Healing Process of a Tattoo

Healing Process of a Tattoo Explained

Ask five different tattoo artists the best aftercare measures to help a new tattoo heal, and you'll likely get five marginally different answers. Everyone seems to have a favorite regimen and favorite products to speed the process along. You may even get conflicting advice about what will help or hinder your fresh tat from settling in and healing, so you need to have some idea of the ideal conditions needed for skin to renew itself.

Skin Healing 101

When you get a tat, your skin is pierced hundreds, if not thousands, of times. This creates a series of minute puncture wounds that need to be cared for and protected if they are to heal without scarring or becoming infected.

If your tattoo artist has the right touch, your fresh tat will likely be dry and relatively clear right after the procedure. However, very shortly you'll begin to notice a sort of light dew begin to emerge from the tattooed area. This dew is technically called "exudate", and it is a natural moisturizer that helps your skin to heal itself.

Typically, small dots of red or brown begin to appear in the exudate, and these are bits of blood that become mingled with dead skin cells to form scabs. Scabs have long been thought an important part of any healing process; however, they are not conducive to the healing process of a tattoo. Scabs tend to prolong the healing process because they trap dead skin cells on the surface, and the skin has to work harder to renew.

Scabs can also lead to scarring. Remember how your parents used to tell you not to pick at a scab? It's still good advice. Picking at a dried scab can lead to fresh wounding and eventual scarring. Under the circumstances, it's far better to prevent a scab from forming in the first place. Let's discuss how that's done.

Scab Prevention

The trick to preventing scabs is to keep the wound moisturized so the healing exudate is better able to carry out its job. The fresh tat should be lightly and gently cleansed to assure there are no harmful bacteria present, and then a light coating of salve should be applied over the ink.

Here is where many tat devotees deviate on what you should use. Many people prefer to apply an antibiotic ointment to provide a protective layer that seals exudate in and germs out. Antibiotic ointments are indeed useful for about the first four days, but after this they can actually prolong healing.

Some tat artists recommend applying petroleum jelly, even though others say that this type of product can leach ink from a fresh tat. If you look at both sides of the argument, it's probably safest to use the antibiotic for the first four days while the punctures close, and then follow up with Vaseline.

Washing and Disinfecting

Although keeping your fresh tat disinfected is definitely part of any aftercare routine, it's important not to go overboard. Too much washing depletes the exudate, and it can actually dry out your skin and create more flaking and sloughing than you would normally expect.

Washing should probably be kept to about twice a day unless there's an obvious problem, and only the mildest soap or antiseptic wash should be used. Always dab the skin, taking care not to scrub. This will help to gently remove scab particles without causing further damage. Pat the tat dry with a fresh paper towel and apply your chosen ointment just thick enough to create a barrier without looking like you just frosted a cake.

To Bandage, or Not to Bandage...

It's standard procedure at most tattoo shops to cleanse, moisturize and seal a fresh tat with plastic wrap before the client leaves the shop. This is your tat artist's way of ensuring you leave the shop in good condition, and after that you're basically on your own unless you need follow up advice.

This initial seal really only needs to be left on until you reach home. After that, you can remove the plastic. This gives you the opportunity to watch the area and gently dab away those tiny dark specks that lead to scab formation. Eventually, the specks will stop rising to the surface, and you can reapply some ointment to protect the area.

At this point, it's really only necessary to protect the area with plastic during showers, and overnight to keep the bedding from rubbing and/or adhering to the wound. Make sure you remove the plastic immediately upon showering or rising, and then cleanse the skin and reapply more ointment.

How Long Does Healing Take?

As mentioned previously, initial healing take place in the first four days. During this time, your skin has created fresh cells just below the surface of the dead and damaged ones. Keeping the area moisturized with natural exudate and ointment allows healing to proceed quickly.

You should continue to apply ointment for a good seven days; after this you can switch to a general skin moisturizing product, taking care to treat the area gently every time you touch it.

The entire healing process of a tattoo should take about three weeks, if you have followed up with proper aftercare as recommended. If you have any doubts about how well your tat is healing, either check back with your artist or head straight for your family doctor.