Table of Contents Show
All over the world, people have different opinions on tattoos. Some people think that they are a waste of money while some people find tattoos aesthetically pleasing. If you are contemplating getting a tattoo this year and wondering how long does it take for a tattoo to heal, this is your complete guide.
To understand the healing process of tattoos1, we need to understand what tattoos are exactly. Tattoos are a form of body modification2. Ink or dye is usually inserted into the skin using a kind of needle to form the body art. We need to understand that tattoos are nothing but a wound.
So naturally, it would take the tattoos to heal as much as it would take a wound to heal without any complications.
All tattoos are unique and different. Some of them are small while others are big. The overall healing process depends on the size, quality of tattoo ink, and location of the tattoo.
There are also other factors to be weighed in when it comes to the healing process. Factors like the type of ink3, the type of needle used to make the tattoo, aftercare is taken for the tattoo, allergic reaction, etc. Once you know how to take care of a fresh tattoo, you will be part of the tattoo community.
1. Tattoos and Their Story
For a really long time, tattoos were considered taboo or something that wasn’t ethical. But now the times are different and you can find many people with tattoos. In America, tattoos are becoming a common sight. People get them for creative purposes or even for memory.
There is no need to be scared to get a tattoo. It is a simple procedure and if you’re wondering “How long does it take for a tattoo to heal”, keep reading this article.
The tattoo initially only hurts while getting it. A tattoo gun is a machine with a needle that penetrates through your epidermis4 (the uppermost part of the skin) and deposits ink there. If your pain tolerance is low, it will hurt more but if it is high it feels like an aggressive tickle.
The pain and healing process also depends on what part of the body you get the tattoo on. The bonier parts of the body where you don’t naturally have a lot of muscle or fat will hurt more than the regions that do have a lot of muscles.
Fun fact- The common myth that tattoos hurt more if you are skinny and not if you are healthy is a myth. No matter what your size is, in the end, the pain depends on your skin sensitivity and not its thickness.
But how long does it take for a tattoo to heal?
If you are still skeptical about getting a tattoo, make sure for your satisfaction that you go to a licensed tattoo parlor where they follow rules and hygiene. You should also ask questions and queries to the tattoo artist before modifying your body permanently.
2. Healing Time of a Small Tattoo
Small tattoos can be considered to be from 1 to 3 inches long. These types of tattoos5 heal faster than others because of their size. But complications can take place even with a small tattoo. So how long does it take for a tattoo to heal if it is small? The normal time for a small tattoo to heal completely if everything goes right is 1-2 weeks.
Many people think that they don’t need to care about the tattoo since it is so small, this can instead increase the tattoo healing period. The immune system will send the same amount of white blood cells to heal the wound no matter how big the wound is.
It is always the small wounds that are usually neglected. Take care of the tattoo no matter how small or big it is and in less than 2 weeks, you’ll have a beautiful body tattoo to flaunt.
3. Healing Time of a Big Tattoo
A “big” tattoo can be considered from 4 inches onwards. People get all kinds of tattoos so it is difficult to define what a large tattoo really means. In comparison, a back tattoo is bigger than a neck tattoo. But it is true that the healing of the tattoo depends on the size. So how long does it take for a tattoo to heal if it is big?
A relatively bigger tattoo can take more than 2 weeks to heal without complications, and if taken care of properly.
3.1. Tattoo Sleeves
Tattoo sleeves can look fun and aesthetically pleasing if the right design is chosen. But they are also very high maintenance as fresh, new tattoos. Since so much surface area is covered at once it takes a lot of time in the parlor. You are also required to return for more sessions for the tattoo to be completed.
Because you need to visit the parlor in intervals for the complete tattoo, you need to take care of the healing process accurately. If the tattoo doesn’t heal on time, the artist will have trouble with the following sessions. This would mean more hassle for you.
Follow the aftercare routine carefully and your tattoo will heal in 2 weeks.
3.2. Face Tattoos
As much as face tattoos hurt, they don’t take long to heal. But since they are located on a sensitive and most used region of your body, it gets difficult for them to heal on time.
So how long does it take for a tattoo to heal if you get it on the face? The ideal face tattoo healing time is 1-2 weeks. But this is only if proper care is taken. It can be dangerous to get a face tattoo as any modification done on the face is more prone to lead to infections.
Since your face is a sensitive area you will feel the urge to scratch and pick at the wound. Do not do so in any case. Keep applying the ointment given to you and let the healing process complete.
3.3. Back Tattoos
This is the tricky part. If you have decided on getting a back tattoo, it is going to be difficult to care for it alone. Because it is difficult to reach and see what’s going on back there, take the help of a friend or family to keep the wound clean in this case.
Back tattoos are very painful because of their location and might swell up more. They might take a few weeks to fully heal. Getting lazy to follow the aftercare routine is easy if you can’t
reach the tattoo. So how long does it take for a tattoo to heal if it is on your back? Make sure you still take care of it with a helping hand and it will heal in 3 to 4 weeks.
