The Hidden Dangers of Tattoos: Why Infected Tattoos are More Common Than You Think

Tattoos have come a long way since they first appeared thousands of years ago in India. Today, tattoos are one of the most popular forms of body art in the world, and nearly 25% of people in the United States have at least one tattoo (much higher if you count people with multiple tattoos). While tattoos can be beautiful and make you feel like you are expressing your individuality, they also carry some risks that are often overlooked by many of those who get them done. One of the biggest risks associated with tattoos is infection, which can lead to serious health problems over time if left untreated.

What Happens After a Day

After 24 hours, if you notice a bump that continues to grow and doesn’t go away or gets worse, then it is likely an infection. What you do next will depend on how bad it is. If there is severe swelling or redness and it gets progressively worse over time, then you may want to go see your doctor for a diagnosis. They can rule out staphylococcus aureus and other infections through a simple blood test. Other infections like fungal infections require special tests in order to properly diagnose. If that is not an option, you may want to look at setting up an appointment with a local tattoo artist who can give their opinion on what they think might be wrong with your tattoo.

What Happens After a Week

If your tattoo is red, swollen or pus-filled after a week, it’s probably infected. Give your tattoo a quick wash with mild soap and water and keep an eye on it for any changes in size or color; if it gets worse at any point, go see a doctor immediately. For example, some people might experience flu-like symptoms including fever or chills—and in rare cases, an infection can lead to skin death (necrosis). According to Dr. Carlos A. Charles of Advanced Dermatology PC in New York City and Dr.

What Happens After Two Weeks

For a lot of people, after two weeks their new tattoo is healed enough to leave it uncovered in public. The healing process doesn’t stop there, though. Your tattoo continues to heal and grow stronger for up to a year or more. It’s important to understand that tattoos aren’t permanent—they’re not just etched into your skin one time; they must continually heal and renew themselves as your body heals around them. During that time, you need to take care of your tattoo—keep it covered when not in use (especially if it’s wet), don’t touch it with dirty hands, wash gently with soap and water whenever needed, moisturize daily and don’t expose it to direct sunlight for long periods.

How Do you Treat an Infected Tattoo?

Ideally, you should treat your tattoo as soon as you notice an infection. Depending on your symptoms, a medical professional can prescribe medications and treatments to either control or resolve it. In many cases, infected tattoos will heal completely within three months with proper treatment; in extreme cases, however, they can lead to permanent scarring or skin discoloration if left untreated. One thing that makes treatment more difficult is that many people hesitate to see a doctor about their tattoo because they believe that doing so may damage its integrity. This is false—it’s actually quite safe for most infections.

How to Avoid Getting an Infected Tattoo

The number one way to avoid getting an infected tattoo is by making sure you go to a reputable, certified artist. Make sure he or she has state and local certification, as well as proof of recent blood work to ensure they aren’t carrying any communicable diseases. Don’t just ask for these things; check them out on your own, too! If they don’t provide these kinds of documents, look elsewhere or schedule a consultation first and see if they can provide them at that time. Once you’re in their chair, insist on sanitary conditions throughout your appointment and ask about any materials (e.g., aftercare products) that may be shared between customers and what methods (e.g., sterilization equipment) are used during procedures.