What are the differences between moles, freckles and birthmarks?

Moles

Moles occur when skin cells known as melanocytes grow in a small cluster, instead of getting spread uniformly in the skin. Melanocytes produce melanin, which give skin its natural colour (the more melanin in the skin, the darker it is).

There are 3 types of moles:

1. Congenital – moles that appear at birth
2. Acquired – moles that appear after birth, usually up until age 40
3. Atypical – irregular moles (also called dysplastic nevus)

Common moles (both congenital and acquired moles) can either be flat or raised. These usually come in a single colour (brown, black, pink, tan, even red) and are usually less than 5 millimetres in width (any more than 5mm and you may have reason to be suspicious). In terms of shape, common moles are usually round or oval, and have a distinct edge/border.  

Atypical moles, on the other hand, have an odd shape and are usually larger than 5mm. These moles are often a combination of two or more colours. These are commonly mistaken as cancerous, but they’re not.

Freckles

Freckles are commonly found on people with fair skin, usually appearing on parts of skin that get frequent sun exposure. These are brown, small spots that are formed from an overproduction of melanin, in reaction to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Freckles are generally harmless.

Birthmarks

From the word itself, birthmarks are ‘marks’ that appear on skin at the time of birth – or shortly thereafter. There are two types of birthmarks: pigmented and vascular.

Pigmented birthmarks result from an overabundance of pigment cells in one area. One example would be congenital moles.

Vascular birthmarks, on the other hand, result from malformed veins or a cluster of veins in a particular area.

Is it safe to tattoo over a mole?

Alright, I’ll get straight to the point here. No, it’s not safe to tattoo over a mole. Why? Well, there are a few reasons.

• You won’t know if your mole develops into melanoma

Moles – whether it be congenital, acquired, or atypical – can become cancerous, especially when exposed excessively to sunlight. Remember, moles are made up of tightly packed melanocytes.

Now, melanoma (a rare but dangerous type of skin cancer) starts in the melanocytes. Exposure to UV rays dangerously accelerate melanocyte reproduction, which causes moles to grow in size and change in shape. This is why it’s NOT advisable to tattoo over moles – it’s an important health indicator.

Sure, your mole may not be cancerous now, but if you’re not vigilant with sun protection, then chances are it can develop into melanoma. Here are the melanoma signs to watch out for:

• A – asymmetry (the sides don’t match each other)
• B – border irregularity (the mole’s border is uneven or ragged)
• C – colour variations (most moles are singular in colour)
• D – diameter (mole is larger than 6mm)
• E – evolution (over time, the mole may increase in size, change in colour, becomes itchy all of a sudden, and you may experience pain and soreness in the area)

Here’s an infographic to help you remember the ABCDE guidelines:

As you can see, covering up the mole with a tattoo may result to you not recognising any changes to its shape and form. It may have turned cancerous right before your very eyes, and you would have no clue.  

• It may cause excessive bleeding

Tattooing involves blood, yes, but not excessive amounts of it. In fact, depending on the tattooist’s skills and the area being tattooed, the bleeding can be downright very minimal. But when tattooing over a mole, it’s a different story.

Even accidentally cutting a mole can result to excessive bleeding. Imagine tiny needles puncturing a mole hundreds or thousands of times. Blood may not gush out, but it won’t be the light bleeding you’d expect from a normal tattoo.

Related article: Can You Donate Blood With A Tattoo

• It’s difficult to get the colour right

Moles are said to absorb ink differently from normal skin. It can distort a tattoo’s colour and can make it look pigmented. So, it’s a bit tricky for tattooists to ensure the right colour appears on the mole.

Is it safe to tattoo over freckles?

Unlike moles, it’s perfectly fine to get inked over freckles! Technically, tattooing over freckles is the same as tattooing over clear skin. It won’t bother your tattooist and you don’t need to worry about excessive bleeding.

Is it safe to tattoo over birthmarks?

It depends on the type of birthmark. Remember, moles are a type of birthmark too (and it’s not safe to tattoo over moles). Some birthmarks disappear well before adulthood. But for those that survive until your 18^th birthday (when you can be legally tattooed), it’s best to seek medical advice from your GP or a dermatologist.

Still thinking of getting a tattoo on your mole?

Now that you know getting a tattoo on a mole isn’t advisable, here’s what you can do instead:

Tattoo around the mole

This is actually an ingenious solution. You’re not harming your mole in any way, shape or form. You just need to think of a tattoo design that will put that mole to good use. Here’s an example:

As you can see, the mole is hidden well in the design. Can’t see it? It’s the dot above the letter “i”. Pretty cool, right?!

Have it removed surgically

Whether it’s benign or cancerous, mole removal is an option nowadays. If you really, really want to get a tattoo on the spot right where your mole is, then consider having the mole removed. It may end up in a bit of scarring, but fortunately, your tattoo will hide it well and no one will be the wiser!

Conclusion

It’s not advisable to get tattooed directly over your mole or birthmark (freckles are fine). But if push comes to shove, you can either have it removed surgically or you may ask your artist to tattoo around the mole.

Who can give blood?

In a perfect world, everyone capable and healthy can give blood. But this isn’t the case obviously. There needs to be certain criteria in place to ensure the safety of recipients. These requirements will vary from country to country, but here in the UK, here’s who can donate:

• Age: Between 17 and 66 (up to 70 if you’ve given blood before). If you’re over 70 and have donated blood in the past 2 years, you’re also eligible.
• Weight: Between 50kg and 158kg
• Generally fit and healthy
• Other conditions:
  • If you just got a tattoo / body piercing / non-medical injection, you need to wait at least 4 months before donating blood (scroll down to know why).
  • If you’ve got a cold, you can’t donate. Wait for it to clear up first.
  • If you’re feeling under the weather, get some rest to get better.
  • If you have an infection (and taking antibiotics for it), wait at least 14 days before giving blood.
  • If you’re pregnant, you can’t give blood (you and your baby need it).
  • You can donate blood after 24 hours if you had a simple dental treatment. Otherwise, you need to wait up to 14 days (or more).

For a more comprehensive list on who can donate blood, please visit https://www.blood.co.uk/.

So, people with old tattoos can give blood, yes? 

Yes, if your tattoo is more than 4 months old, you can give blood. However, you can only do so if you got inked by a licensed tattooist.

If you got tattooed by a scratcher or you had a stick and poke tattoo done by a friend at home, then it’s best to wait at least a year before donating blood.

But why the discrepancy in waiting times?

Well, if you got inked by a licenced tattooist, then it is assumed that proper sanitation is observed in the premises. This is one of the key requirements for local councils to approve a tattooist for business.

To get a tattoo licence, the shop or parlour will be evaluated and inspected first to ensure all stringent requirements are met, and that clients’ health won’t be compromised. Only then can they get a licence to operate their business.  

Now, if you got inked by a scratcher or a non-licensed, wannabe tattooist, then it’s a different story altogether. Scratchers tend to work in less than ideal, unsanitary environments. Sure, some of them may be skilled and talented. But that won’t mean a thing if you contract a tattoo infection. Or worse, a bloodborne disease like hepatitis B, hepatitis C, MRSA, and even HIV!

Tattooing isn’t just about sticking needles in someone’s skin, it’s technically a minor medical operation. Blood-borne pathogens certainly aren’t a joke, so work with someone who’s actually licenced to do the job.

The waiting time serves an important purpose…

It allows the body to produce antibodies, so that diseases can be identified. Antibodies take time to produce, so if you contracted an infection a week ago, it won’t show up immediately on blood tests. It’s important for your blood to be free of bloodborne diseases. You’re donating to save lives, not put anyone in harm’s way!

That said, always choose to work with a licenced tattooist. The risks are significantly reduced, and you get to donate life-saving blood in just 4 short months!

Disclaimer:

The 4-month waiting period applies to the UK. For other locations, please check with your local authorities to find out how soon AFTER getting a tattoo you can donate blood. Some countries/states/provinces require longer periods (6 months to 1 year). Others are able to donate a day or two later (in places which regulate tattoo shops).  

Can you donate blood BEFORE getting a tattoo?

It’s possible to donate blood before you get a tattoo, as long it’s not on the same day. This is because you may feel faint or lightheaded after donating. And seeing how painful tattooing can be, you need all your strength to withstand the pain.

Allow your body to recover from your good deed first, before embarking on your next endeavour. This may take a day or two, or however long you need to recuperate from the blood loss.

Here’s what you can do to help your body recover and prepare for your upcoming tattoo appointment:

• Eat well and get a good night’s sleep

Blood donation can take maybe 30-45 minutes. But it can be physically exhausting. You may feel weak and dizzy, so grab a healthy snack and drink water afterwards. Then get at least 6-8 hours of sleep to help your body recover.

• Drink plenty of fluids for the next few days

You just lost a lot of fluid (in the form of blood). To avoid dehydration, you should drink plenty of water and/or sports drinks like Gatorade to replace electrolytes in your body.

• Avoid going to the gym and/or exercising

For the gym bunnies out there, surely, a day or two of rest won’t kill you. But strenuous physical activity might. After donating, it’s best to get plenty of rest. Don’t forget you still need to prepare your body for your tattooing session.  

• Avoid taking blood thinning medication

This includes aspirin or ibuprofen. Doing so may cause issues with your tattoo healing properly.  

• Avoid drinking alcohol

Alcohol thins the blood. If you do have a tattoo the following day, it’s best to avoid drinking any alcoholic drinks.

If you still feel light-headed even after getting some rest, and you feel unwell the day after giving blood, you may be coming down with something. If so, speak with your GP and reschedule your tattoo appointment to a later date.

