When Does Tattoo Swelling Go Down?

Stages of Healing for a New Tattoo –

Stage 1: Immediate Reactions. Tattoo bruises and swelling begin as reddish, pinkish dots that appear in blotches immediately after you leave the tattoo studio. As time passes, the area around the tattoo can start to swell and that body part may be slightly painful to move.
Stage 2: The Bruised and Swollen Stage. As it passes through the various stages of healing, the bruise’s colour will evolve into a bluish-purple blob and then fade to a yellowish-green hazy cloud. The multi-coloured wound should then return to its natural flesh tone. Your swelling should also reduce at a similar rate as the body heals and fluids drain away.
Stage 3: The Itchy and Scabby Stage. After three to seven days (or up to two weeks), your tattoo should begin to peel and feel very itchy. Scabs may form, but it is important to let them fall off on their own and to avoid scratching your tattoo.

Extreme pain, oozing of white, greenish, or foul-smelling substances, and fever are all signs of a tattoo infection (see below). If you think you might have an infection, see a doctor right away. Red, sore, infected leg tattoo Tattoo Artists on FB.

Contents

1 How long does a tattoo stay swollen?
2 Can I ice my tattoo to reduce swelling?
- 2.1 Should I ice my tattoo?
  - 2.1.1 Why does my tattoo hurt after 4 days?
3 Does ibuprofen help tattoo pain?
4 When can I stop putting ointment on my tattoo?
- 4.1 How do I know if my skin is rejecting tattoo ink?
  - 4.1.1 Should I wrap my tattoo at night?
  - 4.1.2 Should I let my tattoo breathe?
5 How can you tell if your tattoo is infected?
- 5.1 How long should arm be swollen after tattoo?
  - 5.1.1 Should I wrap my tattoo at night?

How long does a tattoo stay swollen?

Your new tattoo will be red, irritated, swollen, warm-to-the-touch & possibly bruised; this is all NORMAL. This will normally last 1 to 3 days. If your tattoo is on an extremity, especially below the knee, you may experience more swelling than normal.

How do you reduce swelling after a tattoo?

DO. –

Listen to your artist ! They’ll cover your tattoo with a sterile absorbing pad and bandage after your session, then give you instructions on how to uncover and clean your piece at home. Some adhesives may cause irritation, so be sure to disclose any allergies with your artists.
Wash your tattoo with a mild antibacterial soap. Some soaps, like Hush Foam Soap + CBD , are specifically designed for tattoo aftercare.
Dry your tattoo with a fresh towel paper towel or (ANTI-MICROBIAL WASHCLOTHS FOR TATTOOS)
Apply an anti-inflammatory balm to reduce swelling and redness. Pain-relieving gels and creams may provide additional comfort.
Use topical anesthetic spray on new tattoos to reduce excessive pain.
Keep your tattoo exposed as much as possible for quicker healing.
Wear loose-fitting clothing, if possible, to prevent the fabric from pressing against your tattoo.
Wear your tattoo with pride.

Is it normal for tattoo to be swollen?

Signs of an infection: After getting a tattoo, it’s normal to see some redness and swelling. Your skin will feel sore, and you may see clear fluid oozing from your new tattoo. As your skin heals, it can itch and flake. Scabs may form.

Why is my tattoo so swollen?

There are several risks to consider before subjecting your skin to a tattoo needle, not the least of which is the possibility of infection from viruses like hepatitis and HIV. But even if you choose a safe tattoo studio and the tattoo artist uses a sterile needle, you’re not out of the woods.

The tattoo ink can potentially cause an allergic reaction. A tattoo allergy can result in swelling, irritation, a rash , or some other skin abnormality at or around the site of the tattoo. What Causes a Tattoo Allergy? Tattoo ink contains several ingredients and chemicals, and you may be allergic to any one of them.

