Over the past decades, since the beginning of the wide spread of the art of tattooing, the process of drawing a picture on the skin is no longer such a symbolic ritual. If earlier great importance was invested in a tattoo, and it could tell a lot about a person, now it is often just one of the types of appearance modification. That is why issues related to the healing and care of a fresh drawing are of such concern to all its owners.
Intricate tattoo art
Along with the change in morals, there has been a major leap in technology that has affected the tattoo industry as well. The equipment and application technique have undergone major changes, but the essence of the process remains the same. Thanks to the introduction of a special paint under the skin to a certain depth, the pattern remains virtually unchanged for a long time.
How does the tattoo process work?
The thin needles of the tattoo machine move synchronously at high speed, penetrating the skin to a depth of 2-8 mm, while injecting pigment,which is captured by the cells of the body and remains in them. Excess paint is removed from the surface and excreted by the body on its own, which can be seen in the first 1-2 after tattooing. A special transparent liquid with a small amount of pigment remains on the skin and a special bandage, which, according to experienced tattoo artists, is absolutely normal. At the same time, the reaction of the body is also manifested in itching, which begins to disturb a person at the time of healing of the tattoo.
First days after tattooing
Caring for a tattoo is not too much trouble, you need to follow a few rules:
- change bandages in time;
- gently remove the natural liquid on the tattoo with water;
- use healing ointments;
- do not go to the gym, baths, saunas, solariums.
What causes itching?
To answer the question of why a tattoo itches, you will have to understand the causes and mechanism of the itch itself. This process is the removal of the keratinized layer of the skin. The body itself signals to us that we need to get rid of dead cells, since their independent rejection takes a longer time and is not particularly effective. A fresh tattoo itches, which indicates an active skin healing process, when damaged cells of the upper layer of the epithelium are replaced with new ones. However, do not forget that it is not always worth followingreflexes. If you start scratching the tattoo in the first days of healing, you can tear off the crust that has appeared on the skin, thereby not only introducing an infection into the wound, but also getting the opportunity to earn ugly scars.
To scratch or not to scratch?
When a tattoo itches a lot, you should gather your will into a fist and not give in to your desires. You must follow all the advice and recommendations of your tattoo artist, use special healing ointments and in no case allow direct sunlight on the skin.
The process of complete skin regeneration takes 3-4 weeks, but severe itching disappears after 10-14 days from the date of drawing. All this time, you can not injure the healing part of the body, even if the tattoo itches unbearably.
According to the opinions of experienced lovers of the transformation of appearance, discomfort during healing is a disproportionately small problem compared to the joy of getting a tattoo. Some argue that it is even pleasant and exciting, because there is an opportunity to fully experience this process. With proper care, the finished tattoo will not only be the way you intended it, but also will not change for a long time.
Healed Tattoo Itching: Causes and Solutions
But what if a tattoo itches that has already healed? There may be several reasons for this. The most common is infection and skin irritation. It can also cause an allergic reaction. If the tattoo itches andredness or pimples appeared, the most correct decision would be to visit a dermatologist and an allergist. Not in all cases, your tattoo artist can know the causes of itching if the tattoo has already healed. Sometimes a healed tattoo itches after being exposed to ultraviolet light. The fact is that the paint contains certain chemical compounds of metals that can interact with sunlight. As a rule, colors of black, blue and violet are perceived by the body much easier than other bright colors. It is worth noting that much more reverent care will be required for tattoos made using red and orange paint, because the components that make up it interact much more actively with ultraviolet radiation. That is why it is recommended that you always use a cream with a high SPF protection when you are in the bright sun. Thanks to this, it will be possible not only to avoid unpleasant sensations, but also to prolong the brightness and durability of the pattern. With prolonged exposure to the sun, the contour begins to blur, and the colors become dimmer. It is unlikely that lovers of tanning and tattoos will be able to combine both of these hobbies - one will definitely have to be abandoned.
This is the most unfortunate case for self-treatment, because no one will tell you for sure why the allergy began and to which particular component of the paint the body reacts. Before going to the doctor, it will not be superfluous to find out from your master the manufacturer of the tattoo ink. Knowing the composition, it will be much easier for the doctor to determine the cause of irritation. But do not worry - a competent specialistwill write a prescription for the necessary medicines, and the problem will disappear forever.
