How Long Does it Take a Tattoo to Fully Heal?

Written By Katie Walters

Getting a new tattoo is exciting for both of us. But the truth is, having a well-done tattoo is only half the battle, healing plays a huge role in how it turns out. A lot of people don't realize that until it’s too late. Just like a bad tattoo artist can mess up a good tattoo idea, a bad heal can mess up a well-executed tattoo.

I’ve seen it all. I had a client let his dog lick his healing tattoo because he thought dogs were good at cleaning wounds. I’ve had people cake lotion on their tattoo 5 times a day, keeping it constantly wet wondering why it wasn't healing, like they were basting a roast not healing a tattoo.

One guy even called me a full week after getting a small flash tattoo because his tattoo smelled bad. I asked him what it looked like and he said “I don't know, the bandage is still on.” Turns out he thought I told him to keep the bandage on for “four to eight days”, not 4 to 8 hours. Imagine.

Anyway, all of that aside. Getting a good tattoo is a collaborative effort. Part of it is your artist’s competence and capability. The other part is you and how well you follow aftercare instructions.

Here’s something I want to clear up right off the bat. This is one of the biggest tattoo healing misconceptions I’ve seen in my 15 years of tattooing and it’s something I used to do myself until I found a much better way to heal tattoos, especially large-scale work.

A lot of people are still healing their tattoos with balms, creams, and whatever the newest tattoo goopy product is. I used to recommend those too, back when I first started tattooing. But what I’ve found over years of seeing tattoos come back healed is that the body does a much better job without interference or you getting your dirty little fingers all over it. You body is a wound healing machine and does not need your help.

In my experience, the best healing method I’ve seen is dry healing. That means no licking dogs, no goo, no daily baths or magic potions. Lotion is for comfort only and does not speed up the healing process. So please, for the love of God, leave it the fuck alone. Let it get dry, stay dry, lift up, flake off and heal fast.

Dry healing keeps things simple. Less for you to do, less for you to remember, less for you to mess up.

Now, to be clear, I’m not saying you can never moisturize your tattoo. There’s an exception to this, and I’ll explain it later. The main problem is that when people think this helps the healing process, they overdo it. They wash it five times a day, moisturize it ten times a day, and wonder why it’s not healing properly.

So I explain it to clients like this and it really helps them visualize it:

If you had road rash or a couple stitches, would you be scrubbing it with soap, rubbing lotion into it keeping it wet, moist and wiping it down multiple times a day. No, because you’d know it needs to scab over and stay dry and left alone. A healing tattoo is the same. It’s not complicated, but it does require you to leave it alone. Just like these wounds, the less you do the better.

Now here’s the full breakdown.

Tattoo Healing Timeline: What to Expect Week by Week

Stage 1 – The Post-Op Phase (Days 1–3)

The first couple nights, you’ll see some oozing of plasma, lymphatic fluid, and a little ink — totally normal. Don't panic.

Pro tip: If yore healing large scale work, use a separate set of sheets for this stage. that stuff stains and your nice bedding will be ruined forever.

  • When you remove the bandage, wash and rise gently with unscented soap a couple times right away

  • Rinse well and finish with cold, this helps to reduce inflammation and close up the pores a bit making the skin feel calmer and less raw

  • Wash twice a day during this stage

  • Pat dry with paper towel (never reuse towels)

  • Keep everything clean: fresh sheets, clean clothes

  • Absolutely no moisturizing

Stage 2 – Flaking & Light Scabbing (Days 3–10)

Now the tattoo starts to dry out, flake, scab over and tighten.

  • A lot of the tattoo will flake and peel off on its own easily after a week or two

  • Scabbing and even heavy scabbing is totally normal for the stage. Again, don't panic.

  • Cut washing back to once a day, or every other day if you're not sweating or getting it dirty

  • Gentle washing, no scrubbing

  • Still no dog licking, believe it or not

  • Skin may feel tight or itchy — if really uncomfortable, a tiny bit of Aquaphor or unscented lotion can give you relief

  • Use sparingly once every couple days, this is for comfort only

  • Moisturizer does not help a tattoo heal — Period

  • If you can tough it out your tattoo will heal better and faster without moisturizer

  • I know this stage sucks and can hurt and feel uncomfortable, but this is a just a part of healing a tattoo. Discomfort is normal here, don't overreact and don't overthink it

  • No long showers. Quick rinse if needed. Still no soaking, scrubbing, or baths

  • If your bandage is still on at this point, stop right now and scroll back to the top.