Substances like iron oxide, mercury sulfide, ferric hydrate, aluminum, and manganese are only a few of the ingredients that may be included in the ink, depending on the color. An allergy to any of these substances can cause an allergic reaction once the ink gets into your skin. Types of Tattoo Allergic Reaction A tattoo allergy can take a number of different forms:

Acute inflammatory allergic reaction. Many people who get tattoos experience what’s called an acute inflammatory reaction — the skin becomes red, slightly swollen, and irritated at the site of the tattoo. This occurs because of the irritation caused by the tattoo needle and the tattoo ink. It’s not serious, and generally subsides within about two or three weeks.
Photosensitivity. Tattoos that are exposed to the sun may result in an allergic reaction, particularly those that contain yellow tattoo ink. Yellow and some red pigments contain cadmium sulfide, which can cause an allergic reaction when exposed to the sun.
Dermatitis. Some of the most common tattoo allergies include types of dermatitis — photoallergic and allergic contact dermatitis. Most often, these types of allergic reactions are caused by mercury sulfide, which is found in red tattoo ink.
Lichenoid allergic reaction. This is rare, but is typically related to red tattoo ink, and characterized by small bumps that appear around the red ink areas.
Pseudolymphomatous allergic reaction. Caused by sensitivity to a substance in the tattoo ink, this is a delayed reaction — it doesn’t occur right after getting the tattoo. Red tattoo ink is usually to blame, but it can result from blue and green as well.
Granulomas. These are small bumps that can appear as a result of an allergic reaction. Red tattoo ink is most often the culprit, but purple, green, or blue tattoo ink may also cause these bumps to form around the site of the tattoo.

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Does ibuprofen help with tattoo swelling?

Take anti-inflammatory medicines to reduce pain and swelling. These include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve).

Can I ice my tattoo to reduce swelling?

If some swelling/redness is present the day after your tattoo, and it is uncomfortable or bothering you, it is appropriate to use ice (20 minutes) and/or an NSAID (ibuprofen, Advil, aleve, naproxen) to help bring the swelling down.

Should I ice my tattoo?

Help Your Skin With Ice – Tattoo aftercare is essential to make sure you keep your skin and ink healthy. For a safe healing process, you should wash your tattoo regularly with an antibacterial ointment and strickly follow aftercare guidelines. Icing your tattoo is an excellent way to speed up the healing process.

Why does my tattoo hurt after 4 days?

Common signs and symptoms of tattoo infection – The following may be indicative of an infection:

Ongoing pain that worsens, becoming extreme: Tattoos are painful but if the pain intensifies instead of getting better, and becomes excruciating, unbearable or searing or if the tattoo is painful to touch a week to 10 days after it was done this may signal an infection
Rash: A slight rash is common after having a tattoo, but if the rash gets worse or spreads outwards from the tattooed area, this may indicate infection.
Extreme redness of the skin: Most tattoos are inflamed and red right after they’ve been done, but if the redness intensifies rather than resolving within a week of the procedure, you may have an infection.
Hot skin: The skin under and surround a tattoo will generally be warm to the touch due to the inflammation and healing that is taking place. However, if your skin suddenly becomes very hot or is still warm or hot to the touch after 7 days of having the tattoo, this can be a sign that infection has set in.
Itching (pruritis): While itching can be part of the healing process, if it doesn’t go away after applying lotion, continues for more than a couple of days and/or intensifies, and is accompanied by other symptoms listed above, infection may be to blame.
Discharge: If the sores that form over your tattoo ooze thick white, yellow or green fluid (not the thinner transparent plasma that is normal), this is a sign of infection.

The above may also be accompanied by other more generalised signs and symptoms of infection which include:

A fever of 38. 8 °C / 102 °F
Extreme thirst
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Extreme fatigue
Body weakness

If you experience any of the above signs and symptoms and suspect that you may have a tattoo infection, visit your doctor or emergency room immediately. .

Does ibuprofen help tattoo pain?

– Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, may help ease the pain following a tattooing procedure. However, it is unclear if acetaminophen can effectively prevent pain from tattooing procedures. Instead, some tattoo artists recommend topical skin-numbing products.

These products may contain 5% lidocaine. That said, there is a possibility of experiencing a contact allergy from products such as these. A person should have their tattoo artist apply the product to a small area of skin 24 hours before the procedure, to see whether or not it causes a reaction.

