Is My Tattoo Healing Normally? Signs of Infection vs Normal Healing

Most Healing Symptoms Are Normal

Your new tattoo is essentially a wound, and your body heals it like one. Redness, swelling, peeling, and itching are all expected parts of the process. The key is understanding what's normal versus what signals a problem.

If you're anxious about how your tattoo looks during healing, you're not alone. Most concerns turn out to be completely normal. Here's what to expect week by week.

Normal Healing Week by Week

Days 1-3: The Fresh Phase

• Redness and mild swelling around the tattoo
• Clear fluid (plasma/lymph) oozing from the surface
• Tattoo feels warm to the touch
• Some tenderness and soreness

Days 4-7: Peeling Begins

• Tightness as skin starts to dry
• Light peeling and flaking (like a sunburn)
• Itching begins as skin regenerates
• Some areas may look dull or cloudy

Days 7-14: The Itchy Phase

• Increased itching (don't scratch)
• Continued peeling and flaking
• Redness fades significantly
• Tattoo may look slightly faded under healing skin

Days 14-21+: Settling

• Itching subsides
• Peeling complete
• Colors and lines sharpen as skin settles
• Surface fully healed, deeper layers continue healing

Warning Signs: When to Seek Help

Infections are rare with proper aftercare, but they do happen. Watch for these symptoms that worsen over time rather than improve:

• Increasing redness that spreads beyond the tattoo
• Pus or discharge that's yellow, green, or smells bad (different from clear lymph fluid)
• Increasing pain that gets worse after day 3, not better
• Fever or chills
• Red streaks extending from the tattoo
• Extreme swelling that worsens or doesn't improve

The Key Difference

Normal healing symptoms improve over time. Infection symptoms get worse. If something looked bad on day 2 but looks better on day 5, you're healing normally. If something looked okay on day 2 and looks worse on day 5, that's concerning.

When in doubt, send your artist a photo. We see healing tattoos constantly and can usually tell you immediately if something looks off.

Proper Aftercare Prevents Problems

Most infections come from improper aftercare, not the tattoo session itself. Follow these basics:

• Wash gently 2-3 times daily with unscented soap
• Apply thin layer of recommended moisturizer
• Keep it out of direct sunlight
• Don't submerge in water (pools, baths, ocean) for 2-3 weeks
• Don't scratch or pick at peeling skin
• Wear loose, clean clothing over the area

We provide detailed aftercare instructions after every session. Follow them, and your tattoo will heal beautifully.