Tattoo Scabbing
How to Avoid Tattoo Scabbing
Tattoo scabbing is almost an inevitable part of the process of healing and is not a concern if it is minimal. When you get body art tattooed on yourself, the skin is being pierced and so some peeling and scabbing should be expected. But with proper aftercare you should be able to avoid excessive scabbing as this can significantly reduce the impact of your tattoo. Tattoo artists recommend that you follow you a careful regimen for the first two weeks to help your skin heal properly.
Wash the tattoo using water, a mild anti-bacterial soap and only your finger tips. Avoid abrasive soaps and also any kind of bath puff of scrub. The first time you wash after the tattooing there will be blood and some debris. You should be careful in rinsing it all off thoroughly as any waste matter that stays on can dry and lead to scabbing. After you have cleaned the area, gently pat it dry or even better let it air dry.
Then comes the most important aspect of tattoo aftercare. Use a gentle moisturizer. Tattoo scabbing happens most often when the skin in the area dries out and splits and cracks. Tattoo artists recommend Aquaphor, A&D or Tattoo Goo for this initial moisturizing. These are slightly viscous and provide a protective layer on the tattoo. However, as important as it is to moisturize you should not over do it.
Some tattoo artists complain that clients who apply too much moisturizer, too many times a day, do more harm than good to their skin. Excessive application of layers of moisturizer can lead to tattoo scabbing if the layers just harden over the skin. Vaseline based ointments which are helpful for keeping the skin moist can sometimes clog the pores and this may unnecessarily slow down the process of healing and lead to tattoo scabbing. It is a good guideline to say that you can cleanse and moisturize twice a day.
Keep the friction on the tattoo to a minimum. Do not wear tight fitting clothes but choose loose outfits in fabrics that breathe easily. So cotton and jute may be better than synthetic materials such as polyester or nylon.
Avoid baths or even long showers in the two week period of healing. It is definitely a no-no to enter hot tubs or saunas as these can all lead to excessive heat on the skin and hamper the natural process of healing. Do the needful to keep yourself and your tattoo clean and wait a little bit for those recreational swims. You should also avoid handling water too much if you have a tattoo on your hand and this may well mean minimal dishwashing.
The other useful tip for avoiding tattoo scabs is avoiding vigorous workouts that will make you sweat. Sweat and the resulting salt deposit on the tattoo are not good for your healing skin. So, it is best to keep your exercise less intense and to wait a while to start the cardio exercises. In this context, it is worth mentioning that you should also not play any contact sports for the time that your tattoo is healing. For most individuals this takes about two weeks but if you are a slow healer do not fret if it takes a little more time.
Despite all the best efforts some people find themselves dealing with tattoo scabbing. This is unavoidable if the tattoo artist has gone too deep into the skin. All you can do in this case is treat it as a learning experience and pick a different artist for your next body art.
If your do have to deal with tattoo scabbing, remember to never pick the scab. Just as in the case of other skin injuries the scab will fall off after a time and you will only hinder the healing if you pick or finger the scab in any way. In most cases scabs which flake off do not cause any damage to the tattoo. However, it is worth talking to your tattoo artist about his or her touch-up policy if this eventuality does happen.