What happens to a tattoo when gaining or losing weight
Probably you have already been warned by "well-wishers": "You will put on weight and the tattoo will float". Is it so? Actually, that the figure on a skin has changed, the weight gain should make up 20-40 % from initial body weight. That is, if you weighed 60 kg and gained 12 to 30, then you'll notice a change. The picture will slightly lighten due to skin tension, become a little larger, and the proportions may change. However, most of the replenished owners of tattoos easy to refer to these deformities do not think that the image looked worse.
Can we make it quicker?
Yes, the healing process, as it turns out, can be accelerated a little. It is necessary to accelerate from the contrary:
- Do not scratch or pick at the tattoo site;
- Do not sunbathe in the open sun or in a tanning bed;
- Do not drink alcohol and coffee;
- Do not forget to use moisturizing cream.
That is, in fact, all the recommendations of experts on this subject. As the "experienced" say, tattoos really are healing very quickly and stop bringing discomfort literally in a couple of days.
How to prevent tattoo changes with weight fluctuations
There are several factors that affect whether or not a tattoo will change after a change in body weight:
- Individual characteristics;
- The elasticity and firmness of the skin;
- The quality of execution of the tattoo;
- style and design;
- degree of change in weight;
- location of the design.
Let's pay attention to two important factors: design and location. The least noticeable changes are on complex drawings with smooth lines and lots of detail. Flowers and leaves, sea waves, fantasy drawings and similar subjects are out of the zone of risk. But portraits of people, geometric patterns and inscriptions change more noticeably.
Also very important is the place where you get the tattoo. On the body there are areas in which, due to the peculiarities of human anatomy, fat deposits are formed more often. Exactly here the most intensively change volumes, and hence the skin. These are thighs, abdomen, inner side of shoulders, buttocks, and for women - breasts. And in areas such as the shoulder blades, ankles, lower legs, wrists, forearms and neck, the fat layer is always thinner, so tattoos in these places are not afraid of weight fluctuations.
Do tattoos adorn a pumped-up body? Tattoos and bodybuilding
For many of us, tattoos and strength training are inseparable concepts. They immediately bring to mind the image of the classic strongman, a kind of "bully" - a warrior. Both are brutal and demanding; but they share the same goal of making your body the way you want it to be!
However, this kind of body transformation goes beyond physical aesthetics. When you exercise and get tattoos, it's always about what the eye can't see. A powerful, muscular body may show others health, strength and attractiveness; but many of us see what's hidden: tenacity, struggle and dedication. A tattooed body demonstrates these same qualities, as well as a few additional ones. Whether it's a tattoo or a body like Vin Diesel's, you show off your results with pride. You've earned them!
Yes, by the way, there's another great similarity between the two: there's a lot of questionable information around on the subject of tattoos and workouts. And given that I'm closely associated with both, it's not surprising that I'm often asked questions linking the two. Here are some of the questions I am most often asked.
They immediately conjure up images of the classic strongman, the "bully" warrior.
I WANT A TATTOO ON MY ARM, BUT MY ARMS ARE GROWING IN SIZE! WON'T THE TATTOO STRETCH?
The short answer is no. You see, when the skin stretches, it only happens in certain areas. Biceps and triceps don't stretch. When your arms get bigger, it's at the expense of the skin around your armpits. To see for yourself, look at where the stretch marks are in people who have changed their weight in a very short time. They are almost always located around the armpits (And you're not me, you're not likely to want a tattoo in that spot!).
Even if the increase in muscle is significant, your tattoo is unlikely to stretch to the same state. A difference of a few centimeters in circumference will astronomically change the look of your arm, but will be virtually invisible in the overall appearance of the tattoo. Heck, even if you don't exercise, your skin still changes over time. That's life. So if you want a tattoo on your biceps, get one!
I'VE HEARD THAT TATTOOS NEED TIME TO HEAL. DO I HAVE TO STOP WORKING OUT IF I GET A TATTOO?
Not necessarily - but you should still give it time to heal. Think back to your last intense, hard leg workout? Remember how you felt the next day? That's how your muscles need recovery, similarly your skin needs it.
