The Healing Stages Of Tattoos

May 25, 2008 – 6:05 pm
by Mike Wamoult

A fresh tattoo is more or less an open wound so it requires the right aftercare so that it can heal properly. Each stage of the healing process means that the tattoo will need a different sort of caring method. Tattoos should be kept clean at all costs and should be exposed to the least amount of germs possible. Healing stages tend to be unique to various individuals so this is something you will have to consider as well.

Different factors play their roles in the nature and manner that your tattoo tends to heal. A number of these factors tend to be centered on the kind of skin you possess and where your tattoo is located anatomically. Also of note are the tattoo artist and the style and manner they use to create your tattoo.

Any tattoo artist who finishes your tattoo will usually put a bandage over your tattoo along with instructions that you should leave it in place for a number of hours in order to reduce the amount of exposure your fresh tattoo has to the external elements.

A brand new tattoo is similar to having minor surgeries so don’t be surprised if your tattoo bleeds a little for the first 24 hours. This is normal and your bandage will help absorb any bleeding from your tattoo initially following your procedure. One thing to note is to be extremely careful when removing your bandage and to not let a large amount of blood dry on your bandage.

When it is time to remove the bandage from your tattoo, do so carefully. It is possible that blood has dried to the bandage and if you just rip it off, you could possibly jeopardize the appearance of your new tattoo.

The first healing stage of your new tattoo is experienced almost initially so expect that your tattoo is going to be sore, red, and possibly a bit swollen. You may also experience a slight stinging sensation that is similar to the feeling of sunburn. Tattoo artists will tell you that getting a tattoo feels like strong sunburn; the truth is that a healing tattoo will often feel like sunburn.

It is also common for a new and healing tattoo to feel dry, tight and itchy as well. In order to minimize this feeling and promote your comfort, it might be advisable to continue applying tattoo aftercare lotion in order to moisturize the tattoo and alleviate the symptoms experienced. Small particles of colored skin may drift off your tattoo as it heals as well and this is a rather normal occurrence too.

Different healing stages tend to be linked with new tattoos and they follow from the first week to the third week. In the first week, you should expect to feel a little soreness or redness accompanied with slight bleeding which may occur within a day after the procedure. In the second week you should expect your tattoo to flake or peel and perhaps become itchy. Week three is more or less the final week and the scabbing and peeling will have reduced although the area might still feel rather sensitive as well.

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