Tattoos have risks, despite their apparent safety.
You cause millions of tiny wounds on your skin when you get a tattoo.
You need to be careful since these wounds could become infected like any other wounds or you could develop allergies to the tattoo ink.
Scarring is a risk that individuals don’t frequently consider.
Read on to find out how keloids relate to tattoos and scarring, despite the low likelihood of scarring.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
✅ Keloids are not more likely to develop from tattoos than from other skin injuries.
✅ Keloids are treatable if you get them while getting tattooed.
✅ Tattoos can produce keloids.
✅ Tattooing can be done over keloids, though not advised.
✅ Anyone with skin wounds can get Keloids, not just people who have Tattoos.
Keloids, what are they?
Raised scar tissue, or keloids, can reach a size of 12 inches. They can develop while the skin recovers from an injury and are frequently much bigger than the initial wound.
Both keloids and hypertrophic scars are the results of an accumulation of too much scar tissue, however, a hypertrophic scar is smaller and remains inside the scar boundary while a keloid will extend outside of it.
Keloids may not appear for three months or longer after an accident. They take years to fully form and keep growing after that.
They initially appear as a raised scar that is pink, crimson, or purple and usually darker than the surrounding skin. Over time, they often hold their shape and become darker, with the center frequently being lighter than the border.
Keloids have a different texture from the skin; they can be either stiff and rubbery or soft and doughy. They may be painful, itchy, and tender to the touch, but once the keloid has finished growing, the discomfort should go away.
Do Keloids Result from Tattoos?
Yes, tattoos can produce keloids, just like any trauma to the skin does, as there is no limit to where keloids can come from. Keloids are most frequently found on the shoulders, upper chest, head, and neck, though they can develop elsewhere. When a region is under tension, such as joints or the skin overlaying powerful muscles that repeatedly contract and expand, keloids are more likely to grow.
If you are concerned about keloids, stay away from getting tattoos in these places. It’s usually best to stay away from tattoos if you know you’re prone to keloids. With keloid-prone skin, ask your tattoo artist to perform a test if you’re truly determined on being inked. They can ink a little line or dot that is nearly the same color as your skin. You might be able to have a tattoo there if no keloids develop after the wound has healed.
Consider getting a minor tattoo in the tested area if your test is successful and you decide to be inked. If all goes well, gradually increase it. If you’re concerned about keloids, going slowly and steadily is quite OK. Pick your place wisely.
Can You Get Inked Over or Near Keloids?
Not uncommonly, scars can be tattooed over. Tattooing can be done over keloids, albeit it’s often done over flatter scars. It takes a lot of time and talent to tattoo over keloids. Make sure the person doing your tattoos has knowledge of this. When done incorrectly, it can exacerbate the scar and do even more harm.
Before getting a tattoo over a scar, make sure it has totally healed. You risk having an old injury resurface if your skin has not fully healed. Be sure to get a doctor’s approval before getting a tattoo over or close to keloids.
Can Keloids Be Prevented?
Pressure bandages
The development of keloids cannot be totally avoided. Look into pressure bandages if you have keloids a tendency and are concerned after getting inked. You should discuss this with both your tattoo artist and your doctor. The needs of the tattoo are best understood by the tattoo artist, who also understands keloids.
U.V. Rays
Although it is advised to cover your tattoo when outside, it needs oxygen to cure. UV radiation from the sun can exacerbate scarring. Wear a lot of sunscreens if it’s too warm to cover your tattoos.
Bacteria, Collagen, and Silicone
Once the tattoo has healed, you can take measures because keloids can develop even months after the skin has healed. For keloid prevention, think about routinely covering the tattoo with silicone sheets. Scar tissue is made up of the protein called collagen, whose collagen production is reduced by silicone.
But keep in mind that collagen is a crucial protein for the body. Additionally, bacteria may cause an overproduction of collagen. Using silicone sheets to cover the tattoo can assist to keep the region free of such germs.
Are Keloids removable and would that ruin my tattoos?
Keloids can be removed in a variety of ways, but it is challenging to completely get rid of them. However, certain removal techniques are more effective than others. If you’re lucky, your insurance may help with some of the cost of keloid excision. If this worries you, talk to your insurance; you might be able to come to a solution.
If the keloid itself hasn’t already damaged a tattoo, the keloid removal can. For instance, since lasers are typically employed as tattoo removal techniques, the ink may fade during laser removal. Surgery may also further tarnish a tattoo by removing some, if not all, of the tattooed skin.
Always prioritize your health over your appearance. You might have to choose removal over ink if your keloid is making you uncomfortable. If you need to or want to, you can always get your tattoo touched up.
So, how do keloids get rid of? For some patients, various treatments are effective. Which option is best for you will be determined by your doctor:
- Steroids
- Freezing
- Radiation
- Surgery
- Laser therapy
- Injected steroids
Steroid Injections
Although not always successful, corticosteroid injections can decrease and soften keloids. A series of treatments spaced out over a few weeks will be needed. Consult a Board Certified Dermatologist for the best injection technique to reduce hazards if you have dark skin because corticosteroid injections can lighten your skin.
Freezing
Cryotherapy can be used to treat small keloids. The tissue is reduced in size by freezing it off with liquid nitrogen. Before administering a steroid injection, the skin may occasionally be softened with liquid nitrogen. This could potentially lighten the skin, thus it is not advised for people with dark complexion unless the advantages outweigh the hazards.
Laser Treatment
Injections or compression garments are the finest companions for laser therapy. By lightening their color, it reduces the appearance of keloids. This therapy complements steroid injections nicely; nevertheless, some medical professionals will advise against using any other type of therapy, advocating solely laser and injections.
Surgery
Surgery can be used to eliminate keloids, however, they frequently grow again. Utilizing pressure garments is one way to prevent the return. It depends on what your doctor or dermatologist feels is best for you whether surgery is paired with other therapies.
Any damage to the area is likely to result in a recurrence since the cells of your body in this location are programmed to react in this way. Keloids are caused by an overproduction of collagen scar tissue.
Frequently, after having their keloid surgically removed, a patient finds that their keloid has grown and gotten worse three months later. Only consult a Board Certified Dermatologist who is familiar with skin physiology, and proceed with caution.
Radiation
When the surgical removal wound is still healing, radiation therapy is frequently employed as a treatment. It is frequently applied to recurring keloids.
Starting radiation therapy on the day of surgical removal is the most efficient course of action.
Who Is Prone to Keloids?
Keloids are a possibility for anyone who has a skin wound. These wounds consist of cuts, tattoos, surgical incision Sites, injection sites, puncture wounds, severe acne, insect or animal bites, chickenpox, and piercings.
Although keloids are uncommon, some persons are more vulnerable. Keloids are more prone to form in people with darker skin. Additional risk factors include: being under 30; being pregnant, adolescents going through puberty, having keloids in the family, and being pregnant.
In conclusion
It’s generally not a good idea to get another tattoo if you get a keloid after getting one.
Take safety measures even though it might have only been a bad break once.
Take care of your skin, and watch for keloid formation following previous wounds.