You body sees a fresh tattoo as a wound. As such, you need to feed it food that it desires to promote wound healing. Once again we turn to Vitamin C. Vitamin C (aka ascorbic acid) is needed for the synthesis of collagen in the skin.
Foods to avoid include those that promote inflammation – red meats, foods high in sugar, salt and additives, as well as overly processed foods. These can interfere with the body's natural healing processes. The same is said to be true for an excessive amount of dairy.
Keep the tattooed area out of the sun for at least a few weeks. Avoid swimming. Stay out of pools, hot tubs, rivers, lakes and other bodies of water while your tattoo is healing. Choose clothing carefully.
Much like an effective vaccine, it's a challenge to our immune system, with the goal of making it stronger. People with more tattoos appear to have higher levels of immune molecules, including antibodies.
Drunken behaviour could ruin your new tattoo
You need to be aware of keeping your tattoo clean and dry while it is fresh, so a night out might not be the best option. It's generally recommended that you wait at least 48 hours after your new tattoo before you start drinking alcohol again.
To stop the scabbing, you should always use a protective ointment, salve, or tattoo-friendly moisturizer (i.e. one that will protect it and keep it hydrated) following your appointment up until your ink heals completely.
Wash the tattoo regularly but gently, especially after dirty or sweaty activities. Drink plenty of water to help keep the skin moist and supple. While healing, cover the tattoo with clothing or a bandage whenever it might be exposed to the sun.
Zinc also aids in skin swelling and inflammation. It's a plus before and after a tattoo session if you take Zinc supplements or eat beans, nuts, and whole-grain breakfast. If you are booking a tattoo session, water is your best friend.
A few things that can help you be more comfortable while your tattoo heals: The most important is to drink water for the whole duration of the healing process!
Oranges / Orange Juice
One of the best sources of vitamin C out there. I also take vitamin C supplements for a few days after a new tattoo. This powerful vitamin is known to help with healing wounds. Oranges are also great for the skin in general as they can protect cells from damage and fight viral infections.
Because the ink is processed by your body's natural filtration system (kidneys and liver) intense removal sessions or back-to-back sessions without much downtime between can put undue stress on your bodily system, causing them to work overtime, and potentially leading to other health issues down the road.
There is also a chance that a blackout tattoo could affect vitamin D synthesis, Leger says, i.e. your body's ability to get and break down vitamin D from sun exposure. Diagnosing skin cancer and other skin conditions in areas that are covered by blackout ink could also prove difficult, Leger says.
Yes, tattoo ink can enter your bloodstream. This is one of the reasons why it is important to choose an artist who uses sanitized equipment and safe inks.
You may also see redness, swelling, and some mild bleeding. DAYS 3-14 (or until healed): After the first 2-3 days, your tattoo should begin to feel dry and tight.
Tattoo flu explained
So while you might be super chill mentally, your immune system might charge in like there's a four alarm fire. When the needle hits your skin, your pain receptors go into overdrive, giving you a nice jolt of adrenaline which then makes your ticker beat a bit faster.
If you're thinking about downing some liquid courage before taking the plunge, think again. Drinking before and after getting a tattoo is a no-no. Alcohol thins your blood, which means excess bleeding.
Can You Drink Caffeine After Getting a Tattoo? Unfortunately, the same applies to after getting tatted. During the healing period, your body is reliant on the blood to clot to help with skin repair. Since caffeine increases blood pressure, you should refrain from caffeine until your tattoo has healed.
Drinking after a tattoo is not a good choice as well. It's okay to have a beer or half a glass of wine with dinner after your tattoo, but it should be limited to that. Because even directly after the appointment you should create the circumstances in your body that your tattoo can heal perfectly.