How Long Does Tattoo Scabbing Last?

Julia
03.12.2022
0
116

Step 6: Fully Healed – After about two to three weeks of your skin healing and regenerating, scabbing and flaking should completely stop. This is when your tattoo is considered fully healed. Your skin should feel healthy and resilient.

Contents

- 0.0.1 How long does it take tattoo scabs to fall off?
- 0.0.2 Will scabbing ruin my tattoo?
0.1 Should I moisturize tattoo scabs?

1 How can I make my tattoo scab heal faster?
- 1.1 Is This Normal?! | Tattoo Healing, Super Close-Up | INKADEMIC
  - 1.1.1 When can I switch to lotion on my tattoo?
  - 1.1.2 How often should I moisturize my tattoo?
- 1.2 Should I wash my tattoo when it’s scabbing?
2 Why is my tattoo still scabbed after 2 weeks?
3 Do tattoos darken as they heal?
4 Can you ruin a new tattoo?

How long does it take tattoo scabs to fall off?

What is silver skin and when will it disappear? – After 3 weeks or so, the scabs should have completely fallen off and a thin layer of skin should have appeared over the tattoo. This layer of skin is called ‘silver skin’ and will make the tattoo look a little shiny and dull.

Will scabbing ruin my tattoo?

Scabbing is a healthy part of the healing process, but picking or scratching at the scab can delay the healing process and may affect the integrity of the tattoo or result in scarring.

Should I moisturize tattoo scabs?

How long does the tattoo healing process generally take? – Tattoo healing time varies depending on the person, though typically from the inking to the initial surface healing can take 7 – 14 days. However, your body is still regenerating skin cells after this, so it is important to continue moisturizing.

How can I make my tattoo scab heal faster?

Is This Normal?! | Tattoo Healing, Super Close-Up | INKADEMIC

Download Article Download Article Although a scab over your tattoo can be alarming, it’s usually a normal part of the healing process. Most tattoos scab over after a few days and the scab falls off on its own within a week. To help the scab fall off naturally, protect it from irritation and don’t pick it! If your scab looks infected, get medical attention right away so it heals quickly and doesn’t damage your tattoo.

1 Give your tattoo at least 2 weeks to heal. Your tattoo is a wound that your body is continuously healing. During the first few days, it’s normal to see a mixture of blood and clear fluid on the surface of the tattoo. Over the next several days, your tattoo will peel and become softer. If you keep your skin moisturized, you might not develop scabs. [1]
- Don’t worry if your tattoo does scab since it’s just your body healing itself. The scab will cover your tattoo as the new skin repairs itself and the scab should fall off within a week.
2 Do not pick, scratch, or pull at the scab. A scab is like your body’s own bandage that protects the wound underneath as it heals. Since it prevents bacteria from reaching the wound, don’t do anything to remove or damage the scab. Once your skin has healed, the scab will fall off on its own. [2]
- If you damage the scab, it will actually take longer for your tattoo to heal and you might ruin the ink.
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3 Wear loose clothing to guard the scab against moisture and irritation. If you cover the scab with clothing, choose loose, breathable fabrics, such as cotton. This allows moisture to evaporate instead of cling to the scab. The soft fabric also feels better against the scab and doesn’t scrape or scratch against it. [3] Tip: If your tattoo is in an awkward spot, such as your wrist, take extra care not to bump or jostle it.
4 Limit heavy exercise to prevent bacteria from getting into the scab. Give your tattoo a chance to heal and don’t do heavy exercise. [4] If you sweat a lot, you could introduce bacteria to the wound, which might cause an infection and delay healing. Plan on taking 1 week off from exercising to give your body a chance to heal. [5]
- If you do exercise and sweat, clean the scab with antibacterial soap and rinse it. Then, pat the scab dry and leave it alone.
5 Avoid soaking the scab in water for a long period of time. If your scab absorbs a lot of water, it’s more likely to become infected, so keep it dry. Don’t take baths or go swimming until the scab has fallen off on its own. [6] It’s fine to briefly rinse the scab when you shower, but gently pat it dry with a soft towel when you get out. [7]
- If you have a thick scab that hasn’t fallen off after a few weeks, you can try soaking the scab to encourage the edges to peel.
6 Give the scab up to a week to fall off on its own. If your tattoo does scab over after a few days, remember not to pick or scratch. The scab is simply protecting the new skin underneath and it may take a week to fall off. [8]
- You might pull ink out of the tattoo if you pull off the scab before your skin has healed.
7 Massage soapy water into your scab if it doesn’t fall off within 3 weeks. Place a clean cloth on your scab and shower for a few minutes so the scab absorbs water. Remove the cloth and rub antibacterial soap and water between your palms. Then, hold the scab under warm running water while you gently rub the soap over the scab. Do this for a few seconds so the edges of the scab lift up. [9]
- Try this just once or twice a day for a few seconds since it can fade your tattoo.

