Some ink reacts to light, especially sunlight. So if you don't keep a new tattoo covered for a couple of weeks, your skin can swell or turn red. This is most common with yellow inks, but it can happen with red, too.
It's nothing to be concerned about, but it can sometimes raise up, and this is generally caused by changes in body temperature or weather conditions, as well as general health. Many people notice the swelling happens during the summertime, when weather is warmer and humidity higher.
Another cause for itching and swelling is an autoimmune disorder called sarcoidosis. It can show up decades after you get your tattoo. And although it's not directly caused by the ink, when it shows up in the skin, it tends to show up on the tattoo. A cream you apply to your skin should help ease your symptoms.
It's normal for a brand new tattoo to have some redness around it, and appear swollen for a day or two, especially if it's very large or in a sensitive area. But if the redness and swelling persists for more than a couple of days, or if it gets worse and begins to feel more tender, this could be a cause for concern.
If you're allergic to tattoo ink, you may experience symptoms such as redness, swelling, itching, or bumps in the tattooed area. These symptoms can appear immediately or weeks after getting the tattoo. In severe cases, blisters or a rash may develop. Always consult a dermatologist for diagnosis.
[9,10] Chronic allergic reactions to tattoo ink are the most common chronic tattoo reaction. These reactions can even occur months to years after getting the tattoo.
Apply a cold pack. This can help reduce swelling, bruising or itching. Never apply ice directly to the skin as it can cause tissue damage. Instead, put a layer of fabric between the cold pack and the skin.
-- Ink migration / ink drift is rare, but is often seen in thinner skin areas, and is more common with black, blue, green and purple inks. This happens when the ink is deposited too far into the layers of skin and enters the sebaceous fat and spreads.
Why is my old tattoo bubbling? Your old, fully healed tattoo shouldn't be bubbling. If it is it could be because of an infection, a burn such as sunburn or allergy. You should see your GP or dermatologist as soon as possible.
Tattoo-associated sarcoidosis with severe uveitis is a condition where inflammation is usually restricted to the tattooed area and the uveal region but lung involvement, including lung nodule and lymphadenopathy, is also reported. This sarcoidosis phenomenon was first published in 1969 with three case reports.
Some tattoo dyes, especially red and yellow, can cause an allergic reaction, especially when exposed to sunlight. The area around your tattoo might itch or swell, or you could get a rash. It can happen right after you get the tattoo, or years later.
“If applied too deeply into the skin, a tattoo is able to get to the layer of fat, which basically is the reason for such tattoo blowout.”
It's nothing to be concerned about, but it can sometimes raise up, and this is generally caused by changes in body temperature or weather conditions, as well as general health. Many people notice the swelling happens during the summertime, when weather is warmer and humidity higher.
If you've got a bit of tattoo bruising or tattoo swelling, it's just a sign that your body is healing by sending more blood to the affected area, it's not usually anything to worry about and it's very rare to have an allergic reaction. If you're concerned, go and see a doctor to put your mind at ease.
There are some other things that might make a tattoo itch, however. These might include an allergic reaction, infection, an underlying skin condition, or environmental factors. Some of these can cause itching months or years after you get the tattoo. It is important not to scratch a tattoo while it's healing.
If some swelling/redness is present the day after your tattoo, and it is uncomfortable or bothering you, it is appropriate to use ice (20 minutes) and/or an NSAID (ibuprofen, Advil, aleve, naproxen) to help bring the swelling down.
The reaction usually appears as an inflamed red rash or may sometimes be scaly and flaky (exfoliative dermatitis). Red tattoo pigments cause the most reactions, particularly those made from mercury sulfide (cinnabar).
It's typically caused when a tattoo artist presses too aggressively into the skin, deposits ink at the wrong angle, or overworks the skin, which occurs more often with a less-experienced tattoo artist but can happen with any artist.
Delicate Skin Areas
Certain areas of the body, like wrists, ankles, fingers, and toes, are more prone to blowouts due to their thin skin.