Have you ever experienced an itchy sensation around your freshly inked tattoo? It’s normal to feel a bit of itching after receiving a tattoo.
However if the itching persists or becomes unbearable, it may be a sign that something is wrong. Let’s take a look at why your tattoo is itchy, and what you can do to relieve the itchy sensation?
What Happens To The Skin When You Get A Tattoo?
When you get a tattoo, the tattoo artist uses tattoo needles and gun to inject ink into the middle layer of your skin, known as the dermis.
This process deposits tiny droplets of tattoo pigment under the top layer of skin. The top layer acts like a barrier, protecting the lower layers from bacteria while allowing oxygen to pass through.
Once the area is tattooed, it will take several weeks for it to heal completely. During this time, your body’s natural immune system helps protect against tattoo infection by producing white blood cells which break down any foreign substances in the area such as ink particles or bacteria.
During this phase, mild itching is to be expected. After healing has taken place, a thin protective scab will form over the tattooed area and will eventually peel off, leaving fresh pink skin behind.
What Are The Best Tattoo Aftercare Instructions After A Fresh Tattoo?
Aftercare instructions are essential to the success of any tattoo, and will be given to you at the tattoo shop / professional tattoo parlor. Tattoos can be a form of beautiful and permanent body art, but they are also open wounds that require special care.
There are simple steps you can take to ensure the best outcome for your new tattoo. First, leave the bandage on for at least 3–4 hours after getting a fresh tattoo. If possible, leaving it on longer is best, as this helps keep bacteria from entering the wound.
After removing the bandage, wash your hands before touching the area with warm water and mild soap; make sure to pat dry rather than rub, as rubbing can cause irritation or infection, leading to tattoo scarring.
Apply a thin layer of fragrance-free lotion, ointment or specific tattoo creams to keep it hydrated while healing, and always wear loose clothing over your new tattoo so that friction doesn’t irritate it further.
It is important to avoid activities requiring soaking in water, such as swimming and hot tub use during healing time, especially if using a non-waterproof band-aid or other dressing material.
Sunlight can also fade tattoos; therefore, wearing sunblock and sunscreen fluid when exposed to direct sunlight is highly recommended for newly healed tattoos (at least 6 weeks).
Taking daily vitamin C has been found helpful by many in promoting quick healing times – consult your doctor before starting any new supplement routine, though.
What Is The Healing Process For A New Tattoo?
When you get a new tattoo, the healing process can look pretty intimidating. Healing after getting a tattoo typically involves redness and swelling around the area of new ink.
This reaction is entirely normal and should be expected when any open wound is exposed to air or contact with clothing or other materials. It is important to keep this in mind during the healing process so that proper care can be taken for cleanliness and comfort.
After about three days, your body’s natural healing processes will kick in and the redness around your new ink will begin to dissipate as the swelling goes down.
This initial stage of healing takes up to two weeks depending on individual skin types, but it is important to take special care for these first few days post-tattooing, as there may still be an open wound present even though it does not appear particularly irritated.
During this time, it is important to keep bandages on the area, apply ointments as directed by a professional artist or doctor, keep away from swimming pools or similar bodies of water (unless instructed otherwise) and avoid sun exposure or tanning beds until fully healed – which could take up to four weeks.
What Does It Mean When My Tattoo Is Itchy?
When you recently got a tattoo, the last thing you expected or wanted was to experience itching sensations. Unfortunately, many people go through this same experience when getting freshly inked.
The itchiness is due to inflammation and can range from mild to extreme depending on the size and location of the tattoo.
The cause of the itching sensation relates to what happens during the tattoo process. Microscopic needles puncture your skin as part of the permanent ink-staining procedure, which results in deliberate damage caused by your body’s immune response trying to fight off foreign objects entering its system.
This causes a natural inflammatory reaction that leads to swelling, redness, heat, and pain—and yes—itchiness.
Once healed, however, scar-tissue forms around your new tattoos, causing itchy sensations driven by histamine and other chemical imbalances that are part of your body’s attempt at healing itself.
Even though these chemicals are supposed to help reverse damage caused by an injury or infection, some individuals with sensitive skin or overly active immune systems might find themselves on edge with constant itchy feelings caused by their new tattooed skin.
If ignored repeatedly over time or scratched away without allowing normal healing processes to take place, chances are users could end up with permanent complications such as bacterial infections including scabs covered in pus and feverish body temperature, making their mark much more uncomfortable than when they first got it done.
Is It Normal For Itchy Tattoos When They’re New?
It is normal for tattoos to itch as they heal, usually in the process of scabbing over, which can last up to two weeks. However, if your tattoo is itchy beyond that point or even during the healing process, you may want to consult a professional.
Itching can be caused by a variety of things, such as allergies to the ink or skin conditions like eczema. Be aware that an itching tattoo could also indicate an infection and should not be taken lightly.
If you suspect you may have an allergic reaction, let your artist know right away, so they can make appropriate recommendations or switch colors if necessary.
