Some infections occur shortly after getting a tattoo. Others develop over time, and you might not notice them until months later.
Days 2 to 3:
During these days, your tattoo may look dull and cloudy as your skin heals and new skin starts to form. Excess ink and plasma may still ooze from your skin.
``If you are developing significant warmth, redness or tenderness, you may have developed an infection,'' says Dr. Zeichner. ``If you feel unwell or have a fever or any pus in the area of the tattoo, these can be other signs of an infection.'' You'll also want to be aware of leaking ink or excessive itching, notes Dr.
A 2016 study that looked at the risk of infection with tattoos found that 0.5–6% of adults who had a tattoo experienced infectious complications. If a tattoo causes severe symptoms or pain that lasts for more than a few days, it can be a sign that there is an infection that needs medical attention.
It is normal for larger pieces to feel like a bad sunburn for a few days after the tattoo. Swelling is also common, especially in the first 24 hrs. Keep up good aftercare routine and things should get better in a few days. For me, it can be up to 7 days before it starts to feel better.
No. An infected tattoo doesn't usually heal on its own. Infections require specific medications depending on the germ that's causing it. If untreated, infections can cause serious complications.
Right after your tattoo session, it will look really bright and vibrant. After a few days, these effects might start to dim a bit because your skin has started to get used to the ink. It will still look great as long as you take care of it and let it heal properly. Your tattoo will naturally fade over time.
Worsening red, itchy bumps at the tattoo site. Redness and swelling: remember that mild redness is to be expected the first two to three days after getting a tattoo. If it progresses, worsens or accelerates three to five days after getting the tattoo, you need to take action due to high likelihood of a skin infection.
An infection might be due to contaminated ink or equipment that isn't sterilized correctly. Getting a tattoo at a studio that doesn't follow good safety steps also can raise your risk of a skin infection. Other skin problems. Sometimes an area of inflammation can form around tattoo ink.
The Attentive Stage (Days 2-3)
The initial bleeding, swelling, redness, inflammation and weeping will likely still be present. Continue to wash and moisturize the tattooed area carefully twice a day. It is normal for the skin to feel like it's sunburned during this period.
It's recommended you wait at least 24 hours before showering after getting a new tattoo. This allows the tattooed area to begin the healing process and reduces the risk of infection. Showering too soon after getting a tattoo may expose the open wound to bacteria and increase the chances of complications.
A thin layer is strongly suggested, too much aquaphor can pull out the ink and damage the quality of the tattoo, which results in a higher chance the tattoo will need a touch-up.
The Final Takeaway
If you notice your tattoo is oozing or leaking a clear fluid, rest assured that this is nothing to be concerned about. This is just plasma discharge that is a normal part of the body's healing process and will likely harden into a scab as the wound closes.
Pain, Swelling and Scabbing (Days 3-6) – The first several days will go by with your tattoo essentially still being a raw open wound. It will likely be painful during cleaning or when clothes/other body parts rub against it. Scabs will start to form towards the end of this stage.
Will an Infected Tattoo Still Heal? A mild infection that is caught and treated early likely won't ruin the tattoo, but the longer it's left untreated, the more risk you run of visual changes to the tattoo.
Signs of a tattoo infection may appear across the entire tattoo or only within specific colors. They can include: Bumps on your skin (papules) that sometimes contain pus (pustules). Nodules, bumps on or below your skin that are larger than papules.
Peeling usually occurs a few days after getting the tattoo, as the skin begins to heal and regenerate itself . The regeneration process involves the skin removing dead and damaged cells. As the skin exfoliates itself, a layer of dead skin cells and ink pigment peels off, allowing new cells to grow.
New tattoos fade very quickly when exposed to sunlight. In addition, if your tattoo has not completely healed yet, exposing the area to sunlight could result in blistering. In general, you should keep a new tattoo completely protected from the sun for at least three to four weeks.
It is considered fully healed when all scabs have fallen off, and the skin has regenerated and closed up. This process generally takes between 2 to 4 weeks. At this point, you can stop washing your tattoo with soap, as it will be protected by its own layers of skin.