Symbiosis with a tattoo

Alcohol – Alcohol widens the blood vessels, so drinking 24h before getting tattooed can lead to increased bleeding during tattooing and result in lower tattoo quality. The same thing can happen if you get wasted within the first 2-3 days after getting a tattoo.

Allergies – Allergic reactions to black tattoo ink are extremely rare. People prone to allergic reactions may react to red and green ink. Before getting a tattoo, it’s possible to perform a dot test to check reactivity.

Doctors – Most people still have the image of a tattoo parlor from American action movies in their heads, a rundown underground place where a guy in a sleeveless white shirt, without gloves, tattoos a member of the local gang. The lack of legal regulation for the tattoo industry means that anyone can open a legal tattoo studio, order a “tattoo starter kit” on eBay, and start tattooing without knowing anything about the profession, cross-contamination, sterilization, or bloodborne diseases. Furthermore, people usually don’t go to a doctor to show off their beautifully healed tattoo but rather if it becomes infected. Thanks to all of this, it’s no wonder they see us as walking sources of all possible bloodborne diseases.
But even when you are sure that you got your tattoo in appropriate hygienic conditions and don’t have any issues related to the tattoo itself, there’s a possibility you will encounter a doctor who cannot separate their personal from professional opinions and attributes every health issue to tattoos or piercings. If you feel this is the case with your doctor, seek a second opinion.

Cosmetics – A fresh tattoo is a surface wound and should not come into contact with cosmetics for at least 10 days after getting the tattoo. This includes regular scented shower gels and body lotions. Before getting a tattoo, avoid using cosmetics containing glitter or self-tanning creams since they are challenging to remove from the skin, and if they are introduced into the dermis with a needle during tattooing, it can lead to infection.

Pregnancy – We do not tattoo pregnant and breastfeeding women because tattooing creates a surface wound on the skin and introduces foreign pigment into the dermis. Although the likelihood of more severe complications is very low, tattooing affects the body’s immunity, which is essential during this sensitive and tumultuous life period, both for the mother and the child.
Pregnant women with existing tattoos on the abdomen, breasts, buttocks, lower back, the inner part of the upper arm, and thighs should pay a little more attention to skin stretching in these areas during pregnancy because the appearance of stretch marks can result in tattoo damage. You can tattoo over stretch marks, but just like with scar tissue, the lines appear uneven, and ink may accumulate beneath the skin. Potentially removing stretch marks doesn’t guarantee that your tattoo will return to its original appearance.

Sun and tanning beds – Avoid sun exposure and tanning beds two weeks before and after getting a tattoo.
Overly sun-exposed skin loses its natural elasticity, which can result in lower tattoo quality. The new skin that grows over the tattoo during the healing process is very delicate and thin, making it easy to burn quickly in the sun, leading to tattoo fading.
For the first two weeks after getting a tattoo, cover it with clothing, if possible. After two weeks, protect it with SPF50 or higher, and continue using sun protection creams each summer to preserve color intensity.

Sweat and physical activities – In the first two weeks after getting a tattoo, try to reduce physical activities to prevent sweat from irritating the new tattoo.
If it’s a small tattoo on a part of the body where you don’t sweat (e.g., the wrist), physical activities won’t be a problem with regular maintenance.
However, if it’s a larger tattoo and/or on body parts like the chest, abdomen, or the inner part of the upper arm, try to avoid heavy sweating or rinse the tattoo with cold water more often.
Your tattoo won’t be affected if you lightly sweat because you ran for a bus on a sunny day, but if you spend 2-3 hours at the gym on the third day after getting the tattoo, it could have a negative impact on the healing process.
Keep in mind that air doesn’t reach the wound under the protective foil. If you sweat a lot, remove the foil immediately, wash the tattoo, and leave it exposed to air, without any contact with fabric.

Swimming/bathing – You should avoid swimming for at least 4 weeks after getting a tattoo to prevent the possibility of infection from microorganisms in the water.
Chlorine and sea salt can also be very irritating to a new tattoo. Therefore, avoid baths, jacuzzis, pools, rivers, lakes, and the sea until the tattoo is fully healed.
Immersing a fresh tattoo in water can result in ink loss and lower tattoo quality.
Showering is not a problem, but your tattoo may sting and get irritated if you shower with hot water.

Traveling – Taking care of a tattoo requires appropriate care during the first ten days after getting it, which can be quite demanding or impractical if you’re on the road, at a festival, and so on.
If possible, schedule your tattoo at least a week before or after your trip.