If the itching persists and doesn’t go away with regular aftercare routines such as washing with warm water and applying topical ointments, then consider seeing a doctor for professional advice.
Sometimes anti-itch creams are prescribed for temporary relief, but these should only be used under medical guidance as overuse could irritate your skin further.
Ink allergies are rare but possible. The red pigments / red ink used in both traditional and custom tattoos contain many components which can cause irritation if sensitive skin reacts badly to them – this is why research into tattoo artists and suppliers is crucial before taking the plunge.
If you think you have developed an allergy, seek medical help sooner rather than later: signs may include swelling, blisters, hives, redness or rash around the affected area. However, these aren’t necessarily definitive indicators, so keep an eye out for any changes just in case.
How To Relieve An Itchy Tattoo?
Tattoo itching can be both uncomfortable and embarrassing. While this is a common problem that many people experience, there are some steps you can take to help relieve your itchy tattoo.
Firstly, make sure the area of your new tattoo is clean and dry – an overly wet or damp environment can cause irritation and itching.
Do not apply lotions, creams or oils to the area as this may damage your new tattoo. Also, avoid scratching when possible, as this can lead to infection or further irritate the skin around your tattoo.
If possible, try wearing loose clothing-over the area, as tight-fitting garments may cause friction and further aggravate the affected area.
Lastly, drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and keep your skin from drying out, which could be causing your tattoo itchiness. Taking these steps should help reduce irritation associated with newly inked tattoos.
Is It Safe To Scratch Itchy Tattoos?
It is normal for a new tattoo to itch as it heals, which can be an incredibly annoying sensation. While it may feel tempting to reach down and scratch the area, doing so can potentially damage the healing process and even create more irritations than before.
When a tattoo itches, it usually means that the surrounding skin is still dry and peeling; this is because during the healing process, the top layer or two of skin will naturally shed away.
If one were to scratch at their new tattoo, they could risk scraping away at tattoos ink in addition to some of their own skin cells that are still healing.
In addition to scratching causing potential damage directly to the newly inked art on their body, it also increases one’s chances of having an allergic reaction due to airborne particles from ink being released into your bloodstreams when scratched too hard.
Scratching any part of your body runs the risk of introducing bacteria— which could lead to further complications such as infections if one were already prone to them.
It is the best way to wait until your tattoo has fully healed before beginning any kind of aftercare routine such as lotioning or cleaning with antibacterial soap occasionally if needed.
The most important factor in helping heal a new tattoo quickly and without irritation is maintaining proper hydration levels by drinking plenty of water throughout each day.
Moisturizing with a mild unscented cream might help alleviate some itching sensations while keeping your skin lubricated without letting dust bands form over time due to overly dry skin around a fresh tattoo to cause additional problems later down line.
What Is The Best Way To Scratch Itchy Skin Surrounding A New Tattoo?
The best way to scratch itchy skin surrounding a new tattoo is to loosely use your fingertips. This will provide the most gentle scratching action, allowing you to soothe any irritation without damaging your tattoo or harming the skin.
It’s important to keep in mind that too much pressure can damage or even remove color from the tattoo design, so be careful not to press down too hard.
Avoid using long fingernails as they can catch and tear at the delicate healing skin, leading to further irritation and possible infection.
If you find yourself still unable to ignore how itchy it is after a few minutes of gentle scratching with fingertips, then consider applying a cold compress or ice pack wrapped in cloth.
This will help reduce some of the swelling and also reduce any itching sensation by numbing that area with coolness.
Avoid using topical creams products on an open wound, such as one created by a fresh tattoo. However, if you need relief, try gently slathering on unscented lotion or petroleum jelly, which will keep the skin hydrated without introducing harsh chemicals into an open wound.
How Long Do Tattoos Feel Itchy For?
Tattoos can feel itchy for varying lengths of time, depending on where it is located and the type of ink used.
A newly inked tattoo may be itchy for the first few days while healing takes place. After this point, most people report that the itchiness subsides and only returns when exposed to certain irritants or strong sunlight.
The degree of itchiness also depends on which inks were used to create the tattoo. Some inks are more likely to cause greater discomfort due to their chemical composition.
Most professional tattoo artists use non-toxic inks with fewer irritants than older formulations; however, individuals with particularly sensitive skin should consult a doctor before deciding on any ink choice.
Itching can also occur if a tattoo is applied too deeply into the skin or if there is an allergic reaction present from one or more inks that have been used.
If itching persists or if you notice any signs of infection (redness at the site, discharge from the wound), use antihistamines or apply topical corticosteroid creams as directed by your medical provider. In rare cases when itching does not subside easily, laser treatments may be recommended as well.
Overall, tattoos can feel itchy for up to several weeks following application, but generally lessen within days.
Always take proper precautions during aftercare, such as avoiding sun exposure and practicing good hygiene so that tattoos heal properly without issues such as infection or scarring down the road.
What Does It Mean If Older Tattoos Are Itchy?
A tattoo itch can be a sign of a variety of issues, including simple irritation and an allergic reaction. If older tattoos are itchy, you may be experiencing anything from normal skin sensations to dermatitis or even an allergic reaction to the ink used in the tattoo.
