When it comes to getting tattooed, one of the most important things is to make sure you end up with a fully healed tattoo. Many people assume that a tattoo finishes as soon as you hop out of the chair- but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Having a good understanding of the tattoo healing process can be incredibly helpful.
Of course, it’s worth noting that every tattoo artist will offer a different aftercare suggestion and recommend different products. However, the healing process is still essential to be mindful of- regardless of what tattoo studio it is that you’re going to, or what kind of tattoo you end up deciding upon getting.
In this blog post, we’ll be taking a look at the tattoo healing process in more depth. We’ll examine how to know when you have a fully healed tattoo, what to avoid when healing a tattoo and a few of the various tattoo aftercare products that are available on the market to help with the process. Learn everything about Tattoo Care from our Tattoo Aftercare Guide.
Why is it important to focus on healing a tattoo?
Contrary to popular belief, the tattoo process does not finish as soon as you are out of the studio chair. Having a good tattoo aftercare routine and plenty of tattoo aftercare products at your disposal is essential if you want to make sure that you have a healthy tattoo that looks great down the line.
Spending a good amount of time caring for your tattoo properly is great for helping to prevent any infections or healing issues. Of course, there’s always the chance of an infection occurring with a tattoo - they are essentially wounds, after all - but being careful about how you treat it and what you put on it can help to minimize risk.
Another reason why it’s essential to take the healing process seriously is longevity. Using high quality products to care for a new tattoo and a fully healed tattoo is important if you want to minimize fading or blurred lines over the years. It’s important to treat a tattoo as a long-term investment wherever possible.
What should you avoid when healing a tattoo?
There are a number of important things to watch out for when healing a tattoo. To keep your tattoo in prime condition when you’re healing it, make sure to avoid;
- Soaking it. New tattoos should be kept out of water wherever possible, especially towards the beginning of the healing process. Avoid baths and swimming pools for the first few weeks at least.
- Direct sunlight. Direct sunlight can be especially harmful for new tattoos, but it’s important to minimize contact with it wherever possible during the healing phase. For new tattoos, keep covered with soft clothing. For healing tattoos, make sure to find a good tattoo sunscreen and aftercare cream.
- Fake tan/artificial skincare products. It’s important to only use verified, tattoo-friendly products on a healing piece. Fully healed tattoos can work nicely with any kind of product, of course, but healing pieces need thorough yet nourishing products- like a hemp tattoo ointment, for example.
- Itching or picking at it. As tempting as it can be, it’s important to avoid any kind of itching or picking when healing a tattoo. Picking at scabs can cause issues during the healing process, and they can even lead to infections. Try to avoid touching your tattoo wherever possible.
Healing a tattoo can arguably be more painful or frustrating than actually getting a tattoo - if you don’t take care of it, that is. Make sure to do your research when it comes to picking out tattoo aftercare products, and follow your studio routine to the letter to make sure you end up with a beautiful, fully healed tattoo. If you want a great resource for tattoo tips check out the INK-EEZE tattoo tips section.
When is a tattoo fully healed?
Knowing when you’re dealing with a fully healed tattoo is important, no matter if you’re on your first tattoo or your fourteenth. The tattoo aftercare products that a tattoo needs change during the healing process, so it’s good to be aware of the different healing stages and when you need to get in touch with your artist.
Of course, tattoos will always heal at different rates. Some people heal quickly, and others take much longer. Everything from the weather to the size of the tattoo can affect the speed that a piece heals at, so it’s important to take these pointers with a pinch of salt- it can vary from person to person.
Generally speaking, a tattoo will peel after the third or fourth week. Many people assume that this means that the tattoo is fully healed- yet this is not entirely true. The healing process can take up to 6 months to finish healing, so it’s important to not skip any aftercare steps.
If you experience any issues with your tattoo healing process, it’s important to drop your artist a message or to visit your studio for a quick consultation. Even if it ends up that nothing is wrong, it’s reassuring to have a professional artist look at your tattoo during the healing process to let you know what’s happening.
All in all, it’s essential to be patient and thorough with your healing. Tattoos are beautiful pieces of art that are intended to last a lifetime, and it’s important to put the work in. Having a good aftercare product and caring routine can make all the difference when it comes to nurturing a fully healed tattoo.
To sum up
All in all, the healing process is essential to be mindful of if you’re getting tattooed. No matter if you’re getting a small wrist tattoo or a full color back piece, knowing how to tell if you have a fully healed tattoo is incredibly helpful. Healing a tattoo can be tricky, but it is important to pay good attention to the process regardless.
Looking for more tattoo tips? If so, we’ve got you covered. Check out our tattoo tips blog!
