Tattoos breach the skin, which means that skin infections and other complications are possible, including: Allergic reactions. Tattoo dyes — especially red, green, yellow and blue dyes — can cause allergic skin reactions, such as an itchy rash at the tattoo site. This can occur even years after you get the tattoo.
Still, the chance of tattoo ink causing health care issues is very, very low. Under 7% of people experience issues long-term. If you are worried about an allergy or other issue, it's best to talk to your doctor about your potential for health effects, your tattoo artist, and to try a skin test.
In the immediate aftermath, and for the next few days, the site of a new tattoo can feel stingy and sore, maybe a bit like sunburn or a light graze. Slight inflammation and soreness is normal for skin that has been broken and needs to heal.
Although rare, tattoo ink may cause serious reactions like trouble breathing, increased heart rate, chest tightness, dizziness, upset stomach, intense swelling, and or serious pain. If this happens to you, seek medical attention immediately.
Some people, however, develop infections or allergic reactions in the days, months or even years after getting a tattoo, the AAD says. Watch for symptoms that can suggest a larger problem, including worsening pain; a rash, blisters or bumps on the skin; fever; chills; and pus or fluid coming from the tattoo.
If you have a medical problem such as heart disease, allergies, diabetes, skin problems like eczema or psoriasis, a weak immune system, or a bleeding problem, talk to your doctor before getting a tattoo. Also, if you get keloids (an overgrowth of scar tissue) you probably should not get a tattoo.
Over the years, the FDA has received reports of people developing infections from contaminated tattoo inks, as well as allergic reactions to the inks themselves. In 2019, the FDA issued a safety alert about certain tattoo inks contaminated with microorganisms.
Don't panic. This “tattoo flu” is pretty common and should fade into memory in a few days (unlike your new tattoo). Your body's immune system is making you feel wiped out while it attacks potential threats to your bod. Be on the lookout for a mild fever, chills, fatigue, and some tummy discomfort.
Now, save for moments you catch a glimpse of the design in the mirror, you usually forget the whole thing happened. What's done is done, right? Not always. In fact, skin irritation or a full-blown condition can develop months, years, even decades after the initial tattooing process.
The outer layers of your skin will heal in about two to four weeks, while the deeper layers where the ink sits will take about 4 months to heal.
Depending on the size and complexity of the tattoo, the process can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. The constant needle pricks can be physically draining for the body. As a result, the body can go into “fight or flight” mode and release adrenaline, which can cause feelings of fatigue and exhaustion.
Your tattoo will go through a number of stages as it heals. In the first few days, redness, oozing fluid and swollen skin is common. If this carries on however for more than a few days this could be a sign of an infection. After two weeks, your skin may begin to peel.
The thing is, while tattoos theoretically last forever, they can fade over time. So to help you out in your fight against tattoo damage, we tapped two experts to get their best advice and pro tips on the dos and don'ts of caring for your tattoo.
A tattoo is acceptable if the tattoo was applied by a state-regulated entity using sterile needles and ink that is not reused.
Older tattoos may be raised due to scar tissue
If your old tattoo still occasionally feels raised and swollen, this could be due to scarring. Thicker lines, and more pressure applied during tattooing, can cause some scarring.
Guess how tattoos stay there forever, even as your skin cells die and are replaced? French researchers say they have found the answer, and it's a little bit surprising. They found that immune system cells called macrophages eat the ink, and then pass it to their replacements when they die.
The most common solution for those suffering from tattoo regret is complete tattoo removal. Whether the name of an ex or poor artwork has got you fuming, laser technology has taken the permanence out of ink. How does it work? The laser creates short pulses of intense light that target the pigment in your tattoo.
A tattoo infection is a skin infection that can occur in people with tattoos. There can be many causes, including contaminated ink or water. You can lower your risk by going to a licensed tattoo shop and asking about their sterilization practices. If you notice signs of an infection, seek medical treatment right away.
When you get a tattoo, your body releases endorphins. Endorphins are naturally occurring chemicals that are produced by your body to relieve stress and pain. When released, they cause a euphoric feeling not dissimilar to a class of drugs called opioids.
When it comes to cancer, black ink can be especially dangerous because it contains a very high level of benzo(a)pyrene. Benzo(a)pyrene is currently listed as a carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
The reds are perhaps the worst, because they also contain the highly toxic iron oxide and cadmium. * If you really want to get a permanent tattoo, stick with the basics. Black remains safest. Blue and green inks with copper phthalocyanine pigments are safe too.
Since your tattoo will be on your body for life and your health could be at risk, it's an investment worth the money.