You may have a new tattoo and be concerned that it is blurry or smudged. This could be a symptom of a tattoo blowout, a widespread issue that may impact the way your ink looks. However, what is a tattoo blowout, what causes it, and how to treat it? This is what you should know:
What Is A Tattoo Blowout?
A tattoo blowout is when the tattoo ink spreads outside the intended lines of the design, resulting in a blurred or distorted image. This is what occurs when the ink is injected too far beneath the skin, penetrating the fat layer beneath the epidermis. The ink then circulates in this layer, resulting in the blowout effect.
A tattoo blowout can develop within a few days of getting a new tattoo or it may develop gradually as the tattoo ages. Some may have mild blowouts while others have severe ones. In any case, a tattoo blowout can spoil the look of your tattoo and you will not be satisfied with the result.
The main reason for a tattoo blowout is bad technique on the part of the tattoo artist. When an artist presses too hard, uses an incorrect angle, or works too fastly, they can injure the skin and insert the ink too deep into the skin. It may also lead to scarring and infection in some cases.
What are the depending factors of tattoo blowout
Some depending factors are:
- The location of the tattoo: Some parts of the body have thinner skin or more fat, so they are more likely to have blowouts. These are the wrists, ankles, elbows, knees, neck, and chest.
- The type of ink: Some inks are more prone to bleed or fade as compared to others, especially those of poor quality or diluted.
- The size and type of the tattoo: Fine-line and detail tattoos are more challenging and require higher precision and skill. Larger tattoos with solid colors and shading allow for easier management and conceal any flaws.
- The aftercare of the tattoo: The way you treat your tattoo in the healing process also affects its look. You should listen to the instructions of your artist and never scratch, pick, or expose your tattoo to sunlight, water or chemicals.
What To Do With A Tattoo Blowout?
A tattoo blowout cannot be undone after it has occurred. However, there are a few ways to make it less conspicuous or hide it altogether. Here are some:
- One way of hiding the blowout is to add more ink to the tattoo, either by adding more details, colours, or shading or getting a new design over the old design. This will need an artist who is well-trained and professional to work with the blowout and create a more aesthetically pleasing tattoo.
- Â Also, you can choose laser therapy to remove or lighten the blown-out ink from your skin. This will involve multiple sessions of exposing your tattoo to high-intensity light beams that disintegrate the ink particles. However, this approach does not guarantee that it will work for some tattoos and can be costly, painful, and dangerous.
- Â In some cases, you may opt to have your tattoo surgically removed. This will involve excising the compromised skin and suturing or grafting new skin. This is a highly invasive and intricate operation that may leave scars and have significant complications.
What To Do To Avoid A Tattoo Blowout?
The best way to avoid a tattoo blowout is to select a reliable and experienced tattoo artist skilled in creating quality tattoos. You should also do some research about the style, size, and placement of your preferred tattoo and talk about it with your artist before the procedure.
Moreover, you should follow these tips to avoid a tattoo blowout:
- Do not get tattoos on areas that are thin-skinned or have more fat.
- Â Select a good ink that is compatible with your skin type and color.
- Â Do not get tattoos that are either too tiny or too complicated.
- Â Follow the recommended aftercare instructions and ensure that your tattoo remains clean and moisturized.
- Â Shield your tattoo from the sun, water, and chemicals.
The Final Takeaway
A blowout is one of the most common issues that can affect your new tattoo. It happens when the ink is injected too deep and goes beyond the design lines. It may arise due to poor technique by the artist or other factors like location, ink type, size, style, and the aftercare of the tattoo.
Tattoo blowout is irreversible, but there are ways to make the tattoo less visible or cover it entirely. These include correcting it through further tattooing, laser treatment, or surgery.
FAQ
What is Tattoo Blowout?
Tattoo blowout is the blurring and smudging of a tattoo during and after the healing process. It happens when a tattoo gets under the skin layer, strikes fat or veins, or when scarring occurs.
How does Tattoo Blowout happen?
If bad aftercare is provided, it can lead to a tattoo blowout, but this is more likely to occur if a tattoo was inked incorrectly from the start. It occurs when the ink has penetrated beyond the epidermis into the hypodermis, which is where the veins, fat and spider veins are located.
