tatoo is very danger


Moe: Skin Traditions: AL

Tattoos

You're either reading this becasue (1) you've just got a new tattoo or (2) you're thinking about getting a tattoo. Either way you must remember that tattoo aftercare may vary from person to person and artist to artist.

Usually, your tattoo artist will give you written instructions as to how to properly care for your new tattoo. But, it's best to be prepared and to know what you're getting yourself into when you get a tattoo.

To know how to properly take care of a tattoo, you need to know what a tattoo is...

What is a Tattoo?

A tattoo is a puncture wound that is made deep into the skin, filled with ink. Tattoos are made by penetrating your skin with a needle and injecting ink into the area, which usually creates some sort of design.

What makes tattoos so long-lasting is that they're deep; the ink isn't injected into the epidermis (the top layer of skin), but the dermis (the second, deeper layer of skin). Dermis cells are very stable, so the tattoo is practically permanent.

In the beginning, tattoos were done manually, in which the tattoo artist would puncture the skin with a needle and inject the ink by hand. Although, this technique is still used in parts of the world, most tattoo shops use a tattoo machine, which is a handheld electric instrument that uses a tube and needle system. On one end of the machine is a sterilized needle, which is attached to tubes that contain ink. A foot switch is used to turn on the machine, which moves the needle in and out while driving the ink about 1/8 inch (about 3 millimeters) into your skin.

Your tattoo artist will know how deep to drive the needle into your skin, as not going deep enough will produce a poor tattoo, and going too deep can cause bleeding, intense pain, and scarring.


New Tattoo

kizio
kizio
MoonGirlNYC

Tattoo Aftercare

If you're still hanging in there with me, here's the part you're probably interested in- how to care for your tattoo.

Depending on the size of the tattoo and your tattoo artist's advice, you should leave the bandage on the new tattoo anywhere from 2 hours to overnight. When you remove the bandage, do so gently by slowly peeling the bandage. If it sticks at all, STOP! Pout cool water between the skin and gauze. Don't stick your tattoo under a full force faucet; remember easy does it. Wait a few minutes, and try to remove the bandage again. The cool water should loosen your skin from the bandage without yanking any color out. Do remember throughout this, do not pull nay skin or scabs off the tattoo, as you could pull out the ink, which can result in uncolored or dull gaps in your tattoo.

Once the bandage is off, wash the tattoo very gently with your fingertips. Use a mild antibacterial soap or any other gentle soap that is free of deodorants, skin softeners, or other additives.

Rub the soap gently on the tattoo using your fingers.

After you clean the tattoo, gently pout cold water over it for a few minutes. The cold water will tighten your pores, which will help the tattoo heal healthily and quickly. Some tattoo artists believe that the cold water helps the color set in.

Lightly, pat the tattoo dry with a soft towel.

Carefully, apply a light coating of A & D ointment. DO NOT smear ointment on too thick because your skin needs to be able to breath. A small drop of ointment should be enough to cover the tattoo, depending on the size of the tattoo. Gently massage a small dab of the ointment into the tattoo using your fingertips.

You can use Bacitracin or even a gentle additive free lotion as long as it is water based, such as Corn Huskers Lotion. But, since A & D ointment contains nothing but skin healing vitamins A and D, it's the ideal balm to use on a new tattoo.

For the first two weeks after you get your tattoo, keep it away from water as much as possible. Use only your fingers to wash the new tattoo. And, blot it dry with a soft towel.

New Tattoo Don'ts

  • Do not rebandage a tattoo.
  • Never use soaps with additives such as special scents, skin softeners, etc. Make sure to use water-based products, non-petroleum based.
  • Never use loofahs, sponges, washcloths, cotton balls, paper towels, or anything else but your fingers to clean a tattoo.
  • Do not put a new tattoo under a full force faucet.
  • When taking a shower, don't let the water directly hit the tattoo.
  • When taking a bath, don't submerge the tattoo in the water.
  • Don't coat the surface of the tattoo too thick with ointment, as you will suffocate the skin, cause it to scab up and increase your risk of infection.
  • No rubbing, scrubbing, picking, or scratching, no matter how much it itches!







