What Happens To Stomach Tattoos During Pregnancy (And How To Care For Them)

Tattoos come in all shapes and sizes and are a great expression of attachment and creativity. There's nothing wrong with having any. They're just another way to be unique, at the end of the day.

But if you happen to have a stomach tattoo, you may wonder how it'll change as your body changes during pregnancy. A tattoo there is prone to expand during pregnancy and may look symmetrical in the first weeks. But it can become crooked after it takes on the pre-pregnancy outline. Nevertheless, every person’s skin is different, and every tattoo will be affected differently by pregnancy. Will, your tattoo stretch as your baby bump grows bigger?

Before Pregnancy

Are you thinking of getting a stomach tattoo before you conceive?

Pregnancy is a beautiful time for many future mothers, but also a time when a lot of really exciting things are out of the question, including getting a tattoo. Be that as it may, there are no set rules to say that body art before conceiving is off-limits.

But the safest thing to do would be to wait it out until after pregnancy, states Holly Cummings, MD at Penn Medicine. That's because your tattoo will be innately bound to your skin; once your skin changes shape, your tattoo will change alongside it. Also, you want to reduce the chances of contracting infectious illnesses when the equipment used id not sterilized, whether or not you're about to conceive.

During Pregnancy

As mentioned earlier, a woman’s skin and bodyweight go through changes that may impact their existing body art. For instance, the color of the tattoo may change as a result of the release of melanin hormone when exposed to UV light. Other changes include varicose veins on the lower legs as blood circulation increases to accommodate the breathing fetus. The skin also stretches as the baby grows inside the womb, and stretch marks surface. These alterations to the skin cause the skin to become more sensitive, irritated, and itchy and therefore may change the appearance of an existing tattoo. Because chemicals used for treating skin may alter the appearance of tattoos, Medic8 advises pregnant mothers to seek medical advice for suitable treatment.

Additionally, depending on the type of body changes and impact on the skin’s ability to fine-tune, tattoos may become lopsided to the point of distaste. It's not advisable to starve oneself to keep the weight down.

After Pregnancy

After pregnancy, a woman’s body is left with stretch marks all the way through and tattoos can look distorted and strange.

However, tattoos stretching on expectant moms is case-by-case. Some women will find their tattoos intact. Others won't even recognize the ghost of what their body art used to look like after they give birth. Nonetheless, that's no reason to hate your post-baby body where the stomach doesn't hold up. Your cool tattoos and the sagging skin are lovely reminders of the noble act of bringing a baby into the world.

How to Care for Your Stomach Tattoo During Pregnancy

Hydrate

Drinking a lot of water helps to keep your skin hydrated and helps it to retain elasticity. Hydrated skin is less prone to dryness and tearing, and the stretchiness means easier accommodation for your fetus.

Keep Your Skin Moisturized

While you can't stop your skin from stretching as your unborn baby grows, you can create elasticity on your skin and prevent drying by applying lotions high in vitamin E. Keeping your stomach moisturized will speed up the process of your baby bump returning to normal after you've given birth.

Exfoliate Your Tattoo

Exfoliating your tattoo helps get rid of dead skin cells that may prevent oils and moisturizers from penetrating to the lower layers of the skin. A gentle scrub in the shower will work to increase your skin’s elasticity and help your skin become stronger and more resilient.

Eat Foods That Help Your Skin

Eat foods such as berries and green veggies that are rich in antioxidants to help to keep your skin smooth. Also, remember to take Omega-3 vitamins that contain nutrients in order to help to keep your skin moisturized.