Itchy tattoos are the number one annoyance for many people going through the tattoo healing process, and it can last up to several weeks, possibly longer! Of course, normal itching is only a few days.
Don't worry, the article below will tell you everything you need to know so you don't go crazy during the tattoo restoration process.
Itching is completely normal during the healing process, and almost everyone experiences it to some extent. Some people have a very mild feeling, and some people have a very strong feeling, but it doesn't last long.
And if you have redness around your tattoo along with a bump, this can sometimes be a sign of infection, and you should have it checked out by your doctor to be on the safe side. If there is no improvement after a week, see your doctor or dermatologist for a checkup.
After getting a brand new tattoo from the studio, your tattooed skin is basically an open wound.
After the first 6-7 days, your tattoo will completely scab over and begin to fall off the scab and become necrotic; this is usually when the itching begins.
Itchy tattoos can be caused by several different factors - the most common ones can be found below:
1. Dehydrated skin - this is the most likely cause of your itching. When the skin peels, it will partially slough off the already very sensitive skin, and this process of dehydration can itch.
2. Shaving hair regeneration - Before the tattoo begins, the tattoo artist will shave off the hair from the tattooed area. This is to prevent the needles from getting caught in the hair growing in the area.
Shaving also prevents the possibility of the hair being pushed down into the skin by the needle, as local infection can occur at the roots of ingrown hairs, and trapped hairs can also try to grow out of the skin, causing itching.
3. Immune Response to Ink: Immune reactions to tattoo ink are actually quite common, but most are relatively mild, subside after a few days and do not require any medical attention.
These reactions can irritate the skin and cause itching, but it's mild.
Red is the color that most commonly causes adverse localized skin reactions. This is due to the type of metal used in the ink, which is usually not included in other colors.
4. Underlying skin conditions - The tattooed area may have certain underlying skin conditions that you may not even be aware of. This is because the tattooed skin will become more sensitive than its usual state, possibly triggering pre-existing conditions.
These conditions include mild dry skin, eczema and psoriasis. If you are concerned about any new symptoms that you were not aware of before, it is recommended that you see your doctor or dermatologist.
5. Scab - All tattoos will scab when the new tattoo is finished. Some tattoos are severely scabbed, and some are so thinly scabbed that you can't even see it. However, if the scabs on the tattoo are thicker, they can crack and become sore. These extremely dry scabs can become very itchy.
