The world of tattooing is diverse, from the holistic realm where informed consent is vital, to the impulsive adrenaline junkie (I confess I am both). If there’s one thing I’ve seen people in both worlds pay good money for, it’s ink. But even though they are artistic expressions full of meaning, identity, memory and love, the ink emblazoned on your skin is instantly recognized as a foreign invader, something your body wants to reject, remove and repair. In this blog post, we’ll talk about proper pre-ink preparation, natural tattoo aftercare, and tattoo longevity tips, all to support tattoo healing, skin health, and your immunity .
Promelan (what to do and what not to do)
Anyone who has had a tattoo knows that even if you lie down or sit in a chair for hours, your body demands lot of energy. This is because the physical experience of getting a tattoo – repeatedly puncturing the skin (thousands of punctures per minute) – creates a stress response known as ‘fight or flight’. This response is based on energy, usually in the most readily available form: glucose (sugar) and then fatsand then protein (which is not the body’s preferred energy source). Having a balanced meal of carbohydrates, fats and proteins 1 to 2 hours before a tattoo appointment is especially important to have an easier tattoo experience.
Snack ideas before or during your tattoo appointment:
- Fresh fruit or fruit bar
- Smoothie with full fat milk or coconut milk in a package
- Meat stick (always check the ingredients!) – some good options are PaleoValley, Chomps and The New Primal
- Protein bars – some good options are GoMacro, Perfect Bar and Aloha bars
- Gelatin pieces (from bovine gelatin and fruit juice)
- A better for you soft drinks like Olipop, Poppi or Nooma
- A tea to calm the nerves such as Lemon balm, Chamomileand Saint Basil
What to avoid before your tattoo appointment:
- alcohol – when it comes to tattoos, alcohol has all kinds of negative effects on the body. Alcohol thins your blood which may increase bleedingdilute the tattoo ink, make the artist’s job more difficult and lead to a heavier pencil which can compromise the quality of your tattoo.
- Blood thinners – it is generally advised not to get a tattoo if you are taking blood thinners as they reduce your blood’s ability to clot; risk of severe bruising and serious infection. Consult your doctor before booking your tattoo appointment.
- Ginger – Although ginger has many benefits, limit your consumption of ginger, especially in tea and supplement form, before your tattoo appointment, as ginger can decrease blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding and bruising. side effect.
Natural tattoo care
By now you probably know that everything you put on your skin is absorbed into your bloodstreamjust like the food you eat. For aftercare, we will discuss both natural topical and oral treatments to promote tattoo healing.
Natural solutions are making a comeback for overall health – and for good reason. Quality herbs, salves and supplements made with nature in mind are just as potent and effective without the hundreds of harmful ingredients in many products today.
Topical treatments
Lucky for us, Mother Nature has a large arsenal of time-tested treatments full of nourishing properties that can not only aid post-tattoo healing but also enhance the vibrancy and longevity of your ink. As always, we recommend that anything you put on your skin is organic, pure ingredient, and cold pressed (for oils) that retain their powerful nutritional value.
- Aloe Vera – a medicinal plant that is widely used to treat a multitude of concerns and is widely known for skin soothingprotective, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial properties.
- Beef fat – yes you read that right, beef tallow or beef tallow is gaining quite a bit of popularity in skin care products, but it has actually been used on the skin for thousands of years. Known for its highly soothing and deeply moisturizing (non-pore clogging) properties, beef tallow can soothe inflammation and help wound healing.
- Jojoba Oil – rich in antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, this non-comedogenic (pore-clogging) oil has been used for thousands of years to treat all kinds of skin conditions, including wound healing.
- Coconut oil – extremely moisturizing and rich in nutrients, protects the skin barrier and increases collagen turnover in wounds, speeding up healing.
- Lavender oil – Known for its calming anti-anxiety properties, lavender is a powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and analgesic. As an oil, lavender can increasing collagen synthesis for wound healing and contraction.
