WHAT TO EXPECT? YOUR BODY'S NORMAL RESPONSE
As soon as the tattoo needle punctures your skin, your body reacts to the wound and mounts an immune response to the presence of the ink (a foreign substance). The good news is that as soon as your skin is wounded, it begins to heal. In the absence of complications, your tattooed skin should heal within 2 – 3 weeks. [5] During the healing process, you may experience some or all of the following reactions and symptoms:
Slight Bleeding. This is a common symptom immediately following tattooing. [2]
Fluid Discharge. A discharge of fluid from a wound is a normal part of healing. As healing progresses, the amount of discharge decreases. [13]
Inflammation and Swelling. The body is flooding the wound with blood and plasma, helping to keep the wound moist, bringing nutrients for healing and white blood cells to help control bacteria in the wound. [13]
Raised Lines. There may be raised lines along the ink lines of the tattoo artwork [5]
Changes in Colour. Your skin around your fresh tattoo may look reddish and the lines of the tattoo will become raised. The wound turns from red to pink as cells regenerate. [13]
Warmth, Tenderness, Sensitivity and Pain. Your skin may be warm and sensitive to the touch and will likely hurt. [5]
Itching. This is a normal part of the healing process. [2] Itching can be soothed with the application of a healing ointment that contains medicinal ingredients to help with pain and itch.
Scabbing. The formation of a scab is your body’s natural response to a wound and aids in successful healing. Keep the scab moist, not dry. [19]
BIBLIOGRAPHY
As soon as the tattoo needle punctures your skin, your body reacts to the wound and mounts an immune response to the presence of the ink (a foreign substance). The good news is that as soon as your skin is wounded, it begins to heal. In the absence of complications, your tattooed skin should heal within 2 – 3 weeks. [5] During the healing process, you may experience some or all of the following reactions and symptoms:
Slight Bleeding. This is a common symptom immediately following tattooing. [2]
Fluid Discharge. A discharge of fluid from a wound is a normal part of healing. As healing progresses, the amount of discharge decreases. [13]
Inflammation and Swelling. The body is flooding the wound with blood and plasma, helping to keep the wound moist, bringing nutrients for healing and white blood cells to help control bacteria in the wound. [13]
Raised Lines. There may be raised lines along the ink lines of the tattoo artwork [5]
Changes in Colour. Your skin around your fresh tattoo may look reddish and the lines of the tattoo will become raised. The wound turns from red to pink as cells regenerate. [13]
Warmth, Tenderness, Sensitivity and Pain. Your skin may be warm and sensitive to the touch and will likely hurt. [5]
Itching. This is a normal part of the healing process. [2] Itching can be soothed with the application of a healing ointment that contains medicinal ingredients to help with pain and itch.
Scabbing. The formation of a scab is your body’s natural response to a wound and aids in successful healing. Keep the scab moist, not dry. [19]
BIBLIOGRAPHY
