How Long Does a Tattoo Take to Heal?
Short Answer:
Most tattoos take 2–4 weeks to heal on the surface, but up to 6–8 weeks to fully heal underneath.
Tattoo Healing Timeline:
Days 1–3:
Redness, swelling, warmth, plasma leakage
Days 4–7:
Scabbing and peeling begin
Weeks 2–4:
Flaking stops, skin looks healed
Weeks 6–8:
Deeper layers fully recover
Important Things to Remember:
- Healing time varies by placement and size
- Overworking the skin increases healing time
- Proper aftercare speeds up recovery
What Slows Healing:
- Picking scabs
- Swimming too early
- Excessive sun exposure
- Poor aftercare
If you’re unsure whether your tattoo is healing properly, always contact your tattoo artist rather than guessing.
