Tattoo Peeling Too Early
I got a Tribal Dragon tattoo from my left shoulder to the tip of my left elbow about 3 days ago. As I clean it, it is already beginning to peel. Every time I even lightly rub it while cleaning, chunks of blackened skin peels off. Is this a bad sign or am I just healing faster than normal?…as I do have a history of healing minor wounds quite fast. My tattoo artist told me it should peel in a week, then start to itch, but it is already peeling but it’s not itching.
Peeling 3 days after a tattoo is very normal, everyones healing time is different.
Your skin will form a protective layer no matter what you do. If you do not keep it moist or keep it too moist (it’s a personal balance, different for each individual), it will form a thick, hard scab that may crack when you move. When you form this kind of a scab the ink sits within it and slowly heals into the skin. When the tattoo is kept moist it doesn’t have a chance to form a scab but does form a thin membrane to protect the tattoo while it heals. This layer peels off very similar to a sunburn (do not peel your tattoo, you will pull the ink out!) and it is normal to see small flakes of colored skin falling off during this stage of healing.
You must keep your tattoo clean, however, long showers or baths must be avoided for 2 weeks. Prolonged soaking can and will loosen scabs if any have formed, or will soak through the soft tissue and cause your ink to flow down the drain. This includes Swimming in the Ocean or a Pool, Hot Tubs, and Saunas. Short showers are best, under ten minutes if possible.
Refrain from scratching or picking at the tattoo. Scrubbing with a washcloth can be very harsh on a tattoo and will cause your colors to fade. It is normal for the tattoo to become very itchy during the healing time. To relieve this, slap it with your hand (i’m being serious lol, this will sting it and take away the itch).
Follow your tattooist instructions for aftercare that they told you.
My tattoo did they same. People heal differently. Its normal
Everyone’s healing rate is different. Just be sure to keep it clean.
Well, as far as the black skin goes, as long as the tattoo has black ink in it, that’s normal. If it doesn’t, well then you’ve got a problem (necrotic tissue) .
Assuming that your tattoo has black ink, this is very normal. I have three tattoo, and all of them started flaking between 2 to 3 days after getting them. As mentioned above, just keep them hydrated and DON’T PICK AT THEM!!!
its normal for it to start peeling within a few days and last about a week or so but as far as the itching phase goes, if its itchy you need to apply more lotion because that means its getting too dried out. just let it peel on its own, try not to rub it too much other than when you wash it. and just because it looks like you are loosing alot of color doesnt mean you actually are. there is a lot of excess in the beginning but there is plenty under the skin to keep it looking good. wait till after its fully healed before judging.