It is also important to follow manufacturer directions for the maximum dose limits, especially when applying topical products to large areas of the skin. Once the procedure is complete, the tattoo artist should provide self-care steps and explain how to deal with any pain after the procedure.

When can I stop putting ointment on my tattoo?

– There will come a point during your washing-drying-ointment routine when you’ll have to switch from using ointment to using lotion. This is usually after several days to a week or so after you first received your tattoo. There’s a difference between ointment and lotion.

Ointments like Aquaphor do a more heavy-duty job of moisturizing the skin than do lotions. That’s because ointments have an oil base, while lotions have a water base. Lotions are more spreadable and breathable than ointments.

Aquaphor has the added benefit of anti-inflammatory effects, which can make the tattoo healing process speedier and more comfortable. After a given number of days of using ointment (your tattoo artist will specify how many), you’ll switch to lotion. This is because you need to keep your tattoo moist for several weeks until it’s completely healed.

During your aftercare routine, instead of adding ointment, apply a thin layer of lotion at least twice a day;
However, you might need to apply lotion as much as up to four times a day to keep your healing tattoo hydrated;

Be sure to use unscented lotion. Perfumed lotions typically contain alcohol, which can dry out the skin.

How do I know if my skin is rejecting tattoo ink?

Should I wrap my tattoo at night?

This info should guide you through the care of healing your tattoo, but if you have any other questions while it is healing, do not hesitate to contact your artist directly or call the shop for immediate reply. There are no stupid questions about healing.

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– After your tattoo is completed, your artist will bandage your tattoo for your trip home. Leave the bandage on for one to three hours. When you take the bandage off, wash it with very warm water (as hot as is comfortable) and mild liquid hand soap (like Dr.

Bronner’s, Dial or Softsoap, just no perfumed or exfoliating body washes). Pat it dry gently with a paper towel, and let it air dry the rest of the way (never scrub the tattoo with a towel or sponge). Then you will apply a very small amount of Aquaphor Ointment or plain, unscented skin lotion (we recommend Aveeno, Lubriderm, Curel, or any of their generics) to the tattoo, just enough to lightly moisturize.

Your first night sleeping, your artist might recommend you re-wrap the tattoo with plastic wrap (like Saran Wrap) to sleep without the tattoo sticking to your sheets. This is generally for larger or solid-color tattoos. If your artist did not recommend re-wrapping, just let the tattoo stay exposed to air overnight.
Every day from then on, you will wash the tattoo in the morning and at night, and apply lotion 3 times a day or so, or whenever the tattoo feels dry or tight.
Always wash your hands before touching the tattoo.
DO NOT apply Vaseline, Neosporin, Bacitracin or any other medicated or perfumed product to your tattoo.
After a few days, the tattoo will form a thin scab over it, and in about a week the scab will begin to flake off in the shower. DO NOT pick or scratch at the scab, just keep it clean and moist and the scabs will all fall off by themselves in about two weeks. Picking any of the scabs off will cause faded color and damage to the skin.

During healing do NOT:

Wrap the tattoo after the first night (wearing breathable clothes over it is fine as long as they are not causing friction. (Keeping tattoos wrapped in plastic or bandages will stop air from getting to the tattoo, slow healing, and make gross stuff grow in there. )
Submerge the tattoo in water. This means baths, pools and oceans. Regular showering is fine.
Expose it to strong sunlight (Like outdoor activities or beach days. Walking to your car is fine)
Shave over the tattoo (ouch!)

When all the scabs fall off and the skin feels smooth again to the touch, it is all healed and you can shave over it again, and swim and everything else. Sometimes after the scab falls off there is a secondary shiny, raised or waxy coat over the tattoo. This is just another healing layer of skin. Continue to moisturize it and it will smooth out by itself over time. If you have any questions about your tattoo while its healing you are always welcome to come by the shop and have us check it out, or email the artist who did the tattoo with “AFTERCARE” in the subject line for an immediate response.

Do not slather a big, thick coat of product over it; just enough for it to stay moist and flexible. If you are using Aquaphor, you can switch to a plain lotion after the first few days. Lotion is generally fine for everyone, your artist will recommend if you would benefit from ointment.

