Once you get home and settled in, it's recommended that the tattooed area be iced for approximately 20 minutes. As you start this soothing process, you will notice: Swelling will start to go down. Bruising will be reduced because the icing temporarily decreases the amount of blood flow to the sore area.
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.
If your tattoo is itchy you can lightly slap it or apply an ice pack. -Your skin will peel and flake as it heals, some of which will be color tinted.
Use Lukewarm or Cold Water
Avoid using hot water when showering or cleaning your tattoo because it can loosen the scabs and pull them off before they have healed. Instead, opt for lukewarm or warm water.
Choose clothing carefully. Don't wear anything that might stick to the tattoo. Allow up to 2 weeks for healing. Don't pick at any scabs, which increases the risk of infection and can damage the design and cause scarring.
Icing your tattoo is an excellent way to speed up the healing process. If your tattooed area is swollen, applying a bag of ice can work wonders. Make sure to wrap it with a clean cloth and apply it to the skin for 30 minutes. After the 30 minutes, apply a warm washcloth to allow the blood to flow normally again.
During these first few days, it is normal for your tattoo to feel sore and tender. You may also see redness, swelling, and some mild bleeding. DAYS 3-14 (or until healed): After the first 2-3 days, your tattoo should begin to feel dry and tight.
The scabbing stage can last a few days. The tattooed area is unlikely to still feel sore after about two weeks.
Days 2 to 3
Over the next couple of days, you may notice that your tattoo looks dull and cloudy. No need to panic or start thinking about a touch-up. This happens as your skin heals and new skin starts to form. Excess ink and plasma may still ooze from your skin during this time.
Most sources indicate that tattoos generally take about 2 weeks to heal. However, it may take up to 4 weeks for the skin to fully recover. Some complications may prolong the healing process.
Don't worry, this is completely natural. It happens because the old skin, damaged during the tattooing process, forms a thin layer over your tattoo and masks its true appearance. In time this old skin will naturally exfoliate itself, revealing your tattoo underneath in all its vibrant glory.
After 5 days, a tattoo should be healing well, but it may still look a little red and swollen. The area may also be slightly itchy and flaky as the skin begins to peel. This is a normal part of the healing process and is caused by the top layer of skin sloughing off as new skin forms underneath.
Without moisturiser, there's a risk that healing skin will get very dry, tight and itchy, and itchy skin that you can't scratch - that in fact you shouldn't touch at all - is not much fun! If you do itch then you risk damaging the new tattoo.
In a word: yes. It's definitely possible to over-moisturise a tattoo. An over-moisturised tattoo can lead to a whole host of issues, including breakouts, soggy scabs, and even infection.
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. Moisturize the area: - First thing in the morning.
Only ice the area for 15 to 20 minutes and then reapply in two hours if needed. Keeping your tattoo wet with the cold compress will slow down healing, so you should only do this if the swelling or pain is truly intolerable.
This “tattoo flu” is pretty common and should fade into memory in a few days (unlike your new tattoo). Your body's immune system is making you feel wiped out while it attacks potential threats to your bod. Be on the lookout for a mild fever, chills, fatigue, and some tummy discomfort.
Take anti-inflammatory medicines to reduce pain and swelling. These include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve).
A lot of tattoo artists recommend sleeping with the wrap that was put on. Others recommend re-wrapping, or just applying healing ointment and keeping the tattoo clean. The important thing is avoiding infection.
Myth or Truth: Getting a tattoo hurts more than giving birth to a child. Myth: In reality, getting tattooed does hurt -- but it does not produce the same type of pain as childbirth. The pain of getting a tattoo feels more like scratching a bad sunburn.