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How Can I Minimize Tattoo Scarring?

Lori Kilchermann
Lori Kilchermann

The first step in minimizing tattoo scarring is to use only a licensed and reputable tattoo artist to produce your tattoo. Secondly, the aftercare of a new tattoo is greatly responsible for the amount of scarring that may occur on your body art. You will also need to protect your tattoo until it is completely healed, which is different for every individual tattoo and body.

Tattoo scarring can be seen as a raised portion of a tattoo and often itches and burns. A tattoo is an abrasion to the skin in which colored ink is deposited in order to create a picture or words. Occasionally, a tattoo artist can go too deep into the skin which in turn can cause scarring to occur. A skilled tattoo artist is able to go just deep enough into the skin to leave a quality tattoo and avoid scaring.

Woman with tattoos on her arm and back.
Woman with tattoos on her arm and back.

Most good tattoo artists complete an extended internship under an experienced tattoo artist prior to opening their own shop. While this is a required practice of many ethical shops, it is not the legal requirement in many areas, so some unskilled tattoo artists are operating tattoo shops in locations all around the world. For this reason, it is imperative that any prospective tattoo artist be checked for references and recommendations prior to scheduling any work.

A tattoo machine.
A tattoo machine.

With the research completed and your new tattoo applied, the level of aftercare will directly affect any level of potential scarring. It is important to keep the tattoo clean and well-lubricated to avoid scarring. Washing the tattoo with an antiseptic rinse such as Listerine® will keep the area clean and free from bacteria which could cause an infection resulting in tattoo scarring. After allowing the area to air dry or after blotting dry with a clean paper towel, being careful to never rub the new tattoo, apply a thin layer of A&D Ointment&reg to the tattoo and place a loose dressing over the area.

It is important to protect the tattoo until it heals completely.
It is important to protect the tattoo until it heals completely.

Also key to avoiding potential scarring from a tattoo is never exposing the new tattoo to water until all scabbing has healed. The water can cause the scabs to separate prematurely, resulting in potential scarring. Exposing a fresh tattoo to prolonged direct sunlight can also cause the tattoo to blister and scar. It is important to remember that you new tattoo is, in essence, a fresh, open wound in the form of an abrasion and should be treated as such until the wound completely heals in order to avoid tattoo scarring.

Discussion Comments

candyquilt

@turquoise-- How long has it been since you got the tattoo? It takes a while for scars to fade. Keep it moisturized, you can use a scar treatment lotion with vitamin E to speed up the process.

discographer

@turquoise-- After-care is important but I also think that some tattoo artists are too heavy handed and push the needle to far into the layers of the skin. I know a tattoo artist that causes tattoo scars on almost all of his customers.

So choosing the right tattoo artist, is extremely important. I can't emphasize this enough. I don't think anyone should work with an artist without speaking to their previous customers about his or her work.

turquoise

I have an abnormally large tattoo scar. My tattoo artist said that it's a tattoo keloid. He recommended some creams but they don't seem to be enough. I can't really blame him because I didn't follow his after-care directions, so it's my fault.

Right now I just want the keloid minimized so that it doesn't mess up the tattoo any further. What can I do?

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    • Woman with tattoos on her arm and back.
      By: Scott Griessel
      Woman with tattoos on her arm and back.
    • A tattoo machine.
      By: Aleksandr Lobanov
      A tattoo machine.
    • It is important to protect the tattoo until it heals completely.
      By: BlueSkyImages
      It is important to protect the tattoo until it heals completely.
    • To reduce tattoo scarring, it's important to care for a new tattoo as it heals.
      By: jolopes
      To reduce tattoo scarring, it's important to care for a new tattoo as it heals.
    • Exposing a new tattoo to direct sunlight for long periods of time can cause scarring.
      By: GooDAura
      Exposing a new tattoo to direct sunlight for long periods of time can cause scarring.