Will Tattoos Stretch With Pregnancy? What you need to know!
Pregnancy is an exciting time, but it can also be challenging as your body goes through a lot of changes. Your body might expand in ways that you never expected, which is why many moms start thinking about how they can cover their new-found skin before soon after finding out they’re pregnant. With so many tattooed mamas out there, many expecting women wonder if their fresh ink will stretch with them during pregnancy. After all, what good is a tattoo that doesn’t last? Fortunately for you, we have the answer and some great tips for keeping your tattoos safe during your entire pregnancy!
Can tattoos stretch during pregnancy?
This is one of the most common questions that we see from women who are expecting. The short answer is yes! Tattoos will stretch during pregnancy, anywhere from 2%-18% according to the medical research. The amount of stretch depends on the location and how you take care of your tattoo. Keep in mind, though, that stretch marks and tattoos are very different things. Stretch marks are a natural part of pregnancy, while tattoos are a permanent change to the skin. With that being said, many women still wonder how their tattoos will look after they give birth. While we can’t predict the future, we can say that most tattoos don’t stretch as much as you may think.
What to expect when your tattoo stretches during pregnancy
During pregnancy, your body goes through a lot of changes. Unfortunately for your fresh ink, one of those changes is the stretching of your skin. While it might seem scary, all of your other tattoos will expand just as much as your pregnant tattoo. When your pregnant tattoo stretches, it can look a little bit distorted, much like the way your face may start to look when you’re pregnant. Fortunately, when your baby is born, your skin will go back to its normal size, and your tattoo will return to normal, too! If you have a small tattoo on your belly, you may be tempted to hide it under clothing. However, hiding your tattoo under clothing could be much more harmful than leaving it exposed to air. While it’s recommended that you avoid swimming, soaking in a bath, or exposing your tattoo to direct sunlight, your pregnant tattoo should be able to withstand the minor stresses of daily life.
Tips for keeping your tattoo safe during pregnancy
You should be very careful to keep your pregnant tattoo safe. To make sure your tattoo stays healthy during pregnancy, you should avoid: - Having direct sun exposure. While some light exposure to natural sunlight is healthy, you should avoid direct sunlight as much as possible during your pregnancy. - Excessive heat. Your pregnant body tends to run hot, so you should make sure to avoid exposing your tattoo to overly warm environments. - Using a tanning bed. Avoid indoor tanning during your entire pregnancy. If you want to keep your tattoo looking great during your pregnancy, make sure to follow the instructions of your tattoo artist. During your pregnancy, you should make sure to: - Stay hydrated. Your pregnant body needs more water than you might think, so be sure to drink lots of water. - Stay stress-free. Stress can affect your body in a variety of ways, including making your skin look blotchy and discolored. - Take good care of your skin. Exfoliate regularly, moisturize, and avoid picking/scratching your skin.
Pregnancy aftercare for stretched tattoos
After giving birth, you’ll start to heal just like you did before getting pregnant. While you’re waiting for your skin to heal, you should make sure to keep your pregnant tattoo moisturized. You can use an unscented lotion or a healing ointment to keep your skin hydrated. After your pregnant tattoo has healed, you should continue to take good care of it just like you always have. Keeping your skin clean and healthy will help your tattoo look great for years to come. If you have a larger tattoo on your belly, you may want to consider covering it up. While you don’t have to cover your pregnant tattoo, covering it up with clothing while it heals can help your skin heal faster.
Tattoo care and safety before pregnancy
Before you get pregnant, you can take steps to ensure that your tattoo stays healthy and safe. Before you get a new tattoo, you should make sure that you’re healthy enough to get inked. Before you get pregnant, you should make sure that you’re in tip-top shape. This means eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and avoiding risky behaviors like smoking and excessive drinking. Taking good care of your tattoo during the healing process can also help your tattoo stay healthy before you get pregnant. To make sure your tattoo heals properly, you should: - Stay hydrated. Water is essential for healing, so make sure to drink enough water. - Stay stress-free. Stress can slow down the healing process, so try to stay relaxed as much as possible. - Take good care of your skin. Exfoliate regularly, moisturize, and avoid picking/scratching your skin.
The bottom line
Getting a tattoo while you’re pregnant has risks, but it’s not something that you should automatically avoid. With that being said, you should be very careful when choosing a tattoo artist, and you should be sure to communicate with them about your pregnancy. - When choosing an artist, be sure to find a reputable artist who follows safe tattooing practices. - When talking to your artist about your pregnancy, be sure to let them know which areas of your body are safe to tattoo. - If you’re unsure of how your pregnancy will affect your tattoo, you can also choose to get a colored tattoo while you’re pregnant. With some careful planning and a little bit of good luck, you can get a beautiful tattoo while you’re pregnant. Keep the tips in this article in mind, and you’ll have the perfect pregnancy tattoo before you know it!
