Society

Simple decoration or symbolic reference, tattoos are back! Summer was the idea time to show off our bodies, skin is exposed and reveals its most beautiful patterns.

But then, how to preserve your tattoo and protect it? And above all, what advice should you consider before having your own tattoo?

Before tattooing

Current trend or deep desire? It's essential to understand and consider the reasons that push you to want to draw your skin. It's better to study the design, its size, its shape and its color, before embarking on the adventure. The choice of the tattoo artist, an experienced and licensed artist, is as important as the rest. Their professionalism depends on his way of proceeding: impeccable hygiene, disposable gloves, sterile needles, documents containing all the useful information such as side effects, contraindications as well as everything that may concern the ink used and which could possibly guide a doctor in the event of infections.

In addition to the shape of the tattoo, the choice of a defined area is not without consequences. Indeed, some parts of the body are more sensitive than others. The arm remains the least painful place to tattoo a work of art on. This option is the most common among men. Women, for their part, will give more importance to elegance and will opt for discreet places such as the ankle, the wrist, the ribcage… Also, the areas where the skin is less thick and where the cartilage is more present remain very sensitive to the needle. So be careful with all these crucial choices before making a decision!

The risks of permanent drawing

Tattooing consists of introducing a pigment under the skin using a needle. As soon as the skin is pierced, there is a risk of infection. The danger will be all the greater if hygiene standards are not respected and post-tattoo care is not adhered to.

In addition to the question of cleanliness, there is a lack of clarity around the ink used; there is no label of that includes any information regarding the quality of the product. Designed for other areas of application, particularly for rubber and paint, the pigments contained in the ink are not specifically designed for skin tattooing. This coloring can cause skin allergies or other more serious complications.

Studies conducted in Germany have shown that 30 to 50% of tattooed people suffer from mild side effects (itching, hypersensitivity to the sun) and that in 5% of cases, more serious symptoms appear. European recommendations on the hygiene and safety of inks are applicable, but not very restrictive. The quality of the ink, the reliability of manufacturers and good hygiene are essential in preventing risks related to tattooing.

Necessary care

After the much-desired step, make sure to protect your tattoo from UV rays and all other sources of heat. Baths, saunas and swimming pools should be avoided for the first few weeks to avoid the risk of infection. For at least three months, do not expose the pigmented part of your skin to the sun, as it fades the colours. To take care of your new design, apply healing cream daily as well as mild soap. Today, there is a range of products specially designed for tattoos. You will be spoiled for choice!

Tribal or old-school patterns, the tattoo trend is not about to die out. This art that has always inspired and left its mark cannot ignore the essential safety rules.

(MH with AsD - EVG / Illustration: Waldemar Brandt via Unsplash)