Why become a donor: Benefits of donating blood

By now, you already know that giving blood can save lives. If everyone healthy were to donate blood regularly, we’d have sufficient supply in blood banks everywhere. Anyone who needs blood won’t ever need to go into panic mode, and can focus on their recovery instead.

But what about you? As a donor, do you get anything in return for your benevolent act?

The answer is yes, you do get a lot of benefit in return! Here are some of them:

• Lowers your iron levels

Iron is important to the body. If you’re low in iron, you’re anaemic. If you’ve got too much iron, you may have hemochromatosis (more men suffer this condition, probably because females lose blood through menstruation). It’s therefore important to have just the right amount of iron in blood. And one way to maintain healthy levels of iron in blood is by donating blood regularly.

• Reduce the risk of heart attack

According to this study, blood donation can lower the risk of myocardial infarction or heart attack. People who have high levels of iron in their blood are especially at risk of heart failure and disease.

• Reduce the risk of cancer

Too much iron can accelerate the growth of tumours. High levels of iron is associated with a 25% increase in risk of getting cancer. It is therefore important to reduce iron levels in blood – and donating blood will certainly help you achieve this goal.

• Replenish blood

Women menstruate and regularly replenish blood. Men, however, don’t. So, if you’ve got high iron levels in blood, it’s best to give blood if you can.

• Feel good about yourself

Knowing you’re helping someone is a powerful mood booster! I’ve personally donated blood several times over the years, and I always feel good afterwards. You may not know the recipient personally, but the knowledge that you’re making a difference in a life-and-death situation feels wonderful.

So, how often can you donate blood?  

Lovin’ the health benefits of blood donation and thinking of donating frequently? Well, that’s great news! The more you donate, the more people get the blood they need! So, how often can you donate?

• If you get tattooed frequently, you can donate 4 months after your last tattoo.
• For men, you can donate every 3 months (there’s a shorter recovery period between donations because men have more haemoglobin).
• Women, on the other hand, can donate every 4 months (girls menstruate so there needs to be some leeway for haemoglobin levels to go back to normal).

What to look for to ensure you get a ‘sanitary’ tattoo

Keep these tips in mind if you want to ensure you get a safe tattoo, so you can continue (or start) donating blood after 4 months!

• Verify the tattooing licence

Professionally-done tattoos cost more money than a DIY tattoo or scratcher tattoo. And it’s understandable why. You’re paying for their skills, their experience, and their sanitary practices to protect you from infection and disease.  

In the UK, tattooists are advised to display their licence or certificate in a prominent part of the shop (this is usually in the reception area). Failure to do so may result in a council fine or penalty.  

• Make sure the place is clean, especially the tattooist’s working area

Do an ocular inspection of the tattoo shop you plan on getting tattooed at. Schedule a visit before your appointment and ask the tattooist if you can sit in and observe. Here are some things you should watch out for:

Do you see a sharps box?

It’s where tattooists dispose their single-use needles and cartridges after every session. If the artist throws their needles into a regular trash bin, then that’s a big no-no.

Does the artist cover up the entire working area with plastic wrap, including their tattoo machine?

It’s easy for cross-contamination to occur if they don’t. Blood and other bodily fluids can easily splash onto various surfaces. It’s important to make sure the artist replaces the wraps after each session.

Does the artist use disposable gloves?

It would be so unsanitary if he/she didn’t! And make sure that those gloves stay on, they don’t touch uncovered and unprotected surfaces. Otherwise, that defeats the purpose of wearing gloves in the first place, right?

Ensure the artist does not use recycled tattooing equipment

Some tattoo parlours use autoclaves to sterilise their tattooing equipment. But nowadays, it’s more practical to just use single-use needles. Check that the needles, tattoo ink, and gloves aren’t reused, and are used straight from the packaging.

• Follow proper aftercare

You’ve got 4 months to wait from the moment you get inked until you can finally donate blood. Your tattoo will be fully healed by then. In fact, if you carefully follow aftercare instructions, your tattoo should heal up within 3-4 weeks. Here’s an infographic to give you an idea of what goes on during aftercare:

Related article: Tattoo Etiquette: The 12 Do’s and Don’ts of Getting a Tattoo

Conclusion

You can still donate blood even if you’ve got a tattoo. As long as you meet the donor criteria, and clear the 4-month waiting period, then blood donation should be on your to-do list. You’ll not only save lives, you’ll also reap plenty of health benefits, too!

Why is my new tattoo leaking ink? Should I be worried?

Short answer? No, you shouldn’t be worried about leaking ink. At all.

Long answer, well, it’s part of the tattoo healing process. Ink leaks are absolutely normal and totally expected. In fact, if you don’t experience any degree of leaking, then that’s when you should be worried!

Here’s Gabby Abi’s video showing her tattoo still leaking on the third day:

So, here’s why healing tattoos tend to leak some ink:

Tattoo artists pack as much ink as possible into the dermis

This is done to ensure the tattoo looks vibrant and colour consistent. It also helps prevent the tattoo from looking patchy, with blank spots here and there.  

To ensure the right ink levels are deposited in the dermis, the artist will need to go beyond full capacity. I mean, think about it. If they don’t do this, then it’s highly likely the tattoo will look lacklustre from the get-go! It’s difficult enough to guess exactly how thick the dermis is (it varies), so it’s best to try and deposit as much ink as possible.

In case you’re wondering, this is why tattooist’s wipe their client’s skin constantly during the tattooing process. They’re wiping off the excess ink as well as body fluids released from the skin while they’re working on you.

That said, the ink you see leaking during the healing process is part of the excess ink that was inserted by your tattooist. Also, it’s not just the ink you see oozing out. It’s a combination of ink, blood, plasma, sweat, and other bodily fluids. So, it’s all normal, it’s all to be expected, and it’s nothing to be worried about.

Your immune system will try to get rid of the ink

Another reason why it’s practical for tattooists to try and cram as much ink into the skin is because some will be destroyed by the immune system. Technically, ink molecules are far too large for macrophages (white blood cells) to ‘eat’ and destroy. However, as time goes by, these molecules will eventually get broken down into tiny particles. These will be absorbed into the blood stream and will be excreted as waste.

This is generally the reason why tattoo fading occurs. If the ink quantities were too low to begin with, then fading will occur much earlier. And you’d need to think about getting it redone or touched up sooner as well.

How long is my tattoo going to leak?

It really depends on how big the tattoo is and how well your immune system works. But on average, most people’s tattoos stop leaking around day 2 or 3. If yours leak for far longer, and you experience symptoms similar to these, then you may be allergic to the ink.

How to deal with leaking tattoo ink  

Here are several tips to help you stay on top of your leaking tattoo:

• Clean the area properly

The gunk that’s accumulated on your skin needs to be removed. And not just for obvious, hygienic reasons, too. Rather, the main reason you need to remove the gunk is because if left for too long, it can harden and build up into a thick scab.

Now, scabs are normal for healing wounds, including tattoos. But you don’t want it to become too thick as it can easily crack and delay the healing process. Plus, it’s so easy to pick and pull at it, which is bad because it can also remove ink from the dermis!

With that being said, to remove the gunk completely, you need to use warm water as it’s easier to wash off the gunk than when using cold water. As for tattoo soap, it’s best to use non-fragranced, antibacterial soap. Avoid anything that contains artificial fragrances as it can irritate the tattoo.

• Take extra precautions when you shower

Of course, you don’t need to stop taking a shower just because you got a tattoo. Physical hygiene is important when you’ve got a new tattoo, otherwise, you yourself can infect your tattoo!

When taking showers, it’s important to keep it quick (max 5-10 minutes). And to avoid letting a stream of water hit the tattoo directly as the area will still be tender (you can cup some water to clean the tattoo). Make sure you continue to use gentle soap in the shower to avoid irritating the skin.

While showers are fine, what you need to refrain from doing is bathing and swimming. Doing so can soak the tattoo in water, which can kickstart an infection.

• Don’t put too much ointment

After you’ve washed your tattoo and removed all traces of leaking ink, you can now apply healing ointment. It will protect the tattoo and speed up the healing process as well. There are several types of ointments and balms you can use for this stage.

If you prefer petrolatum-based products, check out Aquaphor or A+D. These are semi-occlusive in that they’ll block harmful pathogens from getting into the skin, but will still let oxygen in. FYI, oxygen plays a key role in wound healing. If you’re a fan of all-natural, organic products, check out Hustle Butter and Saniderm’s non-petroleum tattoo balm instead.

Anyway, no matter which healing product you choose, it’s important to apply only a very thin layer. Otherwise, it can block the oxygen from getting in the skin. Plus, it may even cause the tattoo to leak even more ink!

• Use clean bedsheets

You don’t want to sleep on filthy bedsheets. I mean, you’ve taken the time to carefully wash and clean your tattoo, so why would you not choose to sleep on something clean, right?

Dirty sheets can have all sorts of germs and bacteria on it, not to mention pet hair if you let your pets in bed with you! Alternatively, if you’ve run out of clean sheets, you can put a clean towel or shirt underneath instead.

Whichever you decide to sleep on, know that you will be most likely be leaking the ink onto it. Here’s an example of someone with ink stain:

• Use second skin tattoo bandage or wrap

Wraps like Inksafe’s Tattoo Protection Film and Dermalize’s Protective Tattoo Film are gaining in popularity. These wraps/bandages/film are the perfect tattoo healing accessory for people who can’t take time off work. Or, those who can’t be bothered to wash their tattoo every few hours or so. This is because you can leave the wrap on for about 3-5 days without changing it (though it’s advisable you change the initial bandage your tattooist put on you).

Why? Because these products are waterproof (you can shower with them, but not bathe in it) and breathable (it will let oxygen in so you don’t need to take it off frequently).  

