Did you know that, according to the data, one in three people has a tattoo ? And that almost everyone has ever considered getting one? It is not for less, this expression of art whose canvas is the skin is beautiful, modern and at the same time a reflection of the personality of each one.
That is why surely more than once you have heard that whoever starts with tattoos can no longer stop. Our mission is that you have all the information you need before, during and after getting your tattoo at your fingertips. How long does a tattoo take to heal? We tell you what the healing phases of a tattoo.
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The Time It Takes For A Tattoo To Heal
It is clear that, when you get a tattoo, it is to show it off and exude personality. But if you want it to be like that and there is no problem, you have to follow a few steps before and after doing it. The question is that there are no infections and that the healing process is adequate, so you must have all the possible information.
As a general rule, the average time it takes for a tattoo to heal is one to two weeks . But wait! Do not stop reading that there are still many things you have to know for everything to go well. As with common wounds, the time it takes for a tattoo to heal will depend, in the first place, on the type of skin you have. If you are a person who is lucky enough to heal quickly when a cut or wound is made, the same will happen with the tattoo.
How To Make Your Tattoo Heal Well?
However, whatever your skin type, the important thing is that the tattoo heals well to avoid infections and diseases. So keep the following points in mind:
The Establishment Where You Are Going To Get The Tattoo
You must bear in mind that the establishment or place where you are going to get the tattoo has adequate hygiene measures . It will be useless to take care of the tattoo after having it done if the tattoo studio was not adequate and did not comply with current regulations.
Disposable needles, antibacterial soap, the use of new gloves and a long et cetera are just some of the things that we must take into account. All of them should be in the studio, because as you already know, health comes first of all!
Make The Necessary Cures
To carry out these cures you must do a gentle massage in the area of the tattoo to remove the remains of blood and ink that remain after doing it. Dry the area and wash it as instructed by the tattoo artist. The simplest and most effective way is to wash the tattoo well with warm or cold water, use a mild neutral soap and apply the specific cream. This removes any excess waste or ink substance.
The Bandage
After getting the tattoo, it is normal to put a little plastic wrap to protect the tattoo. However, this type of bandage should not cover your tattoo for more than 4 hours because it could not heal well from the beginning due to the lack of oxygen on the skin.
A Good Moisturizer
For a few days after getting the tattoo it is very important to keep it hydrated. To do this, get a protective moisturizer or a healing cream recommended by the pharmacy or in the studio. Apply as directed and make sure the ingredients in the product are correct.
Does The Tattoo Scab Over?
If you notice that your tattoo has crusted, dry or itchy (try not to scratch so as not to remove the scab early), then things are on the right track and the skin is healing as it should . Now, how long does the process take until the scab is removed? We can say that, on average, one to two weeks.
But, of course, everything will depend on the type of skin of each one, if you apply moisturizer every day or the size of the tattoo. The specific area in which it has been done will also influence, as there are certain parts of the skin that will heal before others.
The Healing Phases Of A Tattoo
Let’s see what was said before with the phases of the tattoo so that it is a little clearer.
First Stage
In the two or three days after you get the tattoo, and due to the pressure of the needles, a scab will form on the wound . This means that you are in the first step of healing your tattoo. Of course, not in all cases, but it is observed that the skin in that area is a little redder, bruised and even itchy.
Second Stage
In the event that a scab has emerged, it is common for it to itch, even more so when it begins to detach on its own. That is why it is important not to scratch, if the scab falls off before the wound is closed, another new scab will come out and it will take longer to heal. The scab usually comes off completely after one or two weeks, at which point you will be able to boast of a beautiful tattoo and one hundred percent care.
How To Know If The Tattoo Has Been Infected
Let’s now see the symptoms that indicate that the tattoo has been infected and what you should do about it, it is just as important as knowing if the tattoo has healed completely. The tattoo could be infected if
- The skin shows redness, continuous stinging and painful irritation . It is normal for it to itch a little when the scab begins to come out, but not that it does it all the time and even that it hurts especially when touching the skin.
- If the swelling in the tattoo and the surrounding skin is still present after 24 hours and does not look like it is going to go down, it is a sign that you could be infected.
- If you notice pain or itching when the scab has already fallen off . In this phase the tattoo is healed and there should be no symptoms or discomfort. If not, it is because it is a possible infection.
- The secretions with pus yellow and a bad odor coming from the tattoo are also signs that something is not right.
- On the other hand, you have to pay attention to other indications such as fever or general malaise.
Conclusion
Now, if you have the suspicion or certainty that your tattoo has not healed as it should and has become infected, you will have to go to the doctor. He or she will be the one to recommend an antibiotic cream or the appropriate oral medication. In addition, you will have to go to the studio and talk to your tattoo artist to check what happened and find out when the infection could have occurred .
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