Stage 3 – Heavier Scabbing (Days 10–14)

The flaking is mostly done, but you might have some thick or stubborn scabs left.

  • Still: Do not pick. Do not soak. Do not over-moisturize

  • At this point a small amount of Aquaphor or unscented lotion can once every couple days can help soften the scabs and support the final shading stage

  • This won't speed up the healing dramatically, but it can:

    • Prevent cracking

    • Reduce the temptation to pick by making it feel less dry

    • Ease tightness in the surrounding skin

    • Help the fresh new skin underneath stay calmer and return to its normal texture faster

  • So yeah, unlike stage Stage 2, where the moisturizer is just for comfort, Stage 3 is the one time it can actually help the healing process. Still, the benefit is minor

  • Hands must be clean. Lotion must be thin. Less is more

Week 4 – The Shiny Skin Phase (Days 14–28)

Now the last scabs are completely gone and you’ve got shiny new skin.

  • At this point, you’re basically healed

  • The skin still feels a bit tight, and looks a bit glossy

  • You can return to normal life: baths, gym, sun (just don’t fry it)

  • Optional: vitamin E cream or light lotion to help the skin normalize and return to its normal texture

Week 5 and Beyond – Final Stretch

Your tattoo is healed. The skin’s doing its last little bit of restoration work beneath the surface. If you’ve avoided all the healing mistakes, the tattoo should look clean, bold, and exactly like it’s supposed to.

Factors That Affect Tattoo Healing Time

  • Diet & Hydration: The healthier you are, the better your body heals

  • Aftercare Compliance: Avoid the don’ts, what you don’t do matters more than what you do do.

  • Tattoo Specifics: Size, location, density, scarred or sensitive skin all affect healing time.

  • Individual Factors: Age, skin type, circulation, immune system all play a role

  • Healing times are not in any way absolute, these are general estimates on what I've seen over the years

Some clients heal fully saturated colour in five days. Others I've seen take four weeks to heal a small black and grey piece. Everyone is different but if you follow this timeline closely and focus more on the stages than the exact days, you’ll be in good hands.

How to Tell If Your Tattoo Is Fully Healed

  • No scabs, flakes, or soreness

  • New skin looks and feels settled

  • You can go back to baths, sun, gym, normal life

What Slows Down the Healing Process?

  • Picking, scratching, soaking, prolonged sun exposure, sweating

  • Too much lotion or “healing” products

  • Not keeping it clean

  • Friction and movement in high-use areas (elbows, knees, armpits) these areas always take longer to heal

  • Full colour always takes longer to heal

  • Leg, especially lower leg tattoos tend to take longer to heal due to reduced circulation (swelling is also more common in here)

  • Wearing tight or restive clothing over a new tattoo

When to Contact Your Artist or a Doctor

  • Thick yellow or green discharge

  • Bad smell from the tattoo site

  • Hot, red, swollen skin that’s painful to touch

  • Rash or spreading redness outside the tattoo area

  • If you see multiple pimple like bumps form in or around the tattoo area

Do not try to handle these things on your own, they require a professional opinion. Reach out to your artist or doctor.

FAQs

Can I shower with a new tattoo?
Yes. Keep showers short and not too hot. No soaking.

Can I work out after getting tattooed?
Yes, but no sweating. If you sweat, clean the tattoo gently right after. Avoid movement-heavy areas like armpits, elbows, and knees.

What if my tattoo scabs too much?
Heavy scabbing doesn’t mean it’s ruined. I’ve had tattoos scab like crazy and heal perfectly. Be patient. Don’t pick. Follow your aftercare.

Why does my healed tattoo look faded?

  • Usually one of two reasons:

    1. Improper aftercare — you picked it, soaked it, over-lotioned it.

    2. Poor tattooing technique.

      Either way, touch-ups can be part of the process, especially with large-scale work.

Final thoughts

Healing a tattoo doesn't have to be complicated. Sick to the basics, don't overdo it and trust your body to do what it’s designed to do. Most issues come from doing too much — not too little. Be consistent, keep it clean, and if something feels off, reach out, You got this.

Katie Walters