Curious about the tattoo healing process? If you just got a new tattoo, it’s important to understand the different stages of tattoo healing as well as how long it takes for a tattoo to heal. Fortunately for you, the healing process essentially begins the moment you leave the shop, albeit it’s too slow for you to realize.

Over the next few days, you’ll start to experience different sensations, notice that the ink’s colors seem different, and eventually a crust starts forming along the lines. Some people even start to experience the dreaded itchy tattoo, and before you know it, your tattoo is peeling and close to full recovery. While not everyone’s healing timeline is the same, most people go through the stages at roughly the same time.

However, as part of any recuperating period, there are things that could go wrong. Remember, you’re walking around with an exposed wound and a bunch of chemicals imprinted into your skin, so don’t expect your tattoo to heal overnight. What happens during the healing process and the maintenance expected of you during these stages and going forward is essential. After all, tattoo aftercare is so critical to avoiding lethal infections.

With four different stages in the healing process, both men and women need to learn how to take care of a new tattoo. Below, we’ll discuss everything to do after getting a tattoo. From how long it takes tattoos to heal to before and after pictures of peeling to the best lotions for a new tattoo, here’s our complete guide to proper tattoo care!

Contents

• 1 Tattoo Healing Stages
  • 1.1 Stage One – First Week
  • 1.2 Stage Two – Second Week
  • 1.3 Stage Three – Third and Fourth Weeks
  • 1.4 Stage Four – Continued Aftercare
• 2 Best Lotions For Tattoos
  • 2.1 Hustle Butter Deluxe
  • 2.2 Tattoo Goo
  • 2.3 Ora’s Amazing Herbal Tattoo Salve
• 3 Tattoo Healing Process and Stages

Tattoo Healing Stages

Here’s a brief overview of the different tattoo healing stages day by day. While most people can reference this timeline to gauge their tattoo’s healing time, some may experience a faster or slower recovery.