How Long Is The Scabbing Process For New Tattoos?

Most of the time, when we injure our bodies with cuts or scrapes, a scab will form over the wound as it is healing. Though unsightly, this is a good indication that you’re healing and your skin is regenerating itself back. When your new tattoo begins to scab, this can be confusing but should be considered in the same notion of scabbing as promoting healing. How long does this process last for though?

Scabbing Process

First, scabbing is a natural process that occurs after you get your first tattoo. This is due to the fact that the tattoo procedure itself, damages the epidermis or top layer of the skin. Scabbing is the body’s way of providing a protective cover over the affected area, to prevent infection from bacteria. The tattoo itself typically takes 7-14 days to be completely healed. However, it may take up to 30 days in order for your body to truly heal the underlying layers of skin. Let’s take a look at what happens to the skin once you get a tattoo.

Weeks 1 – 2

Within the first week of getting your tattoo, you will notice that your tattoo is significantly brighter than it will be in its last form. At this point, your tattoo is essentially an open wound. As such, you will need to clean it once in the morning and once in the night. As you do this, it’s important that you use antibacterial soap on the affected area 3-4 times daily. By day seven, you should notice that your skin is oozing a liquid substance which goes by the name of plasma. Do not be alarmed at the sight of this as this is just a liquid protein that the body uses to assist in the repair process.

While you’re healing (and scabbing), it’s important to choose and exercise the right aftercare process. H2Ocean’s Extreme Tattoo Care kit is an ideal choice for all healing stages when getting a tattoo, especially for harder to heal area like elbows and knees. Ointment based and made of natural ingredients, this complete care kit includes specially created cleanser, protectant and moisturizer to encourage more vibrant tattoos.

Weeks 2 – 4

Once your epidermis has healed itself, it will lead to scabbing and flaking. The scabbing occurs after the wound has healed, as a result of your body’s white blood cells working with plasma proteins to create a protective cap where the affected area was. What this means is that the scab will cover your tattoo. However, the ink is still beneath the scab so it’s important that you don’t pick or prod your scabs as it will flake away naturally by week 3. It’s also worth noting that during this process, the scab will feel very flaky, and dry. As a result of such it may itch from time to time prompting you to pick and touch the scab. As opposed to picking at it, you can use some moisturizer to keep the affected area hydrated. By week 4 the scab will completely fade away and leave the affected area a little dull. But, it will eventually tone out and look like the rest of your skin.

Regardless of how startling scabbing may seem at first, it’s important to remember that it’s temporary and it wont lead to permanent changes in the appearance of your skin as long as you take care of it. As such, by moisturizing your scab and using antibacterial soap at least 3 times a day, you can facilitate a faster healing process and avoid bacterial infection.