1 Clean your tattoo with soap and water after you remove the bandage. Take off the bandage the day after you get your tattoo. Rinse your skin with cool water and rub a little antibacterial soap between your hands. Gently massage the soapy solution over the scab. Then, rinse it off and pat it completely dry with a soft cloth. [10]
- Avoid using hot water because it strips moisture from your skin.
2 Apply a moisturizer to the tattoo 1 to 2 times a day for the first week. Moisturizing the tattoo prevents it from drying out and becoming irritated. Gently rub a very thin layer of fragrance-free moisturizer over the tattoo several times throughout the day. [11]
- Ask your tattoo artist to recommend a moisturizer. Some may suggest a petroleum jelly-based product while others recommend a natural body butter, such as cocoa butter.
3 Keep your tattoo out of direct sunlight as it heals. [12] Sunlight fades your tattoo’s ink, so take extra steps to keep your new tattoo out of direct sunlight for the first few weeks. If you do need to be out in the sunlight, wear clothes that cover the tattoo. [13]
- After a few weeks, you can rub sunscreen onto your new tattoo if you’ll be outdoors. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB damage.
4 Call your doctor if you notice redness, pain, and other signs of infection. Scabs are usually a minor inconvenience, but if yours becomes painful when you touch it or it feels hot, it might be infected. Contact your doctor, not your tattoo artist, if you have: [14]
- Oozing thick white, yellow or green fluid
- Fever
- Swelling
Tip: It’s important to get medical attention since most infections need to be treated with antibiotics. If the infection spreads, you’ll need stronger treatments and it will take longer for the tattoo to heal.
5 See your tattoo artist if you think you’re allergic to the ink. Although an infection can affect a large area of skin around your tattoo, you might notice that just the skin of your tattoo is reacting to the ink. Parts of the tattoo, such as red or black designs, might be itchy, red, or swollen. Ask your tattoo artist to tell you what inks they used for your tattoo and take this information to your doctor since it can help them make a diagnosis. [15]
- For example, if you have a colorful tattoo, but notice that only the red areas are raised or itchy, you may be allergic to the pigment, dye, or metallic substances in the red ink.
- If your doctor suspects an allergic reaction, you’ll get a prescription for antihistamines. This medication treats rash, redness, and itching.

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Once your scab naturally falls off, the tattoo will look milky or cloudy. It will become brighter again within a few weeks as the skin finishes healing.
Remember which inks you have an allergic reaction to so you can avoid them in any future tattoos you get.

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When can I switch to lotion on my tattoo?

– There will come a point during your washing-drying-ointment routine when you’ll have to switch from using ointment to using lotion. This is usually after several days to a week or so after you first received your tattoo. There’s a difference between ointment and lotion.

Ointments like Aquaphor do a more heavy-duty job of moisturizing the skin than do lotions. That’s because ointments have an oil base, while lotions have a water base. Lotions are more spreadable and breathable than ointments.

