In the immediate aftermath, and for the next few days, the site of a new tattoo can feel stingy and sore, maybe a bit like sunburn or a light graze. Slight inflammation and soreness is normal for skin that has been broken and needs to heal.
During these first few days, it is normal for your tattoo to feel sore and tender. You may also see redness, swelling, and some mild bleeding.
In conclusion, a new tattoo is likely to be sore for the first few days after getting it, but the level of pain can vary. The pain should start to subside within a week to 10 days, and if it persists or gets worse, it may be a sign of an infection or an adverse reaction, and it's important to seek medical attention.
The following may be indicative of an infection: Ongoing pain that worsens, becoming extreme: Tattoos are painful but if the pain intensifies instead of getting better, and becomes excruciating, unbearable or searing or if the tattoo is painful to touch a week to 10 days after it was done this may signal an infection.
Generally, the immediate pain after getting a tattoo will subside within a few hours, but some discomfort or soreness can persist for a few days to a week. In some cases, the pain may last longer, but this is not typical.
Swelling, pain, and oozing typically resolve by day three and are followed by itching and peeling for another week, in our experts' experience. Your tattoo may even look darker and duller than expected for the first month.
Some people find that a cold compress helps to soothe an irritated tattoo. This is especially helpful if you've got some swelling. However, most find that the best way to soothe an irritated tattoo is with the right tattoo aftercare product.
Resting up and minimizing stress before getting tattooed might help ease pain on the big day. Breathe in, breathe out! Consider a numbing product. Numbing creams or sprays can take the edge off, especially in sensitive spots.
Drunken behaviour could ruin your new tattoo
You need to be aware of keeping your tattoo clean and dry while it is fresh, so a night out might not be the best option. It's generally recommended that you wait at least 48 hours after your new tattoo before you start drinking alcohol again.
The first 24 hours
“Some swelling, redness, and general irritation is all normal after a fresh tattoo (after all, you've just had foreign particles stabbed into your skin repeatedly). However, this goes down relatively quickly within the first 48 hours,” Liv says.
The Attentive Stage (Days 2-3)
Continue to wash and moisturize the tattooed area carefully twice a day. It is normal for the skin to feel like it's sunburned during this period. It is vital in these early days to ensure that the wounded area remains clean and dry.
Pressure can cause irritation and disrupt the healing process. Instead, try sleeping on your back or on the side opposite the tattoo!
Too much alcohol weakens your immune system and your body needs every reserve and healing power for your new tattoo. The many micro-injuries to the skin need to heal as well as possible to achieve a beautiful result. During the healing phase, it's best to hold back on the partying.
“A tattoo is an invasive cosmetic procedure, and your immune and lymphatic system will be working hard on healing a fresh tattoo, so partying and anything excessive is not recommended," she says. In other words: take it easy.
Even though the average tattoo needle is only poked ⅛ of an inch into the skin, some tattoo ink contains heavy metals like mercury, arsenic, and lead. These ingredients can pose a threat to your developing baby, particularly in the first trimester when the main organs are developing.
“You can take things like over-the-counter painkillers, but the sharp pain you have at the surface of the skin will still likely be felt during the procedure.” You can take acetaminophen (like Tylenol) or ibuprofen (like Advil) can help with any soreness that occurs in the hours after you get your tattoo, but there's ...
Benefits of Fine Line Tattoos
There are many reasons why someone might choose to get a fine line tattoo. For one, these tattoos tend to be less painful than traditional tattoos due to the smaller needles that are used. They also heal more quickly and have less risk of infection.
We recommend you wear darker color clothes around your tattoo for the first week. Clean, dark bed sheets are always a great idea with a new tattoo as well. If there is swelling, apply ice and/or use NSAID pain relievers such as ibuprofen.
Foods to avoid include those that promote inflammation – red meats, foods high in sugar, salt and additives, as well as overly processed foods. These can interfere with the body's natural healing processes. The same is said to be true for an excessive amount of dairy.
With that said, don't take painkillers before getting a tattoo either. Painkillers like Advil and Ibuprofen also thin the blood, which will lead to similar issues that alcohol has. Acetaminophen may potentially be fine to take, but should be discussed with the artist beforehand.
The most painful spots to get a tattoo are your ribs, spine, fingers, and shins. The least painful spots to get a tattoo are your forearms, stomach, and outer thighs.
Alcoholic Beverages – alcohol should be avoided before and after getting a tattoo. It can dilute the blood and promote excessive bleeding during and after the tattooing process. Because of the excess blood, the tattoo will have a hard time drying and sealing, which can cause an inflammatory reaction and infection.
Can You Drink Caffeine After Getting a Tattoo? Unfortunately, the same applies to after getting tatted. During the healing period, your body is reliant on the blood to clot to help with skin repair. Since caffeine increases blood pressure, you should refrain from caffeine until your tattoo has healed.