Why does my 2 week old tattoo look wrinkly?

Author: Dr. Sandrine Kris  |  Last update: Wednesday, January 14, 2026

After a few weeks, your tattooed skin will have been replaced with a layer of brand new skin cells. Skin that regenerates too quickly will look non-uniform, especially when compared to the surrounding areas with normal skin. It will also be especially delicate, supple, and sensitive.

Why does my tattoo look wrinkly after 2 weeks?

Comments Section Yes it takes over a month to fully heal. New tats will have that wrinkly look until they settle. It's just new skin after the old flaked off. Moisturize as needed when it feels tight and give it a few weeks. There's the tiniest bit of blurring on that line, but really only a super minimal amount.

What should a 2 week old tattoo look like?

What signs indicate my 2 week old tattoo is healing properly? The tattoo looks like it has come back to the artist after two weeks of healing. Tattoo remains dry. No excess scabbing. Tattoo flakes rather than scabs. Little bits of cream help. Avoid picking if possible.

Why does my tattoo look scaly after 2 weeks?

Scabbing and Flaking: As the tattoo heals, the top layer of skin may dry out and begin to flake or peel. This is normal and indicates that the skin is regenerating. Moisturization: Keeping the tattoo moisturized with a recommended ointment or lotion can help minimize excessive peeling and support the healing process.

Is a tattoo still healing after 2 weeks?

this is super normal! all tattoos heal differently! My first tattoo took about 3 weeks to heal and my second tattoo took about 4 days to heal! and my other tattoos are all different timing as well. Some skin just all heals different it looks good to me!

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

How to 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. Persistent swollen skin: Skin on or around the tattoo shouldn't look puffy for weeks, which indicates an allergy to tattoo ink.

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.

Is it normal for a tattoo to be dry and flaky after 2 weeks?

But for something that has a lot more ink deposited in the skin, you can expect about two or two and a half weeks for it to heal." If the peeling, flaking, or scabbing continues after two and a half weeks, that's a pretty good indication that something's not normal, and it's time to consult your tattoo artist.

How often should you moisturize a 2 week old tattoo?

You'll want to begin soon after you get the tattoo done and continue moisturizing the skin three to six times a day for about three weeks. In addition, wash the tattoo once or twice a day, avoid direct sunlight, and save that ocean dip for after it's healed.

Can a 2 week old tattoo get infected?

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 shower normally with a 2 week old 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.

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.

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.

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.

Should I let my tattoo dry out?

You can pat the tattoo gently with a clean paper towel, but you must let the tattoo dry, uncovered, for 15 to 20 minutes after each cleaning. Any extra moisture trapped by immediately covering the tattoo is an invitation for bacteria to multiply.

What lotion not to use on a new tattoo?

It is important not to use any scented creams or lotions. Harsh chemicals can irritate the wound and damage the tattooed skin. A person should also avoid using sunscreen on a tattoo until it is fully healed, as this can clog the pores and trap bacteria.

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?

Tattoo Infection Stages

Stage 1: A dull pain and tenderness in the area develops. Stage 2: Swelling, warmth, and redness occurs. Stage 3: The initial symptoms worsen, and redness expands over the span of hours or even days. Stage 4: Small papules or bumps begin to form and, in some cases, break open, releasing pus.

How do I know if my tattoo is healing wrong?

Another clear sign that a tattoo may not be healing properly is if the oozing around the tattoo continues after a week has passed. A tattoo healing normally also will ooze near the beginning of the healing process, but this should only take place within the first few days.

Why does my new tattoo look smudged?

A: Tattoo ink bleeding, often referred to as a blowout, does not go away on its own. This occurs when the ink spreads into the surrounding tissue, causing a blurred or smudged appearance.

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.

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