How To Fix A Raised Tattoo?
Possible Tattoo Blowout – During tattooing, a tattoo artist will push the needle into the specific skin layer, called the dermis, where the needle will create a vacuum for the ink to sit in. However, some inexperienced or heavy-handed tattooists tend to go deeper into the skin, passing the dermis layer.
As a result, the ink starts to spread and move beyond the lines of the tattoo which further results in tattoo raising and possible healing issues. This is known as a tattoo blowout. In some cases, because the tattooist enters the skin too deeply, the tattoo can develop skin scarring as well.
As a result, the skin becomes raised and remains so, especially in keloid-type of scars.
- What To Do?
In case of a blowout, you can’t do anything until the tattoo is completely healed. Only then can the blowout be treated using laser correction, a complete laser tattoo removal , or tattoo cover-up. Unfortunately, there isn’t much you can do in the case of scarring. Some people use temporary solutions, like makeup or hydrating lotions to regenerate the skin.
Contents
Will a raised tattoo go down?
A tattoo can become raised for a number of reasons. The most common factors that can cause tattoo raising are allergies, tissue damage, certain weather conditions, poor healing and rough tattoo artist work. Below as a complete list of potential causes:
- Bad healing
- Infections or allergic reactions
- Skin tissue damage
- Your unique body chemistry
- Certain weather conditions
- Skin conditions
- Absolutely no reason at all
The most common reason from the above list is the last point. Most of the time, tattoos remain raised for seemingly no reason at all. This is more common in newer tattoos, and as they get older, they normally settle down within several months to a year. However, if you wish to delve a little deeper, the below issues can also cause a tattoo to remain raised beyond the initial healing period. 
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Why is my fully healed tattoo raised?
Sometimes older, healed tattoos become raised but don’t itch — as Gohara tells me, that can be caused by scarring or a delayed reaction to ink as well.
How long will a tattoo be raised?
– 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.
Why is my tattoo raised so much?
The Tattoo Is Simply Healing – If you’re dealing with a new tattoo and wondering about raising and itching, chances are your tattoo is simply going through a healing process. Because a new tattoo is actually an open wound, it is perfectly normal for the skin to raise and swell a bit.
- As the swelling subsides, your tattoo will start to dry out as a part of the healing process;
- During the drying stage, it will start to itch and peel;
- This is a sign that the new skin layer is forming and the body is getting rid of the old, damaged skin layer;
If this is your case, then you must resist the urge to touch, scratch, and peel the tattoo. If you do, you may prolong the healing process, introduce bacteria and germs to the tattoo and unintentionally cause a tattoo infection. You can simply try to keep the tattoo clean and hydrated.
- Moisturize it up to twice a day to relieve the itchiness and peeling;
- If the swelling and itching persist for more than a few days, then talk to a medical professional and have your tattoo medically assessed;
Chances are you’re dealing with an infection, which can be dealt with pretty easily via antibiotic treatment.
Why does my old tattoo feel bumpy?
One of the most common problems is an allergic reaction to tattoo pigment. Allergic reactions to red tattoo pigments are the most common. If you’re having an allergic reaction to your tattoo, you might get a rash that’s usually red, bumpy, or itchy.
Why does my tattoo feel bumpy after a year?
Or Just You – Yes, you could be the culprit behind your raised tattoo. Even if you didn’t have eczema or another skin condition that could dry out your skin before, it’s always possible to develop them later in life — after you’ve added some ink to your skin.
- If your tattoo is painful, itchy, or inflamed for long periods of time, it’s best to seek a doctor’s advice ASAP;
- Most often than not, your tattoo will return to its normal self in no time even if you don’t apply a topical anti-itch solution;
If your tat is not already healed, check with your artist and make sure you aren’t suffering from an infection or a seriously botched work of art. Otherwise, a little bit of bumpiness is no reason to fret. This article was originally published on July 14, 2015.
Why is my tattoo raised and itchy after years?
Allergic reaction to pigment – Some people have an allergic reaction to the actual ink used in tattooing. Tattoo pigments may be made from dyes that are made from plastic materials. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) , an allergic reaction can occur right away or even several years after getting your tattoo.
Why do tattoos swell years later?