What really matters is how you take care of your tattoo for the first 10-15 days, not the next 10-15 years. Just as there is no guarantee in your fitness after going to the gym, in the same way you don't know what will happen to your tattoo when you leave the tattoo parlor. Keep it clean and moisturized, and don't expose it to sunlight.
Even if the increase in muscle is significant, your tattoo is unlikely to stretch to the same condition.
I recommend not exercising the area with the newly tattooed area for at least 2-3 days. That doesn't mean you should stop working out altogether, just approach things wisely. If you've had your sleeve tattooed, work out your legs for now. If the tattoo is on your hip, do abs or pull-ups.
But, whether you have new tattoos or not, if you feel exhausted, drained or tired, then I strongly suggest you - listen to your body. You know best how long it will take your body to recover, regardless of anything you've read somewhere (including what you've read here!). No doubt, I advise you to force yourself if you want to achieve something more, but nevertheless: listen to your intuition - it will help you to achieve great results.
I'VE HAD GOOD RESULTS AT THE GYM. IF I GET A TATTOO, WON'T IT HURT MY FITNESS?
Understandably, those of us who work hard at the gym don't want the tattoo to be the first thing that catches our eye, not our workout results. But luckily, tattoos and workouts complement each other perfectly! Look at life examples: Dave Batista, Christmas Abbott or Jim Stoppani. Bold, strong tattoos look great on a bold, strong body, like those proverbial gloves.
If your tattoos match your musculature in shape and size, it will improve the look and results of your work - in most cases. I don't recommend doing a tiny drawing on a large body part.
If you have more questions about tattoos and workouts or need advice, post it in the comments below. In the meantime, make Russia beautiful! Work out and get your tattoos on!
Tattoo on your belly after pregnancy and childbirth
Many girls are afraid to do tattoos on the abdomen, because they are worried whether the appearance of the drawings will be the same before and after pregnancy. Indeed, while a woman is carrying the baby, the skin on her abdomen together with the tattoo stretches quite quickly and strongly, especially during the third trimester of pregnancy. But after delivery the abdomen gradually returns to its original appearance, especially if the skin is firm and elastic, and the young mother leads a healthy lifestyle.
Another risk factor is stretch marks. These are defects that form on the skin as a consequence of stretching too quickly. At first they have a purple hue, then lighten. They do not appear in everyone. As a rule, genetics and the smoothness of weight gain affect them. If your weight has increased in leaps and bounds, and your mother and grandmother also had stretch marks, your chances of getting them increase. Usually they are localized in the lower abdomen and on the sides, so it makes sense to do a tattoo a little to the side. By the way, you can decorate your abdomen with a drawing even after childbirth - it will help to disguise stretch marks, if they embarrass you. The main thing is to do it not during the pregnancy, but after a few months.
The back of the neck
The front of the neck is a tell-tale sign of age: it often features wrinkles and sagging skin. In addition, excess fat is also deposited in this area of the body. But age-related changes are less of a concern in the under-neck area. Tattooed below the hairline at the back of the head, long term attractiveness, especially if you cover this area with loose hair.
The effect of plastic surgery on the tattoo
Another way to change the contours of your body is to have plastic surgery. In this case, unlike general weight loss or weight gain, one specific area undergoes changes. And if these changes involve a significant increase or decrease, it should be understood that tattoos will be affected as well. Examples of such surgeries are:
- Correction with implants and fillers (breasts, buttocks);
- Skin lifting (face, neck, cleavage, abdomen, inner arm surface)
- Liposuction (stomach, hips, inner arm surface).
If you are planning such manipulations it is worth to postpone the session in the tattoo salon for the period when you finally recover after the plastic surgery.
Correction of deformed tattoo works
What to do if the tattoo is still deformed? Here there are several solutions:
- Retouch the design and correct the distorted details - the easiest and most popular way;
- Add new elements to cover places you don't like;
- completely overlap the old image with the new one;
- Laser tattoo removal.
If you choose the latter option, keep in mind that you won't be able to remove the pigment without a trace. Depending on the characteristics of your skin, ink, and depth of application, you will either get a very light version of the current pattern, or small islands of color.