Aquaphor has the added benefit of anti-inflammatory effects, which can make the tattoo healing process speedier and more comfortable. After a given number of days of using ointment (your tattoo artist will specify how many), you’ll switch to lotion. This is because you need to keep your tattoo moist for several weeks until it’s completely healed.

During your aftercare routine, instead of adding ointment, apply a thin layer of lotion at least twice a day. However, you might need to apply lotion as much as up to four times a day to keep your healing tattoo hydrated.

Be sure to use unscented lotion. Perfumed lotions typically contain alcohol, which can dry out the skin.

How often should I moisturize my tattoo?

How Often Should You Moisturize Your Tattoo? – Professional tattoo artists always recommended one moisturizes their tattoo(s) once or twice a day. The best way to moisturize a tattoo is by doing it in the morning and in the evening. It is also important to apply lotion or ointment after taking a shower, to protect the tattoo from drying out.

Note : Make sure to wait between 10 and 20 minutes to apply lotion/ointment onto the tattoo after a shower. In that time, the tattoo will dry naturally, so when you do apply a moisturizer, it will soak into the skin nicely.

By applying lotion onto a wet tattoo, you’re risking overdoing it.

Should I wash my tattoo when it’s scabbing?

Tattoo Scabbing | Aftercare & Healing – A new tattoo will flake and peel during the healing process and may even scab a little bit. To prevent a new tattoo from overly scabbing and thus possibly losing color and clarity, the first two weeks is the most critical time to carefully follow aftercare tips.

Whether you use an aftercare product suggested by the tattoo artist, an over-the-counter ointment or an unscented hand lotion or moisturizer, you must keep your tattoo moist;
If it dries out and starts cracking, where it splits is where you are going to see scabbing;

While keeping it moist is vitally important, you can overdo it and keep it too moist or what you’d call saturated. Avoid using petroleum or lanolin based product that clogs your pores. These products can not only pull out color, but they actually hamper the healing process.

A slow healing tattoo has the potential to scab just as much as one that doesn’t get enough moisture during healing;
Wear loose clothing while your tattoo is healing;
Tight clothes that rub on a new tattoo can irritate and scrape the area to the point of pulling off flakes and scabs that aren’t ready to come off;

It’s also wise to wear clothing made of breathable materials such as cotton. Avoid nylons and polyesters. Keep it clean Gently wash your tattoo with a mild, antibacterial soap and your fingers. Never use a wash cloth, sponge, bath puff or any other material while washing the area.

Then, thoroughly rinse all of the soap off. It’s important to carefully remove this debris to prevent a new tattoo from scabbing. Don’t rub Rubbing your tattoo can pull off the thin layer that is also referred to as a scab which forms a protective layer over the fresh ink.

This scab is necessary and you don’t want to pull it off before it’s ready or you will end up with larger scabs that are harmful. Re-apply ointment, lotion or moisturizer Avoid Sweating Sports, gum etc can irritate a new tattoo, so try to avoid extremely physical activity.

Also avoid contact sports, where the protective scab can be knocked off;
Don’t soak in any kind of water including bathtubs, oceans, lakes, swimming pools or hot tubs;
Not only can the water seep under the skin and draw the ink out, any germs found in the water source can potentially cause infection, which can lead to scabbing and scarring;

Tattoo Scabbing – Healing Scabs can be unsightly, painful and itchy. Scabs are the encrusted formation that forms atop a wound during the healing process. Designed to keep germs and bacteria from invading the wound and leading the infection, they can be unsightly.

Improper caring of scabs can lead to permanent scarring. Reasons for Scabs: The tattoo starts to scab over, similar to a scab that may occur if you’ve been badly sun burned. This is a natural reaction, as the top layer of skin becomes a little crusty, protecting the open wound (tattoo) underneath.

