What Causes Bruising After Getting An Inner Arm Tattoo? Care Tips

What Causes Bruising After Getting a Tattoo on the Inner Arm?

Bruising is a common side effect after getting tattooed, especially in sensitive areas with thin skin like the inner arm. Some amount of bruising is normal, but excessive or spreading bruise around a new tattoo can cause concern.

There are a few reasons why inner arm tattoos are prone to bruising:

Thin Skin

The inner arm has very thin skin without a lot of protective fatty tissue underneath. The needle moves in and out of the skin rapidly during tattooing, which can rupture blood vessels under the skin. With less cushioning fat and tissue, it's easier to damage blood vessels and cause leakage of blood under the skin, resulting in bruising.

Sensitive Area

The inner arm is one of the more sensitive areas for getting tattooed. It usually feels more painful compared to meatier parts of the body like the outer arms or thighs. The inner arm has a greater concentration of nerve endings that register pain and trauma during tattooing.

Difficult Area to Work On

The curved shape of the inner arm can make it an awkward spot for tattoo artists to work on. Having to stretch the skin taut or twist the arm for prolonged periods can lead to more trauma. The arm may get knocked or gripped harder during the process as well.

Heavy-Handed Tattooing

Sometimes excessive bruising is due to the tattoo artist having a heavy hand. Using a heavier touch or larger groupings of needles can cause more damage to the skin and capillaries. Going too deep into the skin can also lead to bleeding under the skin.

Is Bruising After an Inner Arm Tattoo Normal?

It’s very common to experience some bruising along the lines and shading of a new inner arm tattoo. A small amount of bruising that fades within 1-2 weeks is generally nothing to worry about.

Bruising indicates that trauma has occurred to the skin and capillaries, which is expected with tattooing. The needles are piercing the skin between 50 and 3,000 times per minute. Even in experienced hands, some bleeding under the skin is unavoidable.

Minor Bruising

Mild bruising confined along the actual lines and shading of the tattoo is normal as the skin heals. Slight discoloration or light bruising can make the tattoo look bolder at first. As it fades, it should not affect the final look.

Excessive Bruising

More concerning are large spreading bruises that extend far beyond the tattooed area. Heavy bruises that turn darker purple, brown, or yellow as they heal are a sign of substantial bleeding and damage under the skin.

While some bruising is expected, excessive bruising can indicate problems with the tattooing technique or your skin's ability to heal properly.

Factors That Can Contribute to Excessive Bruising

There are certain factors that can make someone more susceptible to excessive bruising after getting tattooed:

Medications or Supplements

Blood thinners and anticoagulant medications can interfere with your blood's ability to clot properly. Medications like aspirin, ibuprofen, heparin, warfarin, and prescription pain relievers increase bleeding risks. Herbal supplements like vitamin E, ginkgo, and fish oil also have blood-thinning effects.

Chronic Illnesses

Conditions like diabetes, autoimmune disorders, liver disease, and certain cancers can reduce platelet counts and affect clotting. Easy bruising may be a symptom of an underlying health condition.

Age

As we get older, the skin becomes thinner with reduced collagen and elastin levels. The skin is more fragile and prone to bruising as we age. The body can also take longer to recover from injuries.

Genetics

Some people inherit tendencies for increased clotting times and capillary fragility. If you bruise easily in general, you may simply be genetically prone to bruising more than others.

Location

Like the inner arm, body parts with thinner skin and less protective fat bruise more easily from any trauma. Areas like the hands, chest, ribs, knees, ankles, and feet tend to bruise more pronouncedly.

Tattoo Skill

Getting tattooed by a heavy-handed artist or someone less experienced with proper technique can lead to excess skin damage and bleeding. Ensure artists are reputable, with expertise in the specific placement area.

Signs of Potential Infection

While some bruising around a new tattoo is expected, take note if any worrying signs appear that could indicate an infection:

• Bruise spreads larger or changes color dramatically
• Tattooed area feels hot to the touch
• Bruise is accompanied by redness, swelling, discharge, or foul odor
• Flu-like symptoms of fever, chills, nausea, dizziness
• Tender, swollen lymph nodes near bruised area

Seek medical care if bruising comes with any signs of infection like pus, red streaks, swollen glands, or fever. Bruising alone does not necessarily require antibiotics, but infection risks should not be ignored.

