Itching has got to be one of the most annoying parts of the healing process of a tattoo. The worst part is that if you scratch the tattoo it will make things complicated. There are many products that can help soothe the skin on your new tattoo but some people have found that slapping is an easy way to reduce tattoo itching! So can you really slap your tattoo if it itches?
Here is the thing, most tattoo artists will tell you not to touch your tattoo unless you are cleaning it during the first week of getting the tattoo. And even after the first week, they will tell you to not scratch or itch it because it will make the ink not settle down properly. But because slapping is an entirely different thing, you may wonder if slapping your new tattoo is okay or not. In this article, I will elaborate on whether you can slap a fresh tattoo and some best ways to soothe your itching tattoo.
Key Takeaways
- The reason behind a tattoo is itching is because the skin releases chemicals that are sent to the brain via signals.
- Slapping helps the tattoo the same as itching without scratching off the ink from your skin. But it can still cause harm to your tattoo.
- Instead of itching or slapping your tattoo, try the methods mentioned below to get a more lasting itch relief.
Slapping Tattoo: Possible or Not?
No, you should not slap or hit your tattoo. Slapping can delay the healing time, and cause scarring and fading. To reduce the itchiness of your new tattoo you can apply moisturizer, and healing ointment and gently tap the area if it itches too much.
I get it, tattoos during the healing process can get super dry and itchy. Your tattoo artist probably has advised you not to scratch the tattooed area. So, you may brainstorm to find a loophole, which is slapping the area instead of scratching. Well, slapping the area with force can do similar damage to your new tattoo just like scratching would. Itchiness is probably one of the most common problems you can face during the healing process. But slapping or scratching the area is not the solution.
Science Behind Tattoo Itching
The reason a tattoo itches is because of how the skin responds to certain stimuli. When you get a tattoo done, the skin barrier is broken. When it is broken, chemicals like histamine and kinins are released on the wounded or tattooed skin to reduce inflammation. But it might not be enough to calm the nerves in the tattooed area. Irritated or inflamed nerves can cause pain and itching. The histamine can bind with protein receptors on your skin and can cause itchiness. And lastly when your tattoo heals the skin can become dry which can also contribute to the itchiness.
Allergic reaction is another reason why you may feel itching on the tattooed area. Avoid anything that you are allergic to while your tattoo heals.
Once you start scratching the skin, it temporarily blocks the brain from receiving the signal of itching. That momentary relief is what the brain will remember forever, and signal you to scratch for any sort of irritation or itch in the future.
So Why Does Slapping Help with Tattoo Itch?
Slapping temporarily blocks that signal to reach the brain which causes the itchy feeling. That sudden disruption of signal to the brain provides that few seconds of relief. Itching persists even after all the scratching or slapping as it can only provide momentary relief.
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Slapping Or Scratching: Which Is Better For Fresh Tattoo
First of all, let me make this clear, slapping and scratching both can harm your fresh tattoo. Tattoos itch for various reasons, regardless of the reason you should not scratch or slap the tattoo.
But if you really want to know, which is less harmful for your tattoo then I have to say slapping is much better than scratching your fresh tattoo.
A slap can irritate the skin and has a slight chance of scarring and fading your tattoo. There is also how hard could you slap the tattoo. A greater force might lead to a bigger relief for you, but the tattoo will suffer. Repeatedly slapping with a greater force will cause the tattoo ink to blow out, causing damage to the tattoo. It will also increase the pain in the area and make you want to itch even more!
On the other hand, scratching a fresh tattoo can introduce germs and bacteria to the healing area and cause infection. Infection can put you through some extensive discomfort and cause permanent scarring and tattoo fading if you do not treat the infection in time. Scratching can cause your scabs to fall off prematurely which could make the tattoo look dull and distorted.
When Can I Slap My Tattoo?
You can slap your tattoo after it heals. It will take around 2 to 4 weeks for the surface skin of the tattooed area to heal, you can slap the area after that. But remember, as long as your tattoo shows signs of healing, avoid slapping or scratching to avoid complications.
How Long My Tattoo Will Stay Itchy
Just like any healing skin, your healing tattoo will stay itchy till it completely heals. The itchiness may get reduced within the first 14 days after getting the tattoo, as the scabbing phase ends within this timeline. But the tattoo could still appear cloudy or flaky for up to a month. So, it is safe to say your tattoo may stay itchy for about 4 weeks to a month.
If the inked area does not have any pain or flakiness or peeling has ended, that means the healing is complete and your tattoo will not itch anymore.
7 Ways To Sooth Itchy Tattoo Instead Of Slapping
Without compromising the tattoo’s healing process, it is better to soothe or alleviate itching through other methods instead of slapping.
Here are the best methods you can use to give your tattooed skin some relief that will actually soothe the skin:
1. Fragrance-free moisturizing lotion
Dryness can cause tattoos to itch. If you moisturize your tattoo regularly, you can soothe the sense of itching and it will make you itch less. Make sure that the lotion you are using is fragrance free or else you risk causing an infection. Scent can mean the use of harsh chemicals that can damage the sensitive healing tattoo, avoid them to protect your tattoo ink.
2. Ice packs
Cooling down the skin on your tattoo is a wonderful way to reduce the itching. Grab a towel and wrap some ice around it to make a makeshift ice pack, or get a cold compress and apply it on the tattoo over a thin towel. Never apply ice directly to the tattoo.
3. Anti-itching cream
The itching sensation comes from the production of histamine on the skin and dryness. An anti-histamine or anti-itching cream can be a good way to relieve your itching sensation. Just make sure you apply a thin layer and only apply it after the area has healed for about 1 week.
4. Topical corticosteroid
The skin on your tattoo might be too inflamed and cause a major itching sensation. A topical corticosteroid, a cream steroid can be used to reduce swelling and inflammation, making your skin feel relieved. Do consult a doctor if you can be prescribed this and only after your top layer has healed to avoid infection.
5. Coconut oil
Coconut oil is great for the skin! It will act as a protective barrier on your skin reduce the inflammation of your tattoo and keep the skin hydrated. Just make sure to use this after the first week of the tattoo.
6. Aloe vera
Aloe is one of the best soothing ingredients in nature that is known to reduce itching. The natural cooling properties are very safe to use after the first week and it will reduce the inflammation of your tattooed skin!
7. Avoid sun exposure
Exposing your new tattoo ink to the sunlight is not the brightest idea. It can cause sunburn which could lead to extreme itchiness. So avoid exposing your tattoo to direct sunlight till your tattoo heals, and use sunscreen when you go out in the sun after the tattoo heals.
Final Thoughts
The itching of a tattoo is a normal part of a new tattoo. It shows that the tattoo is healing nicely. Scratching should absolutely not be done on a new tattoo. Even slapping should only be limited to light taps, otherwise you risk blowing out the ink and causing infection.
Instead of slapping, there are other methods that will work better than slapping’s temporary relief. You should definitely use those ways instead of slapping your tattoo!
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