Why Your Tattoo Feels Different in Humidity (And What to Do About It)?

You have just come out of the SurfnInk Gold Coast studio with a new master piece. However, when you enter the hot and tropical atmosphere of Australia, you discover something: your tattoo does not feel like before. You may find it more weepy than it normally is, or sticky, or maybe it is taking longer to scab than your earlier tattoos back in Australia or Europe.

There is a biological disparity between curing a tattoo in a tropical climate with 80 percent humidity. humidity on the one hand, and, on the other, in a dry temperate climate. The humidity of the air alters the regenerative process in your skin and the effectiveness of your ordinary after-care program.

We are aware of the special problems of tropical healing at SurfnInk. This is your tutorial on changing your aftercare regime to ensure that the best results are achieved with your ink, even during hot weather.

Why Does My Fresh Tattoo Feel So “Wet” Or Sticky In Gold Coast?

Plasma (or the clear liquid that leaks out of a fresh wound) dries up rather fast, in a dry climate, to cover the wound with a protective scab. In Australia, the humidity is too high, and this fluid does not evaporate easily.

• The Science: High ambient moisture is a natural way of keeping the wound bed hydrated. Although it is usually good when a wound is moist, too much moisture may result in maceration. It is at this time that the skin turns white, wet, and tender (when you spend too much time in the bath).
• The Sensation: You will be inclined to think that the tattoo is a bit longer than normal, and sweating ink or plasma. It is a blend of plasma, ink, and ambient humidity that is resting upon the skin surface.

Should I Change My Aftercare Products For The Humidity?

Yes, you absolutely should.

Ointments that are thick and petroleum-based (such as Bepanthen or A+D) work wonders in dry winters, but are harmful in a tropical summer.

• The Issue: Thick ointments develop an occlusive layer. This barrier catches the sweat and body heat against the fresh tattoo in extreme heat. This may congest your pores, causing miliaria (heat rash), small red spots all over your tattoo.

The Solution: Not more, not less in Australia.

• Change to a light, water, fragrance-free lotion at least way earlier than at home.
• Thinly apply a layer of film that is almost shiny.
• In case your skin is sufficiently humid because of the climate, you might not need to moisturize as often. Listen to your skin.

How Do I Handle Sweating With A Fresh Tattoo?

Gold Coast is tough to evade sweat, which may be a nuisance. Bacteria and salts are present in sweat that may sting an open wound, resulting in infection.

• Never leave it: If you had been walking and gotten a sweat on, do not leave it there on the tattoo.
• Rinse, do not gouge: When you get back to your villa, you need to rinse, not scrub, to take away the salts of the sweat with a little water of lukewarm (clean/bottled) and a mild soap.
• Pat dry immediately: Wipe your hands with a paper towel at once. Incidents of having a shared hotel towel should be avoided because this towel can harbor wet germs.

Is Air Conditioning Good Or Bad For My Tattoo?

The first 3 days of healing in Australia are the best time to be air-conditioned.

The AC units are also like dehumidifiers, and they remove the moisture in the air. Within an air-conditioned room, it is beneficial to spend time with the breath of the tattoo, enabling the first layer of plasma to become dry and form a healthy scab.

Hint: When you feel like your tattoo is moist and sticky all day, you can actually air it out and have it dry naturally by taking it to your AC room in the evening with the tattoo uncovered (no bandages and heavy clothes). This will only harm your tattoo.

What Is “Heat Rash” And How Do I Avoid It?

The heat rash (prickly heat) is typical on fresh tattoos in the tropics. It appears in the form of a bunch of tiny red pimples. It occurs when the passageways of sweat are obstructed by heavy cream or constricted clothes (such as plastic wrap that is left at excessive length).

Avoidance: Do not cover your tattoo with plastic cling wrap after you have exited the studio and pulled off the original bandage. Your skin needs to breathe.

Therapy: In case bumps start showing up, cease moisturising. Clean the area, dry it, and be in a cool place. Allow the tattoo to dry thoroughly till the bumps disappear.

Does Humidity Affect The Peeling Stage?

Yes. Your tattoo may not peel in Australia. Tattoos in arid climates tend to be scaled off, leaving big, crunchy scales. When in cold, the scabs were usually softer and could peel in smaller and thinner layers (like a sunburn peeling). This is actually a good thing! The soft scabs will not stick to clothes or tear prematurely, thus creating less likelihood of scarring.

Conclusion

There is nothing wrong with healing a tattoo in Australia; however, you must observe the climate. The golden rule is not too difficult: keep it clean, keep it cool, and put not too much moisturizer on. Your SurfnInk Gold Coast souvenir will be healed perfectly by changing your aftercare according to the humidity.

FAQs

Is tap water in Australia safe to wash my tattoo?

We recommend being cautious. You can use the tap water to treat the general body; however, in the open wound phase (first 48-72 hours), it is more appropriate that you use the bottled or burned water, then cooled water to rinse the final wound. Australia tap water may have bacteria that are sensitive to fresh wounds.

My tattoo smells a little bit. Is that normal?

Transient, slight metallic odor (of the iron in blood/plasma) is normal. Nevertheless, bacteria breed more in humidity. In case the tattoo is reeking of sour/rotten odor, or is leaking thick yellow/green, immediately consult a doctor.

Can I use baby powder to keep it dry?

No. Do not apply powder to a new tattoo. It will fuse along with the plasma and the ink to form a paste within which bacteria will breed, and that will suffocate the wound. Dry it with the help of a clean paper towel and air conditioning, in case of necessity.