Why does tattoos swell up

Courtesy of brand. If doing those things doesn't lend you any relief from super-itchy ink, there might be a bigger problem hiding under the surface. Tattoos even older, healed ones can pose a risk of infection, and sudden inflammation can be an indicator of that. As Palm points out, an allergy to certain inks is another common reason for itchy tattoos. And it's entirely possible for you to develop an allergy to tattoo ink especially red ink, which Palm says is the most common culprit long after getting tattooed.

An ink allergy is usually characterized by itchiness and a few other things. Sometimes older, healed tattoos become raised but don't itch — as Gohara tells me, that can be caused by scarring or a delayed reaction to ink as well. If you're experiencing tattoo itchiness to a severe degree or are worried you might have an infection or allergic reaction to ink, contact a dermatologist right away, because they might have a solution for you.

Keloid scars are handled a little differently. In short: tattoos are going to itch and raise sometimes. However, it is important to know what signs to be on the lookout for and what to do if something looks abnormal.

Keep reading to learn more about why your tattoo is still raised. Generally speaking, it is normal for a tattoo to be raised. While it is not normal for the skin around your tattoo to be puffy, if the tattoo itself is raised for a few days following your session, it is usually not a cause for concern.

While it is unusual, many other reasons could explain why your tattoo is raised:. Weather conditions play a significant role in the health of your skin, and if you find that your tattoo has suddenly become raised , it may be the cause. This is typically seen when it is either very humid or very dry outside. Your unique body chemistry could play a role in whether or not your skin becomes raised. If the skin surrounding the tattoo area becomes raised, this may indicate that you are having an allergic reaction to the ink.

Allergic reactions to the ink are relatively rare, but it can happen. Oddly enough, this is seen more often in those whose tattoos have colored ink — mostly red or yellow. Fixing a raised tattoo is dependent on the cause. However, be sure that you are wearing sunscreen in the sun and keeping your skin well-moisturized all year round.

Most symptoms will go away within a few hours without any need for medical intervention. It is very common for a tattoo to be raised for a few days after they are completed, but it is normal after a year?

The answer is most likely — yes. These areas are much more delicate when compared to areas on the body with thick layers of skin, meaning that there is more of a chance of the needles penetrating more sensitive lower layers of tissue, which will prompt a bigger healing response from the body and thus more bruising.

Swelling is also more noticeable on thinner areas of skin, anyway. You can help this swelling by walking as the calf muscles will help to pump the excess fluid back to your heart. The worst thing you can do is stand. Some artists are very gentle when using the needle, and in turn cause less damage, which will, therefore, require less of a swelling response from the body.

On the other hand, some artists are generally more heavy-handed and rough with their tattooing practices. It is these artists that can sometimes cause slightly more damage to your skin than normal, and potentially cause more swelling and bruising.

Taking any sort of blood-thinning medication before getting a tattoo can cause heavier bleeding throughout your tattooing session, and for a while afterward, too.

The veins underneath the top layers of skin will, therefore, bleed more than normal due to the thinner blood, and any larger than normal amounts of blood leakage will show as excess swelling and bruising below the skin. Taking aspirin can also increase your chances of getting a swollen and sore tattoo. This is because aspirin and similar medications stop your blood from clotting as efficiently as normal, meaning more blood can leak and build up in pockets beneath the skin which will appear on the outside as bruising and swelling.

Always consult both your tattoo artist and your doctor when thinking about getting a new tattoo while taking any kind of medication. In rare instances, the skin may also start to blister. The quicker the infection is treated, the less likely the long-term appearance of your tattoo will be affected.

Although there would be absolutely no problem in letting the swelling reduce by itself, there is some action you can take in order to try and make the swelling go down even quicker than normal:.