How long until I can scratch my tattoo?

Author: Madge Jacobs  |  Last update: Saturday, June 28, 2025

Scabs typically form after 3 days of getting your tattoo. The scabs naturally fall off after about 10 days, so do not pick at or scratch them. The size of your tattoo can affect how much you scab.

How soon can you itch a tattoo?

Itching is a normal part of the healing process; it generally starts at around day four, as the skin starts to peel, and can take around two weeks to subside. If the itching is accompanied by swelling, pain, spots or heat that is getting worse not better, your tattoo could be infected.

Is it okay to lightly scratch a new tattoo?

It's generally not advisable to scratch a tattoo, even lightly, especially during the healing process. Scratching can irritate the skin, potentially lead to infection, and affect the appearance of the tattoo.

When can I start rubbing my tattoo?

Wait Until the Tattoo is Fully Healed

This means no exfoliating during the initial healing phase or the scabbing and peeling phase. This is generally accepted to be around 4-6 weeks, but healing times can vary depending on the individual and the location of the tattoo.

How long does it take for tattoo ink to settle into skin?

It takes 2-3 weeks for the skin to feel normal and for the ink to settle completely 1 to 2 months.

Tattoo aftercare tips from a dermatologist| Dr Dray

How to tell if a tattoo is infected or just healing?

What Does an Infected Tattoo Look Like?
  1. A rash that can be itchy with scaly, raised, or swollen bumps.
  2. Excessive redness or discoloration, where the skin beneath the tattoo becomes darker instead of lightening up as it heals.
  3. Pus that oozes from blisters on the skin.
  4. Open sores that may have crusting.

Can I lightly rub my tattoo?

Do not rub it. It is common that a new tattoo may be sensitive, red or slightly inflamed.

When to stop using Aquaphor on a tattoo?

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.

Can I let clothes touch my new tattoo?

Is it OK to wear clothes over a new tattoo? Yes, but try not to after the few initial days after application. If you do, make sure you change your clothes frequently. In our experience, tattoos can weep onto the clothes and if you don't change them, it can cause infection.

How do you scratch a tattoo without damaging it?

The worst thing you can do with a new tattoo is to scratch it directly with your fingernails or any other sharp object. If you remove the scabs too soon, you will almost definitely leave yourself with a faded/damaged tattoo. Instead of scratching, try to pat, tap, or slap the itchy area.

What are the stages of tattoo healing?

While there's some variability to the healing process, generally, there are three broad stages of tattoo healing:
  • Inflammation (Days 1-3) ...
  • Visible recovery (Days 4-14) ...
  • Invisible recovery (Days 14-30) ...
  • On the day. ...
  • 1-48 hours. ...
  • 48hrs – 14 days. ...
  • The sun. ...
  • Scented soap.

Will scratching my tattoo mess it up?

Scratching your tattoo can have a number of undersireable consequences. It may introduce bacteria, increase the risk of infection, cause scabbing, delay the healing process, and even affect the final appearance of your tattoo. Always resist the urge to scratch and follow proper aftercare guidelines.

Why is my tattoo fading after 3 days?

Don't worry, this is completely natural. It happens because the old skin, damaged during the tattooing process, forms a thin layer over your tattoo and masks its true appearance. In time this old skin will naturally exfoliate itself, revealing your tattoo underneath in all its vibrant glory.

Can too much Aquaphor fade a tattoo?

There hasn't been an official study on how much ink (if any) Aquaphor can remove or fade from a tattoo. In the interest of fairness, plenty of tattoo artists claim that they've never experienced ink loss in their clients that use Aquaphor.

How long after a tattoo can you shower normally?

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.

How to tell if a tattoo is over moisturized?

Signs of an Over-Moisturized Tattoo
  1. The moisturizer you've applied isn't absorbed in the skin. ...
  2. Your skin looks or feels irritated. ...
  3. The tattoo isn't scabbing or the scabs don't fall off.

What stage of tattoo is itchy?

Stage Two (Days 7-14) – Itching and flaking begins, and this continues until layers of dead skin and scabs have fallen off. 3. Stage Three (Days 15-30) – Tattoo looks fully healed but may look slightly cloudy for a few weeks. Deeper layers of skin are still repairing, so continue to look after your tattoo.

What happens if a new tattoo gets rubbed?

Rubbing or scratching may transfer bacteria from your nails to your open wound, risking infection. Additionally, scratching that itch may peel or flake off scabs prematurely, damaging your tattoo design.

When to stop washing a tattoo twice a day?

Until the surface of the tattoo is healed (at a minimum of two to three weeks), wash the area gently 2-3 times per day. After cleaning the tattoo during this two to three week period, gently apply a thin coat of a lotion-based care product. We recommend After Inked tattoo moisturizer and aftercare lotion.

How long is a tattoo at risk of infection?

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.

How to tell if skin is rejecting a tattoo?

You may notice one or more of the following:
  1. Redness: It becomes darker or spreads instead of lightening and diminishing.
  2. Pain: It continues or worsens instead of subsiding.
  3. Rash of itchy, red, and painful bumps develop within the tattoo.
  4. Fever.
  5. Chills and shivering.
  6. Pus in the tattoo.
  7. Open sore(s) in the tattoo.

Why does my tattoo hurt after 3 days?

If you notice that the pain persists beyond this period, or if it intensifies instead of improving, it could be an indication of an infection or another adverse reaction. In such cases, seeking prompt medical attention is essential to ensure that your tattoo heals properly and to prevent any complications.

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