Tattoos and acne: What to know

Tattoos

1. What are Tattoos? Tattoos are permanent designs made by putting ink into the dermis layer of the skin. It involves using needles which create small holes in the skin.
2. Tattoo Aftercare Proper aftercare is key to healing and preventing complications. This means keeping the tattoo clean, moisturized and out of the sun.

Acne

1. What is Acne? Acne is a common skin condition where you get pimples, blackheads and cysts. It occurs when hair follicles get clogged with oil and dead skin cells.
2. Causes of Acne Acne can be caused by many things, hormonal changes, diet, stress and certain products.

How Acne Affects Tattoos

1. Tattooing Over Acne Prone Skin If you have active acne, tattooing in that area can be a problem. Tattooing over inflamed skin can irritate and cause complications.
2. Healing Process Acne can affect the healing process of a tattoo. If a tattoo is placed over acne prone skin it may get infected and heal unevenly.
3. Scarring Acne scars can affect the appearance of a tattoo. If the tattoo is done over a scar it may distort the design or change its appearance over time.

Tattooing and Acne Medications

1. Medications that Affect Skin Certain acne medications like isotretinoin (Accutane) can make the skin more sensitive. This increased sensitivity can affect the tattooing process and healing.
2. Timing Your Tattoo If you’re on acne medication it’s recommended to wait until after you’ve finished your treatment and your skin has gone back to normal before getting a tattoo.

Tattoo Aftercare for Acne Prone Skin

1. Cleanliness Keep the area clean. Use a gentle, fragrance free cleanser to avoid irritation.
2. Moisturising Use a non-comedogenic moisturiser to keep the skin hydrated without clogging pores.
3. Exfoliating Avoid exfoliating a fresh tattoo as it can disrupt the healing process.

Choosing the Right Artist

1. Talk to Your Artist When choosing a tattoo artist talk to them about your acne prone skin. They can advise if the area is tattooable.
2. Look for Experience Choose an artist who has experience with sensitive skin or conditions like acne. They will be more aware of how to deal with your specific needs.

Complications

1. Patch Test If you’re not sure how your skin will react, consider a patch test. This is where the artist tattoos a small area to see how your skin will respond.
2. Watch Your Skin After getting a tattoo, watch the area for signs of infection or changes. If you see increased redness, swelling or pus, see a doctor.

Final

Tattoos are a great form of self expression but if you have acne prone skin you need to consider how the two will interact. By knowing the risks, taking precautions and doing the right aftercare you can have your tattoo and healthy skin. Always consult with professionals, both tattoo artists and dermatologists to make informed decisions for your skin.