Whether it is your 1st tattoo, lucky number 7 or even a pro at number 100 you never know what unexpected circumstances may pop up for every tattoo session. Any customers worst nightmare is what I call the vampire bleed.
If you are wanting to know if you are the next victim then please read on. This article will give you all the answers to what to do if your tattoo starts bleed and what to expect.
And you won’t need garlic, holy water or a cross!
- Is Tattoo Bleeding Normal?
- How Long Should A Tattoo Bleed?
- What Do You Do If Your Tattoo Bleeds?
- Is It Normal For A Tattoo To Crack And Bleed?
- What Happens If My Tattoo Is Bleeding Ink?
- What To Do If My Tattoo Is Bleeding After A Week?
- My Tattoo Is Bleeding While Peeling What Do I Do?
- How Do I Clean A Bleeding Tattoo?
Is Tattoo Bleeding Normal?
Bleeding is a natural occurrence when it comes to tattooing.
It will have during the tattooing process because the needles will make tiny holes in your skin to inject the ink under your skin to create your design tattoo.
Therefore, when your tattoo artist makes holes in the skin, they allow bleeding.
Typically, your fresh tattoo, on average, should stop bleeding within 24 hours after the procedure, but it can take around 12 hours to 36 hours for the bleeding to stop.
This may depend on the tattoo’s size and the body area i where the tattoo is made. Some areas are sensitive and will bleed more than others.
Also, other body parts have more blood pressure than others and may experience more bleeding.
Tattoo machines work by piercing tiny holes on the topmost layer of the skin area where you will be getting a tattoo, known as the epidermis, to deposit the tattoo ink on the lower skin area called dermis.
During this breaking process of the skin which is done quickly, you can expect some bleeding, but it shouldn’t draw blood.
How Long Should A Tattoo Bleed?
It is very normal to experience bleeding during and after getting a fresh tattoo.
However, the standard period that the bleeding should go on is up to 36 hours. If you experience bleeding 48 hours after getting a tattoo procedure, it would be best to go for a check up.
The bleeding may vary from one person to another. It is usual for some people to bleed for a little longer than 36 hours, but you do not have to panic.
It may be due to something that is preventing blood thinning which you should consult a doctor before getting a tattoo or when the bleeding continues to find out the route cause before things get worse.
So please avoid exercise that will lead to bleeding for bout 2-3days after getting a tattoo; it will lead to a tattoo or skin infection.
What Do You Do If Your Tattoo Bleeds?
It may not be an enjoyable moment seeing your blood coming from your tattoo, but it is a regular occurrence. Some tattoos will bleed much more than others, depending on different factors.
Your tattoo should begin to heal after 24 hours, but it may bleed more.
For instance, if you consume alcohol, consume certain medications like painkillers before getting the tattoo procedure, the tattoo’s size, blood pressure, or makeup of their blood or genetics.
If your tattoo has not stopped bleeding after 48 hours, the first thing you need to do is to stop worrying a lot.
Wash the bleeding areas using a mild antibacterial soap and dry them well and avoid unnecessary frustration about the bleeding.
Always apply a tattoo care product around the tattoo dry skin area and ensure that you observe your tattoo condition all the time.
When you start to see worrying signs like redness, pain, swelling, and other unusual things after getting inked, it can be a complication. This is why it is essential to visit a doctor for notable observation.
Bodily fluids may also contaminate your tattoo wound and prevent quick healing, so you must remove them to help you do the cleanup process with ease.
Use a damp clean towel to remove the blot out from your tattoo. Remember that you should do it gently, do not rub your tattoo area, and insert a lot of pressure on the tattoo area.
Avoid using anything that may harbor bacteria which may cause contamination to your wounds, such as clothes or towels. You can use mild soap, cool water, and clean hands instead.
To further prevent bleeding, take good care of your new tattoo, keep it clean, moisturized, and dry always.
Avoid strenuous activities that may cause bleeding to your tattoo until your tattoo heals completely.