How to Care for a Bruised Tattoo

To help a bruised tattoo heal properly:

Leave It Uncovered

Let the tattoo breathe instead of bandaging it, which can trap blood and plasma. Air exposure helps dry out bruises.

Clean Gently

Use a mild, fragrance-free soap and your fingers to gently clean around the tattoo 1-2 times per day. Avoid harsh scrubbing of the bruised area.

Apply Ice Packs

Ice the area for 10-15 minutes a few times a day to reduce swelling and discoloration. Make sure to protect the skin with a cloth between the ice and skin.

Moisturize Lightly

Use a mild, hypoallergenic lotion to keep the area from drying out without rubbing harshly into bruises.

Elevate the Area

Keep the bruised arm elevated above heart level as much as possible to minimize swelling.

Take Anti-Inflammatories

Over-the-counter NSAID pain relievers like ibuprofen can help reduce swelling and discomfort. Avoid if you have bleeding disorders or stomach conditions.

Don't Re-bandage Too Soon

Wait until bruising and discharge has cleared before considering covering with cling wrap or bandages, which can reopen wounds.

When to See a Doctor

Consult your doctor if excessive bruising lasts longer than 2 weeks or is accompanied by signs of infection. Seek immediate help for fever, numbness, or increased pain.

How Long Does Bruising Last After an Inner Arm Tattoo?

With proper aftercare, minor bruising from an inner arm tattoo typically lasts:

• Days 1-5: Bruises appear and spread.
• Days 5-10: Bruises turn darker purple, brown, or greenish.
• Days 10-14: Bruising starts lightening and fading.
• 2-4 weeks: Most bruising fully resolves.

For larger or more spread out bruises, discoloration may take 4-6 weeks to disappear. Darker skin tones may take longer for bruises to fade compared to pale skin.

Does Bruising Affect the Tattoo Permanently?

Moderate bruising confined to the tattooed area usually heals without affecting the final result. The color and clarity of the ink shows through once bruising subsides.

However, extensive bruising that reaches beneath larger areas of ink can sometimes permanently mute or distort pigment. Scarring from serious bruising could also potentially distort the tattoo.

Bruising alone does not lead to poor ink retention or faded looking tattoos once healed. But bruising combined with an actual infection or reaction increases risks of permanent effects.

How to Reduce Bruising When Getting an Inner Arm Tattoo

To minimize bruising:

• Discuss bleeding risks with your artist ahead of time
• Avoid alcohol, blood thinners, herbs before tattooing
• Have a light meal before to avoid drops in blood sugar
• Hydrate well before and after your tattoo session
• Make sure your artist uses sharp needles and proper technique
• Have your artist stretch and support the skin being tattooed
• Apply numbing spray or cream to help reduce trauma
• Take breaks during long sessions to give skin a rest

While some bruising is unavoidable, taking key precautions can help reduce extensive bruising during inner arm tattoo sessions.

When to Consult a Doctor for Inner Arm Tattoo Bruising

Schedule an appointment with your doctor or dermatologist if you experience:

• Bruising that worsens or spreads after 2 weeks
• Bruising accompanied by signs of infection
• Extensive bruising resulting in hard, large raised areas
• Bruises that do not respond to home care and over-the-counter remedies
• Bruising that recurs after getting tattoos frequently

For chronic bruising issues, your doctor can check for underlying medical conditions and provide guidance on safer tattoo aftercare.

The Takeaway

It's common to experience some bruising around a new inner arm tattoo that fades within 1-2 weeks. More mild bruising along the tattoo lines is normal as the skin heals.

Excessive spreading bruises, however, indicate greater trauma to blood vessels and skin layers. Heavy bruising warrants closer monitoring for complications like infections.

With appropriate aftercare and precautions before getting tattooed, most bruises resolve fully without affecting the tattoo. But recurrent, extensive bruising warrants medical evaluation to address any underlying issues.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.