What does it mean when your tattoo swells up?

Author: Ron Considine  |  Last update: Wednesday, March 26, 2025

If you've got a bit of tattoo bruising or tattoo swelling, it's just a sign that your body is healing by sending more blood to the affected area, it's not usually anything to worry about and it's very rare to have an allergic reaction. If you're concerned, go and see a doctor to put your mind at ease.

Is it normal for a tattoo to swell up?

It's normal for a brand new tattoo to have some redness around it, and appear swollen for a day or two, especially if it's very large or in a sensitive area. But if the redness and swelling persists for more than a couple of days, or if it gets worse and begins to feel more tender, this could be a cause for concern.

Why is my tattoo raised and puffy?

Raised skin is from scarring or your skin reacting to the ink. IT IS NORMAL, nothing to worry about. But some tattoos will raise more when the skin is dry, or the weather changes the same as when we get ``allergies''. It's just your body reminding you that there is a foreign substance in your skin.

What does a tattoo blowout look like?

A blowout is a term that refers to when the ink is put in too deep in the skin. They can look like fuzzy spots in lineart or unintentional shading.

How to tell if your body 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.

Is My Tattoo Infected?

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.

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.

Do tattoo blowouts eventually go away?

Sadly, the answer is no, tattoo blowout will not go away on its own. Tattoo pigment particles are too big for the body's immune system to process away, so the blowout will remain, as if it were intended to be there.

Is it normal for my tattoo to bulge?

If you've got a bit of tattoo bruising or tattoo swelling, it's just a sign that your body is healing by sending more blood to the affected area, it's not usually anything to worry about and it's very rare to have an allergic reaction. If you're concerned, go and see a doctor to put your mind at ease.

How do you fix a puffy tattoo?

Apply a cold pack. This can help reduce swelling, bruising or itching. Never apply ice directly to the skin as it can cause tissue damage. Instead, put a layer of fabric between the cold pack and the skin.

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.

Is a tattoo supposed to puff up?

Fresh tattoos will be swollen and not 'settled in' yet

If your tattoo is very new, it is likely that the lines feel raised and swollen simply because they are a bit swollen. Your new tattoo is an open wound, and the impact of the tattooing process will usually result in some swelling.

Why is my tattoo raised and itchy years later?

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.

How to fix a tattoo blowout?

What should I do if I have tattoo blowout?
  1. Don't panic. ...
  2. Keep the tattoo clean and moisturized. ...
  3. Avoid picking at the tattoo. ...
  4. If you feel comfortable, you can speak to your tattoo artist. ...
  5. Try a tattoo blowout cover up. ...
  6. If you want it gone, try tattoo removal.

Can you fix a tattoo that has bled?

Tattoo blowout is one of the most frustrating and disappointing conclusions to the tattoo process, leaving a blurred, diffused mark permanently in its wake. Unfortunately, tattoo blowout cannot be fixed unless it is removed. However, it can be prevented.

Does over moisturizing a tattoo cause blowout?

Over-moisturising can lead to inflamed tattoos and potentially infection. Excess moisture can clog your skin's pores which prevents it from breathing, something that's important for your skin to heal. This can lead to breakouts on the skin that can damage the tattoo.

Is it normal for a tattoo to swell?

Your new tattoo will be red, irritated, swollen, warm-to-the-touch & possibly bruised; this is all NORMAL. This will normally last 1 to 3 days. If your tattoo is on an extremity, especially below the knee, you may experience more swelling than normal.

How can you tell if your tattoo artist went too deep?

In addition to excessive pain, bleeding, and scabbing, a tattoo that is too deep may also have a blurred or distorted appearance. When the needle goes too deep, it can cause the ink to spread beyond the intended area, leading to a smudged or blurry appearance.

Should I let my tattoo dry out and peel?

If scabs develop, they can remove the color beneath them if prematurely removed. It's important that they're allowed to dry out completely, and not get waterlogged at any time. The scab will eventually fall off on its own, and the tattoo should be fine if no deep cracks have formed.

How to reduce tattoo swelling?

If some swelling/redness is present the day after your tattoo, and it is uncomfortable or bothering you, it is appropriate to use ice (20 minutes) and/or an NSAID (ibuprofen, Advil, aleve, naproxen) to help bring the swelling down.

How to tell if skin is rejecting a tattoo?

Yes, your body can reject tattoo ink. This is often evident in symptoms like itching, swelling, and raised skin. Tattoo ink rejection is typically due to an allergic reaction to the ink. In such cases, removal or medical attention may be necessary.

What does an infected tattoo look like in the beginning?

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.

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