3.4. Chest Tattoos
Chest tattoos can be crucially painful to get. Many people have also passed out during the process. It is considered one of the most sensitive regions of the body to get tatted on. So once it is done, the satisfaction that follows is overwhelming.
Touching the tattoo after it is done can be painful and scary but it needs to be cleaned and moisturized regularly till it is fully healed. Since it is also easier to sweat near that area, make sure to wear loose clothes. Work through the pain to avoid infections and you’ll get to flaunt the tattoo later with pride! So how long does it take for a tattoo to heal if it is on your chest? If you work through the pain and take care of the wound then the tattoo will heal in 2 to 3 weeks.
3.5. Neon Tattoos
Neon tattoos or UV ray tattoos have become quite famous in the country because of their unique property of lighting up under a black light. These tattoos are inaccurately considered glow-in-the-dark. These tattoos only come to life under neon or black lights.
Since the ink used for these types of tattoos is not any different than the normal inks, it takes about the same time for them to heal as it does a normal black ink tattoo.
So how long does it take for a tattoo to heal with this method? In 2 to 3 weeks, and under proper care, your tattoo will have completely healed.
3.6. Stick and Poke Method Tattoo
Stick and Poke is the easier but more dangerous method of getting a tattoo. In this tattoo method, the tattoo gun is avoided and a single needle is used to etch the tattoo into the upper epidermis of the skin. Stick and Poke tattoos are usually small, light designs that can be done within minutes. This kind of tattoo is usually done individually, at home, and fades in a couple of months.
Stick and Poke is nothing different than the tattoo gun method except that the skin is not as deeply intercepted as it is with a tattoo gun.
So how long does it take for a tattoo to heal with this method? Since it is done by hand, the healing process of this easy and small tattoo can be the same as one done with a tattoo gun. Stick and Poke tattoos, like tattoo gun tattoos also take 1-2 weeks to heal.
4. Line Art vs Fillers
Line art is a minimalist method of tattooing while Filler is the method of completely filling the tattoo with color. So how long does it take for a tattoo to heal for each of these?
Line art is just the outline of the tattoo design. The tattooed skin does not get very bruised since it is not filled in with color. This is why line art takes less time to heal. The healing period for this type of tattoo is 1-2 weeks.
How long does it take for a tattoo to heal if you get it filled? The filler includes the color filling of the entire design. As this requires more ink and space, the tattoo healing process takes more time. The tattooed skin has more work to do to heal itself. This is why for filler tattoos, the healing period can last from 2-3 weeks. And if the tattoo is bigger in size, the healing process will last for more than 3 weeks.
5. The Tattoo Healing Stages Step by Step
Since tattoos are technically open wounds, they are basically considered a medical procedure. Hence, a good tattoo parlor will disinfect the area of the tattoo properly before and after starting the process. If the area is not disinfected, the dirt on the skin can get inside the wound causing infections.
After the tattoo is done, it is an open wound that needs to be taken care of. Hence, a saran or plastic wrap is applied to the tattooed skin after cleaning it with antibacterial soap. This protects the wound from catching any dirt.
Tattoo artists recommend proper aftercare tips to take care of the wound. Some of these tips include:
- Keep the tattoo wrapped in intervals on the first day.
- Keep cleaning the wound before wrapping the tattooed area.
- Make sure to let the skin breathe by wearing loose clothes.
- The artists will give or suggest a tattoo ointment that must be applied for a week on the tattoo.
- Keep the tattoo away from direct sun exposure.
- Make sure to not let sweat get on the wound.
- Do not apply warm water to the wound for a few days.
- Gently wash the wound with disinfectant and tap the tattoo lightly with a paper towel.
- Do not apply sunscreen or any type of moisturizer that the expert hasn’t suggested.
The first time getting a tattoo can be scary not only because of the pain the gun causes but also because of the aftermath. Do not be scared if you see puffy skin and blood. This is normal since the tattoo is an open wound.
After a few days, when the swelling has decreased, you will start to notice peeling skin. This is a good sign which means that the tattoo is healing. The scab usually comes out with excess ink so it will be the color of your tattoo. Don’t worry if you see your tattoo fading or the ink coming out, once the dry skin falls out, your tattoo will look radiant.
Once all of the dead skin has fallen out, your tattoo has fully healed. Do not pick at the skin or try to remove the scabs. After the dead skin falls out naturally, the tattoo healing time will take place over a period of 2-3 weeks.
6. Some Tips to Reduce Healing Time
How long does it take for a tattoo to heal if it is taken care of properly? The answer to this question is that it would take at least a week for your wound to heal completely only if you follow the aftercare instructions.
- To reduce healing time, keep the surrounding skin moisturized till the tattoo heals. Since the tattoo is forming a scab, you may see dry skin over and around the tattoo. You may also start feeling an itch at the same time. Do not scratch this itch, it will result in the scab coming off prematurely and opening the wound.
- Use only the ointment/jelly given by the tattoo artist to apply on the wound till it is fully healed. If the tattoo studio has not given any lotion, use fragrance-free lotion and fragrance-free soap on the wound. Applying this lotion to flaky skin can keep the itching at bay.
