How quickly does a tattoo heal?
*IMPORTANT!
In case of redness, inflammation, discomfort and any negative symptoms, consult a doctor immediately. Self-medication can harm your health.
In the material, you will learn everything about the healing process of a tattoo, get acquainted with the features of the stages, learn how to heal a tattoo correctly and quickly, get tips and see photos on this topic.
Stages of Tattoo Healing – Facts & Tips
How quickly does a tattoo heal? The length of the healing process depends a lot on how our skin and immune system are functioning. The healing time may be different for each person. It usually takes about three weeks for small tattoos and five weeks for large images. The healing process can be divided into several stages. How do they happen and how do they differ? Find out what tattoo healing looks like day after day.
PHASE I – Tattoo Healing
The first stage begins when the tattoo artist completes his work, and usually ends after about six days. The tattoo will be bright during this time, but you have nothing to worry about as it will be less bright after complete healing. In the early days, it should be treated like an open wound. The skin may be swollen, raised, slightly bruised, and red. It can also happen that ink, blood and plasma will leak out of the wound. This is completely natural. Once the job is done, the tattooist will wash the tattoo with disinfectant and wrap it with film to protect it from germs such as bacteria, dust and mites.
Fluid leaking from the wound can interfere with healing and thus prolong the healing process itself. Therefore, from the very first days, you need to take special care of this area of the skin. Rinse the wound several times a day with room temperature water and mild soap or a gentle intimate remedy. For the next few weeks, forget about scrubs, sponges, or coarse brushes. After washing, dry the tattoo by gently applying a sheet of paper towel. Then apply moisturizer and wrap with special film. Repeat this operation regularly every three hours. Problems such as pain, swelling, redness, and bruising should gradually diminish every day. During this time, itching and fever may appear..
PHASE II – Tattoo Healing
The second stage of tattoo healing usually takes about a week, so it can be determined that it lasts from the seventh to the fourteenth day after the tattoo is applied. The most common symptoms at this stage are severe itching and intense flaking of the skin. In addition, the tattooed area can become dry despite regular lubrication, and this will last until the skin is completely peeled off and the scabs fall off. It is important not to help them, as this can damage the tattoo – they should fall off spontaneously, at their own pace. It’s just as important not to scratch pesky itchy skin, as it’s an easy way to permanently ruin the mascara on it. In the second stage, as in the first, do not forget to regularly wash and lubricate the tattoo, preferably five times a day, at regular intervals..
PHASE III – Tattoo Healing
This is the last stage of tattoo healing, which usually takes another two weeks. The tattoo at this time may look a little less expressive than originally planned, but this is only due to the barrier created by the skin to protect it from the sun. Take your time and the tattoo will return to the expected color. The skin around the tattoo is still very sensitive and thin and may still peel off slightly. If you notice symptoms such as a rash, contact your tattoo artist as this could indicate an allergy to one of the ingredients in the ink you are using. However, pus or fever can indicate a poorly healing tattoo and blood poisoning, so be sure to see a doctor..
When the tattoo is completely healed?
A tattoo can be considered healed if you do not feel the slightest discomfort due to its presence. This is the time when symptoms such as blood and plasma oozing, itching, all the scabs present on the tattoo disappeared, the skin completely regenerated, and the images themselves acquired their target colors. At this stage, touching the skin at the site of the tattoo should not cause pain..
Tattoo cream – how to apply?
Tattoo healing cream should be moisturizing and lubricating and applied on average every three hours during the healing period. How to reduce puffiness after tattooing? Look for ingredients such as D-panthenol, allantonin, aloe, vitamin A, vitamin E, and shea butter in products. If you prefer natural cosmetics, oils such as coconut oil, jojoba oil, macadamia oil, or grape seed oil are the right choice. There are also preparations for fresh tattooed skin. You can buy them at a tattoo parlor. In addition to regenerating properties, these preparations also care for mascara pressed into the skin and protect its color..
Tattoo film – how long to wear it?
A film for healing tattoos is essential because in this way we protect the wound from harmful external factors such as bacteria, dust and dirt. The film also protects the regenerating cream applied to the skin and therefore prevents lymph and plasma from leaking out, maintaining the proper healing process. This dressing should be changed regularly, at least every three hours. Film protection is enough for the first three to four days. This is the time when the skin will initially regenerate and the wound inside the tattoo will stop oozing. Do not use the film for more than five days, as this can lead to unpleasant chafing, which can lead to infection and thereby significantly complicate the regeneration process.
It is also possible to heal a tattoo without a film. Some salons offer special dressings that are applied once to the wound and removed after a few days. They do not need to be looked after, so this is an extremely convenient solution..
Tattoo healing – something to remember?
What to keep in mind when healing a tattoo? First of all, give up long and hot baths. Replace them with a quick summer shower. Also, avoid activities such as swimming in a pool or open water. Splashing chlorinated or salt water on a fresh wound can cause severe pain. In addition, impurities in the water can inhibit and thus slow down the healing process of the tattoo..
You should also completely stop drinking alcohol for a few weeks. This drink thins the blood and thereby increases the intensity of bleeding, which inhibits the process of skin regeneration. In the first days after tattooing, stop exercising. Sweat running down the skin can irreversibly damage the ink and, therefore, the pattern created on the skin after healing may be different from what is desired. If you can’t imagine life without exercise, replace vigorous exercise with light exercise such as stretching and yoga..
Also pay attention to the correct length and quality of sleep. Remember to change your sheets daily, at least for the first week after your tattoo. This way, you minimize the number of germs that can seriously damage your skin. Also, do not let pets sleep with you during this time. By doing this, you will avoid additional bacteria and the risk of being scratched by pets. What about the sun? Until the tattoo is completely healed, be sure to protect it from sunlight. When going outside, take care of light clothing made from natural materials that will cover and protect your new makeover.
The text is the opinion of the author, does not claim to be the ultimate truth.
Material prepared: NATAHA6367-1 (Obertas Natalia Viktorovna)