Feel free to save or print this image!

Days 1-3: Oozing and Sore

During the first few days, your tattoo is still an open wound and will be sore, painful, and warm to the touch. The skin around your tattoo might also appear slightly red and swollen. 

During the first days of tattoo healing your tattoo will continue to release plasma, blood, and ink—this is completely normal. Plasma, which is a clear liquid, makes up the largest part of your blood (55 percent) and it’s release is part of your skin’s natural healing process. 

It’s important to keep your tattoo as clean as possible during this time. Follow the same cleaning instructions (wash with soapy water, pat dry, apply a thin layer of ointment) as the night before. Wash your new tattoo at least two times a day—when you wake up and before bed If the tattoo is really leaky, you can add one more wash to the rotation to remove excess goop.

Days 3-7: Dry, Tight, and Starting to Flake

After the third or fourth day following your tattoo appointment, your tattoo will begin to dry out. It may feel tight. Swelling should start to subside, though your skin might still feel warm and uncomfortable. 

By the end of the first week, you will likely see your tattoo flaking. This is also a normal part of the tattoo healing process.

If you see your tattoo flaking, don’t be alarmed. This is not a sign that ink is being removed from the skin. Just make sure you let your tattoo flake naturally. As long as you’re not picking at it, scrubbing it, or peeling the flaky skin off, you should be fine.

Days 7-14: More Flaking, Scabbing, and Itching

During the second week of tattoo healing, your tattoo will continue to flake, and you may start to see scabs forming over some areas of the tattoo. While trying to prevent scabbing is recommended, tattoo scabbing is not uncommon. 

I would consider scabbing normal, but not ideal in tattoo healing. Scabbing is what happens when the plasma is not efficiently cleaned off of the tattoo after your body is finished producing it (usually between 24-48 hours) and it evaporates and dries.

Scabbing may also happen if you apply too much moisturizer or ointment to your tattoo and most commonly seen in color tattoos.

Do not pick at the scabs on your tattoo. Continue to wash and lightly moisturize your tattoo as instructed by your artist. 

During this time, you may also experience the dreaded tattoo itch. Some may experience a mild itch, while others will experience an intense itch. Your skin will be dry and flakey as it heals, so some level of itchiness is to be expected. Some clients may also have a slight allergic reaction to some inks, which may cause an itchy feeling. 

Although it may take every ounce of willpower, do not scratch your new tattoo. Not only could this affect how it looks, but you can also cause infection or irritation. Eventually, the itch should subside.

Days 15-30: Slightly Dry and Dull

Most tattoos will finish flaking and essentially be healed around the 2-week mark. But it still may take a couple of weeks for your tattoo to fully settle in. 

During this time, your tattoo may look a little dull or faded. This is normal and once the tattoo is fully healed and settled in, its brightness will return. You may also feel slightly raised portions of your tattoo during this stage, but this should eventually disappear. 

The smaller tattoos usually heal the fastest, because of there being minimal trauma to the area. Larger scale and color tattoos can take longer.

My baseline is that if it no longer has a shine or waxy look to it, you can bet it’s healed.

Saniderm or Tegaderm Tattoo Healing Method

Your tattoo artist may place a breathable, adhesive bandage (such as Saniderm, Tegaderm, SecondSkin, etc.) on your tattoo directly following your appointment.

It dramatically reduces the risk of the tattoo becoming infected and protects the new skin during the initial healing stages

Directly after your tattoo

Your artist will clean and wrap your new tattoo and make sure the adhesive bandage covers the entirety of the tattoo. They will press it tightly against your skin and remove any backing that may be on the bandage. 

You’ll be left with a clear, protective covering over your tattoo—and you’re good to go. 

Days 1-3: A Liquid-Filled Bandage

All of the plasma, blood, and ink will leak directly into your bandage and pool up in certain areas. It will look dark and inky. Although it looks gross, and may be alarming to someone unfamiliar with this healing method, this is totally normal. 

If After 24 hours the bandage is extremely full of blood, feel free to remove the bandage and continue healing with the traditional method above!

IF YOUR SKIN HAS A REACTION TO THE BANDAGE THEN REMOVE IT!

Some people find out the hard way that they’re allergic to adhesives and all our artist warn you before applying any type bandage.

After 1-3 Days : Remove the Saniderm or Tegaderm

You may remove the Bandage anytime after the first day but dont leave it on for more then 3 days unless your Artist advises you differently.

After you remove it continue to follow the Standard aftercare above!

What Not to Do While Healing a Tattoo

During the healing stages of a tattoo, it’s important that you take precautions and avoid certain activities and behaviors to prevent infection and poor healing. 

Here are some things you should not do while your tattoo is healing:

The Number 1 Problem we see people doing!

Don’t use to much products on your skin! Your skin needs to breath and putting to much products on it will form small red bumps and pimples.

Don’t expose your tattoo to the sun 

Keep your tattoo covered with long sleeves or pants if you need to be outside in the sun during the healing process. Do not put sunscreen on a healing tattoo. Just cover it to avoid sun exposure.

Don’t swim with a new tattoo

Swimming with a new tattoo can cause serious infections. Do not go swimming or submerge your tattoo in water. This means pools, lakes, oceans, etc. The chlorine and bacteria that could get into your fresh tattoo can cause numerous health issues.

Don’t go to the gym

Gyms are full of bacteria and germs, so stay away while your tattoo is healing. Avoid strenuous workouts and give your skin time to recover. Sweat can cause your tattoo to push out more ink or moisture can lead to infection. Take it easy for 3-4 weeks following your tattoo.

Don’t use scented moisturizers

Avoid using heavily scented lotion on your tattoo while it is healing. Bath & Body Works may smell nice, but it can ruin your new tattoo that you spent a lot of money on. The scented route can also cause irritation and some of the color to pull or fade.

If you suspect an infection call you doctor and get the the tattoo checked, most infections come directly from poor aftercare procedures.

This article is meant as a guideline only and should not replace the advice from your tattoo artist or from a doctor. If you have any questions about healing your new tattoo, discuss them with your artist.