Is it normal for my tattoo to look blurry during healing?

Author: Berniece Hackett  |  Last update: Friday, July 4, 2025

During this time, the tattoo may look blurry due to excess blood and/or plasma that may leave the skin. It may look like a blob of ink, but this is totally normal! After the recommended amount of days, slowly remove the film with clean hands.

Why does my tattoo look blurry while healing?

Yes, tattoos can appear blurry while healing. This is a normal part of the healing process, which typically lasts about two to three weeks. During this time, the skin may be red, swollen, and covered with a thin layer of scabbing or peeling.

Is it normal for a healing tattoo to look cloudy?

Healing Process: In the initial stages of healing, tattoos often appear cloudy or milky due to the presence of plasma, lymph fluid, and ink settling under the skin. This is a normal part of the healing process.

Do tattoos look smudged while healing?

Yes, tattoos can appear blurry while healing. This is a normal part of the healing process, which typically lasts about two to three weeks. During this time, the skin may be red, swollen, and covered with a thin layer of scabbing or peeling.

What should a tattoo not look like when healing?

Sometimes, tattoos look messy and blurry while they are healing. You might see some ink leakage and some blurry lines while your skin is repairing itself. However, if your skin is healed and the lines of the tattoo are imprecise and smudged looking then you have a tattoo blowout. Give your tattoo a few weeks to heal.

Is this HAPPENING TO YOUR NEW Tattoo?! Is this Normal or is it RUINED?

How to tell if a tattoo is healing poorly?

How Do You Tell if a Tattoo Isn't Healing Properly?
  1. Persistent redness: Skin shouldn't stay red for weeks or start to darken or spread.
  2. Green or yellow fluid: Pus oozing from your tattoo is a sign of infection.

Do tattoos look blown out while healing?

If you've recently gotten a tattoo, but it appears blurry and smudged during and after the healing process, you may be experiencing tattoo blowout. "A blowout is when a tattoo expands below the skin layer when it hits fat [and] veins or when scarring occurs," says Crys.

Why does my tattoo look like it's missing ink while healing?

Your tattoo is going through the normal healing process.

This milky skin sticks around for 1-2 weeks, and it might make your tattoo ink appear less vibrant. A lack of ink isn't a problem if your tattoo is still peeling and healing.

How to stop a tattoo from blurring?

A blurry tattoo can be avoided by ensuring that you go to a tattoo artist who has the skills, tools and knowledge to avoid pressing down on the skin too hard. This makes finding a good tattoo studio and artist to complete your tattoo a vital factor to take into consideration if you are thinking about getting a tattoo.

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.

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.

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.

Why does my new tattoo look cloudy?

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.

Is it normal for tattoo to look blurry under Saniderm?

General Saniderm aftercare:

Tattoo will look fuzzy and full of liquid under bandage; this is normal as the tattoo will continue to weep and release ink and fluid for 12-24 hours after initial session. The degree of fluid will depend partially on how heavily the tattoo was shaded.

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.

Can a healing tattoo look blurry?

During this time, the tattoo may look blurry due to excess blood and/or plasma that may leave the skin. It may look like a blob of ink, but this is totally normal! After the recommended amount of days, slowly remove the film with clean hands.

Does aquaphor blur tattoos?

It's a “fine” aftercare solution for tattoos, but many people have claimed that their tattoo faded after using the product. If you're going to use it, wait at least 2 weeks or until the top layer of skin is fully healed.

Why does my tattoo look smudged while healing?

While a new tattoo can push out ink, along with blood and plasma, it typically does no harm and doesn't lead to a tattoo blowout. This leaking typically lasts no more than 48 hours. However, bruising from a new tattoo can make it look a little blurred or smudged as it goes through the healing process.

Can you mess up a tattoo while it's healing?

Picking or Scratching Itchy or Peeling Skin

Itchy and scabby skin can be annoying during the healing stages. But remember, don't pick or scratch it! This can potentially damage the color and lines of your new tattoo.

Is it okay to rub dead skin off a tattoo?

"Perfumes and colognes can be super irritating to freshly tattooed skin or a peeling tattoo, so avoid anything with fragrance. After washing, gently pat dry and do not rub the area." Can you rub a peeling tattoo? You should not rub, scratch, or peel the tattoo, no matter how tempting it may seem.

What areas are prone to tattoo blowouts?

Delicate Skin Areas

Certain areas of the body, like wrists, ankles, fingers, and toes, are more prone to blowouts due to their thin skin.

What does poor tattoo aftercare look like?

First, your tattoo will have some irritation around it. After you remove your bandaging after the allotted amount of time recommended by your artist has passed, your skin around the tattoo may be red. It may also be secreting a fluid, or ink may be dripping off of it.

Previous article
What was wrong with Wild Bill?
Next article
Why is my hair growing back 2 days after laser?