Dark-skinned individuals are at a higher risk of developing keloids. Keloids are usually harmless, depending on location, but they can ruin the aesthetic value of a tattoo, kill confidence, and they may itch or be painful. 

Researchers believe that an overactive immune system causes keloids as a reaction to skin damage. A tattoo causes skin damage through  needles. 

Using CBD for tattoo aftercare promises immune system regulation (more research is needed) and inflammation prevention, and there is evidence that the non-psychoactive extract of hemp or cannabis can hastens skin healing and relieve irritation, redness, and pain. 

There are a variety of CBD products you may use to potentially prevent scarring and keloids. Current treatments for keloids can cause the lesions to grow back, often bigger. Consequently, it is generally advisable to avoid skin damage, including tattoos and unnecessary surgery, to lower the risk. 

If you or a family member has keloids -that is- it runs in the family, you could be at risk.

Below is everything you need to know about keloids and CBD oil for tattoo aftercare. 

CBD oil for tattoo after care: keloids. 

• Keloids can develop from minor injuries, including tattoos, pimples, piercings, ingrown hairs, cuts, and scratches. If you are at risk, recommend not getting a tattoo or practicing proper tattoo aftercare as described below or by a healthcare professional.
• If you are above 30, the risk of keloids is lower but still there.
• You may couple religious applications of CBD oil on keloids with the recommended natural remedies listed below. 

Can tattoos give you keloids? And how to stop scars using CBD oil

If you are under 30, have dark skin, and keloids run in the family, your chance of developing keloids is high. Any damage to the skin, including getting a tattoo, creates the risk.

A keloid is a thick raised scar that grows beyond its borders. Keloids usually develop slowly, meaning it may take days, weeks, or even years for them to develop. Some keloids stop growing, and others can grow into huge tumors that need excision for cosmetic reasons.

Keloids are not cancerous but can cause discomfort, pain, irritation, redness, and discomfort.

Larger keloids can affect one’s quality of life and self-esteem. 

What does a keloid on a tattoo look like?

Keloids typically occur on cheeks, chest, shoulders, earlobes, and pubic region and may appear anywhere on skin that suffers damage.

The symptoms include:

• Firm/thick scarring. From personal experience, CBD oil massages can help soften and shrink keloids. Recommend applying pressure and massaging keloids religiously to halt or slow growth. Some keloids are firm, and others are soft or rubbery. 
• Keloids damage hair follicles and are thus hairless, shiny, and raised.
• Depending on skin color, keloids can be flesh-colored, reddish, brown, or purple. 

How do you use CBD oil to prevent keloids on a tattoo?

If you are at risk of keloids, it is generally recommended that you avoid getting tattoos. If you decide to get a tattoo, you may do the following to lower the risk of development.

You must practice proper wound care

Researchers are unsure exactly why keloids happen. Current knowledge is that the lesions are the body’s reaction/overreaction to injury. The thing is, the body usually reacts to damage or foreign bodies by triggering inflammation.  

To prevent keloids and other tattoo complications, including infections, you must:

Tip: do not apply pressure to new tattoos, as it will cause inflammation. You may apply pressure to older tattoos to manage keloids (see below).

• Protect damaged skin from infiltration by microorganisms and debris. You may create a protective layer using petroleum jelly or CBD butter or jelly. An alternative is to warm petroleum jelly, then mix it with CBD oil. That combination provides double protection from irritation, bacteria, and scarring. We recommend applying CBD or petroleum jelly for at least a month after getting a tattoo. 
•  Talk to a dermatologist or healthcare provider before getting a tattoo. Doctors may recommend injections or medicines that lower the risk.
• Wash a new tattoo once a day with antibacterial soap to prevent infection. Infections, including pimples, infected hair follicles, styes, and so on, can cause keloids.
• Keep the tattoo moist using CBD oil or petroleum jelly. Dry skin is easier to damage and can get infected easily. You should therefore keep new tattoos moist until they properly heal. After healing, you should continue applying moisturizer, coconut oil, or CBD oil tattoo rejuvenators to keep the tattoo ‘healthy’.
• Avoid wearing clothes that stick to tattoos or irritate the skin.
• Keep the tattoo out of the sun to prevent photosensitive reactions. Sun exposure, in theory, can cause an inflammatory reaction that increases the risk of keloids. 

How does CBD oil prevent tattoo-related keloids and scars?

According to clinical and anecdotal evidence, applying CBD oil or products directly to keloids or skin promises the following benefits.

• CBD oil for tattooing aftercare can prevent dryness. According to studies, hemp seed oil and CBD oil are rich in unsaturated fats. Unsaturated fats present in hemp promise to improve the skin and keloids by helping the skin retain moisture. Additionally, hemp oil and coconut oil (carrier oil for CBD products) contain omega-3 fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acids help to prevent dryness and scaly skin. 
• CBD oil is anti-inflammatory and has antimicrobial properties. Because of that, applying CBD may lower the risk of lesions that create the risk of keloids. You may apply directly on pimples, damaged hair follicles, or tattooed/damaged skin. If you have acne, avoid popping lesions. Instead apply CBD oil.  
• Apply CBD oil to treat or prevent conditions that can cause keloids. CBD oil is known to treat or prevent multiple skin ailments related to tattoos, including psoriasis, acne, eczema, and dermatitis. 

To lower the risk of keloids even further, anecdotal evidence suggests that you should couple religious applications of CBD oil with the following natural skin remedies.

• Neem oil. Helps to prevent and relieve boils, bumps, and pus-filled bumps.
• Aloe vera. Moisturizes the skin, prevents wrinkles, aids healing, and improves circulation.
• Garlic/garlic oil. Prevents keloids, may lower the risk of skin cancer, and can be used on hypertrophic scars. However, garlic may burn skin, meaning you should avoid over-exposure. 
• Thyme. Helps to treat and prevent cellulitis. 
• Chamomile. Helps relieve inflammation. 
• Lavender oil. Helps relieve or prevent inflammatory allergic reactions.