Second skin tattoo wraps are also transparent, so you can see your tattoo leaking ink quite clearly. So, make sure you apply the wrap properly so it sticks to your skin. Otherwise, the plasma and the ink will be leaking right on to your clothes.

• Stop drinking alcoholic beverages

Oh yes, if you’re drinking alcohol with a fresh tattoo on, you need to stop right now. Actually, you should have stopped a couple of days before your tattooing session as alcohol can thin the blood and prevent it from clotting up properly. This means that your ink will be leaking for far longer than necessary, all because your blood’s clotting capabilities are affected.

Conclusion

A new tattoo leaking ink is nothing to be worried out. It’s just a normal part of the tattoo healing process. You can expect the area to stop weeping, oozing or leaking in about 1-3 days. If it takes longer and you suspect something is wrong, please consult with your GP.

What causes new tattoos to crack?

Before we begin, let me get this out of the way first. Technically, it’s not the tattoo itself that cracks, rather it’s the scab that forms on the surface. As your tattoo heals, it will be oozing blood plasma and ink during the first couple of days.

As part of tattoo aftercare, your tattooist will tell you to regularly clean the area (use gentle, non-fragranced soap). This is an important step to prevent thick scabs from forming later. But in most cases, no matter how well you clean the tattoo, it may still form scabs. And it’s the scabs (not your tattoo) that will be prone to cracking.  

Here’s a good example of a new tattoo cracking on the surface:

So, why does this happen?

Well, here are a few reasons:

1) You’ve got big, thick scabs on your tattoo

Some people are fortunate enough to not scab. For the most part, however, I’d say a large majority will experience light scabbing, which is pretty normal.

If you belong to the heavy-scabbing group, well, that’s a different story altogether, but still nothing to be alarmed about. A thick scab won’t be the end of the world, but you’ll be more prone to experience tattoo cracking. Here’s why:

1. Thick scabs tend to dry out faster than light scabs.
2. The thicker the scab, the easier it is get bumped, ripped or pulled out accidentally. This can cause the scab to crack and split.

Super thick scabs on this tattoo (Photo by Amanda from Flickr)

With thick scabs, your tattoo may also take a bit more time to heal properly. But if you observe proper tattoo aftercare, don’t worry, it will still heal!

Also, another thing that might make someone prone to heavy scabbing is when a relatively large expanse of skin is tattooed. For instance, a tattoo outline will most likely yield a smaller/lighter scab compared to a filler or shader job. So, keep this in mind if you’re thinking of getting supplemental (filling/shading) work done on your tattoo.

2) You’ve got terribly dry skin

Proper skin moisturisation is key to a well-healed, good-looking tattoo. If you’ve got naturally dry skin, you need to step up your moisturising game.

If not, then your scabs may thicken to the point where it can split, break, and crack easily. Fortunately, there are plenty of tattoo lotions, ointments and creams that will help you moisturise your skin.

3) Your tattoo is infected

Another reason why a new tattoo may crack is that it got infected. It’s possible that poor hygiene and sanitation allowed germs and bacteria to infiltrate the tattoo.

This is why proper hygiene is essential on a brand-new tattoo. It’s especially important during the ‘weeping’ stages because the tattoo is technically still an open wound at this point.

Fortunately, an infected tattoo is not always a reason for alarm, except in severe cases. A cracked tattoo may not necessarily be bad on its own.

But when coupled with other symptoms like raised temperature on the tattoo area, fever, itching, pus, and foul odour, then you may be looking at a severe infection. Check out this article to know more about the causes, symptoms, and treatment options of an infected tattoo.

Do old tattoos crack too?

There’s a perfectly good explanation why tattoo cracking only happens on new tattoos. Old and fully healed tattoos won’t have this problem because it’s way past the scabbing and peeling stage. So, there’s literally nothing else left to crack apart from the skin itself (which happens all the time to very dry skin).

Also, the ink would definitely have fully settled in the dermis by now. You’d need to undergo laser removal to get rid of the ink embedded in your skin.

How to prevent tattoos from cracking?

You can take a few precautions to prevent tattoos from cracking:

1) Clean the tattoo regularly

You may not be able to completely eliminate scabbing (it’s normal for wounds to scab), but you can certainly minimise it. The trick is to clean up the blood, plasma, and ink that will be oozing from the tattoo during the first day or so. Don’t let it collect on the surface. To ensure the ‘gunk’ is removed, wash your skin with warm water and gentle, non-fragranced soap.  

2) Apply a thin layer of healing ointment

After washing the tattoo, let it air dry or pat it dry with kitchen roll. Then apply a thin layer of healing ointment. You can use a petroleum jelly-based ointment like Aquaphor or A+D (but stay away from Vaseline since it’s 100% petrolatum).

Alternatively, you can use a more natural, petrolatum-free option like Saniderm’s Non-Petroleum Roll-On Tattoo Balm. The right ointment can protect the tattoo on the surface while allowing it to heal underneath, too.

3) Moisturise the right way

Moisturisation is key to a good-looking tattoo. Once your tattoo stops weeping, you can start putting on a thin layer of non-fragranced lotion to prevent skin from drying up.

Well-moisturised skin helps promote tattoo healing. However, the key here is to only apply a ‘thin layer’. If you slather lotion too thickly, it will suffocate the pores and make the tattoo mushy. And you’ll most likely start an infection!

Moreover, for thick scabs, you should wait for the scab to dry up completely before applying a very thin layer of lotion. If you lather up while the scab is still wet, you can cause a condition known as tattoo bubbling.

Additionally, you should also apply lotion to the areas surrounding the scab for more comprehensive moisturisation.

But what if your tattoo hurts when you put on some lotion?

Some people react to artificial fragrances and harsh chemicals in most generic lotions. You can try switching to a made-for-tattoo lotion like After Inked Vegan Tattoo Aftercare Lotion.

This is our absolute favourite here in the office! It’s made from grapeseed oil to help nourish your skin, and contains no petroleum or lanolin. Best of all, it’s vegan and PETA approved!

4) Avoid touching or picking at the scab!

You can show off your tattoo all you want, but avoid touching or picking at the scabs or peeling skin. Doing so can lead to tattoo cracking, and even ink loss. Don’t disturb the healing process that’s going on in your skin, let the excess skin fall off naturally.  

5) Hydrate and eat a healthy, balanced diet

A healthy diet can do wonders for your skin. Avoid eating junk food and anything that will harm your skin. Instead, start eating foods that are rich in antioxidants and vitamins. Broccoli, tomatoes, green leafy vegetables, fatty fish, avocados, and sweet potatoes are examples. Oh, and don’t forget to drink lots of water everyday!

A word of caution if your tattoo cracks unexpectedly…

You need to retrace your steps. Where exactly did the tattoo crack? What were you doing at that particular time? What got into contact with the scab to cause it to crack? This is important because if your tattoo cracked in a dirty environment, then there’s a chance it can become infected!

There’s a chance the crack may bleed. If it does, clean up the area with warm water and gentle soap. Then wait for it to dry up thoroughly before applying a thin layer of antibacterial ointment to prevent infection.  

Conclusion

Follow the tips we’ve shared in this article to prevent your new tattoo from cracking. A cracked tattoo only looks bad on the surface (it’s mostly superficial damage). But don’t worry, it’s going to fall off eventually and be replaced with a new layer of skin. As long as you don’t do anything to disrupt the ongoing healing underneath the scab, your tattoo will turn out fine!  

Why do new tattoos bruise?

The bruising on this tattoo looks bad. Hopefully, it didn’t last too long. (Photo by Nikki on Flickr)

Not all tattoos actually bruise, but it’s not all that uncommon either. As you can see in the picture above, the upper arm tattoo is bruised quite badly. You can see the red, swollen area in and around the tattoo – that looks really painful, doesn’t it?!

But don’t worry, most bruises disappear within a week or so. It’s usually nothing to get freaked out about. Tattoo bruising is normally harmless and won’t do any lasting damage to your precious tattoo.

So, why do new tattoos bruise?

You know that during the tattooing process, needles pierce the skin so that ink is deposited in the dermis layer. Unlike the topmost layers of skin, the dermis doesn’t shed, so it’s possible for tattoo ink to stay there forever.

Here’s a graphic of the different layers of skin:

Now, the thing with the dermis is that it houses a lot of structures, like hair follicles, sweat glands, oil glands, blood capillaries, and more. When needles penetrate the dermis, it tends to hit a lot of these tiny capillaries which then causes red blood cells to leak out. Some blood cells go up and exit the skin, others pool into the surrounding tissue.

The blood on the surface dries up relatively quickly, however, underneath it’s a different story. The internal bleeding goes on for a bit longer and the volume of blood will depend on the number of capillaries broken by the needles.

Initially, the bruising will appear reddish in colour. But pretty soon, the tiny space becomes cramped and oxygen starts running out. This turns the red blood cells into a blue colour (hence why you see bruises turning bluish after some time).

The body then breaks down the leaked blood cells and eventually absorbs them back into the body (and skin colour returns to normal). This entire process occurs over a period of several days (usually up to a week or more).  

Confused? Here’s an easy to understand video from Operation Ouch:

Why are brand-new tattoos prone to bruising?

Not everyone’s going to bruise after getting a new tattoo, but a lot of people will. Here are the most common reasons why many experience tattoo bruising:  

• The tattooist’s skill and technique

A tattooist – who has worked on his craft for several years – will have a much more refined technique than his less experienced peers. They’ll know how to position their tattoo machine properly, so it doesn’t inflict unnecessary damage to the skin. No tattooist is perfect, of course, but experienced ones will know not to put too much pressure on the skin to reduce capillary damage.  