Ask for your doctor’s advice if you can stop using some medication that is causing blood thinning. If you notice any blood infection signs, report them immediately to your doctor.
Is It Normal For A Tattoo To Crack And Bleed?
It is a relatively common occurrence to have tattoo cracks. Usually, new tattoos damage will occur if your skin is left to dry during the healing process, but it should not cause panic a lot.
Cracking may be caused by a couple of different reasons, such as:
Scabs during healing:
The presence and size of the scab may lead to cracking, but it may depend on an individual. The more the scabs will be raised and dry, the more you will likely develop cracks.
Dry Skin:
Another primary reason for experiencing cracks is when you have dehydrated skin.
This is why your tattoo artist will always insist that you ensure that your skin is well moisturized all the time during the entire healing process. Further, dry skin may lead to scabs to thicken and crack.
Infection:
Infection is rare; it only occurs in most severe cases and may lead to cracks in individuals who experience such issues.
What Happens If My Tattoo Is Bleeding Ink?
Sometimes when you get a new tattoo, it may bleed out ink which may scare you that it is coming off. There are several reasons why this may be happening. Some may not be scary as you think.
The ink used will settle into the skin during the tattooing process after the machine has pierced it.
Sometimes, instead of the ink penetrating the skin layer, it will remain on the skin surface, and some may gather around the scabs on the tattoo design.
Ink bleeding, in most cases, is usually a sign that your tattoo is healing properly.
When healing starts after getting a tattoo, your skin will recover from the trauma it underwent when the machine was piercing through it. Therefore, the ink will begin to leak as a way of getting away from the skin, but this does not necessarily mean all the ink will get out.
Once it senses foreign objects settling in the skin like tattoo ink, your body’s immune system will work towards getting rid of it.
White blood cells will not break all the ink molecules; they will begin to break down and dissolve in your bloodstream. It will eventually lead to waste and cause ink bleeding.
Another reason for ink bleeding may be due to a lot of ink been deposited in your skin layer. They may become more than the required capacity, and you will naturally witness ink bleeding as a result.
Proper care of your new tattoo will ensure that some ink will be left to brighten and give your tattoo a bright look.
What To Do If My Tattoo Is Bleeding After A Week?
In some instances, you may notice some little spots of blood after one week. This may be due to scabs. The skin is usually tight around the scabs area.
However, in some instances when the scabbing is very think, bleeding may continue in the scab split, get bumped into, or has some crack.
Infection may also slow the healing. Contact a doctor or your tattoo artist if the bleeding does not seem to be expected to avoid unpleasant concerns.
My Tattoo Is Bleeding While Peeling What Do I Do?
Some peeling on a fresh tattoo is entirely average during the early stages.
Usually, the tattoo process will create a wound on the skin area and peeling around that tattooed area in the body’s way of trying the get rid of dry skin cells that were affected as your skin begins to heals.
On the flip side, excessive peeling after getting a tattoo could indicate that something is not right, especially if you notice some sign of inflammation or infection.
When your tattoo is bleeding and peeling simultaneously, have it checked to ascertain that nothing wrong is happening to it.
How Do I Clean A Bleeding Tattoo?
Bleeding is common for the first day after getting a new tattoo.
The standard way recommended by most tattoo artists is to leave the original dressing on your tattoo for about four hours and then start to clean the work after that lightly by moisturizing it.
After a day, gently wash your tattoo using antibacterial soap and warm, clean water to remove dried blood, excess ointment, and plasma around it. Keep it completely dry. If your tattoo is still releasing serum after wash, pat it with a paper towel until the bleeding stops. After bleeding has ended, moisturize it properly and keep it open.
Apply ointment or antibacterial twice a day and do not put on another bandage on it. Always remember to pat it dry before you apply the moisturizer gently. Use your hand to wash the bleeding places. Never use a washcloth, fibrous materials during washing such as towels, luffas, or bath puffs.
Follow all the aftercare instructions given by your tattoo artist religiously and relax to give it some time to heal; it will turn out just fine.