How Long Does a New Tattoo Take to Heal?

How long a tattoo takes to heal depends on the size and location of the tattoo, but you can usually see signs of healing two to three weeks after getting your new tattoo. Healing is a week-to-week process, and it’s important to follow the aftercare instructions your tattoo artist provides to support healing.

New tattoos may typically take two to three weeks to heal.

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Timeline of the Tattoo Healing Process

Tattoos usually heal in two to three weeks. Knowing what to expect from the healing process so you know if and when your tattoo has healed properly can include the following:

First 24 hours: Your tattoo artist should provide you with aftercare instructions to help your skin heal. Bandages should usually be kept on for at least 24 hours, but be sure to check with your artist or dermatologist on when it’s safe to peel off the bandage.
First two weeks: You might notice some itching, flaking, and scabbing of the skin in or around the tattoo. Though it’s a good idea to be vigilant about skin changes on or around the tattooed area, keep in mind that itchiness and flakiness, as well as some scabbing, are normal parts of the healing process.
Three weeks: Around the three-week mark, you may notice signs of healing, such as scabs, though the timing may depend on the size and location of your tattoo.

Ask your tattoo artist or a dermatologist about what to expect from the healing process so that you can feel confident about monitoring and caring for your tattooed skin.

How Can You Support Healing?

Tattoos involve trauma to the skin, and while the skin can heal itself, it’s important to help the skin recover from tattoos and reduce the risk of complications, like an infection.

Your tattoo artist should cover your tattoo with ointment and a clean bandage and give you aftercare instructions to support healing. Tips include:

Check with your tattoo artist about when it’s safe to take off the bandage and clean it. The bandage usually needs to stay on for at least 24 hours, and you’ll want to be gentle when removing it.
After you take the bandage off, wash your tattooed skin with a gentle cleanser.
Apply ointment (such as a thin layer of petroleum jelly) or lotion as advised by your tattoo artist.
If you need to wear clothes over the tattoo, choose light, breathable options rather than tight clothing.
While your tattoo is healing, protect your tattooed skin from the sun, such as with sun-protecting clothing or an opaque dressing, and don’t use sunscreen on it until it’s fully healed.
If your tattoo is in an area that is hard to see or reach on your own, ask a friend or loved one to help you care for it as needed.

When It’s OK to Get Skin Wet

How long you need to wait until you can get your tattoo wet depends on how long your tattoo artist recommends keeping the bandage on and the type of bandage they use. If they give you a waterproof bandage, for example, it may be OK to get the skin wet, such as in the shower.
Avoid hot water, steam, and ocean or lake water for seven to 10 days.

What to Avoid With a New Tattoo

Be gentle with your new tattoo:

Avoid using irritating products like fragranced soap or cleansers with harsh chemicals.
Don’t use washcloths, sponges, or loofahs to clean the tattooed area. They can harbor bacteria and irritate the newly healing skin.
Keep time in the water to a minimum and don’t immerse your tattoo in water, such as in the bathtub or hot tub, until it’s fully healed.
Don’t scratch the tattooed skin or pick at scabs that form.
Avoid exposing the tattoo to the sun.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

Even if you follow your aftercare instructions, complications can still happen. Some skin reactions happen immediately, while others may occur weeks to years later. Skin reactions to tattoos can include:

Infection, which may show up as a rash, discoloration, or pain at the tattooed site
Swollen lymph nodes, usually near the tattoo
Allergic reaction, including a rash or a sun allergy, which can happen when your tattoo is exposed to the sun
Skin conditions that develop around the tattoo, such as eczema (a chronic inflammatory skin condition), psoriasis (an autoimmune skin condition), and keloids (abnormal scars)
Skin cancer that develops within the tattoo
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) burn, which is a rare burn on the tattoo after getting an MRI if the tattoo contains certain inks with metallic particles in their pigment

Signs of Infection

As new tattoos are essentially a cluster of small wounds on the skin, they can get infected. Infections can happen immediately after getting the tattoo or some days or months afterward.

Signs of an infected tattoo include:

Redness or discoloration that darkens or doesn’t go away
Increased warmth at the site of the tattoo
Swelling
A rash in the tattooed area
Pain that gets worse
Fever or chills
Open sores in the tattooed area
Pus in the tattooed area

Talk to a healthcare provider immediately if you notice any of the above reactions to your tattoo. Going to a licensed tattoo artist and following aftercare instructions are important precautions, but every tattoo carries some risk.

If you have a weakened immune system, take drugs to suppress the immune system, or have a condition that inhibits wound healing, such as diabetes, talk to a healthcare provider before getting a tattoo. Certain skin conditions, like psoriasis or vitiligo, may flare in areas of injury, such as a tattoo. This is called the isomorphic response.