• Some people are naturally prone to bruising

You’d know yourself if you bruise easily. If you do, then chances are you’re also going to bruise when you get tattooed. People who have underlying medical conditions such as iron deficiency anaemia, diabetes, leukaemia, haemophilia, and malnutrition, bruise more easily than others who don’t have these conditions.

• Tattoo location

Some parts of the body are relatively quick to bruise. For some people, they tend to bruise faster in fatty areas. So, for instance, if you decide to get tattooed on your buttocks, then you may experience bruising. For others, they tend to bruise easily over less fatty spots. If they get tattooed on their wrist and ankles, for example, then they’d bruise easily, too.

Related article: Tattoo Pain Chart: How Bad Do Tattoos Hurt?

• Taking blood thinning medication

If you’re taking medication that can thin blood (like aspirin), then chances are you’ll bruise right after your tattoo session. These medicines are useful for preventing life-threatening blood clots, but when it comes to tattoos, it can cause lots of issues. For instance, aspirin can make you more susceptible to bruising and a slower tattoo healing process.  

Related article: Can You Get A Tattoo While On Antibiotics?  

• Early sign of tattoo infection

A bruising alone is not necessarily a sign of infection. But if you’re experiencing other symptoms as well like pain, swelling, fever, bad smell, and/or pus, then you’ve got a problem on your hands.

Related article: Infected Tattoo 101: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options

What’s the cure or remedy for tattoo bruising?

Treating a bruised tattoo is different from treating a normal bruise. This is because a fresh, healing tattoo is technically an open wound, so you need to be extra careful.

That said, these are some suitable treatment options for a bruised, healing tattoo:

• Elevate bruised area

Elevate the bruise (Photo by Sereja Ris)

When more blood pools to the bruised area, it can cause even more swelling. Elevating the bruise helps reduce the blood flow to the area, thus speeding up the tattoo healing process.  

What you need to do is to raise the affected area above the heart. So, if you’ve got a tattoo on the lower part of your body, you can lie down and put some pillows underneath your buttocks to raise your lower extremities. You can do this whilst you sleep or rest throughout the day.

• Take lots of rest

The more your body gets to rest, the faster your tattoo is going to heal up. Now, if you got tattooed on an often-used body part like your hands, then you need to lay off a bit. Also, depending on where you got inked, you may need to think outside the box to avoid working the area so much.

Rest includes avoiding exercise, at least for the first few days or so. You don’t want to overwork your body. And your heart will have to pump harder to supply blood throughout the body (which can worsen the bruising).  

• Apply ice

For normal bruises, you can apply ice or a cold compress directly to the spot. But for healing tattoos, you need to apply a barrier cloth between the ice and skin to prevent bacteria from infecting the tattoo. This method helps restrict blood flow and prevents blood from leaking too much into the surrounding tissue.  

• Take some ibuprofen

If you find the bruising painful and it’s affecting your daily activities, then taking some ibuprofen may help reduce the pain and swelling. It will also help the tattoo bruise to disappear faster.

• Stop smoking

Smoking has a lot of well-documented ill effects on the body. When it comes to bruising, healing tattoos, smoking can delay tissue repair and decrease blood supply. Obviously, not ideal for a healing tattoo. So, skip the cigarettes a week before tattooing and a couple of weeks after getting inked.

• Get more iron and vitamin C

Iron-deficient people are more prone to bruising. Knowing this, you should eat foods rich in iron and vitamin C (it helps the body absorb iron) to help with faster bruise recovery.

Tattoo bruise vs tattoo blowout: what’s the difference?

During the first few days of the healing process, a tattoo bruise and a tattoo blowout may look similar. But you’ll notice the bruise will slowly disappear over several days, and the colours may change too – from reddish to bluish to yellowish and finally back to normal.

Here’s a picture of a bruised tattoo:

A tattoo blowout, on the other hand, isn’t going to disappear anytime soon. In fact, unless you have it forcibly removed, it’s going to stay in your skin forever! Basically, a tattoo blowout happens when the ink gets far deeper than the dermis layer, e.g. it goes into the fatty, hypodermis layer.

Here’s an example of a blowout (see top photo). The bottom photo is after a laser removal session:

When this happens, the ink does not stay in one place like it does in the dermis. Instead, it spreads out over the surrounding area. The colours will bleed into each other. And depending on how bad the blowout is, the tattoo can look like a total mess!

So, which is better? Well, neither really. But if push comes to shove, I’d personally choose a bruise any day of the week. At least, I know it is but a temporary thing and will disappear soon enough. Whereas with a blowout, I’d need to have it laser removed or have it covered up with another design (and hope it won’t blowout as well)!

How to minimise tattoo bruising?

There are a few proactive techniques you can follow to hopefully minimise the chances of your new tattoo bruising:

• Choose an experienced tattoo artist

I know this isn’t a guarantee, but the odds of bruising at the hands of an experienced tattoo artist is lower than working with someone less experienced. Of course, the more skilled and experienced an artist is the more expensive their services become. So, you may need to save up some serious cash if you want to work with an ‘expert.’

That said, you can also ask past clients if they’ve experienced bruising at the hands of your preferred tattooist. This will take a bit more time, but if you’re really worried about bruising and want to avoid getting one at all cost, then you need to do your due diligence. This includes doing research on tattooists and their past work.

• Get some rest prior to appointment

Gym bunnies are advised to stay away from the gym or from exercising in general for at least a day before their tattoo appointment. This is because exercising prior to getting a tattoo can increase their chances of bruising.

• Stay away from alcohol

Alcohol thins the blood. It’s therefore important to stay away from drinking any at least 24-48 hours before your appointment. You can have the best tattooist working on your tattoo, but if you drank alcohol prior to the tattooing session, then chances are you’ll still end up bruised. (Don’t go blaming the tattooist then!)

• Load up on iron and vitamins prior to appointment if you’re prone to bruising

If you know you’re prone to bruising, you may want to make sure you replenish your body’s store of iron. Eat healthy foods rich in iron and vitamins so when tattoo time comes, bruising will be kept to a minimum, if any.

Is it okay to tattoo over a bruise?

Technically, you can. But it’s not an ideal situation for both you and your tattooist. The bruised skin will be tender and will thus cause extra pain when needles puncture the area thousands of times. A tattoo is already painful enough as it is with non-bruised skin. Imagine how much worse it’s going to be with a bruise!

Many tattooists would prefer not to tattoo over a bruise. Aside from increased pain, there’s a strong possibility the tattoo ink will be rejected by the body. There’s also an increased risk of infection since the blood is much closer to the skin surface. Lastly, skin discolouration may affect the artist’s ability to determine the most suitable colours.  

So, to sum up this section, avoid getting a tattoo while bruised. You can either move the appointment to a later date or have the tattoo done on a non-bruised spot.

Conclusion

A new tattoo bruising is nothing to be worried about generally. It’s your body’s normal reaction to getting punctured by tiny needles thousands of times. It will clear up on its own eventually, but if you want it to disappear faster, follow the tips outlined in this article. If the bruising seems to be growing worse, have it checked by a qualified medical professional.

But first, what are ingrown hairs?

Just like the name suggests, ingrown hairs are hair strands that don’t break the skin. Instead of growing outwards and breaking through the skin pore (like normal hair), ingrown hair tends to grow sideways and curve downwards (when it grows long enough).

They look similar to acne in appearance, but more often than not, you’ll see a bit of hair peeking just under the skin surface. That’s usually the easiest way to tell it apart from a pimple. Here’s an example:

Ingrown hair on little finger (Photo by Brett Vachon on Flickr)

As you can see in the picture, the pimple-like bump on the little finger has a slightly visible strand of hair trapped inside. You won’t see that on a pimple. So, that’s one way to know for sure you’re looking at ingrown hair, and not acne.

So, where do ingrown hairs usually appear?

Well, people with curly hair tend to have this condition. But anyone who shaves, plucks, or waxes can get ingrown hair. It’s pretty common in body parts we like to keep hair-free.

• For men, this can include the face (beard area) and the head (especially for balding guys who like to shave).
• For women, the most common places for ingrown hair are in the underarms, legs, and pubic area.

Check out this before-and-after Instagram image of ingrown hair that got treated by laser:

Why do ingrown hairs appear on tattoos? What causes it?

So, prior to getting inked, your tattooist will be shaving the area to clear their working space. This makes it easy for them to see what they’re doing. The fewer obstacles there are, the better your tattoo is going to turn out!

Tattooing does get messy, especially for larger tattoos. Your tattooist will be wiping blood and ink off your skin repeatedly, and having hairs in there can only slow down the entire process.  

Some people are just predisposed to it

Your racial and genetic background may make you more susceptible to ingrown hair. As mentioned earlier in this article, if you’ve got curly hair, then you’re likely to get more than a few!

Shaving technique

For others, it may be due to the shaving technique – some tattooists prefer to dry shave. Unfortunately, this shaving technique can cause irritation, razor burn, and eventually, razor bumps (a.k.a. ingrown hair) when the hair grows back.

Here’s what happens when the hairs grow back…

Some hair strands poke the skin from underneath instead of growing out through the pores. Since the hair isn’t strong enough to create an opening in the skin, it has no choice but to grow inwards. This causes a reaction from your immune system. It now thinks the stray hair is a foreign invader, and it makes the area red and inflamed. Occasionally, there’ll be pus involved as well.   

An alternative scenario is the skin got clogged with dead skin cells. This prevents the hair from growing out of the blocked pore. Instead, the hair grows sideways, thus causing it to become ingrown. 

