Why does my tattoo look like a blob?

Author: Malika Balistreri V  |  Last update: Tuesday, January 6, 2026

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!

Why did my tattoo turn into a blob?

In a lot of cases, it's poor placement of the ink. If the ink is deposited too deep, then it bleeds into the fat tissue, casing it to look like a blob. It could be that the design is of poor quality. If the lines are too close, they will bleed together, causing it to again, look like a blob.

How do you fix a blob tattoo?

How Tattoo Blowout Can Be Fixed. Unfortunately, once blowout occurs, there's nothing you can do to reverse it. In order to “fix” the blurry ink, you can try to correct it with additional tattooing, or opt to remove it altogether.

Is it normal for my tattoo to bulge?

This is completely normal. My tattoos frequently get puffy and lumpy to where you can run your fingers over them and feel the outlines.

What does plasma look like coming out of a tattoo?

Usually the tattoo will exude plasma, basically will look like a blob underneathe as the skin heals. Completely normal, will go back to it's normal shade once you take it off and give it a clean.

Reacting To AGED Tattoos

Should I drain my ink sacs?

Most artists recommend waiting at least 24 hours after your tattoo to change the sheet, but you might need to change it sooner if it starts leaking or the ink sack gets unmanageably big. Give your artist a call if you aren't sure what to do. Don't pop the ink sack.

Why did my tattoo bubble up?

Scabs are normal as your tattoo starts healing. However, tattoo bubbling is a common concern when a scab absorbs too much moisture. If you follow the correct aftercare steps, the raised skin will go away, but it's essential to nip the bubble in the bud ASAP.

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.

Will my tattoo become a blob?

Scale is more important to a tattoo than most people think. While a small intricate tattoo is beautiful while fresh, over the long term as ink migrates outward the design will likely become a smudge or blob.

Do fine line tattoos blob?

Sure, you can get that fine line micro tattoo. It may look good for a year. But 5-6 years down the line it's going to be a blurry blob! Tattoos are for life.

Why does my tattoo look warped?

Tattoo blowouts are usually caused by the needle going too deep in the skin and into the third layer, however, they can also occur if the needle deposits ink at the wrong angle.

Why is my tattoo protruding?

Tattoos are considered a form of skin injury, which can result in a hypertrophic scar or keloid during the healing process, according to dermatologist Melanie Palm. This is one reason why tattoos can be itchy and raised.

What does plasma on a tattoo look like?

If you notice only clear fluid discharge from your new tattoo, it is likely plasma, not pus. Plasma is a yellowish-clear fluid that is a natural part of your body's healing process and helps regenerate your tattooed skin.

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.

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 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.

Why does my tattoo randomly bump up?

Sometimes your immune system thinks the pigment in tattoo ink is a threat and sends cells to the area to fight it. These cells clump together around the tattoo and create nodules which are called granulomas. If you see them, talk to your doctor. They might run tests to rule out other causes.

How long does a tattoo leak plasma?

For the first three or four days, your new tattoo will ooze a little bit of plasma discharge.

What does a leaking tattoo look like?

Your new tattoo will leak a bit of plasma discharge during the first three or four days. If it's bleeding clear liquid, it's generally not pus and hence not infected. When the skin is injured (for example, when ink is injected via needles), the body sends out cytokines, promoting increased vascular sensitivity.

Why does my tattoo look smudged under the film?

Leave the film on for 3 - 5 days (however many days the artist recommended). 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!

How do I know if my ink is clogged?

If your PC or the LCD screen on your printer is telling you that your ink cartridges are full but no ink is passing through to the paper, then it's most likely that you are dealing with a clogged printhead. Blurry documents and images that appear faded are also signs that it's time to remove the excess ink.

Previous article
How to fade hair dye quickly?
Next article
How long to leave color clenditioner on?