It takes up to two weeks for the tattoo to 'heal'. However it takes months for the skin to completely recover.
They also heal more quickly and have less risk of infection. In addition, fine line tattoos tend to look more polished and professional than their bolder counterparts. If you're looking for a tattoo that will make a statement without being too in-your-face, a fine line tattoo ideas may be the perfect choice for you.
According to Dagger, the fine-line tattoos you see all over your feed heal pretty quickly—up to around two weeks max, he says, since there's less trauma to the skin. “With non-fine line tattoos, the healing process can take about two to three weeks,” says Dagger.
As you might expect, smaller tattoos will heal faster, as will those that are placed on areas with thicker skin, like your back or quads. “Thicker skin is more robust and contains more blood vessels, which results in faster healing,” Dr. Love explains.
Those gorgeous, sharp designs you see on Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok are fresh fine line designs that will look different one day — but different doesn't always mean bad. “Your tattoo will get a bit lighter or slightly thicker depending on how your body heals it,” Kim says.
"When a thicker tattoo heals, it is typical for the tattoo to scab over during the healing process; however, you will not notice this as much with finer-line pieces."
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.
2-6 Days After Your New Tattoo
Now you'll start to notice that your tattoo looks a bit dull, perhaps even have a 'cloudy-looking' appearance. It may also look red, swollen and still ooze blood, plasma, lymphatic fluid and ink. Not to worry! This is normal.
All tattoos will, of course, eventually fade and blur over time. That's the thing about ink on skin, it fades and ages with your body, and your tattoo won't stay as perfect looking as it did on the day that you first got it done.
You can shower 3-4 hours after getting a tattoo, if you have a Saniderm bandage on, however, if you have a plastic wrap wait 24 hours to unwrap your tattoo and shower. In either case, shower in cold or lukewarm water and avoid prolonged soaking or submerging your tattoo in water for 3-4 weeks.
Over time, the ink may spread or fade slightly, but a well-executed fine line tattoo can still look beautiful and retain its intricate details even after many years. It's important to follow proper aftercare instructions and to avoid excessive sun exposure to help preserve the longevity of the tattoo.
Once your tattoo is rinsed thoroughly, pat dry with a clean towel. Apply a thin layer of the moisturizer your artist recommends; Aquaphor or Mujo. Repeat this process 3 times daily approximately 10 days. After 10 days, reduce washing to once a day, and switch to an unscented lotion if preferred.
Fine line tattoos are said to fade more aggressively than regular tattoos, though both tattoo styles will fade with time, and may need touch-ups. The longevity of your tattoo in either style relies on the location of the tattoo, how well you care for your skin, and the excellence of the tattoo artist you choose.
Fine line tattoos require more frequent touch ups as they can fade quicker than traditional tattoos due to the thin diameter of the ink deposited. We advised you to have it touched up after the first year and look after your skin, avoiding direct sunlight for it to last as UV rays break down the pigment of the ink.
By day six or seven, scabs should start to cover and thicken on the freshly tattooed area. During this week of your healing journey, the skin will be flaky and may start feeling a bit itchy. This is completely normal as the dry skin is getting ready to exfoliate itself away as the top layer of the skin heals.
After the first 2-3 days, your tattoo should begin to feel dry and tight. At this point DISCONTINUE APPLYING OINTMENT AND SWITCH TO REGULAR FRAGRANCE-FREE HAND LOTION such as Eucerin, Lubriderm, Curel, or any other over the counter mild "Fragrance Free" moisterizer.
Drunken behaviour could ruin your new tattoo
You need to be aware of keeping your tattoo clean and dry while it is fresh, so a night out might not be the best option. It's generally recommended that you wait at least 48 hours after your new tattoo before you start drinking alcohol again.
With amazing cooling effects and nourishing properties, your vulnerable-to-infection ink will thank you for using aloe vera. It is an all natural product that yields amazing results. So, yes, aloe vera is good for tattoos.
Wash the tattoo with soap and water once the appropriate time period has passed and gently apply a layer of lotion.7 It's best to wash and moisturize a couple of times each day until the skin has healed, which might take anywhere from two to four weeks.8 However, it's best to check in with your tattoo artist, who may ...
To stop your tattoos from fading, you should apply moisturizer and sunscreen as well as clean and maintain them properly. You can also make adjustments to your lifestyle so your tattoos do not become warped or faded over time.
Weeks 5 and 6: completely healed
You'll know you're in this phase — and that your tattoo is fully healed — because all the dry skin and scabs have sloughed off to reveal new, smooth skin with a vibrant tattoo and you no longer feel the burning and itchiness because the body has repaired itself.
The most painful spots to get a tattoo are your ribs, spine, fingers, and shins. The least painful spots to get a tattoo are your forearms, stomach, and outer thighs.