Here’s a video with useful illustrations to help you understand ingrown hairs and how they form:

Why you shouldn’t remove ingrown hair from a healing tattoo

It’s going to be tough if you find yourself in this situation. First of all, your tattoo’s most likely already itchy even without the ingrown hair. But add an itchy (and sometimes painful) ingrown hair, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster. Well, not if you can control yourself!

In times like these, you need lots of patience and self-control to stop yourself from scratching and removing that errant hair. Touching and disturbing the area can lead to even more inflammation and irritation.

That said, you shouldn’t attempt to remove ingrown hair from a healing tattoo. In all likelihood, it’s not going to interfere with the healing process. So, try your best to leave it alone.

Can you spot the 2 ingrown hairs on the tattoo? (Photo by fuzzz on Flickr)

Here’s what could go wrong if you attempt to pluck, squeeze, or shave the hair:

• You could introduce an infection

Removing the hair will result to another gaping (albeit tiny) hole in your skin. Depending on what you used to remove the hair, it may introduce bacteria and germs to the site which can cause an infection.

• You could cause scarring

Yes, it’s possible to get scars from ingrown hair removal. And it’s definitely not going to look good on top of a brand-new tattoo.

• You can delay the tattoo healing process

Ideally, you want the tattoo to heal as fast as possible. Depending on the size of the tattoo and your immune system, it can take anywhere from 2-4 weeks for skin to heal on the surface. And forcibly removing ingrown hair can push back that much-awaited day.

How to treat ingrown hairs on a tattoo

Since you shouldn’t remove ingrown hairs on a healing tattoo, what else can you do to remedy or treat the problem?

Well, not much, really. Just go about your usual tattoo aftercare regimen – cleaning and moisturising the area. And the ingrown hair should clear up and go away on its own after a few days.

For old and fully healed tattoos, however, you’re free to remove the hair all you like. If you haven’t tried removing one before, I promise it’s going to feel great afterwards!

Here’s a video clip showing how you can safely remove ingrown hairs:

How to prevent ingrown hairs on a tattoo

You may not be able to totally stop ingrown hairs from making an appearance on your tattoo. But these tips should help minimise the occurrence: 

• Use the right shaving technique

Knowing how to shave the tattoo area properly is key to an ingrown hair-free tattoo. For instance, dry shaving can be problematic for many people. It can irritate the skin, cause razor burn, and promote ingrown hair.

It’s recommended to hydrate the skin before shaving to make the skin more supple. Also, when shaving it’s best to use a shaving gel or foam to protect the skin and make the razor blades glide more smoothly.

Here’s a tattoo care tips video from Gillette showing you how you can shave over a tattoo:

• Exfoliate regularly

As I’ve mentioned earlier, clogged pores are a leading cause of ingrown hair. To combat this, you should exfoliate your skin regularly to remove all the dead skin cells on the surface. Exfoliating also has added benefits of improving your skin’s appearance and increasing blood circulation as well.

That said, there are basically two ways you can exfoliate your skin: physical and chemical exfoliation.

Physical (or mechanical) exfoliation involves the use of accessories like exfoliating sponges, brushes, gloves, and scrubs. On the other hand, chemical exfoliation involves the use of acids like alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA’s) and beta-hydroxy acids (BHA’s) to peel the skin.

Depending on where your tattoo is, you may need to do more research on the best type of exfoliating product to use on your skin. After all, skin thickness varies from one body part to another.  

For the most part, however, you can’t go wrong with a pair of exfoliating wash gloves that you can use in the shower. Check out Temple Spring’s affordable, eco-friendly, microfibre glove on Amazon (click on picture to buy):

• Don’t put on a thick layer of healing ointment or lotion on a healing tattoo

If you’re dry healing, you can totally skip this section. But if you’re not, then you should ensure only a thin layer goes on your skin.

So, in the early healing stages when your tattoo is still ‘weeping,’ a thin layer of Aquaphor, A+D Ointment, or Hustle Butter will do. (Please avoid using Vaseline as this is pure petroleum jelly and will definitely block your pores).

When you get past the weeping stage, you can start applying some moisturising lotion to the area (we recommend After Inked Vegan Tattoo Aftercare Lotion – it’s the best non-greasy tattoo lotion on the market right now!). Here’s what it looks like:

Again, make sure only a thin layer goes on your skin, just enough to moisturise the skin, but not block the pores.

Frequently asked questions about ingrown hair on tattoos

• Can ingrown hairs ruin a tattoo?

No, ingrown hair won’t ruin a tattoo as long as you leave it alone. Wait for it to clear up on its own. Then once your tattoo’s all healed up, you can go to town removing any ingrown hairs that grow over it!

• Is folliculitis the same as ingrown hair? Can it affect my tattoo?

Hair grows from the hair follicle. Folliculitis occurs when the hair follicle becomes infected. An ingrown hair is not an infection. But if germs and bacteria get into the follicle and infect it, then it can progress to folliculitis.

• Will hair grow back over my tattoo?

Yes, of course. Tattooing doesn’t kill off the hair follicle. Tattoo ink is only deposited at the dermis level, the hair follicle is situated at a deeper level. This means the hair is going to grow back. Hopefully, when it does grow back it won’t be ingrown.

• When can you shave over a tattoo?

Well, definitely not while your tattoo’s still unhealed (it will be tantamount to opening a can of worms with all the skin problems you might encounter)! I know the stubble is going to look unsightly for a few weeks, but leave it be if you want your skin art to look good forever.

Once your tattoo is all healed up, then you can go back to shaving the area as you normally would. Just make sure you follow the tips we’ve shared above – hydrate your skin, use a shaving gel, and moisturise afterwards. It will help prevent ingrown hair and keep your tattoo looking good as well!

• What about waxing or epilating? Can I do that on tattooed skin?

Of course, you can do all sorts of hair removal techniques as long as it’s done on fully healed tattoos. Either waxing or epilating would be painful, but hair does grow back a bit slower compared to shaving.

It’s all about your personal preference, really, and your pain threshold. Though I imagine, since you chose to get a tattoo, the pain brought about by an epilator or hot wax won’t be a big deal for you!

Conclusion

Ingrown hair on tattoo isn’t as bad as it sounds. It won’t harm your fresh tattoo as long as you leave it alone. I know it’s much harder than it sounds. But I promise your tattoo is going to fare so much better if you resist the temptation to pluck or squeeze that errant strand of hair!

How to do a permanent tattoo?

Obviously, I’m not talking about peel ‘n stick tattoos, henna tattoos, airbrush tattoos, the so-called ‘sunburn’ tattoos, and other similar temporary “tattoos.” Permanent tattoos refer to skin art that’s done by sticking needles – often, lots of them! – in the skin.

Technically, you only need a needle and ink to make a permanent tattoo – this is what happens with DIY tattoos or stick and poke tattoos. This traditional way of doing tattoos is said to be more painful since one needle poke translates to just one dot on the skin.

A tattooist using a tattoo machine on a client (Photo by Antonino Visalli)

By contrast, modern tattooists use tattooing equipment such as coiled and rotary tattoo machines. These machines allow artists to use a cluster of tattoo needles to achieve different goals. Some needle groupings work great for tattooing small lines, thick lines and outlines on the skin. Other needles are more efficient for colour fillings and shading work.

What this all means is that tattooists can finish a large and complex tattoo in a relatively short period of time. This is because these machines can poke the skin hundreds or thousands of times a minute (no human can manually do this).

The tiny holes in the skin make it easy for tattoo ink to seep through to the skin’s inner layers. This is why it’s important to work with someone who knows how to do tattoos the right way.

An inexperienced tattooist can either puncture the skin too shallow or too deep – either won’t bode well for your tattoo. There’s really only one right way to do a permanent tattoo – and that is to deposit ink in the dermis layer of the skin.

If you’re asking how far tattoo needles need to go in your skin, well, that really depends on the area being worked on. Some body parts have more skin fat, while others are literally skin over bone. An artist who has prior experience in the same area will know exactly how deep the needle should go.

Related article: Tattoo Pain Chart: How Bad Do Tattoos Hurt?

How tattoos work: why are tattoos permanent?

Here’s a video showing why tattoos last so long on skin:

If you can’t play the video above, here’s what happens on the skin:

Tattoo ink is inserted in the dermis

Before we go further, I’d just like to say that I find it incredible that thousands of years ago, someone discovered (most likely by accident) that ink needs to be deposited at a certain depth so it can stay there permanently!

Now, as you can see in the image below, the human skin is made up of 3 layers:

• the epidermis (topmost layer)
• the dermis (middle layer)
• the hypodermis (bottom layer)

For tattoos to remain in the skin forever, the ink needs to be deposited in the dermis layer. This is because unlike the epidermis, the dermis does not shed or renew every 3-4 weeks.

Getting ink on the epidermis during the tattooing process is totally normal. However, you can expect it to disappear within a few weeks once the entire skin layer renews. This is the case with so-called “semi-permanent tattoos.” The ink gets absorbed in the epidermis but vanishes after a couple of weeks.

But what about the hypodermis, you ask?

Well, when ink gets into the hypodermis, it causes an effect called a ‘tattoo blowout.’ The ink underneath the skin spreads out and looks blurred. This is because the hypodermis is made up of blood vessels and lobules of fat cells, so it’s much harder for the ink to settle (unlike in the dermis). If you find your skin bleeding far more than usual, it’s highly likely the ink made its way into the hypodermis.

How does tattoo ink stay in the skin (or more specifically, the dermis)?

As soon as the tattoo needle punctures the skin and ink is deposited, the body’s immune system springs into action to try and repair the skin. It perceives the ink as a threat and sends macrophages to the area to try to contain it, so it can get rid of it.

