Why is my tattoo poking out?

Author: Jabari Little  |  Last update: Tuesday, May 6, 2025

A raised tattoo can be concerning, but it is not uncommon. In fact, raised tattoos are a very common occurrence among tattoo enthusiasts. A raised tattoo occurs when the skin around the tattoo becomes swollen, bumpy, or elevated due to irritated scar tissue and/or histamine response from the body.

Why is my tattoo bulging out?

Older tattoos may be raised due to scar tissue

Thicker lines, and more pressure applied during tattooing, can cause some scarring. It's nothing to be concerned about, but it can sometimes raise up, and this is generally caused by changes in body temperature or weather conditions, as well as general health.

Is it normal for a tattoo to stick out?

Yes. There is a difference between “swelling” and the normal raised surface you get when your tattoo is new. It can take weeks for the raised surface to go down, and it will go down in different parts of the tattoo at different rates.

Is it normal for a new tattoo to be raised?

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.

How do you know if your body is rejecting a tattoo?

You may notice one or more of the following:
  • Redness: It becomes darker or spreads instead of lightening and diminishing.
  • Pain: It continues or worsens instead of subsiding.
  • Rash of itchy, red, and painful bumps develop within the tattoo.
  • Fever.
  • Chills and shivering.
  • Pus in the tattoo.
  • Open sore(s) in the tattoo.

Tattoo Needle Depth Visually Explained

How to flatten a raised tattoo?

Silicone sheets or gels: Silicone sheets or gels are commonly used for scar treatment and may also be effective in reducing the raised appearance of a tattoo. These products create a protective barrier over the tattoo and help retain moisture in the skin, potentially minimizing the raised texture.

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 long should a tattoo needle stick out?

Where Should the Tattoo Needle Go? Again, you want your needles to reach the dermis and no farther. This usually means the needle should penetrate about 1–2mm (usually a bit closer to 2) or around 1/16th of an inch into 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.

Why is my body pushing out tattoo ink?

It's typically caused when a tattoo artist presses too aggressively into the skin, deposits ink at the wrong angle, or overworks the skin, which occurs more often with a less-experienced tattoo artist but can happen with any artist.

What does a tattoo blowout look like?

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 is my tattoo coming out of my skin?

Peeling usually occurs a few days after getting the tattoo, as the skin begins to heal and regenerate itself . The regeneration process involves the skin removing dead and damaged cells. As the skin exfoliates itself, a layer of dead skin cells and ink pigment peels off, allowing new cells to grow.

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 is there no ink under my tattoo scab?

Tattoos tend to peel without any ink underneath as they heal normally. In rare cases, they can have missing ink due to an artist's error. Peeling tattoos with missing ink aren't usually anything to worry about. It's normal for a tattoo to peel and lose a little bit of ink as your skin heals.

Why do tattoo artists dip the needle in water?

You may notice your artist dip the needle in water during the session. This is called a dip cap which helps clean, blend, dry, or dilute ink. Artists do this for smoother ink flow and to reduce friction. This allows more precise and comfortable tattooing.

Can your body reject a tattoo years later?

Yes, you can be allergic to certain brands of tattoo ink. Allergic reactions generally occur due to ingredients in the ink, such as pigments or metals. Symptoms can include itchiness, redness, swelling, or rash at the site of the tattoo, and can occur immediately or years later.

Why is my 10 year old tattoo raised?

Sometimes older, healed tattoos become raised but don't itch — as Dr. Gohara tells me, that can be caused by a delayed reaction to ink as well (or, sometimes, scarring).

How often should I moisturize a new tattoo?

How Often Should I Moisturize a New Tattoo? According to tattoo artists and skincare experts, you should moisturize a new tattoo three times a day. While this might seem excessive, it's important to remember that your skin is still healing and will be very tender from the process.

What does a fox tattoo mean?

In the world of tattoos, the fox stands as a symbol of the many facets of intelligence and adaptability, wrapped in an aura of beauty and mystery. For those who wear them, fox tattoos are a reminder of their own cunning nature and a nod to the mystique of the wild.

Why is my 2 month old tattoo still raised?

It's common for new tattoos to feel raised for no reason. Over time, it will heal, and the raised feeling will go away. In some cases, it can take weeks or even months for your skin to return to normal. Still, there's no reason to be concerned.

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