The itching could also be a sign that your body is trying to reject the tattoo ink or simply adjust to having it injected into the skin. It’s important to note that if you experience severe itching around an area with color, like a reddish rash or burning sensations inside the lines of your tattoo, then this may indicate a tattoo allergy.
In general, people should not worry too much about their old tattoos becoming itchy for no reason. However, if symptoms persist for more than two weeks and become increasingly worse as time passes by, then further investigation and treatment is recommended.
As well as intense itching, other adverse reactions related to ink allergies can include swelling at or around the site where the old tattoo was done, as well as redness and burning sensation on top of what already existed prior.
Other possible signs include bumps near the inked area and even blister-like formations on top of existing skin irritations due to increased sensitivity that can occur when altering one’s body art over time.
It’s important for those who experience any kind of discomfort during or after getting a new (or reworked) piece of artwork done on their body.
Especially those with existing tattoos—to go see a doctor immediately because these potential reactions need prompt medical attention before they become worse and cause permanent damage such as scarring or infection.
What External Factors Can Cause Itchy Tattoos?
Itchy tattoos can be caused by a variety of external factors, including MRI scans, ink allergies, contact dermatitis, and mast cells. Monitoring your tattoo’s reaction to these outside forces should help you avoid any extreme itching.
An MRI scan may cause an itchy tattoo if the metal-based inks heat up during the procedure. While it isn’t possible to avoid it if you need an MRI scan after getting a tattoo, using non-metallic inks like vegetable oil-based colors will help reduce the risk of itchiness associated with MRI scanning.
Ink allergies can also lead to an itchy sensation on the skin around your tattoo. If the ink or ingredients used for filler are not hypoallergenic or made from natural substances (like plant oils or minerals).
You may develop an allergy that causes discomfort and itching on and around your tattoo area, as well as pain when exposed to sunlight or other stimuli. Tattoo artists should always double-check that their inks are free from allergens before use.
Contact dermatitis or psoriasis are other common causes of itchy tattoos; this occurs when your skin reacts to certain materials coming into contact with the ink of your tattoo (such as certain fabrics).
To prevent this from happening, wear soft materials close to your freshly inked skin and make sure they do not touch each other directly – if they do, this could create friction which irritates the area further, leading to more severe itching episodes. Also, avoid fragrances, when it comes to choosing moisturizers to hydrate your tattoo flare-up.
Finally, mast cell activity can be another culprit behind itchy tattoos; these cells produce histamine, which has been linked with itching sensations around recently healed areas such as tattoos.
To minimize irritation due to mast cell production, make sure you keep your fresh tattoo covered until completely healed and refrain from touching/scratching it excessively while the healing process continues – consistent scratching increases histamine activity, thus worsening any itching episodes felt throughout time.
If Your Tattoo Never Stops Itching, Will You Need Tattoo Removal Treatment?
Itching is a common side effect of getting a tattoo, but if your itching persists for more than a few days after the procedure, it may be an indication that something is wrong.
You could have an ink allergy, or it could mean something else entirely. If that is the case and your tattoo never stops itching, then you should consult your tattoo artist about possibly having the tattoo removed through removal treatment of the skin’s surface.
There are several factors that can contribute towards an ink allergy, such as the age of the ink itself or if it contains certain metals like nickel or cobalt.
Allergies can also develop over time due to exposure to everyday elements such as fragrances, detergents and soaps on the skin. To make sure you don’t have an allergy to any of these things before getting tattooed is important so that no allergic reactions occur afterward.
If none of those causes seem to explain why your tattoo never stops itching, then there may be another reason, such as poor healing or insufficient aftercare instructions given by your artist.
Consulting your artist and doctor about possible solutions would provide clarity on whether you need special removal treatment due to persistent itching.
Summary
Tattoos can cause itching during the healing process. This is normal, but it’s important to take extra steps to care for your fresh ink and make sure that any itchiness doesn’t turn into infection or scarring.
You should leave the bandage on for at least 3–4 hours, wash with mild soap and water, apply a thin layer of fragrance-free lotion, ointment or specific tattoo creams to keep it hydrated while healing, and always wear loose clothing over your new tattoo so that friction doesn’t irritate it further.
Avoid activities requiring soaking in water during healing time, and wearing sunscreen when exposed to direct sunlight is highly recommended for newly healed tattoos (at least 6 weeks) aftercare.
Itching may persist even after the initial healing period has passed – this could be due to an allergic reaction or other skin conditions like eczema.
If itching persists beyond 2 weeks or if you notice any signs of infection (redness at the site, discharge from the wound), use antihistamines or apply topical corticosteroid creams as directed by your medical provider.
Hi, my name is Gemma, and I’m the owner of MakeupMuddle.com. I’m a true beauty obsessive, and love writing about anything to do with beauty – I have been a beauty writer since 2012.
As well as owning Makeup Muddle, I also own GemmaEtc.com, and love sharing my thoughts and feelings about the greatest (and not so great) beauty products!