After a few days, the natural healing process of the tattoo causes the skin to form a complete scab over the entire image. This scab should be very thin and flaky if you’ve taken care of your tattoo correctly. Once the tattoo finishes healing, the scab begins to peel, eventually falling off completely on its own.

During this time, it’s important not to pick the scab or it could pull the ink out of the fresh tattoo underneath. What to avoid: Don’t pick at the scab; give it time to heal undisturbed. Picking scabs open not only exposes the cut to bacteria, but keeps it from healing properly and will eventually lead to scarring.

Clean the scab with warm, soapy water. Don’t rub on it or you risk having it fall off. Dry it immediately after washing. Keep the scab moist by applying a warm, wet compress one to two times a day. This will help promote healing by allowing the skin beneath the scab to regenerate.

Apply lotion to the scab to keep it healthier and less likely to fall off or become cracked. Apply an antibiotic ointment to the scab between soakings to help keep it from hardening. Avoid soaking the scab in excess water.

This can cause the scab to fall off, which will restart the healing process, making it so another scab has to form. Allow the scab to get as much air as possible to promote healing. If you cover the scab, make sure it still has airflow. Talk to your doctor about chemical peeling for scabs and scars.

Why is my tattoo still scabbed after 2 weeks?

At Stick Tattoo, we try to provide as much education and knowledge about the tattoo process as possible. After all, proper tattoo aftercare is nearly as important as the actual tattoo application itself. If interested in proper tattoo aftercare, be sure to read our article on our tattoo aftercare instructions. Many of our customers are often curious about the various stages of healing that your new tattoo will go through.

Immediately following your tattoo, you may notice some redness, swelling or bruising. This is fairly common. Within the first couple of hours, the limb or area may be stiff and sore, as well as tender to touch. To your body’s immune system, your new tattoo is viewed as an open wound. So it will react as such, beginning to heal your body naturally.
After a few hours, you can remove the wrap or bandage that was applied immediately after your tattoo from your artist. You should not be alarmed by the possibility of blood, plasma, ink and other fluid that may have compounded on your skin. You will want to gently wash your tattoo with warm water and antibacterial soap. Pat dry and do not wrap or cover your tattoo, but rather keep your tattoo open to the air.
During the first week, you will continue to experience swelling, redness, and possible oozing that will gradually get better towards the end of the week. The tattoo will still remain tender to touch. Continue to wash, dry and apply a thin layer of ointment.
The second week following your tattoo, you will start to notice more itching, skin flaking and scabbing. This is a normal, and essential part of the healing process. This means that your dead skin is falling off, and your new skin is replacing it.
Your tattoo will start scabbing towards the end of week one, and into week two. DO NOT pick at these scabs! These scabs are part of the healing process and removing these scabs can directly effect the outcome of your tattoo. These scabs may still be attached to the ink-bearing layer of your skin, so removing them prematurely will make your tattoo blotchy and discolored.
This stage of the healing process can be quite difficult as the itching and scratching may feel overwhelming. Solving the itch can vary from person to person, but remember – the worst thing you can do is pick at your tattoo or scab! We recommend patting the itching area, or even applying pressure to the agitated area.
By the end of week two, your tattoo should not be swollen, red, or show any bruising. You should also notice less, if any, itching or scabbing. Your tattoo is almost healed!
By the third week, you are now in the final stages of your tattoo healing process. However, your tattoo may look faded or washed out. This is still part of the healing process, and still requires continued care.
Your risk of infection is drastically reduced, and should show no signs of bruising or swelling. You should also be nearing the end of any itching or agitation from your tattoo. We still recommend applying moisturizing lotion 2-3 times during the third week. But, remember to apply in thin layers, and not over-apply.
After your third week of care, you are good to resume normal activity, such as swimming and sun exposure on your tattoo. We still recommend caring for your tattoo, such as sunblock and moisturizing lotion when applicable.

