'Oozing/Weeping' - which is typical for the first day or so. Sometimes this can last for up to 3-4 days after being tattooed, depending on the size, colour and location. However this length of time is mainly for large and heavy pieces. You can anticipate this is typically only for the first 1-2 days.
“It is also normal to have some oozing of clear, yellow, or blood-tinged fluids for several days after a tattoo.” Paviol says these responses should steadily subside over time, however, if you are still experiencing more redness, swelling, or pain after two or three days, you may need to have the area evaluated.
You might be alarmed when you see ink leaking from your new tattoo. But don't be, as this is actually a good sign. The leaking of the ink will dissipate on its own during the healing process, so no need to worry about it at all!
Be calm, do not panic. It is normal for everyone to bleed after getting their tattoo. However, the normal period of time to bleed is up to 36 hours. If you find that you are bleeding even after 48 hours, it is important to ensure you have it checked.
If any breaks in the bandage or leakage occurs, remove the bandage immediately. When you are ready to remove your bandage, it's easiest to take a warm shower, and peel off the bandage as you would a band-aid: start at the top, and pull downward and with the direction your hair grows in the surrounding area.
The safest way to quickly remove a tattoo is by laser therapy. Our revolutionary LightSense laser system is a unique and innovative option, using ultra-fast and physician-approved pulse speeds to quickly and safely break down ink pigments.
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.
One of the most common signs that a tattoo is too deep is excessive pain and bleeding during and after the tattooing process. If the needle is going too deep into the skin, it can cause more trauma and damage to the skin than necessary, which can lead to more pain and bleeding.
A patchy tattoo could be the result of bad technique; if the artist hasn't made sure the ink is deep enough to stay put. It could also be due to them not 'packing' the ink enough; certain ink colours, or areas of concentrated black, often need to be packed in quite a lot in order to create a solid area of colour.
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.
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.
A tattoo will leak within the first 48 to 72 hours. If your tattoo continues to leak, or is paired with pus, yellow colored fluid, or an odd smell, it is likely no longer experiencing weeping but may be combating an infection.
How long does it take for the tattoo to peel? The peeling often occurs about three to four days after you first get the tattoo. "As the epidermis sheds, the skin often develops a whitish, cracked and hazy appearance before subsequently peeling off," Dr. Lin says.
You'll want to keep the tattoo wrapped for at least the first night because it will take a while for it to settle down and stop leaking. You don't want an open wound like that touching your bed sheets, getting blood everywhere, or dirt and dust getting into the wound itself.
Once your tattoo has fully healed, you're often left with a big dry patch of skin. Enter Bio Oil, which helps to nourish and hydrate the affected area. A word of warning though, avoid using Bio-Oil on a brand new and healing tattoo as it's suggested that it will interfere with the process.
Yet, an overworked tattoo could leave you feeling anxious, stressed and confused. The critical thing to remember is that, more often than not, the overworked tattoo can be combated. Invest in a good, experienced tattoo artist to rework the design. It may be more painful and costly, but the result will be worth it.
Signs of an Overworked Tattoo
A Change in Appearance - If the tattoo looks faded, pale, cloudy, blurry, or heavily distorted, this could be a sign of overworked skin. This may also appear as ink distortion and blurring. During a tattoo, ink needs to be deposited in your dermis so the pigment stays put.
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.
Avoid sleeping directly on your new tattoo, at least the first 4 days. The goal is to try your best not to put any pressure on your tattoo and to keep it from touching anything, at least as much as possible. A healing tattoo needs lots of fresh air and oxygen, so try not to smother it while sleeping.
If your artist did not recommend re-wrapping, just let the tattoo stay exposed to air overnight. Every day from then on, you will wash the tattoo in the morning and at night, and apply lotion 3 times a day or so, or whenever the tattoo feels dry or tight.