Tattoo Art: What you need to know before getting a tattoo on your skin

Understand the effects of a tattoo on the skin.

As tattoos are essentially skin puncture wounds, they are highly susceptible to viral infection. It is very important to get your tattoo only from a licensed tattoo artist who follows stringent practices of hygiene and sanitisation like using sterilized needles, wearing latex gloves, cleaning the affected area, and so on.

Stick to the right skincare routine after getting a tattoo.

The period after your tattoo is completed is crucial, as you need to look after your damaged skin till it is fully healed. Keep a bandage on the tattoo for at least the first 24 hours. It is important to wash the tattoo with antibacterial soap once daily and gently pat it dry. Avoid touching the tattoo and don’t pick at the scabs as they form. Use an antibiotic ointment to help prevent infection. Using petroleum jelly may cause your tattoo to fade. If you experience redness or swelling, place some ice over the tattoo. Keep it water and out of the sun until it has completely healed. Complications from tattoos generally involve either an infection or an allergic reaction to the ink. If you have a skin condition, like eczema, it is recommended you do not get a tattoo.

Erasing a tattoo with Laser Tattoo Removal.

While your tattoo is designed to last for a lifetime, chances are you may feel like getting rid of it. Thankfully, tattoos can be erased with laser removal technology. However, the process tends to be expensive, requires multiple visits, and can be painful. The laser emits short zaps of targeted light that reach the deeper layers of the skin, which stimulates the body’s immune system to remove the pigment. It is critical that the procedure is handled in a sterile manner in order to prevent infection. Home care following laser removal treatments is similar to the care recommended for getting a tattoo.

If you are facing skin problems with your tattoo or want to remove one, don’t hesitate to contact any of our dermatologists at the Derma One Centre in Manama, Bahrain today. We will be happy to help.