Morning after or life after
Many bodybuilders are interested in a question - and what immediately after the tattoo is done? I wake up all this beautiful ... and I can't go to the workout. This is also a misconception. The process of tattooing is a process of "micro-scratching" the skin. Would you put off working out if you scratched your leg or arm? Not likely.
Naturally, if the "scratch" was made in the size of the entire back or covered most of the shoulders and forearms with a tattoo, then a couple or three days should rest from rocking. For reasons of common sense - so as not to touch the awkward movements of the healing skin unnecessarily.
If you're a person who is more interested in exercising every day, go for a jog. This will diversify your workout and won't hurt the healing process of the skin (unless, of course, you drew a picture on the heel).
Tattoos as a way to cover up skin imperfections
We started the conversation by figuring out how body modifications affect tattoos. Now let's talk about the opposite: how tattoos can hide unwanted body transformations.
Covering up belly scars with tattoos
With the help of a tattoo you can hide scars on the abdomen after a C-section, stitches after the removal of the appendix, traces of other operations or injuries. By the way, the process of introducing pigment into the skin has the additional effect of smoothing scar tissue. Many tattoo owners notice that after the procedure, their scars have become smoother and more invisible.
Tattoo on the place of stretch marks
We have already talked about the fact that with the help of tattoos you can hide stretch marks on the abdomen after pregnancy. But these stripes appear not only in young mothers, but also with rapid puberty in adolescent girls, when the body rapidly rounded. Striae may also occur with a lot of weight gain. If you want to see something beautiful on the abdomen instead of stretch marks, the tattoo parlor will make you overlap.
Overlapping scars from burns and other defects
Burns, animal bite marks, cuts - our body holds the memory of many events in life. Some you want to forget about as quickly as possible, and some you will always remember. Quality tattoos can do both. In the first case, the master will artfully cover the defect, in the second he will make it a part of the composition and accentuate.
Read more about creative overlapping of defects with the help of tattoo work in this article.
Getting a tattoo: before you decide to do it - Why not?
According to the Pew Research Center, 40% of people aged 26 to 40 have at least one tattoo. Anastasia Zavozova, a correspondent of Allure magazine, found out what a modern tattoo is, on which parts of the body it is better to do it, why everyone is crazy about flash tattoos and how to understand if you are ready to risk your skin.
In my childhood, transferable pictures were glued to themselves by preschoolers. Now you can buy them in any beauty salon, and a fully grown-up Beyoncé collects millions of likes with a picture of a tanned bicep with a shiny flash tattoo: a gold chain, glued in the same old way - with water and tongue sticking out from stress. She released her collection of temporary tattoos in collaboration with Flash Tattoos founder Miranda Burnett (some are named like her songs: Naughty Girl, for example). Selena Gomez and Vanessa Hudgens repeated the design of their jewelry in the form of temporary tattoos, and even a young Harper Beckham put a "transferable picture" with minions on Daddy David.
Miley Cyrus has a tattoo in honor of her grandmother, and Rihanna's tattoo artist nicknamed Bang Bang says that his client tattoos mark important events in life, not afraid of pain and every time she jumps for joy, like a girl. The singer herself recently launched a flash tattoo collection with designer Jackie Enck. Cara Delevingne's tattoos help her business: in 2014, the Mulberry brand launched a collection of handbags with Cara's tattoos, including her first tattoo (a lion), which she got on her finger in 2013. Since then, the model has gotten about twenty of them.
Won't it hurt?
Honestly, I've been wanting to get a tattoo for a long time - a cute little sheep behind my ear. "I do not recommend doing tattoos behind the ears and on the front of the neck," grieves me famous tattoo master Tatiana Buturlina, to whom I came to consult at the studio in Taganskaya. - In these areas is very capricious skin. If something goes wrong, a small tattoo will look like a dirty spot which you just can't hide.
