After the tattoo, herpes appeared. What to do?

Tattooing of any zone gives a number of advantages, but at the same time, it has one significant disadvantage. Permanent makeup of the lips (and sometimes eyebrows) becomes a catalyst for the inflammation of herpes. Herpes is an infection that every second person is familiar with. But when that proverbial bubble forms after a perm session, it can be confusing. About why this happens, how to deal with it and what to do, we will describe in detail in this article.

Why does herpes form after eyebrow and lip tattooing?

The cause of the herpes wound is the causative agent of the type 1 virus. It is located in the trunk of the nerve and does not manifest itself until the person is completely healthy and his immune system is working in a “normal” mode. In the process of tattooing, the device acts on nerve cells that irritate the pathogen. After it begins to progress, the result is a herpes vesicle on the lip or eyebrows. But the effect on nerve cells is not always the only cause of infection. Most often, herpes manifests itself due to a combination of a number of factors.

Cause and effect

• A sharp drop in body temperature due to overheating or hypothermia. For example, from the heat, go into a room where the air conditioner is working, and vice versa - from a cool room to the street;
• Colds and chronic diseases;
• Changes in hormonal levels, incl. during pregnancy;
• stressful situations;
• Mechanical impact on the skin in the tattoo area (wounds, cuts);
• Constant intake of alcoholic beverages in large quantities.

The consequence of the manifestation of a herpes infection will be:

• An increase in body temperature in the range of 37 - 37.5 (not always the temperature rises);
• Burning or itching in the area of inflammation of the bladder;
• The rapid growth of the bubble, which will later become a wound.

Symptoms of the formation of herpes on the lips can also be a slight swelling and general malaise, which will pass after the bubble forms.

How does herpes affect the effect of tattooing

Tattooing, as a procedure, is not the cause of the herpes virus, but only acts as a pathogen. The only exceptions are those situations when the work is performed by the master in non-sterile conditions with the reuse of disposable consumables. Herpes infection is transmitted by airborne droplets, through contact with a person who carries the virus, and sits in the body of more than 97% of people around the world. In some, the infection manifests itself frequently, and some do not know that they are a carrier all their lives. But, even if herpes appeared after PM, it is not critical and everything is fixable.

If your client knows that he is a carrier of a herpes infection and wants to get permanent makeup on his eyebrows or lips, feel free to sign him up for the procedure. In preventive measures, recommend him to conduct training, which we will discuss later.
Even if the prevention did not help and the bubble formed, you should not panic. The immune system will try to reject the pigment and do everything possible to heal the wound faster. When this happens, there will be no pigment in its place, only a light spot of the natural color of the lips will remain. The master will be able to correct all this during the correction procedure.

When tattooing is taboo!

If the client wants to do the procedure at the time of the presence of a bubble at the site of the future tattoo, then this is strictly prohibited. You can not do a tattoo until the crust after the wound comes off, and the skin is completely restored.

The ban on the procedure is due to the fact that:

• during the procedure, the wound will be touched and opened. Tattooing on an open wound is painful, ineffective and dangerous;
• on the damaged skin, blood will be released, and after that - a noticeable crust.

Therefore, a permanent makeup specialist is simply obliged to refuse to carry out the procedure for such a client.

How to prevent herpes before getting a tattoo

If the client knows that he is a carrier of a herpes infection, advise him to take preventive measures. Prevention of the disease will consist of the following actions:

• complete cessation of smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages 2-3 days before the procedure;
• for 2-3 weeks, do not visit baths, saunas to avoid steaming the skin, and also avoid temperature changes, do not visit crowded places, so as not to get ARVI;
• start taking antiherpetic medicines recommended by the doctor 2-3 days before visiting the master;
• minimize the use of cosmetic and cosmetic products;
• do not perform skin injury procedures: peeling, scrubbing, eyebrow modeling, if permanent makeup is planned in this area;
• use other kitchen utensils and towels if someone in the family has a cold sore.

It is very important that disposable consumables are used during the PM procedure. We recommend that the master does not forget to unpack the needle for the device, which is used once, before the client. And we remind clients that it is better to contact specialized tattoo studios with a good reputation in order to be sure of their safety.
It should be noted that when turning to masters working at home, a person who decides to do permanent makeup is at great risk. It is rare that a master will be able to ensure complete sterility of the instruments and the room at 100%, since sterilizers are very expensive and difficult to afford. Having decided to save on the service, the risk of introducing the infection into the body and becoming its carrier increases.

Integrated process

It is important to note that the prevention of herpes before tattooing and the treatment of infection is a complex process. It is not enough just to take anti-herpes drugs a couple of days before permanent makeup. By doing this, you can suppress the infection, but it will not disappear. It is necessary to take vitamins in a complex and strengthen the immune system in order to kill the virus. At the same time, it is important that all medications are prescribed by a doctor, and not by a permanent makeup master (especially if he does not have a medical education).

If the client started taking antiherpetic drugs before the procedure, then after the session it is necessary to continue it for another two to three days. In case herpes nevertheless began to appear, the master can give the following recommendations :

• when the first symptoms appear - itching or pain, it is important to apply a special ointment to the area where herpes is supposed to appear. It should be applied locally only to the site of the formation of the wound. To date, the choice of ointments is great, so be sure to read the instructions and follow all the rules for using the drug;
• do not touch the wound with your hands and follow the standard rules of personal hygiene;
• do not try to tear off the crust or get rid of it in any other way, do not comb the site of the wound;
• buy a new toothbrush;
• do not steam the skin until the wound heals.

Important recommendations

Advise your clients to avoid dry skin and moisturize with special creams with a light texture and sun protection. The cream must be applied in a thin layer so that it is quickly absorbed and does not leave behind a dense greasy film. It is important to choose high-quality creams with hypoallergenic properties. As an alternative, you can use regular cosmetic petroleum jelly, apply it in a thin layer 2-3 times a day.
In order to moisturize the skin, it is not necessary to buy medications. Some remedies from traditional medicine also do a good job with the main task. Tea tree oil, orange oil or olive oil perfectly moisturize the skin without affecting the pigment.
Decorative cosmetics, smoking, therapeutic cosmetics with a fatty base, junk food, alcohol have a negative effect, overdrying the skin.

If antiherpetic gels or ointments were chosen, they should be applied only locally - pointwise to the herpes zone. It is not necessary to treat the tattoo area with such ointments, as there is a risk that the pigment will partially come out and the area will become colorless.

Adherents of folk remedies can use decoctions of chamomile or string. They are a natural antiseptic.
The listed recommendations should be implemented only during the progression of the herpes wound. Once the skin has healed, targeted care should be discontinued. Recall that during the treatment of herpes, it is optimal to strengthen your immunity in standard ways: engaging in active sports, proper nutrition, taking vitamins, etc.

One last thing about herpes

Herpes infection is common throughout the world and can cause significant negative effects on the body. Therefore, at the first signs of herpes, we recommend treating the infection without postponing the solution of this issue for a long time.
Take care of your health and always follow the recommendations of doctors and tattoo artists.