How can tattoos get infected? – Taking Care of New Tattoos
Once you have made the decision to get a tattoo, it’s time to start asking questions like: How do I do it safely? How can tattoos get infected? How do I make sure I get the most out of my tattoo?
Once the artwork and the arts have been chosen and the day to get the tattoo done comes to pass, it’s time to learn how to keep the work clean. When the tattoo is finished, it will usually be wrapped in cellophane or a bandage. Cellophane has the advantage of not allowing a scab to form into it such as gauze bandages do. This way the blood cannot seep through the bandage and thus dry out and risk ripping the tattoo wound open again when the bandage is removed.
A fresh tattoo is a wound. Like any other cut or abrasion, if bacteria are allowed to live and breed within the wound, an infection will occur. The best way to keep this from happening is to do everything possible to keep it clean and allow the wound to heal as fast as possible.
This means washing it twice a day and keeping an anti-bacterial lotion on it. This will keep the scabbing and dryness down to a minimum. Avoid oily substances which will allow dirt to cling to the fresh tattoo scabs. Keep the wound out of direct sunlight in order to avoid sunburns which would then inflame and aggravate it even more. Avoid the ocean, lakes, swimming pools and other types of unsanitary water.
The best ways to avoid infection are keeping a tattoo clean, dry and moisturized, out of the sun, not touching it except during washing, not scratching it and even getting plenty of rest and eating well. A tattoo is a wound and when your body is wounded it will go into healing mode.
In the end: how can tattoos get infected? The same as any wound; creating an environment where infection can thrive.
What tattoo should I get? – A Few Ways to Help Decide on a Tattoo Design
People are always asking friends, ‘What tattoo should I get?’ and most want an honest answer. It might be helpful to get some ideas from friends or family members, but it’s usually better to make the final decision on your own. By deciding on your own, you will only have yourself to blame if you decide you don’t like the tattoo later on.
Most people take there time when deciding on a tattoo design. The look at other people’s tattoos and make mental notes as to which ones look terrible and which ones are done well. Taking these mental notes will give you some ideas to mull around for your own tattoo. Each tattoo artist has a particular artwork style as well, so you might peruse some of the local tattoo parlors to view their work.
Some people find a tattoo artist that they like and make their decision on a tattoo design based on what the artist has to offer. Tattoo artists have books filled with their past work and designs they personally created. You can also ask a friend to draw something and then take this work to the tattooist. Even if you have a picture of something that is similar to what you want, the tattoo artist can make any necessary adjustments to the design before it is applied in the form of a tattoo.
Write down some ideas on designs you might have, so you can visually see them. Sometimes gathering a list of options will help you to make a better decision. You also might not want to get a huge tattoo down your arm if you have a job where you aren’t able to cover it up if needed. Not all employers frown on tattoos, but quite a few want you to be able to cover them up while you are at work.
