How To Prevent Scabbing On A New Tattoo
If you are thinking about a tattoo, you probably know that scabs are part of the healing process. After you have left the studio, your skin will start the healing process. It can take about four to six weeks for the skin to recover from an inking session. Your tattoo will develop a scab over the top of the skin. Along with that, your skin will become extremely itchy. While some scabs are normal, you should prevent heavy scabbing on the skin. If you want to prevent thick scabs, here are a few tips for your inked skin.
Scabs Are Normal
While you can prevent thick scabs, you need to remember that scabbing is part of the healing process. You should never pick or scratch at the scabs. If you do, it can lead to a damaged tattoo. Some heavy scabbing can result from incorrect aftercare procedures, plasma drying on the tattoo, or an infection.
After you have been inked, you must take some steps to care for your skin. A freshly inked tattoo will proceed through several stages of healing. During those first few days, your skin will start to seal and heal. You will notice a yellowish liquid seeping from the skin. That is known as plasma, and it is completely normal. However, you want to keep the fluid from remaining on your skin, or it can lead to heavy scabbing.
Scabs can give you an indication of whether your skin is healthy or infected. If you notice a green or yellow ooze from the skin, that is a sign that your tattoo is infected. At this point, you will need to seek medical attention.
Avoiding Scabs
Minor flaking is a normal part of the healing process. After you have washed your skin, it is important to air dry your tattoo or lightly pat it with a towel. When scabs become dry, they will fall off naturally from the skin. Scabs that drop off prematurely could lead to color fading on the tattoo.
Most Philadelphia tattoo shops will wrap your new ink before you leave. Many tattoos are covered with cloth or cling film. Wrapping prevents the tattoo from any injuries due to clothing rubbing on the skin. Plus, it will keep out any debris from the fresh wound. These wrappings will also help to prevent the skin from drying out. After 24 hours, you can remove the wrapping and gently wash your skin. With that, you can wash off the plasma that can form scabs on your tattoo.
If you want to stop scabs from forming on your skin, always wash your hands before touching your tattoo. You want to use an antibacterial foam or soap to clean the tattooed area. In some cases, scabs can be the result of long tattoo sessions. You might want to book shorter appointments so that your skin is not overworked. Finally, always follow the advice of your tattoo artist to avoid any skin infections.
Symptoms of a Skin Infection
Unfortunately, skin infections can occur. If you see any green or yellow pus, that is a sign of an infection. Pain or red streaks are other indications of an infection. If you have any of these symptoms, make sure to see a doctor. Any delay in medical treatment can lead to long-term problems for you.
Scabbing Aftercare
Scabs need time to heal. After a week or two, they will dry out and fall off your skin. While you want to keep the skin moisturized, you don’t want to apply lotion directly to the scabs. You can use the solution around the tattooed area. Along with that, never pick or scratch the scabs. If you do, it can remove the ink from your tattoo.
Removing Large Scabs
After two or three weeks, you might notice some heavy scabs on your skin. While you never want to pick at the tattoo, these heavy scabs might need some help to fall off. You need to ensure that your tattoo is protected from anything that can rub against the skin during the healing process. Wrapping the skin is a great way to prevent scabs from being prematurely ripped off.
Most tattoo artists will never recommend removing scabs, but you can do a few things to help move along the process. As always, follow these steps at your own risk.
You will want to wash your tattoo daily. Always pat dry with a clean towel. After a few weeks, the scabs will start to shrink. If you have a thick scab, you can always place a clean cloth over that area for about two or three minutes during your shower. With that, the scab will soak up water. Once it begins to dry, the edges may start to lift away from your skin.
If you have stubborn scabs, you can gently use antibacterial soap with water and rub your hand over the scab. This process can help to remove them from the tattooed area. However, any removal of scabs can lead to unexpected results. When you try to remove those scabs, it can lead to damage to the inked skin. Unfortunately, heavy scabbing can also cause ink loss or other problems for your tattoo.
In any case, you always want to pat dry your tattoo after a shower. You never want to rub the scab with a heavy cloth. Allowing the skin to dry is critical because that leads to scabs falling off in a natural process.
While you cannot always stop scabs, you can help prevent those heavy ones from forming. If you have any questions about tattoo aftercare, always reach out to your artist.
Local Tattoo Shops Near Me
If you are ready to get a tattoo, make sure to schedule an appointment with Oracle Tattoo Gallery. We have artists that can create small or large pieces of art on your skin. Along with that, we can provide professional aftercare instructions to keep your ink looking great for years to come. You can schedule an appointment by calling us at 215-638-1601.