Oral treatments
“Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food” – an emphasis on quality whole foods that are packed with nutrients, antioxidants and phytochemicals is equally important to ensuring ease and quality healing of your fresh ink . Below, we’ll highlight specific nutrients that speed up the healing process from the inside out.
Vitamin C
This essential nutrient that must be obtained from food (as we humans are unable to synthesize a sufficient amount ourselves) plays a vital role in the synthesis and regeneration of connective tissue. Collagen in particular, an important antioxidant, has been shown to increase healing at wound sites. Vitamin C also boosts the immune system, which can help with potential “tattoo flu” symptoms, which are a flu-like set of symptoms that can occur after a heavy inking session.
Because Vitamin C important role in wound healing, supplementation is suggested for this specific benefit.
Food: pepper, citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwi, broccoli, tomatoes, potatoes
Recipe: Fennel-orange salad with Harissa and yogurt
Collagen
The most abundant protein in the body, collagen is the main building block for skin, tendons, bones, muscles and connective tissue. Collagen has been used as a wound treatment for thousands of years, evident in the practices of the Ancient Egyptians and Greeks. Taking collagen either through food or supplements has been shown to have both positive and effective results in wound healing.
Food: bone broth, fish with skin, chicken with skin and cartilage, oxtail, sardines with skin and bone, gelatin gum
Recipe: Simmering Bone Broth
Antioxidants
These compounds reduce oxidative stress and accompanying conditions such as cellular damage and pro-inflammatory conditions. Vitamin C, mentioned above, is an antioxidant example, but for this section, we will focus on lesser known ones.
- curcumin, a powerful anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant, improves the wound healing process and reduces free radicals.
Food: turmeric root, pure turmeric powder, turmeric tea
- quercetin, a flavonoid compound found in fruits and vegetables, it offers a wide range of health benefits, especially by inhibiting inflammation and reducing oxidative stress. Studies show that quercetin promotes collagen synthesisaiding in wound healing and contraction.
Food: citrus fruits, apples, onions, parsley, broccoli, dark berries
- resveratrol, a polyphenol found mainly in berries, offers strong antioxidant effects while at the same time being anti-inflammatory and cell protective. Studies show that resveratrol can support wound healing and counteract excessive scarring.
Food: grapes, strawberries, blackberries, mulberries, cocoa, dark chocolate, cranberries
Tattoo care for longevity
Taking care of your tattoo is the same as taking care of your overall health. Just as you listen and learn what your body needs, you want to do the same with your fresh tattoo.
Familiarize yourself with your tattoo needs by examining the appearance of the ink and feeling gently for possible peeling, itching and/or dryness. You may realize that your skin requires more nutrients and hydration than you thought, just as you would when recovering from an illness. You should apply moisturizers (refers to natural tattoo aftercare) on your tattoo daily – up to 2-3 times a day for 2+ weeks depending on the size of your tattoo, your skin type and the season.
For long lasting vibrancy and longevity, tattoo wearers hydrate their ink regularly for life!
And remember, internal hydration is just as important as external hydration. Consume plenty of fluids that hydrate at the cellular level: spring water, mineral water, filtered water with fresh fruits and herbs, fresh fruit juice, organic grass-fed milk, and herbal teas.
You know yourself better
Whether you’re new or seasoned to the world of tattooing, finding a regimen that works for you, your skin, your diet, and your schedule will require careful experimentation and an awareness of your body’s reactions.
Pay attention to the ingredients of both topical treatments and nutritional supplements you buy. Natural tattoo aftercare is often much simpler and more accessible than you might think – you can easily purchase many topical and dietary treatments online, at a health food store, or even create them at home. Each person is as beautifully unique as the ink they choose to adorn themselves with and so will their tattoo aftercare regimen.
About the author: Gabija Mazunaite is a current student in NTI’s Master Nutrition Therapist program. Her love of holistic health, natural living, and championing deep self-knowledge challenges the idea that health is multidimensional and unique to you. For daily food, fitness and wellness inspiration, follow Gabija on her Instagram page: @glowwithgabija
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