How Long Does A Tattoo Take To Heal?
It's sometimes hard to estimate how long a tattoo will take to heal, but there are many ways to prevent healing from becoming a drag. All of our tips and tricks below should help to ensure healing times are kept as short as possible.
We'll explain how long an average tattoo takes to heal, and the many factors that come into play when determining healing times.
How Long Does It Take For a Tattoo To Heal?
On average, it normally takes around 2-3 weeks before you can take a long bath, go swimming, or relax in a hot tub. Healing times will also depend on how well you look after your new tattoo and the area of skin surrounding it. In general, complete healing of all layers of tattooed skin usually takes up to 4 months.
In terms of appearance, your tattoo should look completely healed within 2-3 weeks, although it may appear slightly shiny and scaly for several more. This is as long as everything goes well with no infections or extreme scabbing taking place.
The skin below the surface, however, generally takes longer to heal. As mentioned, this can take up to 2-4 months. This is why getting tattooed over the same area can be much more painful the second time round if not enough time has elapsed between sittings.
The long answer:
This probably isn't what you wanted to hear, but I'm going to say it anyway: Asking how long it takes for a tattoo to heal is like asking ‘how long is a piece of string?’
Everybody is different. Everybody has their own unique skin properties and immune systems, so no two people are ever going to heal in exactly the same way as each other.
As with most questions, there are many variables that affect the answer – and with this specific question, no single answer is correct. However, continue reading and you'll discover what you can do to make sure your tattoo heals as well and as quickly as possible.
How To Reduce Tattoo Healing Times
There are many factors in play that can determine the times of your tattoo healing process. Take each of the below factors into consideration, and you'll have the best chance of healing your tattoo as quickly as possible.
Scabs and Skin Being Pulled off Prematurely
One of the most essential things to remember when your tattoo is healing is to NOT pick the scabs off, no matter how tempting. This also goes for pulling off pieces of peeling skin.
Heavy scabs that are not yet ready to fall off are still forming deep enough into your skin to effect the layers in which the tattoo ink has been set, meaning that pulling a scab off prematurely can pull ink away from the area, potentially leaving pits and colorless spots in your skin.
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| Do not pull scabs off prematurely no-matter how tempting |
Pulling thick scabs away can delay healing times considerably, and will potentially cause your tattoo to require extra touchups from your artist if any color is lost.
The same goes for peeling skin. This stage of healing can be very uncomfortable, with large areas of half-dead skin hanging from your tattooed area and varying bouts of itching (dependant on factors such as skin dryness).
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| A peeling tattoo |
Just remember that this stage only normally lasts for several days, so try and see it out by letting the skin fall off naturally without pulling it off. Peeling skin off that isn't yet ready to fall off can pull ink from the skin just like scabbing can.
Applying Aftercare Products
Although not necessary by any means, applying a good aftercare lotion helps to speed up healing by keeping your tattoo nourished and well-moisturized.
Don't overdo it, though. You should only need to apply lotion after each time you wash the area, so around 2-3 times per day depending on how clean you can keep your tattoo between washes, or whenever your tattoo looks/feels very dry.
What you most not do, though, is smother your tattoo in a thick layer of lotion. While the skin is healing, it needs to breath, and a 1-inch thick block of tattoo cream isn't exactly going to help the process. This can delay healing and cause your tattoo to bubble up.
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| This is FAR too much lotion and some should be blotted off with a paper towell |
If you accidentally apply too motion lotion/ointment/cream, simply gently dab off any excess until there's only a very thin layer remaining on the tattoo.
As mentioned, lotions and ointments aren't required, but can definitely help towards speeding up the healing process and ensuring the tattoo looks clear and bright afterwards.
Submerging Your Tattoo in Water
Along with pulling off scabs, this is up there as one of the worst things you can do to your new tattoo. You mustn’t submerge your tattoo in water for any length of time at all for the first couple of weeks. See below for information on what can be done around water with your new tattoo:
- Cleaning your tattoo – This should be done with sensitive, fragrance-free soap and lukewarm water (your skin will be very sensitive and hot water can cause the skin to swell and rash). Cup the water with your hands and pour it over your tattoo. Gently rub the tattoo with your fingers in a circular motion. More here on how to clean your tattoo correctly.
- Showering - Try not to keep your tattoo in the firing-line of the shower-head for too long, and try to limit your showers to below 5 minutes to prevent water and steam sweating the ink out. Pat the tattoo dry afterwards, do not rub!
