When you leave the studio, your tattoo looks finished, but in fact the work has only just begun. As your skin heals over the following weeks, the tattoo passes through several stages: shiny, tender first days, an itchy flaking phase, a cloudy in-between stage and finally its settled, sharp look. Knowing what to expect at each stage avoids needless worry and makes proper aftercare easier.
The timings below are a general guide. Healing varies with the size, style and placement of the tattoo and with your skin. Always follow your artist's advice.
The first days: protection and cleaning
The first hours
When the work is done, the tattoo is cleaned and usually covered with a protective wrap. In the first hours, redness, mild swelling, warmth and a stinging feeling are normal. Some fluid, ink and plasma may seep from the tattoo; this is a natural part of the process. A mild throbbing in the area for a while is also normal.
When to remove the wrap and how to do the first wash depend on the method used, so follow your artist's instructions. Don't touch the tattoo with unwashed hands, and avoid fiddling with it on the first day.
Days 1-3
In the first days the tattoo is shiny, slightly raised and sensitive. Keeping it clean is your most important job now. After the first 24 hours you can take a short, lukewarm shower; don't rub the tattoo, and pat it dry gently with a clean towel. Then apply a thin layer of moisturiser, choosing the product your artist recommends.
Wear loose, soft clothing. Since a fresh tattoo can stick to the sheets overnight, sleeping on clean bedding is a good idea. In these days, also avoid tight clothes and bag straps that rub against the tattoo as far as you can.
Days 4-14: flaking and itching
For most tattoos, thin scabs and flaking begin towards the end of the first week. As the skin renews itself, itching follows. The golden rule here is simple: don't pick, don't scratch. A scab pulled off too early can take the ink beneath it and leave light patches in the tattoo. How thick the scabs are varies from tattoo to tattoo: small fine line pieces may flake almost unnoticeably, while heavily filled or coloured areas can scab more visibly.
Keep moisturising to ease the itch. During this phase, long exposure to water, such as pools, the sea, baths and saunas, is generally not recommended, and you should stay out of the sun. During activities that make you sweat heavily, make sure the tattoo isn't exposed to friction and sweat.
Weeks 2-4: the cloudy stage
Once the flakes have fallen away, your tattoo may look duller than expected, slightly blurry, or as if it sits under a milky layer. This is usually nothing to worry about; the newly formed top layer of skin has not yet become fully clear. Keep moisturising and protect the tattoo from the sun during this stage too. Rather than inspecting it in the mirror for flaws, be patient; this cloudiness usually clears on its own within a few weeks.
Months 1-3: fully healed
Although surface healing is usually complete within a few weeks, the deeper layers of skin can take a few months to fully renew. At the end of this period, the tattoo's true colour and line sharpness appear, and this is the best time to judge the final result. In some cases there may be minor colour loss and a touch-up may be needed; this is most often seen on areas that regenerate quickly or are prone to friction. When the tattoo no longer feels raised or looks shinier than the surrounding skin to the touch, that is a general sign that healing is largely complete.
Once fully healed, sunscreen is your tattoo's best friend. Regular use helps colours and lines stay vivid for years.
If redness, swelling or pain increases rather than easing after the first days, or if you notice marked heat, a bad smell, pus-like discharge or fever, see a doctor without delay and let your artist know.
Planning your next tattoo
Our Özlüce tattoo studio is in the Nilüfer district of Bursa. If you are looking for a female tattoo artist in Bursa for your next piece, use the appointment form and take a look at the work on the portfolio page.
