Table of contents:
- Why do new tattoos feel itchy?
- Inflammation
- Skin regeneration
- Healing
- Itching tattoos you need to be aware of
- Overcoming itching due to new tattoos
You may have wanted to get a tattoo on your body for a long time, but once you finally dare to get one, a few days later your new tattoo feels itchy. You also worry, maybe this means you are infected, or the tattoo equipment is not sterile? Don't worry, a new itchy tattoo is normal and is often ignored by people who have had it tattooed many times. But, what is the cause? And how to distinguish it from an itch that needs to be aware of?
Why do new tattoos feel itchy?
Tattoos are made on the skin by sticking ink under the top layer of your skin. Usually this process is done with a needle filled with ink that is punctured according to the desired pattern to make the tattoo. Depending on the size and difficulty of the tattoo you want the tattoo to take, it can take a few hours. Tattoos are sure to cause needle stab wounds that need to be healed quickly and appropriately.
Inflammation
It will take you a few days to heal a stab wound from the tattooing process. In the initial phase of healing, your scar will become inflamed. The injured skin will swell slightly and turn red. You may have pain or soreness that will last for the first few days. The longer your tattooing process at that time, the longer the healing process you will need because of the more serious skin wounds.
Skin regeneration
Once the inflammation has subsided, your skin will begin to heal itself naturally through a regeneration process. New skin will form and replace the top layer of skin that begins to dry out and feels tight. This is why a new tattoo scar feels itchy. When the top layer of skin peels, the itchiness of the tattoo gets worse and can last from one to four days.
Healing
When the old top layer of skin has been completely exfoliated and replaced with a new layer of skin, the itching doesn't really go away. New tattoos feel itchy because your new, sensitive and thin layer of skin will adjust to the old skin around it. For some people, the process of healing the skin due to tattoo scars can take several weeks.
Itching tattoos you need to be aware of
Note if the scar on your tattoo appears irritation and a rash or small bumps accompanied by intense itching. This allergic reaction can occur at different times for everyone, ranging from a few months to years after getting the tattoo. Usually what causes this allergy is red ink or chemicals that are injected into the skin when making a tattoo.
Overcoming itching due to new tattoos
To relieve and reduce itching, you need to keep your tattooed skin moisturised. Apply a moisturizing ointment or lotion if the scar starts to feel dry or itchy. You can apply ice to a tattoo that feels very itchy, but don't put ice or cold water directly on your skin. Wrap the ice cubes in a cloth that is soft and thick enough or waterproof before applying it to the tattooed skin. As long as the skin with a new tattoo is still undergoing the healing process, avoid using health or beauty products such as soaps and lotions that contain too many chemicals or that can cause dry skin. Products that are harsh on the skin can make itching worse.
In addition, you are also advised not to expose your new tattoo to direct sunlight as there are types of pigments contained in tattoo inks that can cause skin allergies.
If you experience allergies, don't just ignore it in the hope that it will heal itself. If not treated properly, in some people allergies can cause difficulty breathing or swelling in certain body parts. Immediately consult a dermatologist. You may be prescribed antibiotics and ointments to control an allergic reaction to your new tattoo.