- Bathing – After sitting in your bathtub for just a few minutes, the water will be harbouring with bacteria and can easily cause an infection in your tattoo. Avoid baths for at least 3-4 weeks.
- Swimming in pools – Although bacteria is killed by chlorine, the chlorine itself is very damaging to new tattoos. It can dry out your skin, potentially cause a rash on sensitive areas, and can fade/draw the ink out of deeper layers. Stay out of swimming pools for 3-4 weeks.
- Swimming in the sea – Like with chlorine, sea-salt will dry your skin out and can cause irritation. Stay out of the sea for at least 3-4 weeks.
- Lakes and other bodies of water – This is because there are many horrible types of bacteria festering in most large (and often small) open bodies of water. Stay clear for at least 4 weeks.
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| Don't Submerge your tattoo in the shower for too long |
Going Out in the Sun
This can be a serious tattoo killer. Nothing is more harmful to your tattoo than the almighty big ball of fire – especially when the tattoo is fresh. Your skin will be extremely sensitive to UV rays during the first couple of weeks, and any sun exposure for more than a few minutes can cause skin irritation and burns; and trust me, sunburn on a new tattoo is not fun. Expect a large delay in healing if this happens to you.
Tattoo Location and Contact With Clothing
Depending on where on your body your new tattoo is, various materials are going to come into contact with, and rub against, the tattooed area. Any prolonged or vigorous rubbing over recently tattooed skin is going to be detrimental to the healing process and will most likely prolong recovery somewhat.
It is not only the rubbing motion that can irritate a tattoo, but also the material itself. Recently tattooed skin is going to be much more prone to irritation, and you may find that certain materials (such a latex, for example) that do not normally cause irritation, can quite easily bring tattoos out in a bright rash if left in contact with the skin for any extended periods of time.
Below is a list of areas you will need to be extra careful with when deciding what to wear after getting some new ink:
- Feet – Probably the worst place to get a tattoo if you have an active job. It’s pretty much a given that you’re going to need to take it easy for a few days and not wear any socks or rubbing footwear. You may get away with sandals depending on the exact placement of the tattoo, but if not then it might be best to call off work for 2-3 days to let the initial healing take place as effectively as possible.
- Shoulders – These areas of upper-body clothing are usually the places that hug against your skin the tightest. There’s not much you can do about this except trying to find the loosest possible clothing to wear. Try not to wear any materials that may irritate the area such as latex, leather, or rubber, as these will cling to the tattoo. These materials can also cause excessive sweating, which may draw ink out.
- Bottom/Upper Legs – Tight wearing denim is your enemy, especially as these places naturally tend to rub against your clothing. Try to wear a more breathable/looser-fit material for a week or two - and sit down carefully!
- Back – This area is mainly problematic when sitting down on a chair/sofa with a backrest. Over time, this can press your clothing against your tattoo and can potentially cause sticking. Try to remember to move often, and refrain from sitting against a rest for too long.
Tattoo Location and Skin Rubbing
In relation to the advice about avoiding prolonged clothing contact – it may also be advantageous in some instances to try to avoid contact with yourself (huh?)
There are many parts of your body that naturally rub against other parts all day long – think inner thighs, fingers, and under-arms. All of these places naturally rub against other body parts on a regular basis. This, just like clothing, can also cause irritation, and any skin-on-skin contact should be avoided as much as possible.
Obviously, I’m not telling you to wobble about in a squatting duck position to prevent your thighs from slapping together, but try and be as proactive as possible. If you know you’re getting your tattoo done in an area that is likely to rub in your day-day activities, take 2 or 3 days off to rest, and let your tat heal irritation-free for a while before going back to your normal daily life.
Being tattooed in/over/around joints can also be a bit of a nuisance. Places like the wrist, inner elbow and neck are constantly on the move, meaning that when a tattooed area tries to scab over and grow new skin, these areas are constantly being broken down again due to the skin twisting, stretching and pulling.
Now, I'm not asking you to start straight-arming all of your drinks at the bar, but try and move your tattooed joints as little as possible. It’s tough for a week or so, and joints do generally take longer to heal than other areas, this can’t be helped, but try to keep movement as minimal as possible.
For example, if you've gotten the ditch (inner elbow) of your dominant arm recently covered, try brushing your teeth, combing your hair and doing ‘other’ (ahem) activities with your less dominant arm. Warning; doing some of these may be tougher than you think.
