Is it normal for a tattoo to blister?

Author: Miss Jayda Volkman IV  |  Last update: Friday, September 12, 2025

For those who do, it's a normal part of the healing process. The body is simply reacting to the intense light breaking down the ink particles in the skin. Blisters indicate the immune system is working to remove ink from the body. They are more common in certain areas where skin is sensitive.

How long do tattoo blisters last?

Blisters can last for up to two weeks. It is common for pigmentation loss to occur, but this is temporary. The treated area will typically heal within two weeks.

Why is my new tattoo blistering?

Blistering can often occur during the tattoo healing process, but if your tattoo continues to blister after a few days of healing, it's likely caused by an infection.

How do you tell if a tattoo is infected or just healing?

  • How do I know if my tattoo is infected?
  • The tattoo is red and swollen for a long period of time
  • You have a rash or bumpy skin around your tattoo
  • The tattoo is still oozing plasma after a couple of days
  • You feel unwell and feverish
  • Infection is treatable

What do bubble tattoos mean?

These tattoos, with their simple yet captivating allure, serve as a reminder of the fleeting moments of joy and the pure, unadulterated wonder that life offers.

How to Heal Blisters After Tattoo Laser Removal

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.

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.

What does an early infected tattoo look like?

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.

How to get rid of tattoo blisters?

How To Drain a Blister:
  1. Gently clean the area with non-fragranced soap and water, being careful not to pop the blister.
  2. Using a sterile tool (like a lancet or needle), make one small hole at the base of blister to let the fluid drain. ...
  3. Do not pick or remove the skin- this is your body's natural protection.

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.

Should I wipe the plasma off my tattoo?

Use your clean hands, not a washcloth or towel. Chances are, it's a gross, gooey mess of blood, ink, lymph, and plasma. It's important to clean all of this off, as the plasma will harden and cause excessive scabbing on your tattoo, which might complicate the healing process.

How often should I moisturize a new tattoo?

How Often Should I Moisturize a New Tattoo? According to tattoo artists and skincare experts, you should moisturize a new tattoo three times a day. While this might seem excessive, it's important to remember that your skin is still healing and will be very tender from the process.

How to treat an infected tattoo without a doctor?

How can you care for yourself at home?
  1. Wash the tattoo with a mild soap and water 2 times a day. ...
  2. Gently pat the tattoo dry after you wash it.
  3. You may cover the tattoo with a thin layer of an unscented, water-based cream or lotion and a nonstick bandage.
  4. Replace the bandage as needed.

How long does it take blisters to deflate?

If the blister is left unpopped, the body gradually absorbs the fluid as the underlying skin recovers. This can take around one week. Depending on the cause and location, a blister can range from the size of a pinprick to three centimetres or more in diameter.

Is it normal for a tattoo to look smudged when healing?

However, bruising from a new tattoo can make it look a little blurred or smudged as it goes through the healing process. As the bruising fades, your tattoo should soon begin to look better and cleaner. If it's a tattoo blowout, on the other hand, it will begin to look worse.

How long to keep a tattoo wrapped?

After your tattoo is completed, your artist will bandage your tattoo for your trip home. Leave the bandage on for one to three hours. When you take the bandage off, wash it with very warm water (as hot as is comfortable) and mild liquid hand soap (like Dr.

What is tattoo bubbling?

Tattoo bubbling is when these scabs don't heal correctly due to excess moisture. In most cases, tattoo bubbling occurs when your new tat isn't thoroughly dried after getting wet. Lotion or ointments can also make matters worse by trapping water inside the scabs.

What does a failed tattoo look like?

Wonky lines are a big indicator of an unskilled artist. How a tattoo heals is a huge sign of a good tattoo vs a bad tattoo. If a tattoo scars, blows out or straight up falls out of the skin, it's a bad tattoo.

What does a tattoo ink allergy look like?

If you're having an allergic reaction to your tattoo, you might get a rash that's red, bumpy, or itchy. These symptoms can crop up in the days after you first get your tattoo or can appear months or years later. You can most likely treat the area with a steroid ointment.

What happens if I put too much lotion on my new tattoo?

Applying too much moisturizer restricts the skin's ability to breath, thus causing the pores to clog and can lead to consequent break outs. To avoid these symptoms, follow the aftercare instructions of your tattoo artist and apply the best tattoo aftercare moisturizer: your trusty Ink Nurse cream.

How to unclog pores on a tattoo?

Over-the-Counter Treatments. Over-the-counter (OTC) treatments such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid-based creams can help reduce inflammation and kill bacteria. However, it's crucial to select products specifically formulated for tattooed skin to avoid any adverse effects.

Does a tattoo heal better dry or moisturized?

Wet Healing Is the Way To Go

It's just as effective for tattoos as it is for injuries. If you let your tattoo dry out during the healing process, you may end up doing more harm than good. Make sure you stay on top of the aftercare process for about six weeks after your session.

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