What's the best place to get a tattoo? I'm not really afraid of pain, but I don't want to squirm - not even for a sheep. "The myth that getting a tattoo is wildly painful comes from Soviet times," reassures Maria Kaminskaya, a member of the Creative Union of Professional Artists of Russia and a tattoo artist. - Before, they were made with primitive machines that ran on motors from hair dryers and electric shavers. Instead of needles they used sharpened guitar strings. Today's tools can blot the skin in a single pass of the needle. Devices are developed by masters together with dermatologists and allow adjustment of work modes individually for each client, and modern needles are strictly disposable and made of surgical steel".
And still masters agree that the most painless place for a tattoo is the outer side of the shoulder and upper back closer to the shoulders. On the inside and under the arms, the drawing hurts because of the lymph nodes and many nerve endings. If you have not decided until the end, stick a flash tattoo in different places and see if they will not bore you.
Sore spots include feet, wrists, hands, chest, neck, sides, stomach. "Be sure to have a snack before your session, eat something sweet to 'put your body to sleep,'" Kaminskaya advises. - Drink a painkiller. Alcohol consumption before the session is contraindicated: under its influence the subcutaneous blood circulation changes, and in the process of work it can be released more than usual - as a result the paint will be washed out". A tattoo on the butt can also bring the mistress many bitter tears. It's just muscle and fat, what's there to hurt? "Imagine being injected into your buttocks continuously for two hours," says Tatiana. - It is very painful, so I always use anesthesia in this area." With the feet, there is another problem: the skin there is not only thin, but most often dry. Therefore, the tattoo can "erase" over time, along with the stratum corneum. So consider the condition of your skin depending on the area.
Why here?
Tatiana asks me to stand up, to turn around. Examines my back. "Your shoulder blades or upper back," she concludes. - You have a tattoo that will fit best in this spot." She knew right away that if I decided to get a tattoo, then a) I wouldn't want to show it to everyone and b) I wouldn't want to see it often myself. Hence the choice of location.
Tattoos were originally a way of marking one's belonging - to anything. Psychoanalyst Aleksandra Gibinska emphasizes the appeal of tattoos: "They can serve as a psychological support. For example, a shy person tattooed a tiger in the area that is in his field of vision, and he helps him in difficult situations. Many people get tattoos in inconspicuous places. This is a kind of fig in the pocket, a joke - something you do not know about me. The back is often the choice of the secretive and cautious, unless the man walks around with a naked torso all day.
By the way, girls are more relaxed about tattoos than men. "For women, it's also a way to screen out unwanted audiences - snobs, prudes, and insecure men," explains Gibinska. - On the dating sites only men can see in the questionnaire a request to the future chosen one: "No tattoos on the body". Most often this means that the man is not too confident in his masculinity.
No tattoos at a time of crisis, when "life is not good and the world is unfair." "People often come to me to fix drawings made ten or even twenty years ago," says Tatiana. - People outgrow their youthful tattoos. Then I re-draw a new one, but sometimes it's hard to fix something. For example, you can't do anything with solid black.
Nina Jablonski, an American anthropology professor, wrote an entire study about skin and tattoos Skin: A Natural History. In the study she claims that tattoos are at their peak in popularity today. People from all walks of life get them for a variety of reasons, including the fact that it is fashionable. Tattoos, Jablonski writes, have evolved from something half-basement and criminal to an art form, a way of decorating oneself - like wearing a necklace or a bracelet (think of singer Lily Allen's tattoo - a bracelet with pendants). According to Jablonski's observations, the decision to get a tattoo most often matures in a person under the age of 35. Which is right: the pictures, especially large paintings, look better on young skin.
Russian masters say that the first tattoo many girls do at 18, when no longer need to ask permission from parents, and come into taste. More often than not, they are driven by an urge and a desire to assert themselves. According to the British Association of Dermatologists, 33% of women who got tattoos in their youth later regret it. The same study confirms that with the drawings made at age over 21, their owners tend to live "happily ever after". Those who, like me, think about the first tattoo after 30, most often want to mark thus an important moment in life, but such people are much less: only 10-20% of women decide for the first tattoo after 30.
What about the skin?
You need to think about your skin first - no matter what kind of tattoo you want, a transferable or permanent one. "There's no harm in transferable ones," explains dermatocosmetologist Leila Roz. - True, there may be an allergic reaction to the adhesive compound, so don't apply sunscreen to a flash tattoo, or test it with seawater or chlorinated water in the pool. And remember: under such tattoos the skin does not breathe, they block the sweat glands, and if the tattoo is large, swelling may occur."