Extreme pain, oozing of white or greenish substances, foul-smelling tattoos, and fever are all signs of a tattoo infection (see below). If you think you might have an infection, see a doctor right away..

What can I put on a scabbing tattoo?

What is the Tattoo Care Process? Tattoos normally scab after the first 3-days. Apply the proper tattoo care regiment as recommended by your tattoo artist, and let the tattoo heal. Use antibacterial soap like Tattoo Goo® Deep Cleansing Soap to gently clean the tattoo and products like Tattoo Goo® Lotion With Healix Gold + Panthenol for itch relief and excessive scab prevention.

Anybody with tattoos can tell you all about the itching after a tattoo. You’ll feel the urge to scratch but look for relief that doesn’t come from scratching your skin. Applying the Tattoo Goo® Lotion With Healix Gold + Panthenol will help hydrate the skin and keep you from impulsive scratching and rubbing.

Hydration will help with the itch and help keep your tattoos healthy. Poorly hydrated tattoos can cause your tattoos to split and bleed. This is called tattoo cracking and can cause bigger, deeper scabs to form. Deep scabs can extend your healing time, and can be more prone to getting pulled or ripped off before fully healed.

That can lead to scarring or make your tattoo look patchy and faded even though it’s new. A beautiful tattoo with ink that will last you a lifetime needs a healthy healing process. Everyone’s body is different.

But all tattoos need minimal scabbing to retain their ink. Here’s our best practices to care for your tattoo scabs.

How do you tell if your tattoo is too dry?

Why Does Tattoo Cracking Happen? – When your tattoo begins to scab over in the healing process, the area around the tattoo generally becomes scaly , extremely dry, and also very itchy. Some tattoos will scab very lightly where the scabs are hardly visible, and some will scab heavily, with thick prominent crusts. A tattoo beginning to crack When the scabs lose moisture within them, they will become so dry that they begin to split, break apart, and often bleed. This is what is known as tattoo cracking. Below are the main reasons why your new ink may begin to crack:.

Do I still wash my tattoo when it peeling?

It can be alarming to see your new tattoo peeling, but don’t worry, it’s perfectly normal, and you should care for it as usual! Peeling tends to start on day 3 or 4. It’s the top layer of the skin which peels, not the deep layers where the ink has been deposited, so any ink that comes off with peeling skin is not going to affect the brightness and intensity of your tattoo.

Why is my tattoo scab so thick?

Tattoo Scab Cracking: – If the skin remains very dry during the healing process, it can cause tattoo scab cracking. If the tattoo becomes too dry, then the scabs will also become thicker. Because of this, some scabs will break. If the scabs start breaking, then multiple areas of the scab can crack open on your skin.

Do tattoos look better after they heal?

Aftercare – After the first month, your tattoo will look vibrant and fully healed. It’s easy to remember aftercare in the first few weeks, but it’s essential to keep it up for several months. Doing so will help the tattoo stay clean and look its best.

Do tattoos darken as they heal?

Reasons Why a Black Tattoo Might Fade – A black healing tattoo turning gray is perfectly natural and isn’t necessarily something to worry about. Most tattoos will darken again once healed, but some will remain lighter, and this is completely natural.

Can you ruin a new tattoo?

Fresh tattoos can take anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks to heal. During this healing phase, there are 7 things that can ruin your new tattoo before it has even healed. Bad art from a bad artist It’s possible to ruin your new tattoo by choosing an unskilled artist.

When speaking about skills, I’m not referring to their artistic skills. This would be about the artists’ tattooing procedure and application skills. Everyone’s skin is different skin. Healthy, unhealthy, plump, loose, tight, oily, or dry.

Our skin’s surface, thickness, and tightness are also different throughout our bodies. These differences can have a detrimental impact on how the ink lays into your skin. An inexperienced artist can further implicate this. Finding and choosing an experienced artist goes without question 2.

