What Does It Mean When Your Tattoo Is Raised?
The Formation of Scabs and Crust – As you may know, getting a tattoo means getting an open wound on the skin. During the tattooing process , your skin is being poked thousands of times, which makes the body respond as if it would respond to an actual injury.
The immune system fights to heal the ‘wound’ as soon as possible, which in this case, takes time, or a few days. That is why your tattoo in the first few days doesn’t appear raised. The body is still getting rid of the excess ink, blood, and plasma resulting from the tattooing process.
After it is done oozing and once it is cleansed and left to dry, your tattoo starts forming a new skin layer. As a result, you will notice your tattoo appearing raised, as well as forming a crust or scabs. This is a completely normal process when accompanied by other symptoms like itching and scabs falling off.
- What To Do?
In this case, patience will be your strongest virtue. The formation of scabs and their own falling off is a waiting game that you can’t really do much about. Actually, there are a few things you can or can’t do. For example;
- You should NOT touch or peel off the scabs; this will prolong the healing process and possibly lead to an infection
- You can apply a thin layer of mild, gentle, and fragrance-free ointment or lotion to rehydrate the skin and relieve the itching
- You should NOT scratch the tattoo at all costs
Contents
Is it normal for tattoos to be raised years later?
In short: tattoos are going to itch and raise sometimes. That’s just a fact of life. Just get tattooed by reputable artists and take good care of your skin during and after healing — but if all else fails, don’t hesitate to contact a doctor.
How long does a tattoo Stay 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 do old tattoos raise up?
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.
Why is my tattoo raised and bumpy?
Summary – Lumpy, bumpy and raised tattoos are all common during (and sometimes slightly after) the tattoo healing process. They can also even appear on much older tattoos. Generally, when an older tattoo becomes bumpy and raised, it usually doesn’t turn out to be anything serious.
If after 5-7 days the lumps and bumps haven’t gone down, or are getting worse, it may be worth speaking to a doctor for their advice. However, it’s very likely that these symptoms will go away on their own over the course of a couple of days to a couple of weeks.
Remember, though, that if you do become concerned about any raised bumps on your tattoo, and if they don’t disappear after a couple of weeks, then seek advice just to be safe. Enjoy your ink..
Why do old tattoos raise up and itch?
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.
How do you know when tattoo is infected?
How do you fix a raised tattoo?
How do I know if my tattoo artist went too deep?
In today’s tattoo climate, Instagram and social media often mislead audiences about how their ink will hold up over time. Artists on Instagram want to put their best foot forward and most will post photographs of their fresh tattoos. However, a tattoo only stays fresh for an extremely short period of time and it’s important for consumers to be conscious about the reality of healed tattoos. 
Raised Lines If your tattoo is raised in any parts, specifically in the linework, that means that is scarred. If a tattooer went too deep during the tattoo, then parts of the tattoo may be slightly raised after the tattoo is healed. 
Extreme Fading A little bit of fading is natural and normal, however, extreme fading as seen above is out of the ordinary. This is also a result of poor technical application, but instead of a tattooer going too deep, this artist didn’t go deep enough. When a tattooer doesn’t go deep enough with their needles, the tattoo won’t stick and will be more prone to rapid fading. 
Blowouts Blowouts occur when a tattooer inks too deep and they’re the result of tattoo ink spilling throughout the layers of skin. Blowouts can show up immediately, however, many people tend to notice them after the tattoo has healed. 
Tattoo Infection If you get a tattoo infection during the healing process, it can dramatically affect the tattoo afterwards. There are varying degrees of tattoo damage due to infections, which each depending on the individual tattoo and the severity of the infection. 
Blurred Lines Over time but especially after the healing process, lines spaced closely together, as seen in small script tattoos, will begin to blur together. Over time, it will become more and more difficult for people will small and delicate script tattoos to read their ink. 
Ink Fall Out If your tattoo is applied poorly or applied in a tricky location, it is not only susceptible to rapid fading, but pigment fall out. If you notice large chunks missing from saturated areas of your tattoo, then some fall out has occurred. This can also occur is you pick or scratch the scabs of your tattoos as well..
Is it possible to over moisturize a tattoo?
What Are The Risks of Over Moisturizing a Tattoo? – By applying thicker layers of lotion or ointment, several times a day (or every hour or two as some people do), you’re risking over-moisturizing a tattoo. By over-moisturizing a tattoo, you can cause the following problems;
- Due to excess moisture, the tattoo won’t be able to dry and heal
- Excess moisture can create a perfect environment for bacteria and germ growth
- Over moisturizing can lead to tattoo inflammation and infection
- Excess moisture can cause clogged pores since the moisturizer prevents the skin from breathing
- Excess moisture can cause the tattooed skin to break out
To avoid these issues, make sure to follow the moisturizing rules we mentioned before. However, make sure to not under moisturizing your tattoo as well. Some people are afraid they might over-moisturize their tattoo, so they leave it dehydrated, which results in heavy scabbing and tattoo dryness. So, make sure to stay in the middle and simply apply a thin layer of lotion/ointment twice a day.
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.
Can a tattoo get infected after years?
Infection. – You’ve probably heard horror stories about infected ink warping the appearance of a tattoo’s design. While that typically occurs during the initial healing phase, infection remains a possibility months after the fact. Keep an eye out for pain or redness that gets worse; a rash with itchy, red bumps; open sores; pus; and a fever with chills.
Why is my healed tattoo getting bumps?
– Getting a tattoo can exacerbate underlying skin conditions, such as eczema or psoriasis , even if you’ve never displayed symptoms before. Tattoos cause an immune reaction as your body heals and attacks substances in the ink that it perceives as foreign matter.
- Many skin conditions result from immune reactions that can cause itchy rashes, hives, or bumps while your body fights against foreign invaders;
- Getting a tattoo in unsanitary conditions can also introduce bacteria or viruses into your skin;
If your immune system is already weak, your body’s attempts to fight off bacteria or viruses may make you more susceptible to complications. In addition to red bumps or rash, you may develop:
- white bumps
- scaly, tough, or peeling skin
- dry, cracked skin
- sores or lesions
- discolored areas of skin
- bumps, warts, or other growths
Are tattoo bumps normal?
– Tattoo pimples can develop when a hair follicle becomes clogged with oil, dirt, or skin cells. Most tattoo pimples will clear up without causing permanent damage or color loss. However, picking or popping a pimple can lead to skin infections and patches of faded ink.
What happens to a tattoo when you get older?
They’ll Change – If you really think about it, the idea that your tattoo will likely change over time probably isn’t as surprising as you initially thought, but some people might not have really ever considered that their tattoo would look any different than the way that you’ve always envisioned it.
How do tattoos look when you get older?
Your Tattoo(s) Will Change – The skin, being our largest organ, is the most susceptible to the changes caused by older age. The fact that you’re growing older is mainly or largely seen in the changes of the skin. The deterioration of the skin, therefore, implies changes and deterioration of the tattooed skin as well.
- So, the first thing you will witness regarding your tattoos as you grow older is simply a change;
- The change can regard the shape of the tattoo due to the stretching of the skin, or the loss of the details and a blurry appearance as the skin becomes wrinkled and less smooth;
This type of change is inevitable, and it is bound to occur sooner or later. We don’t think it’s worthy of stressing about, but by focusing on your diet and workout during a younger age, you can prevent premature skin change.
