Why Is My Tattoo Scabbing So Bad?
Are Scabs Normal? – Many people worry that scabbing indicates that there’s something wrong, but there is no need to worry as it’s a normal process during tattoo healing, and means that your body is correctly responding to the trauma recently caused to the tattooed skin.
When you get a tattoo, you are essentially causing large amounts of damage to a specific area of skin thanks to the multiple needles puncturing your skin hundreds of thousands of times in a single sitting.
This tattooed area is a wound, and your body forms a scab during the healing process to attempt to prevent infection by walling the wound off from outside germs. When the skin fully regenerates underneath, the scab will gently fall off, and moisturizing and cleansing properly will support this process.
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What do I do if my tattoo scabs bad?
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.
Is thick scabbing on tattoo normal?
Can a Thick Tattoo Scab Cause Tattoo Infection? – Having a thin layer of scabbing on the tattoo at the healing stage is quite a regular thing. However, sometimes, you may also see thick and heavier scabs on the tattoo. You need to understand that it will take a longer time to heal if the scab is denser.
It’s important to follow proper tattoo aftercare instructions carefully so the tattoo scab has the best chance to properly heal. If you don’t take proper care of the tattoo scab, the thicker scab can lead to infections.
With a thick scab, these will be itchier at times. Be sure to avoid picking the scab, or you will run the risk that it can remove the vibrant color of your newly made tattoo. Despite the itchiness, give the tattoo scab time to fall of naturally. Premature picking of the scab can damage the tattoo. It’s best to just become preoccupied and try to ignore the itch to itch, it’s a great test for your mind! 
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Can scabbing ruin a tattoo?
– Taking care of a healing tattoo is tricky. In the beginning, your tattoo may feel wet and gooey but it will dry out as time passes. As your tattooed skin heals, it will begin to scab. This is totally normal. It’s important not to pick at or scratch off the scabs, as this can ruin your tattoo.
That’s easier said than done, as scabbing tattoos can get itchy as they dry out. Keeping your tattoo moist — but not too moist — can cut down on itchiness. Tattoo bubbling is what happens when scabs become too wet.
This begins when you don’t fully dry off your tattoo after showering, and scabs become saturated with water. Then you apply too much ointment or lotion. Tattoo bubbling increases your risks of damaging your tattoo and getting an infection. The more surface area your tattoo covers, the more likely your risk of tattoo bubbling.
How long should a tattoo be scabbed over?
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.
Should I moisturize tattoo scabs?
Why Thick Tattoo Scabbing happen? How to avoid it? Ep-92 | Ft.Suresh Machu
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..
How do you tell if a tattoo is infected or just healing?
– If you begin to feel feverish and experience abnormal oozing or scabbing around the tattooed area, see a doctor. These are common signs of infection. You should also see a doctor if a rash or swelling lasts for more than a week. If an infection isn’t treated soon enough or can’t be treated properly because the bacteria have become resistant to an antibiotic, abscesses can result.
Removal may require special treatment in the clinic or hospital. You should also see a doctor if you experience uncomfortable itching around the tattooed area or if the area is oozing pus or fluid. You may be having an allergic reaction to the ink.
An allergic reaction can also lead to anaphylactic shock. This causes your throat to close up and your blood pressure to become dangerously low. Go to the emergency room right away if this kind of allergic reaction occurs.
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.
Should I let my tattoo dry out?
– Tattoo dry healing is an acceptable part of a tattoo aftercare routine as long as you follow all other aftercare instructions closely. Not taking extra care of your tattoo can lead to scabbing or scarring. And if you’re concerned that dry healing won’t work for you, feel free to use a safe, chemical-free moisturizer to prevent any reactions or interactions with your skin or the tattoo ink.
How do I know if I messed up my tattoo?
Can you over moisturize a tattoo?
What Are The Risks of Over Moisturizing a Tattoo? – By applying thicker layers of lotion or ointment, several times a day (or every hour or two as some people do), you’re risking over-moisturizing a tattoo. By over-moisturizing a tattoo, you can cause the following problems;
- Due to excess moisture, the tattoo won’t be able to dry and heal
- Excess moisture can create a perfect environment for bacteria and germ growth
- Over moisturizing can lead to tattoo inflammation and infection
- Excess moisture can cause clogged pores since the moisturizer prevents the skin from breathing
- Excess moisture can cause the tattooed skin to break out
To avoid these issues, make sure to follow the moisturizing rules we mentioned before. However, make sure to not under moisturizing your tattoo as well. Some people are afraid they might over-moisturize their tattoo, so they leave it dehydrated, which results in heavy scabbing and tattoo dryness. So, make sure to stay in the middle and simply apply a thin layer of lotion/ointment twice a day.
How can I make my tattoo scab heal faster?
How do you tell if your tattoo is infected?
How can I make my tattoo scab heal faster?
How do you tell if a tattoo is infected or just healing?
– If you begin to feel feverish and experience abnormal oozing or scabbing around the tattooed area, see a doctor. These are common signs of infection. You should also see a doctor if a rash or swelling lasts for more than a week. If an infection isn’t treated soon enough or can’t be treated properly because the bacteria have become resistant to an antibiotic, abscesses can result.
Removal may require special treatment in the clinic or hospital. You should also see a doctor if you experience uncomfortable itching around the tattooed area or if the area is oozing pus or fluid. You may be having an allergic reaction to the ink.
An allergic reaction can also lead to anaphylactic shock. This causes your throat to close up and your blood pressure to become dangerously low. Go to the emergency room right away if this kind of allergic reaction occurs.
How do you know if your tattoo is healing bad?
Is dry healing a tattoo better?
– Wrap healing is done by keeping your tattoo wrapped in plastic while it’s healing. Your skin is usually kept dry during wrap healing, but the plastic can help lock in natural moisture while lymphatic fluid leak outs. Dry healing and wrap healing are similar in that neither method relies on any moisturizer to keep the skin moist.