Unfortunately for the macrophages (and fortunately for us tattoo lovers), the ink particles are way too big for them to absorb and destroy. So, they end up absorbing the ink and keeping them permanently in the dermis.   

However, over time and with frequent sun exposure, the ink particles will get broken down into smaller particles. This allows the body to get rid of the pigment where it gets carried away by the bloodstream, into the lymph nodes, and eventually, gets eliminated as waste. This is why tattoos look faded as the years go by.

What is tattoo ink made from?

Now that you know how tattoos work, it’s time to know what’s in the ink used in most tattoos. You may be surprised to know that the tattoo ink industry isn’t regulated, so there’s a wide variety of ingredients used to make the ink.  

That said, tattoo ink has two components: pigment and carrier. The pigment is basically the dye that gives colour to the tattoo. The carrier, on the other hand, is the liquid base that helps ‘transport’ the pigment from the needle to the skin.

Pigment

For pigments, the material used depends on the colour. To clue you in on how unsafe some tattoo ink ingredients are, here’s a partial list:

• Black ink – carbon, nickel, iron
• Red – mercury, cadmium
• Yellow – lead, cadmium, zinc
• Orange – cadmium
• Green – lead, chromium, aluminium, copper

As you can see, some of these ingredients are heavy metals! Sure, they’d add a nice colour to your tattoo, but don’t be surprised if you get a tattoo ink allergy. Also, some heavy metals can cause a reaction even on old tattoos. Cadmium, for instance, is photosensitive, so when it’s exposed to the sun, it can cause your tattoo to itch unbearably!

Carrier

Ink carriers play a huge role in ensuring the ink gets to the right spot. Distilled water can be used, yes, but many manufacturers (and artists who make/mix their own ink) prefer alcohol-based carriers. The alcohol prevents bacteria from growing in the liquid solution.

That said, some of the safer options out there include ethyl alcohol, glycerine, listerine, witch hazel and propylene glycol. Watch out – and stay away – from tattoo ink that uses denatured alcohol, methanol, rubbing alcohol, formaldehyde and antifreeze as carriers!

Fortunately, many ink manufacturers are now using more skin-friendly ingredients. Don’t be afraid to ask your tattooist about the ingredients used in their ink. You’ve got the right to know, it is your skin after all!

Related article: The Truth About Tattoo Ink: What Is Tattoo Ink Made Of?

What to look for in a tattoo artist?

Professional tattooists can charge a handsome price for their services. They spend years learning their craft. And it’s not a job for the faint-hearted. I mean, they are technically doing a minor medical operation and leaving a permanent mark on people’s skin. If they botch the job, it can come back to haunt them big-time.

Registered

Stay away from scratchers, a.k.a. unlicensed wannabe tattooists. You should only work with a registered tattooist. Their certificate or license should be displayed in their shop. If you can’t see it, then ask to see it. Better safe than sorry, mate.

Clean premises

Tattooing is a bloody business. You wouldn’t want to get blood and other organic matter from other people on you, right? That would be highly unsanitary and can lead to tattoo infection and various diseases!

Visit the studio prior to your appointment and take note of what’s going on inside:

• Does the tattooist put on fresh new gloves for every client?
• Do they use fresh, disposable needles for every appointment?
• Is the tattoo machine and its power supply wrapped in disposable plastic?
• What about the chair you’ll be sitting on? Is it wrapped in plastic as well?

You want to work with a tattooist who prioritises everyone’s safety. Bloodborne pathogens and viruses are no joke, as you’re probably aware of the recent coronavirus pandemic.

Experienced

If you want to get your money’s worth, then it’s best to work with someone who actually knows what they’re doing. If you’ve got a specific design in mind, you can look for a tattooist who specialises in your type of design.

If you don’t know anybody, don’t be afraid to ask for referrals. The tattoo community is relatively small and tight-knit, and referrals happen all the time. That said, if you don’t have a specific design yet, ask to see their portfolio so you get a few ideas. You can also ask if they have any pre-designed artworks available.

Final thoughts

Now that you know how tattoos work, go on out there and have fun! Keep in mind all the pointers you’ve learned in this article, and you’ll have a safe and hopefully enjoyable tattooing session.

Why is my tattoo itching like crazy?

There are quite a few reasons why your tattoo’s itchy. But to better understand why yours itches, let’s break this section into two: new (unhealed) tattoos and old (fully healed) tattoos.

Reasons why NEW tattoos itch

Healing tattoos can itch like crazy, there are no two ways about it. If it’s your first time getting a tattoo, you should know what you’re up against. Here are the top reasons why new tattoos itch:

• It’s part of the tattoo healing process

Your tattoo is technically an open wound. And if you’ve ever been wounded (who hasn’t), you’d know it will start to itch just as it’s about to heal. Right? The same thing goes for a healing tattoo.  

Once it stops weeping or oozing plasma, it’s going to scab. A few days later the scabs are going to fall off and the area around the tattoo is going to peel off, revealing the new skin underneath.

So, during this scabbing and peeling stage, is when the itching will be most intense. Dead skin cells are shed and new ones take their place, all these things trigger an itching sensation. When dead skin cells peel off, it’s going to rub against skin that’s still connected to nerve endings, thus causing the itch.

• Regrowth of shaved hairs

Shaving the area you want to get tattooed on is on your tattooist’s to-do list. So, you don’t need to worry about shaving yourself at home first. Let the professionals do their job – they’ll shave the area carefully to ensure no razor bumps occur. A clean shave will also help the tattooist do a better job – no pesky hairs that could get in the way.

So, the hair’s going to grow back a few days later (hair follicles don’t get destroyed during tattooing). And for many people, this hair growth phase can be pretty itchy. Couple that with a naturally itchy, healing tattoo, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for ultra-itchy skin!

• Pre-existing skin conditions

People with sensitive skin tend to itch more easily than others. This includes people who suffer from conditions like eczema, dermatitis, and psoriasis. Likewise, if you’ve got dry skin, you’ll also be more prone to itchy skin (also known as pruritus).

For best results, tell your tattooist if you have any pre-existing skin conditions. In some cases, it may not be advisable for you to get a tattoo as your skin may reject the ink. Or, the ink can irritate the skin, etc. If you do push through with your appointment, when you get to the healing stage, you’re more likely to experience extreme itchiness!

• Tattoo ink allergy

Itching is just one symptom of a tattoo allergy. It can range from mild itching to driving–you-crazy levels of itching! For mild itching, it’s probably just a normal part of healing. But if the itching becomes super intense, then that’s a different thing altogether.

There are several causes for tattoo ink allergies. These include sensitivity to heavy metals used in ink pigments, photosensitivity, or the body’s just straight-up rejecting the ink and actively trying to get rid of it.

Click here to know more about tattoo ink allergies.

•  Tattoo infection

A simple itch isn’t a sign of infection. But if you have other symptoms like fever, pain, swelling, redness, foul odour, and pus, then you most likely have a tattoo infection.

Fortunately, some infections don’t require immediate medical attention. If it’s relatively minor, you can try a few home remedies first. You can clean the area, air it out, and take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory pill or antibiotic. If the infection seems to be getting worse, seek medical advice.  

Reasons why OLD tattoos itch

If you’re way past the healing stage, and your tattoo suddenly starts itching, then you’re probably confused as to why. Old tattoos aren’t exempt from itching, here are a few reasons:

• Dry skin

This is the most common culprit for an itchy, old tattoo. Skin can only retain so much moisture on its own. Its natural oils will dry up in a matter of hours (depending on where you live). Once this happens, your skin will dry up. This is why you should continue applying moisturising lotion every single day (not just during the tattoo healing stages).  

The truth is that your tattoo can only look as good as the skin it’s on. So, if you don’t hydrate (drink lots of water) and moisturise your skin, then chances are it’s going to become irritated and itchy if left ignored for too long. Just so you know, tattoo aftercare lasts your entire lifetime.   

• Your skin got exposed to an irritant

There are a lot of irritants out there. So, you need to backtrack your steps and figure out what caused your skin – and your tattoo – to itch. By process of elimination, you should be able to find the culprit. The next thing for you to do would be to stay away from that irritant.

• Delayed or seasonal reaction to tattoo ink

Our body’s chemistry changes constantly. Perhaps when you initially got your tattoo, you weren’t sensitive to the tattoo ink. But over time, something happened in your environment.

Maybe you’re aware of when it happened, or maybe not. But whatever it was, it affected your body chemistry, and thus, eventually caused your body to start reacting to the tattoo ink.  

Or, perhaps you have a seasonal reaction to the ink. Some ink pigments contain traces of heavy metal; these often cause tattoo itching when exposed to the sun. Those affected usually experience this during hot, summer months.

For others, their tattoos itch during winter. Perhaps it’s due to a condition known as ‘winter itch’ where the skin dries out faster. In this case, you need more frequent moisturisation.

• You have an underlying medical condition

There’s a whole host of reasons why an old tattoo may itch. It may be due to any medical condition (pre-existing or a newly developed one). If you experience other symptoms apart from the itchy tattoo, then you may need to seek expert medical opinion. Hopefully, it’s nothing serious!

Here’s why you SHOULDN’T scratch your itchy tattoo

Check out what this tattooist has to say about scratching itchy tattoos:

In addition to what the tattooist said, here are more reasons why you should refrain from scratching:

• You can accidentally remove some of the ink

When your tattoo starts scabbing or peeling, it’s going to itch. But don’t get tempted to scratch. If you do, then you risk pulling off some scab or peeling skin prematurely, which can also pull some of the ink from underneath. You’ll be left with a patchy tattoo and you may end up getting a touch-up session sooner than expected!