Whether the Tattoo is in Color or Black and Grey
It’s well-understood that color tattoos do generally take longer to heal than B&G (black and grey) due to the contents of the ink. All colored inks contain very small amounts of metal that the human body finds hard to accept.
Some people react worse than others to these metals, and in some situations the body can actually push out some of the ink, increasing healing times and prompting a tattoo touch up from your artist.
Your General Health and Immune System
You have to remember that no-matter how popular and common tattoos are these days, they are still essentially large open wounds caused by trauma carried out over long lengths of time (having needles passed in and out of your skin thousands of times in a single sitting injecting a foreign substance into your body).
Therefore, as with recovery to all other types of damage your body goes through on a regular basis (cuts, scrapes and bruises) – healing is going to be at it’s fastest when you’re mentally and physically well-rested and properly nourished.
If you know you don’t get your recommended amount of daily fruit and vegetables, it may definitely be worth supplementing with a good multi-vitamin to try and boost your bodies healing properties as best as possible.
Please note that if you are currently unwell or have any ongoing health/medical conditions, your immune system is likely to be running lower than normal, and therefore your new tattoo may heal a little (or a lot) slower than what it would do with a full-strength immune system, depending on your condition.
I know this is the last thing you want to do if you’re excited about getting your new tattoo, but if you're currently fighting a short-term illness (like a cold or flu), it is sometimes better to postpone your appointment and wait until the illness has passed. Not only will your tattoo likely heal faster/better, but you will also minimize the risk of passing your plague onto somebody else at the studio.
Working Out and Physical Jobs
It’s not advisable to go to the gym or conduct any vigorous activity for at least a couple of days after getting a new tattoo. Your immune system will probably be slightly weakened, and overdoing it can add delays to healing. Gyms and many places of work can also be very dirty, so ensure your tattoo is covered well to minimize the risk of infection. Once home, clean your tattoo well.
Weightlifting and cardio can also cause your tattoo to rub against clothing, which can cause rashes and sores to develop, so watch out for this too.
Whether Your Tattoo Needs a Touchup
Sometimes the healing process will go slightly worse than hoped. Maybe you've applied too much ointment and that has drawn ink out, or maybe your skin hasn't reacted so well to the ink and some of the color has been lost.
Any of the above scenarios could likely prompt a trip back to the chair of pain for a touchup, in order to go over all the little bits that may not have turned out exactly how you would have liked. Obviously, this is going to add to your healing times, as essentially some parts of your tattoo will need to heal twice (pre and post touchup).
Your Aftercare Choices
Petroleum-based ointments can suffocate a tattoo if used too generously, which can increase healing times. Keeping a tattoo wrapped for too long can also cause the same problem.
Infection
Any type of infection is going to delay healing considerably. We have further information on tattoo infections, symptoms, and prevention here.
Summary
So - how long does it take for a tattoo to heal? I hope you can now see why this is such a tough question to answer. I also hope this article helps to shed some light on all of the different ways in which certain scenarios can affect the healing of your lovely new tattoo.
See below for a quick tattoo healing cheat sheet to assist in helping your tattoo heal in the quickest time possible:
- Everybody heals differently
- Tattoos will generally look healed within 2-3 weeks, but could appear slightly shiny for a while longer
- The skin below the surface layers usually takes longer to heal – up to 2-4 months
- Do not swim or bathe with your new tattoo
- Do not pick, pull or scratch at your scabs and peeling skin
- Do not expose your tattoo to prolonged, intense sunlight
- Previous tattoos may help give you an estimate on your next/new tattoo's healing times, but no two tattoos are ever the same
- Tattoos rubbing against clothing can take longer to heal. Wear baggy clothes where possible; especially on feet, shoulders, bottom, upper legs and back
- Colored tattoos generally take longer to heal than black and grey, and red is the hardest color to heal quickly
- Your general health and immune system will dictate how long your tattoo takes to heal. Eat healthily, and/or take a good multivitamin to help give your body a boost
- Seek medical advice before getting a tattoo if you have any serious long-standing health problems
- Don’t worry if colored skin peels off as you clean your tattoo – this is normal as long as you’re not washing it too vigorously
- Working out and doing hard manual labour straight after getting a tattoo should be avoided - wait a couple of days
- Requiring touchups will add to healing times
- Petroleum-based ointments can suffocate a tattoo if used too generously, and can extend healing times
- Any type of infection is going to delay healing times considerably
