During tattoo healing, as your skin peels, scabs, and scratches, the tattoo area can look terrible. Just remember that this is your body’s natural way of healing itself after receiving a painful open wound.
Your peeling, scaly tattoo will experience constant irritation, itching, and discomfort. The work will also look completely unlike the artwork you envisioned while brimming with adrenaline at the tattoo parlor.
It will get there. You just need to be patient and maintain self-control.
What is a tattoo scar?
A scab is a protective layer of tissue that forms after your skin is damaged by a cut or abrasion. The scab is unsightly but cares for the healing skin underneath.
Just like any other wound that results from a cut or cut, a tattoo is an open wound that needs to heal and shrink over time. Trying to speed up the process can in fact backfire.
Is a scaly tattoo normal?
During proper post-tattoo care, nearly everyone experiences scaly, flaky skin. Think of this as inevitable but something you can minimize and you’ll have a better time if you’re patient during the healing phase.
The peeling and flaking phase is when inexperienced or worried tattoo enthusiasts will panic. Skin generally looks rough and horrible, and much of your beautiful, vibrant artwork is obscured by scabs that form as the skin heals.
Getting a tattoo doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve done something wrong. The healing process of the skin is different for each person.
Some of the factors that contribute to different rates of tattoo scabbing include:
- Your skin type and sensitivity
- Your personal healing rate
- Steps you took during the aftercare
- Size, position, color and type of ink
- Other factors like weather, diet, general fitness and hydration levels
Early door: 1-3 days
During the first 3-4 days of receiving fresh ink, you won’t experience much flaking or scaling. The tattoo itself will look good; however, it will be red and swollen as the initial wound heals, the bruising subsides, and things settle down.
When scabs begin: Wound healing time Days 4 to 6
By this point, the initial redness and bruising should have begun to fade, and if you’re using wet aftercare, you’ll begin applying ointment or ointment to the new tattoo.
You will probably notice some very slight peeling on the tattoo as the outer skin begins to knit together over the wound.
The scabs will be a little raised but not as thick and hard as the scabs from an annoying cut or scratch. Do not peel off the scales – this can cause significant scarring and ink bleed.
Continue washing the tattoo area three times a day with antibacterial soap as your tattoo heals. Apply a thin layer of an appropriate moisturizer, ointment, or antibiotic balm to keep skin moist and heal.
Peak desquamation: Wound healing time Days 7 to 14
At the end of the first week after getting a new tattoo is when you will see the most scaly tattoo. The thick scab usually hardens and will begin to flake off into scabs and small patches.
It is imperative that during this part of the process – when your tattoo looks and feels at its worst, you must let it heal without poking, poking, poking or scratching the skin.
If you make a mistake at this stage of the process, you can draw out the ink and leave a scar, discolor the tattoo, or possibly even cause an infection.
At this time, dead skin is very easy to cause an itchy feeling. Gently apply moisturizer several times a day to relieve itching, or if itching and pain are severe, try an antihistamine or hydrocortisone cream (at recommended levels).
If your tattoo is still red and swollen at this point, you may have a tattoo infection. Go back to your artist, see your doctor, or do the right research to see if your tattoo is okay if this is the case and worries you.
Near the finish line: Week 3
Near the end of the healing period, the thicker scab will completely peel off on its own. Although it can be itchy, it is important not to scratch as the tattoo is still healing.
As a reminder, healing time can vary from person to person and will depend on the care you give your new tattoo. If the wound is still watery or the scab is not dry, you can consult your tattooist to find out if they have any suggestions on how you should change up your tattoo care routine. .
When to worry about the tattoo peeling off
While scabbing is normal for a tattoo, there are unusual circumstances that you should be aware of as it can cause problems with tattoo healing. Including:
- Too thick and tough, heavy peeling
- Dark red areas that develop at the edge of the scab can be a sign of an infected tattoo
- Excessive watering and swelling
- Bleeding and pain
If you’re concerned, it’s best to go to your tattoo artist first and get their advice on how to heal your tattoo. They’ve seen it all before and will be able to assist you if there’s a problem, whether it requires a visit to the doctor or a change in aftercare products.
Tattoo scabs and dry cures
Dry healing is a post-tattoo care method that limits the use of products, lotions, oils, or moisturizers to care for newly-inked skin.
After the initial tattoo dressing or bandage is removed to the tattoo parlor, all you do for the rest of the healing process is wash the tattoo area with mild antibacterial soap and warm water to clean it. periodically tattooed skin.
Choosing this minimalist approach will affect how your tattoo peels and scabs. You’ll most likely find the scabies ink stain looks and feels worse for a much longer time during the second to third week of the tattoo’s healing process.
It’s important to make sure you let the tattoo heal on its own and don’t interfere with scabbing and peeling when trying to heal a dry tattoo.
Do’s and Don’ts when getting a tattoo
DO follow a proper post-tattoo care plan and stick to it, even if you are doing post-tattoo healing. Be patient and actively take care of the tattoo area, the tattoo will heal quickly.
DO NOT pick up your scales. No matter how uncomfortable and itchy you feel, let the scab heal and fall off. Removing scales too soon may wash away the deposited ink and may cause ink staining or healing pitting.
DO make sure you use antibacterial soap when cleaning your tattoo three times a day. Use a small amount of warm/hot water and make sure to dry with a clean paper towel or soft cloth.
DO NOT soak your tattoo with any water during the healing phase and especially when your tattoo is scaly. This can cause infection or scabs long before they are ready.
DO seek help if there is only a minor problem – tattoo infection or allergic reaction should be avoided at all costs. It’s easier to be seen as a fool than to be proven a fool.
DO NOT scratch around the scab, as you will run into accuracy problems with holding and poking as you damage your healing tattoo.
Conclusion
Your new tattoo is not only a permanent work of art, but also an open wound that will most likely scab over as it heals. If there are tattoo scabs, keep the scales moist and do not touch them. Within two weeks, your scabs should begin to fall off on their own.
If you try to speed up the process by peeling off the scabs, this can affect the tattoo ink, leaving discoloration on the healed tattoo where the scabs are. It’s tempting when you want to get rid of your tattoo scabs every time, leave them alone.
Did you like this article on tattoo scabs and how to heal? If you are looking for more important information on tattoo aftercare, click on the links below to better understand the process:
Categories: Tattoos
Source: Tattoo Scabbing – How Much Is Normal and What Should You Do? – Tekmonk Bio, Tattoo Scabbing – How Much Is Normal and What Should You Do? – KOLNetworth, Tattoo Scabbing – How Much Is Normal and What Should You Do? – Blogtomoney
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings