How Long For Tattoos To Heal? You May Be Surprised!

You may be surprised by how long it takes your body to fully heal after getting a tattoo! Since the skin is so delicate and susceptible to infection, it’s important to protect it and give your tattoo the time it needs to fully heal. If you rush this part of the process, you could end up with an ugly scar instead of the beautiful tattoo you were hoping for. You might be interested in this article if you are trying to figure out how long your tattoo will take to heal, or if you are curious about what types of symptoms you should look out for as your body heals from getting a tattoo.

What is tattoo healing time?

If you’re considering getting a tattoo and want to know how long it will take to heal, you’re not alone. There are a lot of factors that go into tattoo healing time and your body is one of them. Factors such as age, skin type, location of tattoo, amount of ink applied to your skin and aftercare can also impact healing time. Take a look at our infographic below for an estimated average healing time for each area on your body. If you need assistance getting through your own healing process or have questions about how long tattoos generally take to heal, we invite you to contact us today – one of our helpful Care Tips specialists will be happy to help.

Factors affecting your healing time

It can be difficult to predict how long it will take your tattoo to heal. Every tattoo is different and every person heals at a different rate. The location of your new tattoo, what colors were used, how large it is, and whether or not you’re prone to scabbing all play a role in how quickly your skin repairs itself. Location: Where you get your tattoo is one of the most important factors affecting healing time; tattoos on high-traffic areas like ankles tend to heal faster than tattoos on arms or feet. Areas with less room for blood flow such as elbows or knees will usually cause a delay in healing due to limited oxygen supply.

Tips for faster healing times

Experts generally agree that you should allow a minimum of three months for any new tattoo to fully heal and to allow for maximum fading of its yellowed skin. However, there are a number of ways you can speed up that process. Some methods may be particularly helpful if your tattoo is located on an area of your body subject to lots of physical activity, such as your elbow or shoulder, since these areas see frequent abrasion. These recommendations may also help keep it free from permanent stains

Let your body take over the job – do not touch it as much as possible.

The healing process, and therefore how long it takes your tattoo to heal completely, depends largely on how well you take care of it. And unfortunately most people ignore their tattoos’ needs when they are first done. The worst thing you can do is try to scratch that itch; touch it often; or pull at any scabs or loose skin, because all of these things can slow down or stop your tattoo from healing. Instead, let your body take over the job – do not touch it as much as possible. Check with your artist though before taking a long road trip through a desert with no access to water for example;)

When can you get inked again?

Once your tattoo is finished, you can shower and wash it with water and mild soap immediately. Although it should be fine to put on new clothes over your tattoo, we recommend leaving a thin layer of Vaseline or Aquaphor on it at night for 3-5 days after getting it done (even if you don’t think your tattoo needs any special care). These two creams will protect your fresh ink as it heals while also preventing scabbing. When used properly, they are very safe and won’t cause any skin irritation. A dab of Vaseline once or twice a day will help ensure that your new tat looks its best when you show off.