Tattoo Care: Scabbing of Tattoos

After much thinking and contemplation, you have finally got a tattoo on your body. Though the hours when the tattoo artist was working on you was filled with pain and discomfort, you are now the proud owner of a beautiful tattoo that you always wanted to have. Although the most exciting part of getting a tattoo has finished, the adventure does not exactly end here. On the other hand, you have an additional responsibility to follow the tattoo care instructions carefully, to ensure that your tattoo does not fade away and remains intact. Improper tattoo aftercare can lead to tattoo care scabbing, which can further ruin your tattoo completely. Therefore, it is necessary for you to know the healing process, and most importantly the preventive measures to avoid scabbing.

Tattoo Care Scabbing

The healing process after one gets a tattoo will be different for different people. Hence, it is not possible to tell exactly how it will heal. The process will depend upon several factors including your skin type, the area where the tattoo is made, and also the way in which the tattoo artist made the tattoo. Apart from this, the way you take care of the tattoo also plays a very important role in the healing.

At first, your new tattoo will appear to be red and swollen. However, there is no need to worry about this as it will not stay for a long time. When the tattoo is made on the skin, a protective layer is formed over it. For some people, this protective layer of the skin may peel away, while for some thin scabs form around the tattoo. Both these are perfectly normal and just a part of the healing process. If you have scabbed tattoos, it is likely that you may have to experience uncontrollable sensation of itching in that area. However, you have to control this feeling and restrict yourself from scratching that tattoo as it can make the scab to thicken.

Causes of Tattoo Care Scabbing

Tattoo care scabbing occurs due to various reasons, nevertheless, most commonly this happens when the tattoo becomes dry. The tattoo artist will recommend a tattoo aftercare lotion or ointment that you have to apply on the tattoo to keep it moist. If this is not done, the tattoo gets dried up and severe scabbing occurs. However, there are many people who fear that the tattoo will become dry, and apply the moisturizer in excess. What they do not realize that over application can also result in scabbing. This is because when extra moisturizer is applied, the scab becomes a soggy mass, which when dries up becomes larger and more prominent. Hence, apply just a small amount of moisturizer at least two times a day, for two weeks.

When the thin scab on the tattoo heals, some parts of the tattoo may come off in small pieces. However, you do not have to worry because as this is natural process, your tattoo artist will most likely agree to redo it. However, it is important that you do not pick the scab unnecessarily, thinking that it may make the tattoo look normal. This does not happen, rather, by picking it, the scab may get worse, thus damaging the tattoo which the tattoo artist will not be able to repair.

How to Prevent Tattoos from Scabbing

Although it is not entirely possible to prevent scabbing of tattoos from occurring, certain preventive measures can ensure that the the condition does not worsen. Along with the tattoo care information that the tattoo artist gives you, it is also important to follow these instructions cautiously.

• The aftercare process should start from the time the tattoo artist has finished his work. Once you reach home, remove the bandage that the tattoo artist has put for you and clean the area with antibacterial soap and water. This is important because there may be some kind of blood and plasma around the tattoo area, and not cleaning them properly can also give rise to a scabbed tattoo. Also, remember that you should clean the tattoo only with your hands and not use a sponge, wash cloth, etc., as this may cause tattoo scarring.
• Once you have cleaned the tattoo, you need not put the bandage again because all tattoos need fresh air to heal properly. Moreover, you have to stop wearing tight-fitting clothes during the healing period as this may cause irritation as well as scabbing. Prefer light-fitting clothes and those made of materials like cotton, instead of polyester or nylon.
• If you have got a tattoo on your hands or feet, avoid wearing gloves, shoes, socks, or even washing dishes, as this can lead the tattoo becoming light in color.
• The initial two weeks of the healing period are very crucial, and you have to take extra care while handling the tattoo. You have to wash your hands well before cleaning the tattoo. You should use only antibacterial soap and not any harsh soaps.
• If you have the habit of staying in the shower for a long time, this has to be avoided for a few weeks. This is because soaking the tattoo for a long time can lead to tattoo care scabs. Moreover, refrain from using saunas, hot tubs or swimming pools during the healing period.

You will like to read more on:

• Infected Tattoo Care
• Infected Tattoo Symptopms

I hope you have got a clear idea about tattoo care scabbing and the necessary aftercare that you have to take to avoid them. You have to keep in mind that once you get a tattoo, it is your duty to protect it from getting damaged and keep it looking beautiful.