- Do not drink alcohol for a couple of days if you have a big tattoo. Alcohol is a blood thinner. Blood thinners don’t reduce the action of white blood cells and scab formation is slowed down.
- Drink a lot of water before getting your tattoo. Keeping your skin hydrated can help in the healing process.
7. Complications That Affect the Healing
7.1. Tattoo Infections
There can be several complications that can take place after you get fresh ink. Since tattoos are nothing but wounds because of the skin being torn, they have the same amount of danger as a wound would. Our skin starts healing itself as soon as it tears. Our white blood cells start to gather around the tear and form a scab to heal the wound.
Tattoo healing times depend on whether proper care is taken after the tattoo is made. Sometimes, if the aftercare instructions are not followed, the wound can get infected and lead to slower healing.
After getting a tattoo, treating it like a wound is the most important part of helping it heal. A lot of times, people don’t take fresh ink aftercare seriously and this may result in getting an infection on the tattooed area.
How long does it take for a tattoo to heal when it contracts an infection? It depends on how fast you get the infection treated. If you see the signs of an infection early on, then it is easier to get it treated at home.
Since tattoos are open wounds, any foreign body getting inside the skin can cause bacteria and infection to form. Some symptoms of a tattoo infection are:
- Redness and swelling around the tattoo continue after 2 days of getting it.
- Pus formed around the wound.
- Raised skin area.
- Burning sensation near the tattoo.
Staph infections are possible with an open wound. Staphylococcus bacteria are the most common bacteria that enter your body through cuts and abrasions. So if you do not keep your tattoo clean and hygienic, this bacteria may enter the wound causing it to manifest itself into something worse.
Staph infections can be as minor as boils and rashes to as major as Septic Arthritis and Toxic Shock Syndrome. These diseases are a rare but heavy price to pay for getting a tattoo.
If you see any of the following symptoms starting in your body, visit the doctor immediately:
- Fever
- Burning of the wound
- Pus pockets in the wound
- Extreme thirst
- Rash around your tattoo
Staph infections can spread through the wound into the bloodstream and then into your muscles and bones. So it is immensely important that you take care of your fresh tattoo.
7.2. Allergic Reaction
Sometimes, the ink used in the parlors can cause an allergic reaction in some people. It is normal for the skin to swell up and become slightly red but if it is accompanied by any of the following symptoms, you should go to your tattoo artist or a clinic to get it checked and treated.
- Excess and prolonged redness
- Swelling
- Bumps
- Pus in the wound
- Dry skin
- Flakes in the skin surrounding the tattoo
If these symptoms start to fester, you probably have an allergy to the ink used in the tattoo.
8. Conclusion
The healing process of a tattoo typically follows a general timeline. Immediately after getting a tattoo, the area will be bandaged and should be kept clean and protected. After a few hours, you’ll need to remove the bandage and gently wash the tattoo with mild soap and water.
Over the next few days, you’ll need to apply a thin layer of fragrance-free, hypoallergenic ointment or moisturizer to keep the tattoo moisturized and prevent scabbing. It’s important to avoid picking at scabs or scratching the tattoo during the healing process.
Eventually, the tattoo will go through peeling and flaking, and the healed tattoo will settle into the skin.
The bottom line is that all tattoos will heal in lesser time if they are taken care of as the tattoo artist recommends. Don’t be lazy when it comes to cleaning the wound regularly and keeping it moisturized. You can help your tattoo heal quicker when you take care of yourself.
FAQ
1. How long does it take for a tattoo to heal?
A: The healing time for a tattoo can vary depending on several factors, such as the size and complexity of the tattoo, the location of the body, and individual factors. Generally, it takes about 2 to 3 weeks for a tattoo to heal on the surface level.
2. When can I go back to my regular activities after getting a tattoo?
A: It’s important to avoid exposing your healing tattoo to excessive moisture, sunlight, dirt, or friction during the healing process. You should avoid swimming, hot tubs, saunas, and excessive sweating for at least two weeks. Additionally, it’s recommended to avoid activities that may cause direct trauma or irritation to the tattooed area.
3. How can I promote faster healing of my tattoo?
A: This generally includes keeping the tattoo clean, moisturized, and protected from excessive sun exposure. Avoid picking at scabs, scratching, or irritating the tattooed area. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle with proper nutrition, hydration, and sufficient rest can also support the healing process.
Read more
- Huang, Em C. “Scored in ink: A narrative of tattoos as self-care, healing, and reclamation.” The Vermont Connection 37.1 (2016): 9. ↩︎
- Pitts, Victoria. In the flesh: The cultural politics of body modification. Springer, 2003. ↩︎
- Pines, Charles C. “The story of ink.” Am. J. Police Sci. 2 (1931): 290. ↩︎
- Koster, Maranke I. “Making an epidermis.” Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 1170.1 (2009): 7-10. ↩︎
- Islam, Parvez S., et al. “Medical complications of tattoos: a comprehensive review.” Clinical reviews in allergy & immunology 50 (2016): 273-286. ↩︎
Last Updated on by Sathi Chakraborty, MSc Biology