After getting a tattoo, you shouldn’t eat foods that are high in fat or sugar because they can make your skin swell and slow down the healing process. Examples include fresh sausage, smoked sausage and ham.
These foods can cause inflammation and increase the risk for slow recovery and scarring. People who have skin problems and are getting treatment or who have severe skin inflammation (like after getting a tattoo) should stay away from these foods.
Along with eating well, it’s important to take care of your tattoo properly by doing things like protecting your skin, not scratching it, and staying out of the sun. Both of these combined will promote better healing and a more beautiful, long-lasting tattoo.
Getting a new tattoo is an exciting experience that requires proper aftercare for optimum healing An important part of this aftercare is paying close attention to your diet But when it comes to pork, many people wonder – can you eat it after getting inked?
The short answer is no. It’s best to avoid pork and other fatty meats for at least 1-2 weeks after getting a tattoo. Here’s a closer look at why pork is not recommended post-tattoo along with tips for proper healing.
Why Avoid Pork and Fatty Meats Post-Tattoo?
When you get a tattoo, the needle is piercing your skin and leaving behind an open wound. This wound needs time and care to properly heal. During the healing period, it’s important to avoid anything that could cause inflammation or irritation.
Pork, bacon ham and other processed meats tend to be high in saturated fat. Foods high in fat and salt are harder for the body to digest, which can divert energy away from healing. These foods also often contain preservatives and additives that can prompt inflammation.
Specifically, pork and salty processed meats may lead to:
- Swelling, redness, and tenderness around the tattoo site
- Fluid buildup and oozing from tattoo wounds
- Scabbing and prolonged dryness that can fade color
- Increased risk of infection
So while you may love bacon, it’s best to lay off the pork while your tattoo is healing. Give your body about 1-2 weeks to focus its efforts on repairing your skin.
Alternatives to Pork and Fatty Meats
Luckily, you have plenty of options to get protein while avoiding pork during the post-tattoo healing period. Some healthier alternatives include:
- Lean poultry like chicken or turkey breast
- Fish like salmon, tuna, tilapia and cod
- Eggs and egg whites
- Plant-based proteins like beans, lentils, tempeh or tofu
- Greek yogurt and cottage cheese
These foods provide protein to aid healing without excess saturated fat that could lead to inflammation. Be sure to consume them fully cooked rather than raw.
You can also supplement your diet with healing foods like:
- Fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants
- Herbs and spices like turmeric, ginger and garlic
- Nuts like walnuts and almonds
- Seeds like flax or chia
- Olive oil and avocados for healthy fats
Focus on getting nutrients from natural whole foods rather than supplements during the healing period.
Tips for Healing Your Tattoo
Along with eating a clean, anti-inflammatory diet, here are some other tips for taking care of your new ink:
- Keep the tattoo clean and moisturized with a fragrance-free lotion. Don’t over-moisturize.
- Avoid sun exposure, which can fade ink. Wear sunscreen if going outside.
- Don’t scratch or pick at scabs. Let them naturally flake off.
- Avoid activities that cause excessive sweating until tattoo is fully healed.
- Don’t soak the tattoo in water from baths, pools or hot tubs. Quick showers are fine.
- Wear loose clothing that won’t rub against the tattoo.
- Skip workouts that could cause friction against the tattoo for 2-3 weeks.
Be diligent with aftercare for at least 2-4 weeks until your tattoo is fully healed. This gives you the best chance for vibrant color and crisp lines.
When Can You Resume Eating Pork?
Once your tattoo is fully healed and there are no more scabs, itching or tenderness, you can begin reintroducing pork and fatty meats back into your diet. For most tattoos, this is around 2-4 weeks after getting inked.
Start slowly with leaner cuts of pork and smaller portion sizes. Pay attention to your body, and avoid any foods that seem to cause irritation around your tattoo. Some people find they have sensitivities to certain foods even after healing.
Keep following general healthy eating habits for clearer skin and an improved immune response. And be sure to avoid direct sun exposure whenever possible to prevent fading.
The Takeaway
Getting a new tattoo requires diligent aftercare, including careful attention to your diet. It’s best to avoid pork, bacon, ham and other fatty meats during the initial 2-4 week healing period. These foods can increase inflammation and divert healing energy.
Stick to anti-inflammatory foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and healthy fats as your new ink heals. Follow your artist’s directions for keeping the tattoo clean, moisturized and protected.
With proper aftercare, you’ll end up with stunning ink you can show off for a lifetime.
