Yes, it’s true. Caring for your new tattoo is serious stuff. Whether you are getting body art or permanent makeup, the aftercare of your new tattoo is not only critical to ensuring the longevity of the tattoo, but it is also essential to your health. Though both tattoos and permanent makeup are safe, improper aftercare of a new tattoo can sometimes cause severe damage to your skin or worse; it could also be deadly!

 

After you get a tattoo, the area is essentially a large, open wound, making it vulnerable to bacteria, viruses, and microorganisms until the skin completely heals. When germs gain entry to a wound, your immune system may not be able to stop them from causing damage and necrosis to the surrounding tissue. This damage is what is known as an infection. Mild infections may be treatable with over-the-counter medications and home remedies, whereas other infections may require medical attention. There are hundreds of types of skin infections, and each of them has different characteristics and severity. If left untreated, some infections can lead to blood poisoning, shock, and even organ failure and death.

 

By failing to protect your new tattoo, germs that you come into contact with can cause infections. Germs can be picked up from many different sources, even places you may not think of. Water, for instance, is one place that is often overlooked as a potential source of infection. Although water may look clean, it is still likely to harbor billions of bacteria, viruses, microorganisms, and other contaminants. Swimming pools, hot tubs, public showers, lakes, rivers, hot springs, and even the ocean are homes to these kinds of infection causing agents. So swimming or other recreational water activities are ill advisable when you have a brand new tattoo.

 

Recently, a Texas man died after he contracted Vibrio Vulnificus, (a “flesh-eating” bacterium commonly found in coastal ocean water) after swimming in the Gulf of Mexico only days after getting a new tattoo.

 

Some of the other bacteria and microorganisms that have been found in water include: Staph bacteria, Legionella bacteria (known to cause Legionnaire’s disease), Hepatitis, Naegleria Fowleri (the so-called “Brain-eating” Amoeba found in freshwater), Cercarial Dermatitis (commonly known as “Swimmer’s-Itch” caused by exposure to trematode parasite larvae found at freshwater lake beaches), as well as toxin-producing algae-like Cyanobacteria (Blue-Green Algae in freshwater), and Karenia Brevis (Dinoflagellate Algae). If your new tattoo were to come into contact with any one of these your health could be at serious risk!

 

But water isn’t the only place where you can come into contact with these nasty bacteria and viruses. Beaches and coastlines are also full of disease carrying insects such as sand flies, fleas, and mosquitos. Bacterias like E. coli, Giardia, Campylobacter, Enterococcus, and even MRSA have been found along beaches and coastal areas as well.

Some soils have even been found to contain Tetanus, Botulism, Cutaneous Anthrax, and Listeria. So you must guard your tattoo during any outdoor activities while it is healing.

 

Public bathrooms, showers, gym locker rooms, and even hospitals are also known to house plenty of bacteria that could also potentially enter through your new tattoo and reek havoc on your body. Simple things such as washing your hands before touching your tattoo to clean it or apply ointments is essential!

 

Besides just keeping your tattoo clean, you need to protect the area while it heals. After getting a tattoo your artist should give you aftercare instructions about how to take care of your new body art or permanent makeup as it heals. Be sure to follow them explicitly.

 

Overall, the likelihood of an infection occurring is very minimal as long as you take proper care of your tattoo. As with any tattoo or permanent makeup procedure, be sure to go to a reputable artist who is licensed and certified, follow your aftercare instructions, and keep the area clean. Avoid swimming, sun, and dirt and your tattoo will heal nicely for you to enjoy for years to come.