When I first started getting tattoos, I had no idea that the healing process was such a long and involved process. I thought that once my tattoo healed, it would be done. That’s not the case at all. It can take anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months for your tattoo to fully heal.
I’ve written about the importance of following your artist’s aftercare instructions. But even if you do follow them, there are still differences in how people heal their tattoos. Some people have faster healing times than others, and some people seem to have slower healing times than others. And then there are the variations in how people react to their new ink. So what’s normal for one person may look like an infection or other complication to another person.
This is why I encourage everyone to follow their artist’s aftercare instructions as closely as possible. If you’re using a different product than your artist recommended, or doing something differently than they suggested, you could be causing more harm than good. So when it comes to your tattoo, always go with the artist’s recommendations over anything else.
So now that we’ve established that tattoo healing isn’t a one-size-fits-all process, let’s take a look at the general timeline of the tattoo healing process. This is just a basic outline. The actual time frame and details may vary depending on the size, placement, and location of your tattoo, and also depending on the protocol used by your studio.
The first few days…
The first three days after getting your tattoo will consist of the initial inflammation that occurs with any fresh wound. During this time, you’ll likely experience some redness, warmth, mild swelling, tenderness, throbbing, and maybe even some weeping (i.e., plasma, blood, excess ink, etc.) from the fresh wound.
During this time, your skin will be very sensitive. You’ll probably notice that it’s painful when you move your arms or legs, especially when stretching out. Your skin may feel tight, and you may even notice fluid pooling around your tattooed area.
You may also notice some edge lifting. Don’t worry about it. It’s completely normal. The only thing you should be concerned about during this stage is irritation caused by the adhesive on the bandage sticking to your skin. If that happens, carefully remove the bandage in the shower, clean the tattoo with unscented soap, and apply a thin layer of unscented water-based lotion. Then follow up with your artist if the irritation doesn’t settle.
If your artist uses a standard sterile bandage, you’ll usually leave it on for 2–6 hours. If your artist uses second-skin bandages, you’ll usually leave those on for a longer period of time — sometimes up to a day or two. Either way, these types of bandages will eventually start peeling off on their own. Usually, you’ll see the film start to come off between days 3 and 5.
Keep in mind that your artist may have specific instructions for how long to keep the bandage on, so don’t assume that this is a universal standard across studios.
During this time, you’ll want to make sure you keep your tattoo clean. Wash your hands before touching your tattoo. Use lukewarm water, and gently wash the tattooed area with a mild, unscented soap. Never use hot water, because that can cause more pain. Pat your tattoo dry with a towel, but don’t rub it dry. Then apply a thin layer of whichever moisturizer, balm, or ointment your artist recommends.
Clean designThe next phase of healing…
After your bandage has been removed, your tattoo will enter into the second phase of the healing process. During this time, your tattoo will begin to peel. Peeling usually starts between days 3 and 5. During this time, you may notice some light scabbing, and colored flakes may start to appear. You’ll also probably start itching pretty badly. This is completely normal, and the itching will peak around week two.
Don’t scratch or pick at your tattoo. Doing so can pull the ink out of your skin, which can result in faded or blurred lines and colors. It can also damage your brand new skin, making your tattoo scarred and discolored.
You’ll want to continue washing your tattoo gently with lukewarm water and mild, unscented soap. When drying, pat dry rather than rubbing. Again, never use hot water. Apply a thin layer of whatever ointment, balm, or moisturizer your artist recommends.
Once the surface of your tattoo has healed, the real healing begins. At this point, the ink is settling deeper into your skin, and your body is beginning to create new skin cells over the top of your tattoo.
It may take anywhere from 11 to 14 days for the outer layers of your tattoo to completely heal. During this time, your tattoo may look dull, cloudy, milky, or matte. This is perfectly normal. These changes in appearance don’t mean your tattoo is ruined. They just mean that the ink hasn’t settled into your skin yet.
The final stage of healing…
While the surface of your tattoo may look healed, the ink is still working its way deeper into your skin. This process is called dermal remodeling. For many placements, this process takes about 4–6 weeks. However, I’ve heard of some people who have taken up to six months for their tattoos to fully heal.
During this time, your tattoo may continue to change in color. It may get darker, lighter, or even change hues. As your tattoo heals, your skin will become less sensitive. Eventually, your tattoo will stop itching, and the scabs will fall off. Once your tattoo is completely closed and healed, you can resume your regular activities.
But while your tattoo is healing, there are some things you need to avoid doing to ensure that your tattoo continues to heal properly:
• Tight clothing that rubs against your tattoo
• Prolonged soaking or submersion in water, such as baths, hot tubs, pools, lakes, or oceans
• Swimming until your tattoo is completely closed
• Tanning beds until your tattoo is completely closed
• Direct sun exposure until your tattoo is completely closed
• Scented products (soap, lotions, etc.)
• Over-moisturizing your tattoo
• Friction against your tattoo
Clean designActivity and sun protection
Now, the timing for returning to activity varies based on the type of activity you’re planning to return to. Light movement, like walking, is fine as soon as your tattoo feels okay. However, heavy sweating and stretching are definitely not advised until your tattoo is completely closed. Swimming, soaking, and extended periods in the water are also not advisable until your tattoo is completely closed.
Sun protection is also important. While your tattoo is healing, you should avoid direct sun exposure. If you must be outside, wear protective clothing, and cover your tattoo with a shirt or other covering. Once your tattoo is completely closed, you can begin applying sunscreen. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher, and reapply every two hours, after swimming, or after sweating.
Also keep in mind that some areas of the body heal differently than others. Hands, fingers, feet, joints, and thin-skin areas (such as inner wrists, inner elbows, and behind the knees) can all behave quite differently during the healing process. Because of this, you might find that your tattoo looks different from one area to another, or that your skin reacts differently to the same treatment in different areas. Keep this in mind when scheduling touch-ups or future sessions. Some areas may need to be touched up sooner than others, and some areas may require more frequent touch-ups than others.
Touch-up Timing & Warning Signs
There’s a big difference between routine healing and signs that something is wrong. So here are the warning signs that indicate that your tattoo may be infected or otherwise compromised:
Spreading redness
Red streaks spreading away from the tattoo
Increasing heat
Worsening swelling
Severe or unrelenting pain that lasts beyond 3–4 days
Pus coming from the tattoo
Yellow or green discharge
Foul odor
Fever
Chills
Intense swelling
Purple-ish skin
Raised, red, extremely itchy areas
If you ever notice any of these symptoms, contact your artist immediately. For possible infection symptoms like pus, spreading redness, fever, or worsening heat and swelling, seek help from a healthcare professional.
In addition to knowing when to seek help, it’s also important to know when to wait for your tattoo to settle. Many people rush back to the shop too early to get their tattoos touched up. I’ve seen so many people who think that their tattoo is ruined, when in fact, it just needs more time to settle. Give your tattoo at least six weeks to settle, and then assess whether or not you need a touch-up.
Remember, every person heals differently, and no matter how much care you take, there are still things that you can’t control. So if you ever have questions about how your tattoo is healing, don’t hesitate to call your artist.
Sources
- A Tattoo Healing day By Day Guide to Perfectly Healed Ink
- Tattoo Aftercare Day by Day: 14-Day Healing Timeline – Tommy's Supplies
- Tattoo Healing Stages Week by Week: What to Expect and What to Do – StarBrite® Colors
- Tattoo Aftercare: The Complete Healing Guide | INTENZE
- Sun Safety Facts | Skin Cancer | CDC