Tattoo issues

In comparison to piercings, which can potentially cause issues throughout the entire period of wearing them, tattoos are much easier to maintain, and once they heal, the chances of complications practically disappear. In the first ten days after getting a tattoo, you need to pay extra attention to tattoo care. After the superficial layer of ink peels off, you’ll need to continue moisturizing your skin for at least another month for complete regeneration.

The first 10 days after getting a tattoo

A tattoo is a superficial wound that needs protection from anything that could irritate or damage it in any way (dirt, chemicals, fabrics, pet hair, etc.). It is protected by a foil that prevents air from reaching the wound, which could lead to inflammation. Proper and regular maintenance of a fresh tattoo is essential because inflammation, infection, and other issues result in poor color quality. Most of these issues occur due to wearing the protective foil for too long and too often and applying a too-thick layer of ointment to the tattoo.

Do not immerse a fresh tattoo in water for at least 4 weeks after getting it to avoid possible infections, discoloration, and damage to the tattoo.

If you notice any concerning changes in your skin, be sure to contact Octopus for an examination as soon as possible!

• Swelling: Swelling is normal in the first few days, especially for larger tattoos. It should subside within 2-3 days of getting the tattoo. Contact us if the swelling persists beyond that period or if you have a smaller tattoo that starts to swell.
• Redness: Depending on the size and location of the tattoo, redness can vary. Applying cold compresses over the foil can help. Redness should disappear within 2-3 days of getting the tattoo. Medical tape in a roll (used to secure regular transparent foil) can irritate the skin and cause redness.
• Crusting: It’s important to avoid forming scabs on a fresh tattoo because they can pull color from deeper layers of the skin, resulting in “gaps” in the tattoo. Scabs form when the lymph and serous fluid on the skin’s surface clot. This can happen if you allow the tattoo to dry out, i.e., if it isn’t kept consistently moisturized or if fabric sticks to it.
• Infection: A fresh tattoo can become infected if it comes into contact with dirt or chemicals. Infection is usually quite painful, the tattooed area is swollen, hot to the touch, and discharges purulent fluid from the tattoo itself.
• Lymph, serous fluid, and ink discharge: This is a normal occurrence after getting a tattoo and is not a cause for concern. For small tattoos, the discharge may be barely noticeable, but with larger tattoos, you may leave behind you a black trail like a squid. If the discharge is excessive, you can attach a piece of paper towel to the edges of the protective foil, which will absorb the serous fluid and ink.
• Burning and itching: These are normal sensations during the healing process and not a cause for concern. A tattoo can feel painful if it comes into contact with something hot, so avoid using overly hot water to wash the tattoo. Sometimes, the itching can become unbearable; you can relieve it by placing a cold compress over the foil.
• Pimples: If you notice pimples on your tattoo, do not squeeze them, as you can damage the delicate skin that is just starting to cover the tattoo, and it could cause the ink to be expelled from that area.
• Peeling of ink: As the tattoo starts to heal, the superficial layer of ink will begin to peel off and shed. This is also normal and not alarming. In small tattoos, this process may sometimes not be visible, but in the case of larger tattoos, it can peel off in quite substantial pieces. Do not forcefully tear off or intentionally peel the ink; let the process occur naturally to avoid damage to the tattoo. After the peeling is complete, the tattoo is superficially healed.

Examples taken from the internet; these tattoos are not our work.

In the next month

After the superficial healing, there follows a deeper regeneration of the skin damaged by tattooing, where a layer of new skin that has grown over the tattoo gradually thickens and strengthens over time.

Your tattoo will appear somewhat “scaly” for some time, and you may feel a tightness in the skin in that area. During this phase, it’s important to keep the tattoo moisturized and protect it from prolonged direct sun exposure. You can use any moisturizing cream as needed, just avoid applying it too thickly.

Avoid swimming in the sea, pool, river, or lake, and soaking in a bath or jacuzzi for at least the first 4 weeks after getting the tattoo. It’s also advisable to avoid saunas, tanning beds, and extended sun exposure.

UV rays act like a miniature tattoo-removal laser, breaking down tattoo ink pigments, which then enter the bloodstream, leading to faster tattoo fading. Avoiding the sun doesn’t mean you have to live like a vampire for months after getting a tattoo. Your tattooed skin won’t fall off if it’s exposed to sunlight. However, if you sit on a terrace for coffee and it’s over 18ºC outside, a tattoo exposed to direct sunlight can start to burn, especially if it’s a large design or has a lot of black fill. For at least the first three months, use sunscreen with SPF50 to preserve the colors of your new tattoo.

Completely healed tattoo

A few months after getting the tattoo, your skin will be entirely renewed, and the tattoo takes on its long-term appearance. The only thing you might want to be mindful of is protecting it with SPF30 or higher during prolonged sun exposure in the summer months to preserve color intensity, making your tattoo look newer for a longer time. The skin that grows over the tattoo is not transparent but has its natural pigment. For this reason, colors always appear more intense when the tattoo is new. When you tan in the sun, the tattoo colors may look more muted, and white ink can appear brown or yellow, depending on your skin type. When your skin lightens again during the winter, the colors will return to normal.

The only potential issues that can arise after complete healing are skin injuries in the tattooed area. Depending on your skin type, an injury can result in different types of scars. Scars are areas of fibrous tissue (fibrosis) that replace normal skin after an injury. Scar tissue consists of the same protein (collagen) as the tissue it replaces, but it’s differently formed. Types of scars:

• Hypertrophic ccar: Develops within the injury boundaries, with a thin layer of reddened skin rising from the surface. It looks like a small, fleshy bump.
• Keloid scar: Darker in color and extends beyond the edges of the wound. Keloids are more common in people with dark skin that has more melanin and can grow to the size of a golf ball.
• Atrophic scar: Indented scar.

You can tattoo over scars, but the lines often appear uneven, and the color often seeps beneath the skin. If you have sustained an injury that has damaged your tattoo, book an appointment for an assessment and consultation to see what can be done in terms of repair.