The tattoo healing process and aftercare is vital when you’ve just gotten inked. There are a couple things that you need to know about healing and how to take care of new tattoos. There are different stages in which a tattoo heals and we take a closer look at each of these stages.
Tattoo healing- Stage one
This stage starts immediately after the tattoo is completed and should be treated with utmost care. Your tattoo artist will wrap the tattoo so that the healing can begin. Once you have removed the bandage you might notice a gooey liquid that comes out, this is perfectly normal. This happens because the body’s cells are repairing the area.
There might be slight pain and also some redness in the area. This should subside over the next few days.
*Remember that new tattoos are quite similar to open wounds, which is why they should be treated likely. Make sure to keep the area clean and follow direct instructions given to you by your tattoo artist.
How to clean the skin during stage one:
- Before getting started always wash your hands and make sure that they’re clean.
- Next, wet the area of the tattoo with lukewarm water.
- Apply a fragrance-free soap that created for sensitive skin. This will ensure that your skin doesn’t have any irritations. You can also use an anti-bacterial soap to prevent any infections.
- Rinse the area with clean, warm water.
- Gently pat the skin dry with a towel.
- Apply lotion to help moisturize the skin.
Once you have cleaned the area apply a new bandage. Bandages should be changed at least once a day and you can gradually reduce how long you keep it on the area.
Tattoo healing- Stage two
During this stage your skin will become itchy; this is completely normal and won’t last too long. The time frame for itchy skin is usually around 1-2 weeks.
Once your skin reaches this stage it’s a good indication that the tattoo healing is in process. Despite it being irritating, avoid scratching the area at all costs. The main reason that you shouldn’t scratch the area is that it could damage the ink and overall tattoo.
The skin will inevitably become dry/ flaky and scabs will start forming. During this period make sure not to scratch or pull off the scabs. You might even notice that the skin is peeling; this shouldn’t alarm you because it’s part of the tattoo healing.
To help ease the itchiness you might want to gently wash the area using a mild soap to keep it hydrated. After washing make certain to dry the skin and apply a fragrance-free lotion. This can be applied a couple times a day to deal with extremely dry and flaky skin. Make certain not to over apply the lotion, so that the skin can still breathe.
Tattoo healing- Stage 3
Stage 3 is when you will be able to properly start seeing your new tattoo. The skin will mostly be healed and there will be minimal scabs on the surface. The final deeper scabs will all off on their own after a few days.
It is likely that the skin around the tattoo might still be sensitive and slightly dry. Continue to look after it and moisturize regularly. If your tattoo still looks dull, don’t worry it almost fully healed. This stage can take a few months for the skin to recover because their might still be some dead skin.
How to get rid of the dead skin?
The best way to get rid of the dead skin is by cleansing and moisturizing the area often. Opt for doing this morning and evening and you will notice the difference in the tattoo healing process.
What to look out for when your tattoo is healing?
Be wary whenever you notice a burning/ stinging sensation; this could be an infection. Contact your tattoo artist to make sure that there isn’t an infection. If you find that there is an infection seek medical advice before self-treating.
Another thing to be on the lookout for is if your color easily bleeds. There might be color bleeds from time to time but if you notice the color washing off, get in contact with your tattoo artist.