Days 4-6

The initial redness and bruising should have started to fade by this point, and if you’re using the wet healing method of aftercare, you’ll have begun applying ointment or salve to the new tattoo. 

You’ll probably notice some very light scabbing over the tattoo as the outer layer skin starts knitting back together over the wound. 

Days 7 to 14

By the time you reach the end of your first week after getting a fresh tattoo is when you’ll see the most tattoo scabbing. The thick scab has usually hardened and will begin to flake off in scales and small chunks. 

It’s imperative that during the heavy peeling process, when your tattoo is looking and feeling it’s absolute worst, that you let it heal without picking, poking, prodding or scratching at your skin. 

At this point the dead skin is highly likely to feel very itchy. Gently rub on a moisturizer several times a day to relieve the itching, or if the itch and pain is extreme try an antihistamine tablet or hydrocortisone cream (at recommended levels).  

If you’re applying the dry heal method (see further below), ride out the irritation as best you can without touching the flaking skin. 

If you mess up during this phase of the process, you could pull out the ink and leave scars, tattoo discoloration, or also prompt infection. 

3rd/4th Week

This time is the end of the traditional healing phase. The thicker scab will completely flake off on its own. 

Although the tattoo will likely remain itchy and irritated at times, it’s still important not to scratch because the wound is still healing below the top layer and still needs to be left alone. 

During the third and fourth weeks of healing, you’ll find a secondary peel of the outline usually takes place. Once this is done, you’re pretty much finished with the process, however I recommend keeping up the use of lotion well into the fifth and sixth weeks to keep your badass tattoo in shape.