Top 5 Tattoo Healing Questions Answered by a Tattoo Artist

If you've ever had a tattoo, or are thinking about getting a tattoo, the thought of the aftercare process might be a little daunting. Don't stress! With this blog post, common sense and good hygiene, you'll find healing your tattoos a joyful (although somewhat itchy) process.

In this post I'll be answering the top 5 tattoo healing and tattoo aftercare questions I often get asked, starting at number 5 ...

5. How long does it take for tattoos to heal?

To me, there's actually two answers to this question. Initial healing, when you leave the studio with a gooey fresh tattoo, for the top layers of your skin to heal over, you're likely looking at two to three weeks. However, at this stage the top layers of your skin (epidermis) have only just healed, and won't be back to 100%. For this to happen with natural skin renewal, you're looking at between 28-84 days, dependent on age.

4. Are scabs on my tattoo normal?

The answer to this may surprise some of you ... no! From my experience, both tattooing and getting tattooed, scabs should not form on your tattoo. If they do, it could be down to a couple of things. Firstly, a common reason is that the tattoo has gotten too dry. This is not to say you haven't looked after it, sometimes clothing or repeated movements of your body can cause the area to dry out. In this case, try wear loose clothing and moisturise little and often. Another reason scabs may occur is when the artist has overworked your skin. Going over area of skin too many times or having the machine voltage too high can cause additional trauma to the skin, resulting in scabs. It's important to research your artist, always look for healed photos and reviews. Other reasons can be irritants on your tattoo as it heals, such as perfumed aftercare products or soaps.

If you do get scabs forming, don't pick them! your skin is resilient and as long as you don't pull scabs off and damage the deeper layers of skin, you should be fine! Most artists will happily touch up their work if needed.

3. When do tattoos stop peeling and itching?

This usually starts at around 1 week after your tattoo and stops at week two. As the area has to be shaved during the tattoo process, those with longer body hair many experience itchiness for a little while longer, along with small red bumps as your hair grown back. Don't scratch your tattoo during the healing process! Stick to moisturising little and often, rub the tattoo with the palm of your hand rather than your fingertips, and aloe vera can help soothe ingrown hairs.

Above: peeling skin on a healing tattoo. This is a slightly more extreme example but is completely normal (I would know, it's my leg.)

2. What is the best tattoo aftercare regiment?

This will vary from artist to artist, as they know what works best for their work. Having said this, after getting more tattoos and by different artists, you will also learn how your skin reacts to tattoos and the aftercare. My tattoo aftercare regiment is outlined here.

1. What is the best tattoo aftercare product?

Again, listen to your artist as they know their work the best. In general, avoid anything that is heavily artificially fragranced and/or coloured or with a high alcohol content. Look for natural, moisturising products. At The Wolf Shed we provide aftercare products to you with every tattoo, free of charge, in order to eliminate the cost and stress for you (the products we provide are by Butterluxe.) If you run out of this product and can't pop back in for any more, or want a long term moisturiser for your tattoos, I recommend natural coca butter.

Although there is a lot of sometimes conflicting information about aftercare, always listen to your artist and go to them if you have and questions or concerns!