After the Tattoo Has Healed

Once the ink has settled into your skin, you can return to life as usual.

If you are going to be outside for any length of time, remember to always use a strong sun block on your tattoo, as the sunrays will fade the tattoo.

Tanning beds, are not recommended, even after your tattoo is healed. If you choose to go to a tanning bed, cover the tattoo fully.

Also, just like the rest of your body, your tattoo will look better, longer, if you get into the habit of using skin lotions.

After your tattoo has fully healed, if you are not happy with the way the tattoo looks (the color has gaps or is patchy), go back to the tattoo artist. As tattoo artists want to do the best job they can for you, most of them will be happy to do a touch up on the tattoo once it is fully set in.

Infected Tattoo

SilKy Doll'S HouSe
SilKy Doll'S HouSe

Signs of a Tattoo Infection

A skin infection

may be present if any of the following symptoms are present after having a tattoo:

  • Increased pain
  • Major Swelling
  • Large amounds of redness
  • Very tender skin even after the tattoo has healed
  • Red streaks extending from the area
  • Pus coming from the wound
  • Swollen or tender lymph nodes
  • Fever

Infection may start at the tattoo or piercing site on the surface of the skin. The normal clear or clear-yellow fluid that drains from a body piercing site may change to creamy yellow, brown, or red or look or smell like pus.

Infection may also occur deep inside of the wound, with few signs at the actual site. Pain and swelling may develop. The skin over a tattoo may heal while an infection is present in the wound, which can cause a more serious infection, such as an abscess or cellulitis. Infection can, also, spread to involve the bones, joints, or the whole body.

Certain diseases may increase your risk for infection. People with diabetes

, peripheral arterial disease, or an impaired immune system may require medical treatment at the first signs of infection.

You can decrease the risk of infection if you follow proper aftercare steps for cleaning and caring for a tattoo. Prompt treatment of an infection can prevent more serious problems.


Tattoo Scarring

Although, hard to tell from the picture, there is raised scar tissue from where the needle was driven into the skin. Also, you can see where the red has bled into the black.
Although, hard to tell from the picture, there is raised scar tissue from where the needle was driven into the skin. Also, you can see where the red has bled into the black.

Minimize Tattoo Scarring

Sometimes when you get a tattoo, scarring can occur. The scarring can be caused by anything ranging from improper aftercare to sensitive skin. With most tattoos, scarring does not occur, but if the tattoo artists gets too deep with the needle or works the skin too hard, you can suffer scarring.

Scars resulting from tattoos can be anything ranging from slightly raised outlines to the tattoo being constantly bumpy, raised, and itchy. Usually, scarring does not occur until latter on.

Assuming everything went well with the tattoo, and you are healthy, you should not suffer any scarring. But, if you do, aloe, can minimize the look of a scar from a tattoo. Using aloe directly from a plant gives you the best results.

Following the following instructions, you can minimize the scarring of your tattoo.

  1. You need to first identify the scar. Scarring under a tattoo can appear as raised skin or prolonged healing. But, for the most part, scarring under a tattoo can be tricky to ID because the ink will distort the skin.
  2. You can purchase and aloe plant, found at gardening stores and departments. You shouldn't need a large plant, but make sure that the plant has several thick leaves, as you well have to alternate between the leaves, allowing the plant time to regenerate and heal itself.
  3. When you tear off a small piece of a plant and squeeze the aloe onto the tattoo and rub it into the scar. Allow the aloe to dry completely. Repeat this process a few times a day until the tattoo is flatter and the scarring has been minimized.
  4. Be patient as healing takes several weeks. But, if you are not satisfied with the amount of scarring minimized during the process, you may consider a doctor or laser resurfacing.
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