As for permanent images, Leila cautions: allergies to dyes can occur unpredictably in a person - in the same salon he can get two tattoos with the same dyes, but in one case there will be an allergic reaction, and in the other - not. Plus, color pigments on the skin can behave differently for different people. One person's black color will then become a bluish-gray, and another person's color will become a warm brown.
Always ask the master for the certificates of conformity of dyes and the permission to use them in the territory of the Russian Federation. During the first two weeks wash tattoos with antibacterial soap three times a day, stay away from such "incubators of germs" as swimming pools, saunas and gyms, as well as do not shave the tattoo area or apply makeup on it.
What kind of design?
Deciding what you want to tattoo is difficult. The same sheep - what kind of drawing to do? There are, of course, options in catalogs. "A tattoo is a way to stand out from the crowd," says Maria Kaminskaya. - So why choose a catalog drawing? It is better to come to a master who will draw a sketch especially for you - no one else will have such a tattoo." Masters, who work in salons, often decorate walls not with own works, but with masterpieces of other tattooists. Therefore, before ordering a specialist, make sure that you see exactly his work.
"If you want to tattoo the image of an animal - advises Tatiana - select the preliminary drawings, get acquainted with different styles, show the master that you like. For example, once I was brought a picture of a sunset and said: "I like this color. Or they showed me pictures of ornaments, and said, 'I like these little squiggles. It makes a lot of sense right away." If you want to get a tattoo promptly, choose watercolor drawings. They seem complicated, but they are faster than outline drawings.
There are three leading trends in the industry right now. The first is miniatures. The motifs are the same (stars, flowers, initials), but greatly reduced. The second is the occult images, special symbols (signs, geometric shapes). Be careful with crosses - they can look satanic. One of the most difficult shapes to stuff is a circle. With such an order, go to an experienced tattooist. And the third trending trend is inverted tattoos. Historically, tattoos were tattooed so that they could be read by others, but now there is a reverse trend: people want to make a sign visible only to themselves.
THE SECRETS OF TATTOO ARTISTS
Whether it is necessary to protect a tattoo from the sun, it is necessary to do white and from what his price is made up?
1. If after vacation you see that the tattoo has faded, it may be that you didn't protect it well with sunscreen and now you see the design through the brown "color filter" of the tan. Do not buy special sun protection for tattoos, it is no different from ordinary sun protection. If the tattoo is concealed by clothing, hold the cloth of the clothing up to the light: if you can see through it, then it will not protect from the sun.
2. avoid white ink: it behaves unpredictably. Depending on how the ink reacts with your skin pigment, a white tattoo may turn yellow or even brown. Rather than get an inconspicuous tattoo, it's better not to get one at all. If you haven't decided what kind of design you want, then you're not ready yet. Think about it and revisit the idea in two weeks or two years. The tattoo is not going anywhere.
3. a tattoo from a good master can't be cheap. Price of a good tattoo machine - from €1500, a professional has at least three such machines. Plus the cost of wipes, clingfilm, anesthetics, Vaseline, office maintenance, couch cushioning, disposable needles and spouts, ultrasonic boilers, and ultraviolet sterilization chambers.
To be or not to be?
So, it's decided: beat on the back. But something is stopping me. What? "A tattoo is, after all, an irreversible thing," Maria says. - It's better not to do it than to do it if there is the slightest doubt." Her words are confirmed by Leila Roz: "You shouldn't rely on lasers. Even if you pay a lot of money and remove the tattoo (some pigments, like blue and green, are difficult to remove), the skin texture will not be the same.
But in my case, it's also the need to constantly answer questions about what my sheep means and why I made it. Yes, it's not in the most prominent place. But, let's say, I don't need this kind of questioning at the beach. Besides, no master can predict what the tattoo will look like in twenty years. So I'd rather live without a tattoo for now.
There are stars in every drawing
Tattoo master of Ink Label salon Olga Volta evaluates different places for tattoos on the example of famous models, singers and actresses.