If something doesn’t look perfect After your tattoo is finished healing, we’ll do our best to make it right. Sometimes with excessive scabbing, or other unpredictable reactions during healing, your skin can reject some ink, leaving a “light spot” that is closer to your skin color in the tattoo (or a line might get thinner or lighter in one spot).

This is common as its unlikely your body will accept every spot of pigment uniformly, so just contact your artist via email after your tattoo is finished healing with a photo to see if a small touch up is in order;

Unless you were negligent during the care of your tattoo, touch-ups are very minor and quick, and guaranteed by our artists if you contact them about it within 3 months of getting the tattoo. Because older tattoos that have settled in fully and aged require more work to make uniform, we suggest coming in as soon as possible when it’s healed, as touch ups are performed for a fee at the artist’s discretion after 3 months.

Should I let my tattoo breathe?

Your tattoo needs to breathe, so once you remove the original bandage — usually it’ll be bandaged in clear plastic or surgical wrap by the artist — it’s best not to cover it. Wrapping it may result in extra moisture and a lack of oxygen, which can cause scabbing and slow healing.

How can you tell if your tattoo is infected?

How long should arm be swollen after tattoo?

– It’s important to know the signs that your tattoo isn’t healing properly or has become infected. Symptoms of improper healing include:

Fever or chills. A fever may indicate that your tattoo has become infected, and you should see a doctor right away.
Prolonged redness. All tattoos will be somewhat red for a few days after the procedure, but if the redness doesn’t subside , it’s a sign that your tattoo isn’t healing well.
Oozing fluid. If fluid or pus is still coming out from your tattoo after 2 or 3 days, it may be infected. See a doctor.
Swollen, puffy skin. It’s normal for the tattoo to be raised for a few days, but the surrounding skin shouldn’t be puffy. This may indicate that you’re allergic to the ink.
Severe itching or hives. Itchy tattoos can also be a sign that your body is allergic to the ink. The allergic reaction to a tattoo can happen right after, or as much as several years after getting the tattoo.
Scarring. Your tattoo will scab over because it’s a wound, but a properly healed tattoo shouldn’t scar. Signs of scarring include raised, puffy skin, redness that doesn’t fade, distorted colors within the tattoo, or pitted skin.

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Should I wrap my tattoo at night?

Your first night sleeping, your artist might recommend you re-wrap the tattoo with plastic wrap (like Saran Wrap) to sleep without the tattoo sticking to your sheets. This is generally for larger or solid-color tattoos. If your artist did not recommend re-wrapping, just let the tattoo stay exposed to air overnight.
Every day from then on, you will wash the tattoo in the morning and at night, and apply lotion 3 times a day or so, or whenever the tattoo feels dry or tight.
Always wash your hands before touching the tattoo.
DO NOT apply Vaseline, Neosporin, Bacitracin or any other medicated or perfumed product to your tattoo.
After a few days, the tattoo will form a thin scab over it, and in about a week the scab will begin to flake off in the shower. DO NOT pick or scratch at the scab, just keep it clean and moist and the scabs will all fall off by themselves in about two weeks. Picking any of the scabs off will cause faded color and damage to the skin.

During healing do NOT:

Wrap the tattoo after the first night (wearing breathable clothes over it is fine as long as they are not causing friction. (Keeping tattoos wrapped in plastic or bandages will stop air from getting to the tattoo, slow healing, and make gross stuff grow in there. )
Submerge the tattoo in water. This means baths, pools and oceans. Regular showering is fine.
Expose it to strong sunlight (Like outdoor activities or beach days. Walking to your car is fine)
Shave over the tattoo (ouch!)

Do not slather a big, thick coat of product over it; just enough for it to stay moist and flexible;
If you are using Aquaphor, you can switch to a plain lotion after the first few days;
Lotion is generally fine for everyone, your artist will recommend if you would benefit from ointment;

This is common as its unlikely your body will accept every spot of pigment uniformly, so just contact your artist via email after your tattoo is finished healing with a photo to see if a small touch up is in order.

Julia