• You can transfer germs and bacteria to your tattoo

If you’ve got long fingernails, then chances are it’s got a lot of germs and bacteria hiding underneath. When you scratch your new tattoo, the germs can transfer to the healing wound, which can, of course, start an infection. You can minimize the risk by cutting your fingernails short and washing your hands before making any sort of contact with your tattoo.

• You can cut your skin

The last thing you want to happen on a healing tattoo is to get another cut on top. Fingernails are hard and tough, and can definitely cut the skin. If this happens, some of the ink can leak out, especially if it hasn’t settled properly in the dermis.

If the cut is deep enough to draw some blood, then it may scar in the future. Also, the cut adds another entry point for germs to get in the skin and start an infection.

• You can delay the tattoo healing process

Well, any of the 3 scenarios described above can delay the tattoo healing process. Obviously, that’s never anyone’s objective. We all want our tattoos to heal as fast as possible. Why suffer an extra day when you don’t have to, right? So, next time you feel the itch, stop yourself and think about the long-term effects of scratching your tattoo.

What can I do – or put – on my tattoo for itch relief?

Alright, so by now you’ve learned you shouldn’t scratch your tattoo. So, what can you do instead? Well, here are some tips you can follow to get some relief!

1. Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise

You need to step up your moisturising game when you get inked. Your tattoo’s appearance literally depends on it. If you hate putting anything on your skin, you’ll need to rethink that because if the itch becomes unbearable, you only have yourself to blame!

Your tattooist will, hopefully, educate you on the importance of moisturising as part of the tattoo aftercare process.

Now, when applying lotion to healing skin, it’s best to put on a very thin layer only. This allows the skin to breathe and not cause the area to get soggy. Carefully remove any excess lotion, making sure not to snag on any loose skin.

The TattooMoisturiser team highly recommends After Inked. We’ve used various lotions and creams as part of tattoo aftercare, but nothing comes close to the overall value that this brand provides!

Firstly, it’s made primarily with grapeseed oil, so it’s got all the natural healing and moisturising properties of this potent antioxidant. Secondly, other ingredients include shea butter, glycerin, jojoba seed oil, and beeswax. It’s formulated especially for tattoos, so it will keep your ink – and your skin – safe.

Best of all, it’s priced very fairly. A 90ml tube costs about 18 quid, so you’re certainly getting excellent value for your money since you only need to apply a very small amount!

Related article: The Best Tattoo Aftercare Lotions, Ointments, and Creams

2. Apply ice or cold compress

For unhealed tattoos, don’t apply ice or cold compress directly to the itchy spot. Instead, you need to put a clean cloth between the ice and your tattoo to act as barrier. This technique also prevents germs from the compress from getting into the skin.

For older tattoos, you can apply the ice directly to the spot, but you’ll need to take it off frequently if you don’t want to end up getting an ice burn.

3. Take a cold shower

Anything cold that hits the itchy spot is a great idea, really. But a cold shower will also take your mind off other things. Just make sure you do it really quickly to avoid soaking the skin and ruining your tattoo!

Here’s how showering with a new tattoo works: https://tattoomoisturiser.co.uk/showering-with-a-new-tattoo

4. Gently pat the itchy spot

This is a temporary solution, but it works simply because it distracts your attention from the itch. Note that the keyword here is ‘gentle.’ For healing tattoos, a hard slap can cause some ink to leak out!  

5. (For old tattoos only) Use OTC anti-itch relief

You can buy anti-itch creams (such as hydrocortisone) at the chemist or supermarkets in your area. Or, you can also take an antihistamine, if necessary. Just make sure your tattoo is well-healed before applying any anti-itch creams. Otherwise, you risk delaying your tattoo’s healing.  

6. (For old tattoos only) Soak in a relaxing bubble bath

Obviously, this is a bad idea for a healing tattoo. But for old tattoos, soaking in the bath is effective at providing anti-itch relief. You can also add your favourite essential oils or colloidal oatmeal to help soothe the itch.

If none of these tips work for you, perhaps you’ve got something else going on as well. If you suspect your condition is worsening, please seek professional medical advice straight away.

Conclusion

An itchy tattoo can test your patience. You’ll come close to scratching it many, many times. You’ll probably give in a few times over the course of the healing process, but try your best not to! Hopefully, this article will help provide relief and stop tattoo itching ASAP.

How soon after getting a tattoo can you take a shower?

Photo by John Fornander

This is probably the most pressing question on your mind right now – when can you take a shower after getting inked?

Well, truthfully, the answer depends on the kind of bandage or wrap your tattooist put on your skin. Many artists use either cling film or sterile bandage.

But there’s a growing number who use more modern wraps that are breathable and waterproof, e.g. Inksafe’s transparent tattoo protection film.

The best thing for you to do would be to follow your artist’s instructions. Here are a couple of scenarios:

• If they use cling film, they’ll most likely tell you to take it off in a couple of hours or after you get home. You can wash the tattoo and take a quick shower then.
• But if they use something like Inksafe, they may tell you to wait until the following day before you take it off and take a shower. Then they’ll most likely recommend you re-wrap it using the same kind of film. Again, this will depend on the tattooist.

No matter what time your artist says you can take off the wrap, it’s going to feel oh so good when you finally take a shower! There’s nothing like feeling clean after getting through a tattoo session!

Now, in some cases, your tattoo – which is technically an open wound – is going to sting a bit when it gets hit by a direct stream of water. Read on to know how you can shower correctly without causing too much pain and/or ruining your new tattoo!

The do’s and don’ts of showering with a new tattoo

Photo by Pixabay

Showering may seem like a straightforward thing to do. Just turn the knob to the left or right (if you’ve got hot or cold water). Wait for the water to flow from the showerhead. Step inside the shower area. Get wet and apply shampoo and soap. Rinse. Then, lastly, dry yourself up. Pretty simple, right?

Well, not quite. With a new tattoo, there are new rules you need to observe if you want your tattoo to last long. Here they are:

Do set the right temperature

Should you use hot or cold water? Well, for starters, hot water may not be good for a brand-new tattoo. This is because hot water opens skin pores which may cause some ink to leak out, especially if the water is directed full blast at the area. So, the right temperature for new tattoos in the shower is either lukewarm or cold.

Lukewarm water helps remove tattoo gunk, and cold water closes up the pores. Some tattooists recommend running cold water during the last 30 seconds to help close the pores and prevent ink loss.

Do use fragrance-free and alcohol-free soap

Alcohol and artificial fragrance in soap are bad for a new tattoo. This is because these are harsh ingredients that can cause damage to the ink that’s still trying to settle in the skin. Upon contact with the still-open tattoo puncture wounds, it may bring about a painful, burning sensation. These ingredients are also more likely to cause skin irritations and dryness to the area.

For more information on what soaps to use, here’s a list of recommended tattoo soaps for healing tatts. Here’s our top 4 for use in the shower:

Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Unscented Baby Soap	Dove Sensitive Skin Bar Soap	Neutrogena Transparent Facial Soap	Aveeno Baby Daily Care Gentle Wash

Do be gentle when touching and cleaning your tattoo

Your skin will be very tender during the first few days post-tattoo. You don’t want to carelessly bump your tattoo in the shower (easy to do if your shower area is quite small). A slight bump may be fine, but harder bumps may injure the skin and thus delay the healing process. 

Do shower quickly

This is going to be a bit hard if you’re used to taking your sweet, sweet time at the shower. But once you get a tattoo (for the first week or so, at least), you need to cut down your shower time into nothing more than a few minutes (maybe 5-10 minutes max). Just enough to clean your body, but not get your tattoo soaking wet. Since the ink is still settling in the skin, it’s dangerous for the tattooed area to get soaked.

Don’t spray your tattoo directly with water

If you like getting a high-pressure water massage in the shower, then things are about to change (temporarily, at least). Well, depending on where you got inked, you may need to slow down the water pressure to something gentler. This is so you don’t accidentally turbo-spray your tattoo directly with water. Instead, cup the water and gently wash the area.

Don’t use any shower accessories on your tattoo

When you shower, use the main cleaning tool you were born with – your hands. Try not to get fancy; skip your favourite loofah, sponge, and shower brush. These things can remain wet for hours and can easily transfer germs and bacteria over to your skin, which can cause a tattoo infection. Additionally, these can also damage the healing skin on top of your tattoo, so keep these accessories in the cabinet for now.

What to do after taking a shower?

Once you’re done with your shower, pat your tattoo dry using a few sheets of kitchen roll (don’t rub it). Alternatively, you can also let it air dry. This is actually a better option because nothing gets in contact with your tattoo, so there’s less risk of infection.

Of course, you can still rub your non-tattooed body parts – and those covered by old tattoos – just as vigorously as before. But step on the brakes over the inked spot.

What happens next depends on your tattooist’s aftercare instructions:

1. They may tell you to apply a thin layer of healing ointment like Aquaphor or A+D. These ointments are petroleum jelly-based. But, unlike Vaseline, they actually let the air in whilst letting the wound underneath heal, too.
2. If they advocate dry healing, they may tell you not to apply anything to the area, and to just leave it alone.
3. Some tattooists may tell you to re-wrap the tattoo. If this is the case, check out our guide on what to re-wrap your new tattoo with.

Is bathing better than showering when it comes to new tattoos?

Photo by Naomi August

Bathing is such a relaxing way to go about cleaning your body. You fill up the tub with water, put half a cup of your favourite liquid soap (or drop in a bath bomb for that luxurious experience!), and dive in. Well, not really dive in. Just go sit in the tub, watch Netflix or read a book, and enjoy the bubbles.

Showering is a whole lot more practical, but certainly less fun than bathing. It’s great though if you’re in a hurry and need to get cleaned up quickly.

