Tattoos are growing in popularity as more and more people seek ways to change their appearance and make a statement in the process.
The Pew Research Center reports that more than 33 percent of Americans between the ages of 18 and 25 have a tattoo. About 40 percent of Americans ages 26 to 40 have the art on their bodies.
Tattoos are designed to be permanent body art. They also impact the skin.
If you have a tattoo, MacMed Spa, Salon & Medical in Milford, Framingham and Hopedale can help you care for the skin affected by tattoos. And if you are unhappy with your tattoo, our professional staff also can remove them from your body through affordable treatments like laser tattoo removal.
The American Academy of Dermatology offers tips on caring for tattooed skin:
- If skin where your tattoo is located feels dry, use a water-based cream or lotion and apply it to the tattoo. Be careful about which products you use. Those that are petroleum-based can cause tattoo ink to fade.
- Be aware of the sun: Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light can cause some tattoo inks to fade. Sun exposure also can increase your chances of developing skin cancer. If you are out in the sun, protect tattooed skin by using a broad-spectrum and water-resistant sunscreen. The Sun Protection Factor, or SPF, should be at least 30. Put on sunscreen about 15 minutes before you head outside. You also should reapply sunscreen every two hours.
- Do not use tanning beds or sunlamps. These also can fade the ink in your tattoos and increase your skin cancer risk. For some, UV light can react with tattoo ink and lead to painful skin reactions.
- See a dermatologist if your tattooed skin has a bad reaction or changes dramatically in appearance.
- Your skin can react badly to tattoo ink. This reaction can occur right after you get your tattoo, or it may occur years later. Any skin change could be a sign of skin disease.
- If you are getting a new tattoo, it’s best to get it on skin that is mole-free. A tattoo can make it more difficult to detect early signs of skin cancer. If caught early enough, skin cancers including melanoma are highly treatable.
The AAD recommends you consult a dermatologist if you have questions about tattoos or if you want one or more tattoos removed through laser tattoo removal and other procedures. Officials warn that many tattoo removal kits are available to purchase online, but that these products are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. Some of these products have led to permanent skin injuries.
At MacMed Spa, Salon & Medical, our highly trained and professional staff can help you better care for your skin and we can remove your unwanted tattoos as well through laser tattoo removal and other procedures. Contact MacMed today to learn more.
With headquarters in Illinois, the American Academy of Dermatology was founded in 1938. Today it is the largest and most influential association in the field and has a membership of more than 17,000 physicians across the world.