THE HEALTH OF TATTOO
The summer season can slow down the healing process of tattoos given the high temperatures, sand, dust and many other factors that risk attracting infections and fading your newly created artwork. For this reason it is not advisable to get a tattoo in the middle of summer, above all it is necessary to counteract the dryness of the skin, trying to hydrate it as much as possible and avoiding going out in the hottest hours with the tattoo just made.
The tattoo is a real wound of the epidermis subject to attack by germs, bacteria and external agents ... but a professional tattoo artist will give all the instructions to follow in the days following the creation of the tattoo in order not to have any nasty surprises and to guarantee a complete and correct healing.
The important thing to keep in mind is that once you leave the tattoo parlor, you will need to take care of your skin particularly carefully. If you neglect this aspect you risk contracting dangerous infections and ruining the tattoo forever.
Steps to take during the first 3 weeks after the tattoo is done:
- Avoid exposing yourself directly to the sun, always keep the affected part covered.
- Avoid the sea, swimming pool, saunas and Turkish baths.
- Avoid scratching or removing the crusts, you could ruin the design. Itching can be soothed by applying an ice pack.
- Protect the area from dust, dirt and animals.
- Use a neutral pH detergent.
- Wear loose and airy cotton clothing. Avoid fabrics that leave lint.
- Avoid playing sports, especially if the tattoo is very extensive or close to the joints.
- If the tattoo is on your feet, ankles or calves and you have to stand for many hours, it may swell. If that happens, you can do ice packs and keep your legs up.
Daily care:
- Always keep the skin well hydrated and nourished.
- Always use sunscreen and avoid direct exposure whenever possible.
ATTENTION TO THE METALS PRESENT IN THE INKS!
The European Council in the ResAP document (2008) 1 has identified the maximum allowable concentrations of certain metals in dyes for tattoos and permanent make-up, in order to safeguard public health, but there is still no list of substances that can be used or a quality standard for the safe use of these products .
Dermatology professor at the University of Washington in Seattle, Michi Shinohara, explains that the composition of tattoo inks contain dyes azoic , the same used in the textile, printing and car paints and pigments derived from plastics. These compounds are found mainly in bright reds, coral and yellows and appear to interact with the skin causing complications that are unknown, including atypical microbacterial infections.
A study carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, examined the liquid pigments sold in Italy to verify their content. It was found that all manufacturers market inks containing very high concentrations of Chromium , present especially in green, purple, brown, blue, black and red. A consistent concentration of Nickel which for those who are already allergic and particularly sensitive can be extremely dangerous. To a lesser extent there is also the Cobalt , which is used to make blue.
In many cases heavy metal intoxication it can be confused with a food deficiency or vitamin deficiency. The symptoms, in fact, are often superimposed on those of many other disorders and can manifest themselves only with fatigue, headache, or other mild phenomena. Heavy metals indeed they reduce the absorption of trace elements essential.
To find out if tattoos are the cause of certain health problems, you can do a mineralogram and resort to one detoxification of the organism through chelation .