Tattoos are done after the COVID-19 vaccine are a new subject, and it’s not something that has been discussed in the past months. Most vaccines are not affected by tattoos in any way, and getting a tattoo before or after having the vaccine will not reduce the vaccine’s efficacy.
How long do I need to wait after vaccination?
Doctors are not advising any required wait time between getting the vaccine and being tattooed, but it might not be a bright idea to head to the tattoo shop right after you want a tattoo near the injection site.
Take good care of your tattoo during traveling.
COVID-19 vaccines create work for our immune systems, or at least that’s what we have been told, leaving us more prone to other infections. If you have recently had the vaccine, it is paramount to protect your tattoo when traveling adequately. Follow the usual precautions strictly:
Listen to The Tattoo Artist
Your tattoo artist has years or decades of experience with the right way to treat each tattoo. Follow their advice, even if you have other tattoos that you treated under other advice and guidance.
Pack Cleaning Supplies
A new tattoo needs to be cleaned regularly to prevent infections and minimize excess scabbing. You might not always have access to fresh water and a clean cloth if you are on the road, so always pack plenty of non-alcoholic, anti-bacterial wet wipes. Always wash your hands first before touching or cleaning your tattoo.
Avoid Direct Sunlight
Direct sunlight on a fresh tattoo can cause the ink to fade or lose intensity. If your tattoo is in a spot, you can’t cover while driving, apply the highest SPF sunscreen you can buy, and reapply it frequently.
Don’t Scratch
As the skin heals, a new tattoo can itch a lot. Would you please resist the temptation to scratch it at all costs?
Giving in could result in an infection or damage your tattoo by scarring the skin or causing more ink to leak out. Applying a cold bandage to the area can temporarily relieve the itching, but wrap it in something first to keep your skin dry. Waterlogged skin will leak out more ink.
Understand risks and precautions
Getting your tattoo done in a safe tattoo shop will significantly reduce the potential risks associated with getting a tattoo, but there are other precautions you should take. These are even more important if your immune system is temporarily weakened as it works on a response to the vaccine.
Possible Risks:
Allergic Reactions
A small percentage of tattooed clients can develop an allergic reaction to tattoo ink. This can cause a rash or discoloration of the skin.
Skin Infection
Tattooing leaves hundreds of tiny wounds on your skin. They can get infected by poor hygiene at the shop or poor aftercare of the tattoo as it heals.
Blood Borne Diseases
If a shop does not correctly sterilize equipment and use fresh needles for every tattoo, your tattoo could be contaminated by infected blood.
Precautions
Any safe tattoo shop will have very strict hygiene rules to sterilize and disinfect everything in the shop that is not disposable. Not all states endorse the same rules, regulations, and requirements, so make sure you are happy with the safety standards in place. Worryingly, not all states require tattoo artists to wear gloves or use new needles for every client.
Every reputable tattoo artist will make a point of opening the package to a new set of needles right in front of you so that you know they are unused. Under no circumstances should you allow someone to tattoo you if you did not see the needles removed from the package.
Doing your research on a tattoo shop is so important. Please look at their website and reviews, paying particular attention to customers saying they had a health problem or a poorly healed tattoo after visiting the shop.
Microblading or botox procedure in between doses of the COVID-19 vaccine
Microblading and botox also do not interfere with the vaccine. However, just like tattoos, they can be more susceptible to infection due to your overworked immune system.
Do’s and Don’ts before and after your COVID-19 shot.
A tattoo can cause temporary pain, soreness, and reddened skin. Getting a tattoo done near the injection site directly before or after the vaccine will make both more painful. Some people can also experience nausea or fatigue for a day or two after getting a tattoo.
These conditions will not affect the vaccine itself, but they can make it more difficult to accurately identify possible side effects or adverse reactions to the vaccine. You might also ignore the signs of an infection from your tattoo, thinking you are just feeling run down from the vaccine.
Eat plenty of healthy foods before and after the vaccine to help your immune system out, and you will have a better experience if you wait out any possible side effects before heading to the tattoo shop.