Keeping your fresh tattoo covered too long Fresh tattoos are open wounds, and after the tattoo session, the artist will cover your new tattoo. Every artist has a different preference for what they use. Some still use the old school plastic Saran Wrap crap made for sandwiches.

Try to avoid using this food cellophane wrap on new ink. Fresh tattoos should be wrapped with a sterile bandage. The best options are medical-grade adhesive bandages and protective tattoo films like Saniderm or Dermalize. Wrapping a fresh tattoo is essential to help the initial healing while providing protection from environmental contaminants like dirt, germs or anything else that should not go near an open wound.

After the wrap has been on for a few hours, you will start to see blood and plasma underneath. Once this happens, it’s time to remove the wrap, as this can block your skin pores from breathing. This can ruin your new tattoo before the first day is over.

And trust me, I’ve ruined two tattoos by leaving the wrap on too long as per the artist’s instructions. The bandage or wrap should stay on no longer than 6-8 hours max. If using products like Saniderm or Dermalize, you can always remove it, clean the tattoo and apply a new layer.

Tattoo Infections As discussed above, the post-procedure wrapping helps protect your skin from getting infected. Once unwrapped, keep your skin clean and follow proper tattoo aftercare instructions. This will ensure your new tattoo heals without getting infected.

During tattoo healing, avoid touching your ink unless washing or applying aftercare. It’s very easy to transfer dirt and germs onto your fresh tattoo (open wound) from dirty hands. Sleeping with a fresh tattoo Getting a goods night’s sleep can be awkward during the tattoo healing process.

Even more awkward is the size and location of your new tattoo. Try to avoid laying on the tattoo, and or having it covered under the sheets or blankets. Covering a fresh tattoo under blankets or sheets can cause a risk of infection.

The bed is a great place for hidden germs that you do not want to get into an open wound. The same as above, your skin needs to breathe, so not covering up under the sheets helps. Then there’s the issue of laying on the tattoo. You risk having the tattoo stick to the bed or pick up dirt and germs.

You can always lay down a clean towel on the bed if you need to;
Another option for sleeping is applying a breathable medical wrap like Saniderm;
Make sure to remove it as soon as you wake up so that there’s not too much blood and plasma accumulation;

Cleaning and excess water exposure Keeping a fresh tattoo clean goes without question. So never submerge a fresh tattoo underwater. Also, avoid excessive water exposure while showering. Our skin is like a sponge and it will absorb the water, which can damage the tattoo.

When it comes to cleaning your new tattoo, make sure you do this several times a day. You can read our 17 Best Tips To Heal New Tattoos here. Picking or scratching itchy or peeling skin During the tattoo healing stages, some people experience itchy and scabby skin.

The reason for this to happen is part of your skin’s healing process. But whatever you do, resist the urge to pick or peel your skin as this can damage the color and lines of your new tattoo. To avoid or end any itchy peeling skin during tattoo healing, always use a good aftercare product.

Keep your tattoo clean and moisturized several times throughout the day. Don’t let your tattoo get dry, and only apply a thin layer of tattoo aftercare after every cleaning. Now, in regards to peeling and itchy skin, I have never suffered from this.

I followed the above directions and none of my 21 tattoos have ever peeled or got itchy. Excessive sun exposure Excessive sun exposure is a fast way to ruin a new tattoo. Be aware of any direct sun exposure on your fresh ink. If you must be outside, always keep your tattoo covered, for at least the first 40 days.

Cover Up with clothing or try to stay out of the sun;
Never apply any sunscreen on a fresh tattoo;
Some of these products have ingredients that are not good for your fresh ink during healing;
A list of nasty skincare ingredients will be for another blog;

After your new tattoo has healed, make sure to keep it protected with quality sunscreen product if going outside. Excessive direct UVA/UVB sun exposure accelerates skin aging, which causes tattoo fading.

Should I wash my tattoo when it’s scabbing?