That being said, when it comes to healing tattoos, it’s best to avoid bathing for the next week or so. This is because the dirt gets trapped in the tub, and these can easily enter your ‘open wound’ and cause an infection.

Read more about bathing and swimming with a new tattoo here.

Conclusion

Showering with a new tattoo need not be a painful experience. It will be uncomfortable, yes, but this will depend on where your tattoo is. If you follow the tips shared in this article, you’ll not only feel clean after your shower, you’ll also ensure no harm is done to your precious new ink!

But first, can you get a tattoo whilst sunburnt?

Photo by Artem Beliaikin

It’s best not to get a tattoo whilst sunburnt. Depending on how severe the burn is, you may need to wait anywhere from a few days to a few weeks before going under the needle. Your skin will already be quite sore from the sunburn. You’ll only be adding a LOT more soreness if you get a new tattoo.

So, let’s say you’ve got superior pain tolerance and you don’t mind the extra pain a new tattoo is going to give you. Is this a good enough reason for you to continue with your tattoo appointment?

Well, the answer is still no. This is because a tattoo may not heal properly if your skin is in a terrible state. For instance, your skin may reject the ink; this will obviously be a waste of everybody’s time (and your money).

Lastly, even if you really want to get tattooed right there and then, your tattooist may not agree to do so. The truth is that it’s highly unlikely a registered tattooist will waste his time working on someone with a sunburn. The risk of something going wrong just isn’t worth the money.  

Check out this tattoo shop (Blue Magic Pins) in Genk, Belgium. They specifically tell their clients to avoid visiting solariums or tanning booths at least 1-2 weeks before tattooing. They won’t tattoo sunburnt or flaking, peeling skin. Here’s a screenshot taken from their website:

Here’s what could happen if you get sunburnt on your NEW tattoo

A sunburn is already problematic on its own. But on a new tattoo, the problems pile on top of each other. In no particular order, here are several problems that can arise due to a sun-damaged tattoo:

1. Lose tattoo ink

The sun’s ultraviolet rays can do a lot of damage to the skin. In fact, UV rays are the main culprit behind most skin cancers. Now, the thing with tattoo ink is that it’s highly susceptible to UV rays.

UV rays can penetrate the deeper layers of skin, including the dermis where tattoo ink resides. The sun’s rays can fade old tattoos when exposed over a period of time, but on new tattoos, it will be a disaster.

This is because with unhealed tattoos, the ink wouldn’t have settled yet in the dermis. It will therefore be easier for the UV rays to break down the ink, get it absorbed into the body, and excrete it as waste. So, you’ll end up with a patchy-looking tattoo on your skin.

2. Skin irritation

A healing tattoo is tender on its own. But when it gets sunburnt, the area can easily get irritated, which can lead to all sorts of things like severe itching, bumps and rashes, and even a burning sensation.

3. Tattoo pain

A healing tattoo should be well taken-cared of. If you let it get exposed to the sun and you get sunburnt, then chances are, the pain’s going to be intense. I mean, a sunburn’s already painful enough as it is, but with a healing tattoo, you can expect to multiply the pain by several multiples! So, if you’ve got a relatively low pain threshold, please stay out of the sun.

4. Blistering

Blisters aren’t fun. If you’ve had them, you know a little bit of pressure to the spot can cause intense pain. And when the blister occurs on tattooed skin, you’ve got more than the pain to worry about. It can ruin a perfectly good tattoo. Plus, it can also easily lead to infection if you accidentally pop the blister.

5. Infection

It’s rare for mildly sunburned skin to become infected. But for more severe cases, it can cause the skin to peel off or blister. When this happens, the inner layers of the skin become exposed which increases the risk of infection.

6. Scabbing and peeling

A scabbing tattoo (Photo by Amanda from Flickr)

Scabbing and peeling are pretty normal for most people who get sunburn. But when you have a tattoo, it complicates things a bit. I know you’re probably thinking tattoos also scab and peel when it heals, so what’s a bit more scabbing and peeling, right?

Well, in healing tattoos, that would be a dangerous combination. While healing tattoos do scab and peel, it’s important not to pick and pull the skin off prematurely. Otherwise, it can lead to loss of ink.

When you’ve got double the scabbing and peeling, that means you need to double your precautions to ensure your tattoo doesn’t come undone!

The solution to this? Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise. You can use any non-perfumed moisturising lotion. Or, if you prefer a more natural solution, you can use coconut oil, cocoa butter, and even essential oils!

Here’s our favourite tattoo moisturising lotion (click on image to buy on Amazon):

7. Scarring

One harmful effect of sunburn on tattoos is the damage it causes to skin. Slight burns usually resolve themselves without any lasting damage. But for more serious sunburns, it can lead to scars.

So, what does it mean for your tattoo(s)?

Well, it will obviously damage your tattoo’s appearance. You’ll have scars on top of your tattoo. You’ll be very fortunate if your skin ever goes back to normal without affecting the ink underneath.

8. Delayed healing

Any of the issues listed above will be enough to delay the tattoo healing process. A perfectly normal and well-cared-for tattoo will heal in just a couple of weeks. But if any complications arise from a sunburn on tattoos, that can push back the healing by a few more days (if you’re lucky) to a few weeks!

And if you’re wondering if sunburns contribute to tattoo fading? Well, the answer is yes. This is especially true for both new and old tattoos. Best stay out of the sun if you want your precious skin art to last forever!  

What happens if you get sunburnt on an OLD tattoo?

While there are fewer things that can go wrong when an old tattoo gets sunburnt, it can still cause damage. The usual things can still occur like skin irritation, blistering, scabbing, peeling and even scarring.

But the most notable thing about sunburns on old tattoos is that it speeds up fading. This means your tattoo is going to look far older than its age. So, you may need to get a tattoo touch-up far sooner than you’d like!

Sunburn on tattoos? What to do if it happens to you

If you, unfortunately, get sunburnt on your tattoo, the first thing you should do is to get out of the sun and let your cool your skin down. You can either take a cold shower, a cold bath, or use a cold compress if you’re burnt in a relatively tiny spot.

*For new tattoos, no bathing but you can shower. If you decide to use a cold compress, put a clean cloth between the compress and the tattoo to avoid infections.

You can then apply non-fragranced moisturising lotions to hydrate the skin. For healing tattoos, don’t smother them by putting on a thick layer of lotion. You can also try applying soothing gel like Aloe Pura’s Organic Aloe Vera Gel.

This product contains no artificial colours, fragrances and parabens so this may work on both new (as long it’s past the weeping stage) and old tattoos. Aloe Vera has well-known skin healing properties and will help restore dry, damaged, and sunburnt skin. Lastly, this gel also has antioxidants plus vitamins A, C and E.

To help hydrate your skin from the inside, drink plenty of water. Natural fruit juices are fine but do avoid drinking soda and alcohol as these can dry the skin (not good for sunburns).

If you’re in a lot of pain, painkillers may offer some relief. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen (Advil) should help with pain and inflammation.

For severe sunburns, please get it checked out by your GP (not your tattooist). Some complications may arise, and the last thing you want is for your tattoo to get infected.

Proactive ways to protect your tattoo from the sun

Life on earth probably wouldn’t exist without the sun. Our lives revolve around it. But once you get a tattoo, your life’s going to change as you know it.  

You need to be more vigilant every time you go out into the sun – your tattoo’s longevity depends on it. The more exposed your tattoo is to the sun, the faster it’s going to fade.

So, let’s divide this section into two to make the process easier to follow:

Tips to protect a NEW tattoo from the sun

Protecting your brand-new tattoo from the sun should be high up on your priority list. But unfortunately, sunscreens should be avoided for the first few days or so. This is especially important for tattoos that are still weeping or oozing – it’s a sign that the tattoo puncture wounds are still open.

You don’t want anything that can infiltrate the wound and cause an infection. And most sunscreen lotions are anything but gentle. These are often made with harsh chemicals and contains artificial colours and scents.

So, in the meantime while sunscreen is on the do-not-use list, you can do any of the following to protect your ink:

1. Stay out of the sun and stay in the shade instead
2. Wear all these three together if you do go out:
   • UV-protective clothing  
   • Wide-brimmed hat
   • Sunglasses with UV protection

Read more information here: https://www.tattoomoisturiser.co.uk/sunscreen-on-new-tattoos/

Tips to protect an OLD tattoo from the sun

Fully healed tattoos are much easier to protect than new tattoos. This is because sunscreen is now an option, and you obviously don’t need to ‘baby’ your tattoo as much. You can still do all the tips listed in the previous section, just add sunscreen to the list.

The best sunscreen for tattoos is the broad-spectrum kind which will protect you against both UVA (causes wrinkles and ageing) and UVB (causes redness and sunburns) radiation.

Here are some good sunscreens for your consideration:

Banana Boat Sun Comfort SPF50 Spray	Aveeno Protect + Hydrate SPF50 Lotion	Uvistat Sun Cream SPF50

Unfortunately, the problem is that most people become complacent with the protection part once the tattoo’s been on their skin for a few months.

It’s easy to say, “Oh look, it’s still there. It’s been exposed to the sun lots of times. Surely, it’s fine to let it go naked this time, too.”

That said, it’s important to protect your tattoo from the sun no matter how old it is. All tattoos will fade eventually, but it will fade much faster if you don’t do anything to protect it from the sun. And if you do happen to get sunburnt on your tattoo, then it can still damage your tattoo, and of course, your skin.

Conclusion

Sunburn on tattoos isn’t something to take lightly. After all, tattoos don’t exactly come cheap (unless, of course, it’s a DIY or stick ‘n poke tattoo). If you spent a lot of money on it, then you want to protect your investment. So, take proactive measures and shield that ink from the sun’s harmful rays!