After getting inked, you want to adhere to all measures given by tour your tattoo artist for the next few weeks. In preventing infection, choose a good tattoo artist is crucial to make sure it heals well and doesn’t get infected.
A tattoo involves the insertion of an ink-covered needle into your skin. This process is likely to introduce foreign matter or infections into your body.
Source: EvolveINK
If you start noticing pus draining from the tattoo area, that’s a call to seek medical attention to determine if the infection can be treated using a home remedy or not, Vseslav Tonkovic-Capin, a dermatologist said.
“You may try to wash it with liquid antibacterial soap and apply over-the-counter double antibiotic ointment. If you develop a fever, you sh
Redness and warmth
“If you experience spreading pink discoloration or the feeling of pulsatile heat radiating from around your tattoo, you may have an infection, Devan said.
However, swelling and warmth might occur even without the presence of infection, but if it persists for over three days or gets worse, then it is an infection, time to see the doctor.
Others are fever, red lesions around the area, red streaking from the area, waves of heat and cold, abnormal shivering, etc.
Viral infections
If the equipment used is not sterilized before use, there is a risk of contracting hepatitis B or A, HIV, etc.
Prevention measures
- Ask questions, this is crucial before the tattoo is done. Ask the artist the ingredients of your ink, if you are allergic to it
- What’s the reputation of the tattoo parlor? Is it trustworthy? Have you read their reviews online?
- Do they have a license to operate? The license is usually issued by a health ministry of your geographical location.
- Do they follow safety procedures? sterilized equipment, checked? Gloves, checked?
Tattoo aftercare
- Remove the bandage three to five hours after you have gotten the tattoo.
- Wash with antibacterial soap and water.
- Use a clean, dry washcloth or paper towel to pat the area.
- Let the area air-dry for a few minutes, remember, no rubbing.
- Put ointments like vaseline on the area.
- Repeat these steps at least four times a day for four days and more.
