Is it okay to scratch a new tattoo?

Question

And if not, what will scratching it do? I just got a new tattoo, my first one on my back, *&* it itches so bad, they told me to just slap it, but that doesn't give any relief. Does anyone know of something I could put on it that wouldn't mess the tattoo up, but would stop it from itching?

Answer 1

Yeah, that is the worst...on the back...at least in other place it is easier to put your after care product on easier, etc. You already know it is not okay to scratch it, really...I know you are looking for some relief.



Sometimes people put regular lotions on too soon and that can even make an itching tattoo feel worse. If unbearable, try an ice bag for a little bit. Clients have told me they put on a clean shirt and just bounce against the back of a chair...whatever works without scratching!



Added notes here 2/13



While you can certainly lose color from scratching, another important reason not to scratch, is to avoid infection. We have more bacteria under one fingernail than on the rest of our hand. No scratching!

Answer 2

Scratching is a huge no no! If you scratch it will fade faster because your nails pull the coloring out of the tattoo. Don't scratch but rub gently with the palm of your hand or slap. You might be able to find an itch reliever in the store to put on it very very lightly but I wouldn't put any heavy ointments on it or leave a powder on because it could get infected. The itching means your skin is healing, it will stop when your skin is regenerated properly. Don't pick at any scabs either, all of these irritants make the healing take longer and pull color out of your tattoo. Good luck with the tat!

Answer 3

Just suck it up and leave it alone by the way dont use anti itch cream a tattoo is considered an open wound while it healing and you shouldnt put any kind of over the counter medicine on it in fact most tattoo artists recommend staying away from neosporin even because things in the neosporin can affect the inks keep a light coating of lubriderm or aquaphor on it not enough to saturate if its shiny then you put too much you sat through the tattoo now just tough it out

Answer 4

NO! It's not o.k. to scratch. If you scratch off the scab it will discolor your tattoo. Go get some Nivea lotion and keep it on there all the time. This will help with the itching and will promote healing. My son got a tattoo and this is what he did, he said it works! Good luck!

Answer 5

Nooooo!!! I knew a lady that scratched her tattoo because she had been in the tanning bed and it made her skin dry out. Then, when she scratched the tattoo it tore a whole leaf of one of the flowers off. Deep! It was so gross! It healed but it's a million wonders it didn't get infected.

Answer 6

Put fragrance free lotion on it. Often. and continue the slapping. I just got one that goes from my shoulder almost to my elbow on Friday. I am an itching mess right now. But no scratching.. Good luck.



I won't lie though. I have been away from my lotion before. I have used the back of my fingers to lightly scratch a new tat. Use the back side of the fingers, that way nothing is "dug" out of the tat. But if you can, go for the lotion and slapping method.

Answer 7

put the lotion they told you to use on it. Scratching it will potentially pull the ink out of your tattoo via some of the scabs....DO NOT SCRATCH IT...there's a reason they told you not to do that in the first place.

Answer 8

no dont scratch it. it could tear the scabs off of it and mess the color up in it or cause it to scar which wouldnt be good either. i never got much satisfaction from the the slapping either and i really dont know what to do to help it. its just something you have to deal with but it should be gone in about a week so you dont have to deal with it much long.

Answer 9

There is an anti-itch cream from GoldBond. It works great. Do not scratch your tattoo. You can get an infection and you risk damaging the colour. You can make it come off.

Answer 10

DO NOT SCRATCH YOUR TATTOO!!!!!

use lubriderm daily moisture lotion

Answer 11

You want to use a product that will not cause rapid healing, as you don't want the tattoo to heal fast this will cause scarring.

Answer 12

NO! Get a non-scented lotion and rub on it. It will stop itching in a few days

Answer 13

no!!! don't scratch it because you can end up removing ink!! just pat it and it will get better in a few days!!!

Answer 14

hell no you will make it look like one of them kids lollypop paper tattooes . It will go blotchy in other words

Answer 15

know this it will mess up the art work time is all to stop itching sorry

Answer 16

No I usually slap mine, infections and loss of ink can occur, the good news (in my case is) the more of them you get the less they itch.