Is it okay to scratch a tattoo after 2 weeks?

Author: Mr. Dustin Barton DVM  |  Last update: Tuesday, April 1, 2025

It's safe to scratch your tattoo once it fully heals, or after 4 weeks. Allow your tattoo to scab, peel, and recover from damage before giving in to any itchiness.

Can I itch my tattoo after 2 weeks?

It is important not to scratch a tattoo while it's healing. If the itching is accompanied by pain or other symptoms, see your healthcare provider so they can determine the underlying cause.

Can I rub my tattoo after 2 weeks?

Yes! You should be good 2 weeks after really. Of course you want it to heal as much as possible first, so if it is sore, hold off. You could ask them to use coconut oil or another blend that is great for healing as well.

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.

Is a tattoo an open wound after 2 weeks?

By the end of the second week, you should see your open wound transition to a closed wound. The scarring will get smaller, and you'll start to see what your healed tattoo will look like. Keep your tattoo out of the sun for the first 14 days until you're able to safely put sunscreen on it.

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

What should a 2 week old tattoo look like?

Tattoo Care After 2 Weeks (Days 15 to 30):

If your tattoo looks dry and dull, continue to moisturize to rehydrate the skin. It may take another month or two for the lower layers of skin to completely heal, at which point the tattoo should look as bright and vivid as expected, and as the artist intended.

Can a tattoo get infected after 2 weeks?

How fast can a tattoo get infected? Some infections occur shortly after getting a tattoo. Others develop over time, and you might not notice them until months later.

Can I gently rub my tattoo?

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

Why is my tattoo still rough after 2 weeks?

It's normal for a raised tattoo to go down after one to two weeks with proper aftercare. If it's taking a lot longer than that or if the situation is getting worse, you may have an infection. The best way to avoid an infected tattoo is to follow your artist's aftercare instructions down to the letter.

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.

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 I have a bath 3 weeks after a tattoo?

Avoid abrasive soaps or loofahs and hot showers, and allow your tattoo to fully heal for 3-4 weeks before swimming or taking a bath. If you make sure to gently clean and rinse your tattoo and avoid submerging it in the bath, pool or ocean, you'll keep your tattoo vibrant for years to come and avoid bacterial infection.

Does scratching a tattoo cause blowout?

It's also important to avoid scratching the area, according to Nesheva. “Avoid stretching and pulling the tattooed skin,” says Nesheva. “Stretching and pulling can promote spreading of the ink beyond tattoo lines, which can create the blowout effect.

Do fine line tattoos age well?

Aftercare & Aging

Fine line tattoos are applied with less ink. While the ink is still embedded in the second layer of skin, the single needle does not penetrate as deeply or deposit as much ink. As a result, it is common for fine line tattoos to fade with age.

Can I rub my tattoo to scratch it?

-As your tattoo is healing it might begin to scab and itch. It's extremely important to not pick, scratch, or peel your tattoo! If you do you will lift the scab and pull the ink out leaving your tattoo with missing ink and scars. If your tattoo is itchy you can lightly slap it or apply an ice pack.

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.

Is it OK for my clothes to touch my 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.

Is it normal for my tattoo to hurt after 2 weeks?

The scabbing stage can last a few days. The tattooed area is unlikely to still feel sore after about two weeks.

How do I know if my tattoo is healing properly?

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

Why does my tattoo look bad after 2 weeks?

Sometime between two to four weeks after getting a new tattoo – when your tattoo scabs and/or peels - your new ink may appear more faded and duller than expected. Don't worry, this is completely natural.

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