List of foods you should avoid
Examples of the main food to avoid include:
- Soft drinks
- Processed juices
- Fried foods, like French fries, cookies, and other salty snacks
- Fast food
- Pork and processed meats like salami, ham, sausage, bacon, mortadella, and sausage
- Sweets, cream-filled biscuits, cakes, ready-made cake batters, cereal bars
- Corn syrup
- Chocolate
- Instant noodles, beef broth cubes
- Frozen meals
- Ice cream
- Alcohol
- Artificial sweeteners
Excessive consumption of these foods can increases inflammation and impair the skin’s healing process. This type of diet can also lead to other health problems such as headaches, high cholesterol and diabetes. These foods should not be eaten at all, and they shouldn’t be eaten for at least a week after surgery, piercing, or tattoo.
What to eat to speed healing
To help your skin heal faster, eat foods that are high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, like omega-3 Foods like tomatoes, red fruits, citrus fruits like orange, and herbs like garlic, onion, and saffron are the ones that have the most antioxidants.
Eat foods that are high in good fats, like nuts, avocado, salmon, tuna, sardines, olive oil, peanuts, flaxseed, chia seeds, and sesame seeds. You can also help your body heal by drinking one to two cups of anti-inflammatory teas. Herbs like chamomile, ginger, and rosemary can be used. Read more about the anti-inflammatory diet that you can maintain while healing.
A healthy diet is important after getting a tattoo, but there are other things you need to do to make sure your tattoo heals properly. Among these are washing the area with mild soap for at least two weeks and staying out of the sun and the water. Learn more about tattoo aftercare and what you can do to promote healing.
The last thing you should do is get the tattoo done in a safe place that is licensed and where everything used is completely germ-free. This is essential to avoid the transmission of diseases such as hepatitis and AIDS.
Are you interested in how we can make this text better? Name: Email address where you want to receive the reply: Check the confirmation email we sent you. Why you’re here: Are you a health care professional? Update History: To keep the highest level of quality, we regularly add the newest scientific information to our content.
- Version 10 May 2024 (Updated by Daisy Oliveira, Registered Nurse)
- 16 December, 2021 Updated by Daisy Oliveira – Registered Nurse
- 30 November, 2021 Updated by Manuel Reis – Registered Nurse
- 5 May, 2021 Updated by Manuel Reis – Registered Nurse
- On March 27, 2019, Tatiana Zanin, a registered dietitian, wrote a clinical review.
- Published in March, 2019
References
- EUR J CLIN NUTR. A 6-month randomized controlled trial found that drinking sucrose-sweetened soft drinks raises uric acid levels in the blood of overweight and obese people. 2015. Available on: . Access in 23 Oct 2020 .
- ARQUIVOS BRASILEIROS DE ENDOCRINOLOGIA & METABOLOGIA. What role does diet play in preventing and managing chronic inflammation? 2008. Available on: . Access in 23 Oct 2020 .
- PLOS ONE . In adipose tissue, sucrose cancels out the anti-inflammatory effect of fish oil and makes mice fatter. 2011. Available on: . Access in 23 Oct 2020 .
- INT WOUND J . Changes in the cooking method can make green leafy vegetables more antioxidant-rich. 2016. Available on: . Access in 23 Oct 2020 .
- FOOD CHEMISTRY. Total antioxidant activity and phenolic content in selected vegetables. 2004. Available on: . Access in 23 Oct 2020 .
Why I Don’t Eat Pork
FAQ
What is not allowed after tattoo?
Can you eat bacon after getting a tattoo?
Can you eat food after getting a tattoo?
Greasy and spicy foods can also cause inflammation and irritation to the tattoo area. Additionally, consuming foods high in histamine, such as aged cheese, pickled vegetables, and processed meats, can trigger an allergic reaction. To avoid these risks, it is recommended to avoid eating certain foods for the first few weeks after getting a tattoo.
Can one eat pork?
A cooked, medium pork cutlet or steak provides 239 calories, 34 grams protein, 10 grams fat, 4 grams saturated fat, 697 milligrams sodium, and 0 grams carbohydrate, if you eat only the lean part of the steak. Pork contains many of the micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) found in beef and it is high in protein, but can be lower in fat than beef—depending on cut and preparation. Meat from any kind of mammal, including pork, can cause an allergic reaction (and some people who are allergic to mammalian meat also react to poultry).
Can I eat spicy food after getting a tattoo?
No, it is not safe to eat spicy or acidic foods after getting a tattoo. The skin is especially vulnerable to irritation and infection in the days and weeks following a new tattoo, and both spicy and acidic foods can irritate the area.
Can you eat fish after a tattoo?
Protein is an important part of the healing process, so be sure to eat lean meats and fish like chicken, turkey, and salmon. Eating seafood after a tattoo is generally safe, however, be sure to avoid raw or undercooked seafood.