it’s much more likely, instead, that there is skin irritation due to hypersensitivity to some component, even just to the healing cream used or the bandage or the razor for pre-tattoo depilation or gloves

in this case, you will see the tattoo with a widespread redness, an elevation of some parts of the tattoo, sometimes even small water bubbles, burning, and heat

in this case, contact a doctor or go to the pharmacy, and most likely, they will prescribe a cream with a bit of cortisone to reduce inflammation in the area

or, it is more likely that the tattoo has formed scabs or holes due to difficulties in healing

this happens in small portions of the tattoo, where the tattoo artist probably had to insist more during the tattooing phase

in this case, you will see the tattoo with large scabs or deep holes, sometimes even with a bit of yellowish liquid

it’s not an infection; it’s an accumulation of lymph, platelets, and healing agents

in this case, contact a doctor or go to the pharmacy, and most likely, they will prescribe a healing cream to aid in the required areas’ healing

you can and should also help by washing the tattoo twice a day, massaging it gently to help dissolve excess dead skin or lymph

if the tattoo turns red, is it infected?

no, no, no, it’s just irritated

see the previous answer

do I need to touch up the tattoo?

it depends on how the tattoo has healed

yhe touch-up of the tattoo is recommended only 4-6 weeks after the tattoo is done in case the healing process didn’t go smoothly, and some parts of the design got lost along the way

if the tattoo has healed well, it absolutely doesn’t need a touch-up; it wouldn’t make any sense

(a different case is that of PMU, cosmetic tattooing, which is not my expertise, and I won’t comment on it)

I am often asked if a tattoo needs a touch-up years after it was done because the colors have faded or to add something a bit fresher “because it’s not complete, and I don’t like it anymore”

I am completely against this for two very good reasons:

1) it’s a mistake

I can’t quite explain it in a few lines, but the effect you desire is not what you’ll get
it’s like putting a patch on ripped jeans; it will always be noticeable
it becomes a mishmash; the colors underneath remain, and you’re just adding more on top
if the colors underneath are a bit dull, the colors on top will be dull as well

2) it’s clearly a mistake

take a 94-year-old granny and give her a facelift: she might appear a bit younger in the face, but her neck and body still show her age, and how she dresses… she still obviously looks like a 94-year-old granny, made ridiculous by a facelift

and that’s how your old tribal tattoo on your lower back from ’94 will look if you try to modernize it

it might look like a beaten-up 4×4 Panda, but colored in matte black smoke

it’s like driving around in 2022 with a ’94 Fornarina (a type of shoe) – definitely out of date

it’s better to let the tattoo age gracefully and not make it seem like you got a tribal tattoo that was in style in ’94 – people might think you’re a bit foolish

can you get an MRI if you have a tattoo?

it depends, it depends on when the tattoo was done

before the early ’90s, there were no specific pigments for tattoos, so India ink was used. India ink is rich in heavy metals that “resonate” with the radiation during an MRI, becoming hot and potentially burning you from the inside

not good

in the ’90s, they began producing inks specifically for insertion into
the body, and heavy metals are, of course, banned

IF YOU GET TATTOOED BY AN ETHICAL AND COMPLIANT TATTOO ARTIST, you can rest assured because they are regulated by authorities, and the inks they use comply with EU standards

as for an underground tattoo artist… who knows!

I myself am tattooed on about 80% of my body, roughly, and I’ve had several MRIs with absolutely no side effects

if you have more questions about inks, READ HERE

in any case, if the tattoo is on your shoulder and you need an MRI on your knee, you can be absolutely calm; there are no issues whatsoever

if, on the other hand, the tattoo is on your shoulder and the MRI is on your shoulder, and you have some doubts about the tattoo artist and the inks used, well, know that the burning process is not immediate, from 0 to 100 in half a second… during the MRI, you have a bell to ring in case of problems, and the machine stops, so if you feel heat in the area and something doesn’t add up: ring the bell ^_^

Can you get an epidural/spinal anesthesia if you have a tattoo on your spine?

it depends, it depends on the anesthetist

old-school anesthetists may think that it could be dangerous for small ink particles to enter the spinal cord, but the new generation knows that such a minimal amount of ink – complying with EU standards – does not cause any issues.

I myself have had spinal anesthesia, and my spine is TOTALLY black

on the flip side, a dear tattoo artist friend was denied an epidural during childbirth because of a tattoo on her spine

I’ve asked several anesthetists I’ve come across, and they all said they are in favor. But, of course, you decide; look around for more opinions if your anesthetist is not willing

can you donate blood after a tattoo?

not immediately

during the tattoo, your skin is damaged, and even if everything is done in a sterile and compliant environment, something could still enter the wound during or after the tattooing process in the following days

as a precaution, the local health authority (Ausl) prohibits blood donation for a few months after getting a tattoo

every local health authority has its own opinion, so in Italy, it varies from 4 to 6 months, depending on the region

it’s a common practice applied for many other situations, not just for tattoos, of course

do tattoos get damaged during blood tests?

no, no, I swear, no

unfortunately, I have a subscription to analysis laboratories in recent years, and my tattoos are perfect and clear despite the worst things and the thickest needles. like those for genetic mutation tests, or electromyography needles, or intravenous needles, or arterial draws

absolutely nothing

as much as these needles might seem gigantic, the skin is a very intelligent organ and makes room for the needle to avoid damaging itself too much

What happens to tattoos if I gain weight? If I lose weight? If I do gym and gain muscle?

nothing, absolutely nothing

to cause damage, the change must be truly EPIC!

like the change in your belly during pregnancy or for those who lose 70-80kg and lose skin tone

in that case, yes

after pregnancy, everything returns to normal, at most with a few stretch marks

after significant weight loss, the skin will need some adjustments, and the tattoo will deform

if, on the other hand, you go to the gym and become Jason Momoa, relax, everything is okay

I think I’m done with anxieties

I can’t think of any more right now, but if you have any, write to me, and I’ll update the article

With love, but always irreverent

L A D Y S A R A