Whether you use an aftercare product suggested by the tattoo artist, an over-the-counter ointment or an unscented hand lotion or moisturizer, you must keep your tattoo moist. If it dries out and starts cracking, where it splits is where you are going to see scabbing.

A slow healing tattoo has the potential to scab just as much as one that doesn’t get enough moisture during healing. Wear loose clothing while your tattoo is healing. Tight clothes that rub on a new tattoo can irritate and scrape the area to the point of pulling off flakes and scabs that aren’t ready to come off.

Then, thoroughly rinse all of the soap off. It’s important to carefully remove this debris to prevent a new tattoo from scabbing. Don’t rub Rubbing your tattoo can pull off the thin layer that is also referred to as a scab which forms a protective layer over the fresh ink.

Also avoid contact sports, where the protective scab can be knocked off. Don’t soak in any kind of water including bathtubs, oceans, lakes, swimming pools or hot tubs. Not only can the water seep under the skin and draw the ink out, any germs found in the water source can potentially cause infection, which can lead to scabbing and scarring.

Improper caring of scabs can lead to permanent scarring;
Reasons for Scabs: The tattoo starts to scab over, similar to a scab that may occur if you’ve been badly sun burned;
This is a natural reaction, as the top layer of skin becomes a little crusty, protecting the open wound (tattoo) underneath;

During this time, it’s important not to pick the scab or it could pull the ink out of the fresh tattoo underneath. What to avoid: Don’t pick at the scab; give it time to heal undisturbed. Picking scabs open not only exposes the cut to bacteria, but keeps it from healing properly and will eventually lead to scarring.

Why is my tattoo still scabbed after 2 weeks?

Immediately following your tattoo, you may notice some redness, swelling or bruising. This is fairly common. Within the first couple of hours, the limb or area may be stiff and sore, as well as tender to touch. To your body’s immune system, your new tattoo is viewed as an open wound. So it will react as such, beginning to heal your body naturally.
After a few hours, you can remove the wrap or bandage that was applied immediately after your tattoo from your artist. You should not be alarmed by the possibility of blood, plasma, ink and other fluid that may have compounded on your skin. You will want to gently wash your tattoo with warm water and antibacterial soap. Pat dry and do not wrap or cover your tattoo, but rather keep your tattoo open to the air.
During the first week, you will continue to experience swelling, redness, and possible oozing that will gradually get better towards the end of the week. The tattoo will still remain tender to touch. Continue to wash, dry and apply a thin layer of ointment.
The second week following your tattoo, you will start to notice more itching, skin flaking and scabbing. This is a normal, and essential part of the healing process. This means that your dead skin is falling off, and your new skin is replacing it.
Your tattoo will start scabbing towards the end of week one, and into week two. DO NOT pick at these scabs! These scabs are part of the healing process and removing these scabs can directly effect the outcome of your tattoo. These scabs may still be attached to the ink-bearing layer of your skin, so removing them prematurely will make your tattoo blotchy and discolored.
This stage of the healing process can be quite difficult as the itching and scratching may feel overwhelming. Solving the itch can vary from person to person, but remember – the worst thing you can do is pick at your tattoo or scab! We recommend patting the itching area, or even applying pressure to the agitated area.
By the end of week two, your tattoo should not be swollen, red, or show any bruising. You should also notice less, if any, itching or scabbing. Your tattoo is almost healed!
By the third week, you are now in the final stages of your tattoo healing process. However, your tattoo may look faded or washed out. This is still part of the healing process, and still requires continued care.
Your risk of infection is drastically reduced, and should show no signs of bruising or swelling. You should also be nearing the end of any itching or agitation from your tattoo. We still recommend applying moisturizing lotion 2-3 times during the third week. But, remember to apply in thin layers, and not over-apply.
After your third week of care, you are good to resume normal activity, such as swimming and sun exposure on your tattoo. We still recommend caring for your tattoo, such as sunblock and moisturizing lotion when applicable.

Why is my tattoo still scabbed?

Julia