As you know, the process of getting a tattoo involves a needle that pierces your skin. Because of this, tattooing does not just end the moment the artist finishes with the job. Instead, you will have to go through the tattoo healing process as well. That said, how long does it take for your tattoo to heal? This will depend on a myriad of factors, such as the area of the body the tattoo is on. To give you an idea, a new tattoo can take anywhere between four weeks to even a few months to heal fully.

With that said, here is what you can generally expect during the tattoo healing process:

First week – The healing

While your skin might look free of any open wounds after getting a tattoo, you will notice that it is actually riddled with them once you take a closer look. Additionally, you will notice that the skin around the tattoo will start to inflame or swell, just like how your body will respond to any other type of wound. Sensations of stinging and burning will also be felt during this time.

The tattoo artist will advise you on how you can keep your wounds clean. This way, you can make sure the wounds do not get infected and run into other complications while the body works hard to heal the wounds.

Second week – The itching

After a week or so, your wounds would have healed quite a bit. At the same time, you will start to notice that the tattoo will feel itchy and start to peel. This is normal, and just like how a scab will form on a wound, your skin will also begin to peel.

During this time, you can use lotions and such to keep your skin moisturized. That way, it will help relieve the itchy sensation.

Third and fourth week – The drying

Once the itchiness has subsided and disappeared, your skin will start to dry out. Also, there will be a thin layer of skin above the tattoo that makes the entire thing look dull. Do not worry, because that extra layer of skin will slowly disappear, allowing the tattoo to grow more vibrant over time.

Fifth week – The end

If things are going great, by the fifth week, your tattoo would have fully healed. You will know this because you can see your tattoo in its best light without any accompanying itchiness, pain, or inflammation.

That said, you will still need to continue caring for the tattoo. This means using a gentle soap, keeping it safe from the sun, and staying well-hydrated. All of these will help ensure your tattoo heals properly and quickly as well.

Conclusion

Remember that a tattoo’s healing time can vary from person to person. Nevertheless, the process will always be the same, and with extra care, your tattoo will heal as fast as it can. That said, if you have concerns, you can always take it up with a tattoo artist. They will give you the advice you need to know to ensure your tattoo is healing properly, and that you will not have to suffer as much during the healing process.

Are you looking for an award-winning tattoo parlor in Buffalo, NY? Lucky Deville Tattoo Co. is here to make your dream tattoo come true. Contact us today to set up your appointment!