What Do You Do if Your Tattoo Is Peeling?

What to Do When Your Tattoo Is Peeling

When someone gets a tattoo for the very first time, they may get a little concerned if they begin to see their tattoo peeling or flaking. However, there’s no need to worry abut tattoo peeling since the peeling process is a normal part of getting a tattoo, in fact, you should expect it to start peeling since the peeling process is a normal part of getting a tattoo. In fact, you should expect it to start peeling since your tattoo is an open wound.

Your tattoo artist will probably explain that tattoo peeling is part of the process, and that during this time, following a proper tattoo aftercare routine is very important to keep your tattoo healthy and intact.

Since you’ve managed to bear that tattoo pain, handling the peeling stage won’t be that difficult. Just make sure to follow the do’s and don’ts in the lists given below, and very soon, you’ll be ready to show off your healed and beautiful tattooed skin to the world.

How Long Does It Take for a Tattoo to Peel?

How long it takes for a tattoo to peel is different for each person, but it usually takes about two weeks. The duration of the peeling process can be a little shorter or longer. Tattoo peeling is part of your skin’s healing process and is no cause for alarm.

Our skin sheds away upper cells every day, and because the tattoo process involves drawing on skin with a needle, it’s necessary for your skin to shed in order to heal and regenerate from this wound.

How to Make a Tattoo Peel Faster

It’s not always necessary to make the area peel faster, as this is an important healing process. If you experience pain or are obliged to expose the area for work purposes, you can try the following:

• Wash the area with a mild, natural cleanser.
• Protect the area from the sun using clothing only.
• Avoid harsh, generic or cosmetic products.

What to Do When Your Tattoo Starts Peeling

You’ll notice peeling a few days after getting your tattoo. Once this begins, taking care of the area goes a long way in keeping it healthy and quickening the process. If you’re wondering whether you can rub a peeling tattoo, the answer is to avoid doing that. Rubbing and picking at the area can damage your tattoo and affect its appearance.

Ways to care for this area include these tips:

1. Moisturize Your Tattoo Well

If you moisturize your healing tattoo properly, it will help ease the itching you may be experiencing, and it will make the tattoo healing process much faster because of the various minerals and vitamins that the moisturizing ointment has. A good moisturizing ointment can even make your tattoo appear better during the peeling stage.

One of the most popular and effective tattoo aftercare products that you should consider using is H2Ocean’s Aquatat. This product has been created to help keep your new tattoo protected. It’s also one of the only products on the market that was created SPECIFICALLY for tattoos. It helps prevent premature tattoo peeling, pimples, drying and cracking skin. It also contains anti-aging ingredients, keeps your skin protected and promotes healing.

2. Keep the Tattoo Clean

If you keep the tattoo clean during the peeling and healing stage, which should be about two weeks, this will help prevent infections. When the tattooed area is clean from oil and dirt, the tattoo healing process will also speed up to shed dead skin cells more easily.

3. Be Patient

You’ll have to accept that your tattoo will look imperfect for a couple of weeks, appearing dry and flaky — but this is normal. This is a part of the healing process, and it’s best to wait until the area fully heals. Remaining patient is best.

4. Wear Loose Clothing

Wearing loose clothing can help you avoid an allergic reaction, which can affect the healing process. Since new tattoos peel, loose clothing will also help the tattoo heal on its own instead of rubbing against tight clothing and flaking off prematurely.

What You Should Not Do

There are certain things to avoid doing as you’re waiting for your tattoo to heal. Peeling may look unusual, or it may itch or feel uncomfortable, but leaving your skin to do its job protects it from bacteria and is the best thing you can do for your tattoo over the long run.

Make sure you:

1. Do Not Pull Off the Scabs

During the first few days of the peeling stage, it’s important to never pull or pick at your scabs from the tattoo. Even though the peeling layer of skin may appear to be coming off, it’s still attached to your skin. It’s very important to wait until the tattoo peels off on its own. If you pull on it before it’s fully ready then the unsettled tattoo ink will also likely come out with it, making your tattoo look patchy in those areas.

2. Do Not Scratch the Tattoo, Even If It Itches

If you scratch at the peeling tattoo because it’s itchy, it will rip off the area prematurely, and the unsettled tattoo ink will come off along with it, creating patches. During the peeling stage, your skin is also prone to infection. Your fingernails may be home to germs, and if they come into contact with the peeling skin, it can cause an infection.

Take Care of Your Tattoo While It’s Peeling

Aftercare is an important step when getting a tattoo, and using natural, high-quality products is gentle on your skin and the environment.

H2Ocean provides premium tattoo aftercare products so you can take care of your skin as you wait for it to heal. Explore our aftercare range today, or contact us for professional assistance.