sweat is part of how the body removes toxins.
i work as a truck unloader, will lifting etc effect the outcome of a healing tattoo? I plan on getting one done next week on my shoulder.
relache says:
8 days ago
Judee girl, it could cause problems. The biggest threat is bacterial infection, the next is healing unevenly due to being overwet.