How Long Does It Take Tattoos to Heal?
Wondering If Your Tattoo Should Be Healed by Now? Here's How Long It Takes
As POPSUGAR editors, we independently select and write about stuff we love and think you'll like too. If you buy a product we have recommended, we may receive affiliate commission, which in turn supports our work.
When you get your first tattoo, maybe you're eager to share it with the world, but it won't look quite how you imagined at the beginning and will scab over during the healing process. Tattoo artist Michelle Santana from celebrity-favorite parlor Bang Bang Tattoo said this is when most first-timers tend to get concerned.
"My most common freak out with customers is when they get home and see blood or ink smudging under the bandage," she explained. This is totally normal, and you won't see what your ink will really look like for several months after you get it done. "After about two to three weeks the tattoo will be healed enough to have an idea of how the tattoo will end up looking, and the following months the ink will settle in to the skin," said Santana. The best thing you can do while patiently waiting for it to heal is to keep the area clean and lightly moisturized.
How can you tell if your tattoo is healed then, you wonder? Santana explained: "It's fully healed when all scabs are completely gone and it looks a little shiny." Ahead, check out a few tips to ensure your tattoos heal without infection.
Keep Your Hands Clean
Keeping your tattoo clean during the process is vital to avoid infection, so make sure to wash your hands with a soap like Mrs. Meyers Clean Day Hand Soap ($10 for a pack of three) before touching your new ink. "Imagine touching a subway pole that countless others have touched and licking your hand — ew. Now imagine you touch your tattoo with that subway pole hand," said Santana.
Keep It Dry
To keep your tattoo from getting infected, Santana suggested avoiding submerging it in pools, hot tubs, oceans, lakes, or going in a sauna.
When to Go to the Doctor
If you notice excess redness, rashes, bumps, or pus surrounding your new tattoo, it might be infected. You should also pay attention to how you're feeling. An infection can cause you to feel sick or even give you a fever. "If you think your tattoo is infected, please come into the shop or go to your doctor," said Santana.
