8 FOODS AND DRINKS THAT CAN HELP YOUR TATTOO HEALING PROCESS
When nursing a brand new tattoo, eating and drinking the right foods and liquids can be very important. In other words, what you put INSIDE your body as well as out, will have an impact.
So you’ve got a fresh tattoo and are following the correct tattoo aftercare. Over the next week or so, a focus on nutrition can help you through the often painful tattoo healing process. Whether you’re tattooed or not, nutrients and vitamins are necessary – you are what you eat.
“I created this article by doing lots of reading on the above foods and just using my own experiences and general nutritional knowledge as tips for you all”
- Eric Jason D’souza (Tattoo Artist since 2005)
Drinking lots of alcohol and eating junk food (or something low in nutritional value) after a large tattoo always prolongs my own tattoo recovery. When I look after myself and consume as many good foods as possible in the following days, I do notice the difference in how I feel and how quickly my tattoo heals. I always focus on boosting my immune system by keeping myself topped up with more natural antioxidants and vitamins than I normally would.
If I’ve had a really long tattoo session, I also always feel drained when I get home. I make sure to eat lots of comfort food that evening. Fruit and vegetables are essential, of course, but so are carbohydrates and sugars. Pasta, rice, bread – refuel the energy that you’ve lost sweating and writhing in pain! Have a big pudding, cook your favourite meal (or better yet, get someone to cook it for you!)… just eat something that makes you happy.
So, here are 8 foods I keep in my own kitchen for the healing period following a new tattoo:
1. Oranges / Orange Juice
One of the best sources of vitamin C out there. I also take vitamin C supplements for a few days after a new tattoo. This powerful vitamin is known to help with healing wounds. Oranges are also great for the skin in general as they can protect cells from damage and fight viral infections.
2. Chocolates
Dark chocolate is packed with antioxidants. It’s great for your skin as it keeps it hydrated and supple by increasing blood flow to it. There are some yummy dairy-free, gluten-free and vegan dark chocolate options available, too. Don’t forget chocolate is good for your skin on the outside too – it can work wonders for dry, recently tattooed skin.
3. Broccoli
Just like oranges, broccoli is an amazing source of vitamin C and is a natural anti-inflammatory. It’s full of antioxidants, good for your heart, bones, cholesterol… get some broccoli in your diet whether you’re tattooed or not!
4. Blueberries
Often called a ‘superfood’, blueberries are believed to have more antioxidants than any other fruit or vegetable. Antioxidants heal damaged cells and can aid many different types of healing in the body.
5. Pineapple
These tropical fruits are packed with vitamin C and are known to boost your immune system. Following the trauma of a major tattoo session, your body (and mind) can feel tired, making you vulnerable to infection, colds, flu and feeling generally run-down. Foods like pineapples and oranges keep you fighting fit and feeling healthy.
6. Garlic
For thousands of years, garlic has been known and loved for its medicinal properties. Like many of the others in this list, it boosts the function of our immune systems and can even fight potential infection.
7. Tomatoes
Full of our good old friend vitamin C, tomatoes are also amazing for your skin as they protect it from future damage.
8. Water
The body is made-up of 60% water, but needs topping up regularly. Staying well hydrated benefits dry, damaged skin and makes you feel perk too as drinking water can combat tiredness.
Remember that there are no quick fixes. You should aim to eat a healthy, balanced diet all of the time, not just after a new tattoo, although focusing on what you put in your body at this time can be really important.
Happy tattooing, friends – stay healthy and hydrated and look after yourselves <3
Got a tip to add? Comment below!