Tattooing as a form of body art is increasing in popularity, especially among young adults. In fact, the Pew Research Center found that 36 percent of Americans ages 18-25 report getting a tattoo. As a result, dermatologists are seeing increased complications such as allergic reactions, serious infections and reactions to tattoo ink that can mimic skin cancer.
- Michi Shinohara, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and clinical assistant professor of dermatology at the University of Washington in Seattle, provides the following information about risks related to newer tatoo inks;
The composition of tattoo ink has changed dramatically over the years. In the past, metal salts, lead, cobalt and carbon were used in inks. Today, many modern tattoo inks (especially intense reds and yellows) contain organic azo dyes with plastic-based pigments that also have industrial uses in printing, textiles and car paint.
As a result, Shinohara explains that there are many unknowns about how these inks interact with the skin and within the body and if they are responsible for an increasing number of complications. One of the most common problems associated with tattooing is allergic reactions to the tattoo pigments.
Itching, bumps or rashes can occur days, months or even years after the initial tattoo. These reactions need to be treated with a topical steroid ointment. In cases where an allergic reaction occurs months or years later, the affected person might not suspect that the tattoo is the culprit.
In people with psoriasis and eczema, tattoos may cause the chronic skin conditions to flare. Sarcoidosis is an autoimmune disorder characterized by swelling and itching that can occur in a tattoo decades after the procedure and can involve other organs, such as the lungs or eyes.
This type of reaction is not directly caused by the original tattoo, but can show up within the tattoo. Treatments include topical creams and, in severe cases, immunosuppressant medications. Some tattoo-related infections can pose serious health implications.
- Common infections linked to tattooing include localized bacterial infections;
- In addition, there have been reports of syphilis and hepatitis B and C being transmitted due to non-sterile tattooing practices;
However, Shinohara notes that outbreaks can also stem from the tattoo ink rather than the tools used in the procedure. Â A recent outbreak of atypical mycobacterial infections has been traced to contaminated tattoo ink, which cause itchy, painful pustules and red bumps within a tattoo during the first month of the procedure.
With this type of infection, a biopsy of the tattoo is taken and the bacteria cultured. This type of bacteria is harder to treat than regular staph bacteria and can require a several-month course of oral antibiotics to clear the infection.
Skin cancer can occur within a tattoo, and for that reason Shinohara explains that tattoo artists need to be careful not to place a tattoo over an existing mole. However, one reaction that can result is a bump that mimics skin cancer, which can ruin the tattoo.
This type of bump or lesion that can occur within a tattoo looks like a type of skin cancer known as squamous cell carcinoma. Since the bump is so hard to distinguish from this skin cancer, it requires a biopsy and, in some cases, may need to be treated as a skin cancer, with additional surgery.
Shinohara notes that this unusual reaction is thought to stem from tattoo ink and can result in potentially unnecessary and expensive skin cancer treatment. Shinohara offers the following tips for those who insist on getting tattoos: Be sure to go to a professional tattoo parlor and to a tattoo artist who is licensed based on a states requirements.
- Insist on seeing equipment in sterile packaging;
- Let the tattoo artist know if you have a reaction;
- If a problem lasts more than one to two weeks, see a board-certified dermatologist;
- Those with a chronic skin condition such as psoriasis, eczema or a tendency toward keloid scarring should check with a board-certified dermatologist before getting a tattoo;
Avoid tattooing over a mole, as it will make it more difficult to diagnose a problem if the mole changes in the future. Since tattoos are not regulated in any way, there are many unknowns that could pose potential problems for consumers in terms of the inks and tools used, says Shinohara.
How do I know if my tattoo artist went too deep?
Do tattoos feel raised?
Your Tattoo Becomes An Almost Unavoidable Topic Of Conversation – Is that new? What is it? Where’d you get it done? What does it mean to you? Yes, the inexplicable thousands of questions you suddenly get when you get a tattoo is one of the downsides and upsides to getting ink.
Why is my healed tattoo raised and itchy?
Normal healing process – When you get a new tattoo, your skin is literally recovering from a wound. The skin is inflamed and working on preventing infection and repairing itself. As the skin tissues heal, it’s normal to experience some itchiness.
