The scabbing stage can last a few days. The tattooed area is unlikely to still feel sore after about two weeks.
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.
When the tattoo is dry to the touch, cover it completely with a new piece of plastic wrap, using small pieces of tape as needed to hold it in place. Do NOT use any healing ointment or moisturizer. With this method, the tattoo is kept completely covered with plastic wrap 24 hours a day, usually for 48-72 hours.
A new tattoo typically remains sore for about 3 to 7 days after the tattooing process. During this time, you may experience tenderness, redness, and some swelling.
Unfortunately, there's no way to control what your body does while you sleep, but keeping your new tattoo covered during the night will help mitigate the risk of causing any injuries by scratching it.
During healing do NOT: Wrap the tattoo after the first night (wearing breathable clothes over it is fine as long as they are not causing friction. (Keeping tattoos wrapped in plastic or bandages will stop air from getting to the tattoo, slow healing, and make gross stuff grow in there.)
You can shower 3-4 hours after getting a tattoo, if you have a Saniderm bandage on, however, if you have a plastic wrap wait 24 hours to unwrap your tattoo and shower. In either case, shower in cold or lukewarm water and avoid prolonged soaking or submerging your tattoo in water for 3-4 weeks.
Use the Aquaphor for the first 2-3 days then switch to a regular FRAGRANCE-FREE lotion such as Lubriderm, or any other fragrance-free brand. 5. Fresh tattoos sometimes “weep” during the first couple of days, meaning that plasma and ink form a thin moist coating on the skin. This can be DABBED with a clean paper towel.
The Key Stages Of The Tattoo Healing Process
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.
When an infection develops after a tattoo, it goes through various stages. While these stages aren't medically defined, they can help you get a better sense of how the infection will progress over time. Stage 1: A dull pain and tenderness in the area develops. Stage 2: Swelling, warmth, and redness occurs.
Another clear sign that a tattoo may not be healing properly is if the oozing around the tattoo continues after a week has passed. A tattoo healing normally also will ooze near the beginning of the healing process, but this should only take place within the first few days.
Wash the tattoo regularly but gently, especially after dirty or sweaty activities. Drink plenty of water to help keep the skin moist and supple. While healing, cover the tattoo with clothing or a bandage whenever it might be exposed to the sun.
According to tattoo artists, you should begin using lotion on a tattoo once it begins to dry. It is a waiting game, in a way. You don't want to apply lotion while the ink is still wet. How long it takes the ink to dry is dependent on your body, the size of the tattoo, and environmental factors such as humidity.
When Can I Stop Washing My New Tattoo? You should continue washing your tattoo until it is fully healed. 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.
Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, may help ease the pain following a tattooing procedure. However, it is unclear if acetaminophen can effectively prevent pain from tattooing procedures. Instead, some tattoo artists recommend topical skin-numbing products.
The first night is always the hardest. It's probably still leaking a fair amount of blood, plasma and excess ink, and it probably still hurts. If you have a healing layer like second skin or saniderm over your tattoo, the best option is to keep it on for the first night (or the first few if it stays put).
What NOT to do? DON'T re-bandage your tattoo, rub, scratch or pick at your new tattoo. DON'T apply alcohol, Neosporin, Vaseline, or petroleum jelly (they can trap dirt and germs and cause infection). DON'T apply a heavy coat of lotion (remember the skin must breathe in order to heal).
“I'll recommend to keep the tattoo covered with cling film for anywhere between two and four hours,” advises Sarah. Liv's in agreement, “a few hours gives any soreness time to settle and excess plasma/ink – that gooey stuff!