When you go to the tattoo artist, you’re usually really excited—after all, a new work of art is about to be created on your skin that means something to you or defines who you are. That makes an infected tattoo all the more frustrating. An infected tattoo usually develops shortly after getting the tattoo or during the healing process. During aftercare, you should pay special attention to hygiene and the use of appropriate care products.
We’ll explain why tattoos can become infected and how you can best prevent it.
What is an inflamed tattoo, and how does it develop?
To understand what an inflamed tattoo is or how it can develop in the first place, it’s important for us to make it clear that a tattoo is a wound. Although a work of art is created on or beneath your skin, your skin is still injured during the tattooing process, and your body reacts to it just as it would to any injury. Both stress hormones and “feel-good” hormones are released, which influence your perception of pain during the tattooing process —most notably adrenaline. And once the main event is over for you and you’re admiring your new tattoo in the mirror, the real work for your body is just beginning. It must now ensure that the wound heals and, even more importantly, that no harmful and/or dangerous pathogens can enter your body.
Which brings us to the topic at hand—in simple terms, inflamed tattoos are your body’s reaction to pathogens or other contaminants entering the fresh wound. Your body tries to fight them off, which is why parts of your tattoo may appear red or feel warm, for example. Itching is also normal with infected tattoos. It’s important to note that in such cases—as well as throughout the rest of the healing process—you should absolutely avoid scratching to prevent damaging your tattoo and introducing even more pathogens into the fresh wound.
Sun, bacteria, dirt—these are the causes of an infected tattoo
There are many causes of tattoo inflammation—regardless of the tattoo style. It’s important to be familiar with them so that, after your tattoo appointment, you can ensure—with professional aftercare—that your new piece of art brings you joy rather than problems. The most common causes of tattoo inflammation include, above all, the following:
- Infection: Pathogens and bacteria pose a threat to a fresh wound and, consequently, to your body. Infected tattoos are often caused by poor aftercare or unclean equipment on the part of the tattoo artist. Always check the hygiene standards of a tattoo studio before you decide to get a tattoo there. Also, be sure to avoid touching a fresh tattoo with unwashed hands.
- Allergic reactions: Inflamed tattoos can also be caused by an allergic reaction. Such reactions are usually triggered by colored inks and may not become apparent until years after the tattoo is done.
- Irritation from aftercare products: To prevent tattoos from becoming inflamed, you should always avoid using scented soaps or perfumes during aftercare. Panthenol and medicated soaps are often safe options for soothing damaged skin and supporting the healing process.
- Inadequate aftercare: Dry skin should be avoided both before and after getting a tattoo. Inflamed tattoos are caused, among other things, by small tears in the skin barrier, which also serve as an invitation for all kinds of bacteria.
- Mechanical irritation: Rubbing, scratching, bumping, and even hitting—please avoid any kind of mechanical irritation. After showering, tattoos should be gently patted dry at most, and the fabric of your clothes should be soft to avoid irritating the healing skin and prevent lint and fibers from rubbing against it.
- Sun Exposure: If you’re planning a tattoo appointment, don’t schedule it right around the same time as your next vacation to Mallorca or a visit to the tanning salon. Intense sun exposure is one of the main causes of inflamed tattoos.
Is your tattoo inflamed? Here’s what to do!
Now that you know what to keep in mind and what to avoid, let’s address one last topic: What should you do if your tattoo becomes inflamed? First and foremost, you should always follow your tattoo artist’s aftercare instructions. A professional tattoo artist—like the ones at our tattoo studio near Frankfurt—knows what kind of aftercare is best for their work.
If your tattoo is severely inflamed, please see a doctor immediately. In such cases, the tattoo artist will not be able to help you. A doctor, on the other hand, can determine the severity of the inflammation and provide you with reliable treatment.
Is your tattoo inflamed, and do you want to know which ointment is best for aftercare? For mild inflammation, cortisone-based creams and tablets can provide relief. In severe cases, however, an antibiotic is used.
To avoid infected tattoos, never skimp on hygiene. Your health is at stake here, and you shouldn’t cut corners—no matter how much you want to get that tattoo.
In any case, if your tattoo becomes inflamed, you should stay calm, avoid further irritation, and see a doctor to be on the safe side. Once the inflammation has subsided, you can assess whether the quality of the tattoo has been affected and, if necessary—after allowing some time to pass—have touch-ups done.