How Do I Know My Tattoo Is Healing Properly?
– It’s important to know the signs that your tattoo isn’t healing properly or has become infected. Symptoms of improper healing include:
- Fever or chills. A fever may indicate that your tattoo has become infected, and you should see a doctor right away.
- Prolonged redness. All tattoos will be somewhat red for a few days after the procedure, but if the redness doesn’t subside , it’s a sign that your tattoo isn’t healing well.
- Oozing fluid. If fluid or pus is still coming out from your tattoo after 2 or 3 days, it may be infected. See a doctor.
- Swollen, puffy skin. It’s normal for the tattoo to be raised for a few days, but the surrounding skin shouldn’t be puffy. This may indicate that you’re allergic to the ink.
- Severe itching or hives. Itchy tattoos can also be a sign that your body is allergic to the ink. The allergic reaction to a tattoo can happen right after, or as much as several years after getting the tattoo.
- Scarring. Your tattoo will scab over because it’s a wound, but a properly healed tattoo shouldn’t scar. Signs of scarring include raised, puffy skin, redness that doesn’t fade, distorted colors within the tattoo, or pitted skin.
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How long does it take for a tattoo to heal?
What Happens After You Get A Tattoo? – As mentioned above, a tattoo is also an open wound, so it also takes time to heal. The healing process varies greatly depending on the physical condition of each person. In general, you may experience three stages after getting inked into your skin, including:
- Stage 1: It lasts around six days. Every day, the oozing, redness, and swelling lessen. Scabbing appears on the surface.
- Stage 2: It lasts for the next seven days. It starts to itch and flake. These symptoms will last until entire flakes of dry cells and scar tissue have been removed.
- Stage 3: It lasts around 15 days. Although your tattoo seems to have entirely healed, it may remain foggy for another few weeks. Keep looking after it since hidden layers of the dermis are still healing.
Source: US National Archives.
What are the symptoms of a prolonged tattoo recovery?
Days: 4 to 14: Visible Recovery – As the healing process continues, the top layer of skin peels, flakes, scabs, and itches—similar to the response the body makes as it recovers from a sunburn. This is a normal, healthy recovery process. Avoid scratching, rubbing, picking at scabs, and physically removing peeling skin.
Is it normal for a new tattoo to leak?
First Stage(0-7 th day) Factoring in the Redness and Occasional Oozing – Things to know
- Usually lasts for a week
- No sun exposure allowed
- No scab picking is recommended
- Bruising, and soreness are common
- The healing rate might vary for every individual
- Extensive cleaning is needed while you let the tattoo heal
Process The first stage of tattoo healing starts immediately once the artist puts down the machine. Once the tattoo area is cleaned and wiped for blood, the artist wraps a bandage around the same. Depending on the type of tattoo, you are expected to remove the bandage after a few hours or even a couple of days. Once you remove the wrap, you must keep cleaning the area with antibacterial soap, at least two to three times, each day.
Also, instead of rubbing the tattooed region, you must pat dry the same and keep your tattoo free from scratches. Also, at this stage of healing, you might notice ‘tattoo weeping’, where the tattooed area keeps leaking some clear fluid along with some residual ink.
However, you must understand that redness, oozing fluid, soreness, and ink leaks are common at this stage and can be considered a part of the healing process. Also, if you gently wash the tattoo to heal, the open wound oozes white blood cells and transparent plasma, which is completely natural and nothing to worry about.
How do you know when to take off a tattoo?
– Every tattoo heals slightly differently depending on each person and where the tattoo is located. The healing process follows a four-stage healing timeline that includes oozing, itching, peeling, and continued aftercare. It’s important to be consistent and strident about aftercare so your tattoo doesn’t get infected.
