Fresh Vs. Healed Tattoo: Differences & Tips

The fresh vs. healed tattoo topic will provide the answer to why your tattooed skin looks different after a few days. A fresh tattoo is the sensitive stage accompanied by swelling and redness. In contrast, a healed tattoo is a more stable phase with colors and ink settling into the deeper skin layers. Further, a fresh tattoo is in the process of recovering while a healed tattoo has become a part of your skin. Understanding these distinctions is key to providing proper care during each stage of your tattoo journey. In this article, we will discuss fresh vs. healed tattoos, aftercare tips, and more. Scroll down to find out.

Difference Between A Fresh And A Healed Tattoo

A fresh tattoo is like a work in progress, not quite the same as when it is fully healed. The difference between the two lies in their appearance, aftercare, the intensity of colors, and the duration of healing. However, before you dive deep into this fresh vs. healed tattoo article, it is necessary to know what happens to your tattoo ink over time.

A fresh tattoo is like a newborn baby that requires utmost attention and care. You may experience swelling, itching, and temporary blurred appearance of your ink during this phase. Proper care involving gentle cleaning, adequate moisturizing, and stringent sun avoidance are important during this stage.

Upon transitioning to the healed state, the initial redness and swelling recede. However, consistent maintenance with regular moisturization and vigilant sun protection is important to keep its vibrancy intact.

Here are the huge differences between the two types of tattoos:

• Appearance

Fresh Tattoo: The fresh tattoo will appear dark, shiny, and bold. The fresh colors appear more vibrant and intense on a tattoo soon after the tattooing process. However, remember that a freshly inked tattoo may turn red and look puffy.

Healed Tattoo: The healed tattoo will not look as bright as the fresh tattoo. However, the skin will look healthy without the redness, tattoo scabs, and puffiness.

• Sensations

Fresh Tattoo:

You may experience itchiness, and inflammation. It may last for a couple of days or weeks. However, the symptoms differ for each individual based on the design, skin type, and the aftercare techniques used.

Healed Tattoo: It does not have any sensation like a fresh tattoo. Once the tattoo is healed, it will feel like regular and healthy skin.

Quick Tip

Keep the tattooed area elevated above the heart level when resting to help minimize swelling and discomfort experienced during the healing process.

• Skin Sensitivity

Fresh Tattoo:

Your skin becomes more sensitive to pain and touch. If someone touches you there, you may experience more pain than you usually do.

Healed Tattoo: Once healed, your tattooed skin will not feel any pain or discomfort touching that area.

• Duration

Fresh Tattoo:

It generally takes about 2 to 4 weeks for the entire recovery process.

Healed Tattoo: The tattoo usually heals within 4-8 weeks. However, the healing time depends on many different factors including the type of aftercare that your artist suggests, your overall health, the weather, and your daily activities.

• Risk Of Infection

Fresh Tattoo:

The needle deposits the ink beneath the epidermis (the top layer of skin) to create the design. This creates tiny open wounds (like scratch wounds), increasing the potential for severe infection.

Healed Tattoo: The chances of infection are very low for a healed tattoo. It may get infected like your normal skin but is not a cause for worry like a healing skin.

• Aftercare

Fresh Tattoo: A fresh tattoo is essentially a fresh wound that needs to heal. Follow your tattoo artist’s instructions to take care of your healing wound and speed up the recovery process.

Quick Tip

Cover the tattooed area for the first three days with a loose bandage while sleeping to protect it from rubbing against the sheets and bacteria.

Healed Tattoo: The healed tattoo also requires proper care but it is not as high-maintenance as a fresh tattoo. You may have to provide lifetime care by keeping the skin moisturized, minimizing exposure to direct sunlight, and using proper sunscreen.

• Watercolor

Fresh Tattoo:

A watercolor tattoo will not shine until it is healed completely.

Healed Tattoo: It shines brightly and intensifies the vivid hues of the tattoo ink.

• Fading

Fresh Tattoo:

Not following proper aftercare, improper healing, exposure to direct sunlight, or submerging it in water for long hours may cause color fading in fresh tattoos.

Healed Tattoo: Unfortunately, all tattoos fade over time. The tattoo inks and pigments are foreign bodies that your body will attack and begin to destroy over time. Sun exposure is also a major factor behind fading tattoos.

• Touchup

Fresh Tattoo: A newly done tattoo does not typically need a touch-up. It is advisable to wait until the tattoo has fully healed before getting touch-up work.

Healed Tattoo: Black tattoos might experience fading over time. However, a touch-up can leave your ink with a fresh appearance and make it seem newly done. Once your tattoo is healed contact your artist if it needs touching up. Your tattoo might need a touch-up if there are inconsistent lines, missing spots of color that weren’t as saturated as the surrounding areas, and missing ink due to scabbing. If your tattoo has been healed for years and you just wish it to be brighter it may benefit from a touch-up.

Following proper aftercare instructions will ensure your tattoo heals faster and safely. Here are some simple tips to look after your freshly inked design below.

Aftercare Tips For Fresh Black Tattoos

Knowing how to take care of a new tattoo greatly helps support the healing process. Strictly following the aftercare tips provided by your tattoo artist from a reputed tattoo studio to ensure your tattoo’s lasting vibrancy. Here are some easy tips to follow:

• Remove the bandage when your artist has advised.
• Wash the tattooed area with mild soap and lukewarm water. Avoid soaps with fragrances as they may cause a burning sensation due to the added alcohol in them.
• Use a soft towel to pat dry the area. Avoid rubbing or pressing the area.
• Apply an antibacterial ointment to your moist skin twice a day to prevent bacterial infection.
• Get 7 to 8 hours of deep sleep to help heal the skin, eat a healthy diet, and drink plenty of water.
• Moisturize the tattoo thrice a day with a tattoo-friendly aftercare product to prevent excessive drying and reduce tattoo scabbing.
• Apply sunscreen or sunblock whenever you go out to prevent color loss.
• Avoid scratching or touching the fresh tattoo to prevent the potential for infection and speed up the tattoo healing process.
• Avoid swimming or submerging your tattoo in water to minimize the signs of infection.
• Wear breathable and loose-fitting clothing to avoid rubbing against the freshly healing tattoo.
• Intense workouts or heavy sweating can prevent your tattoo from healing quickly. So, avoid going to gym sessions till the tattoo is completely healed.
• Follow the instructions and product recommendations provided by your tattoo artists for a speedy recovery.

Faith Joan, a beauty and lifestyle blogger, shared her experience of tattoo healing after getting mini tattoos. She wrote, “My tattoo took about 1 week to heal, and since it was at the waist area, I couldn’t wear denim jeans for a while because the hard fabric could irritate my skin. The tattooist advised me to stay away from the sun/ sweat and not wet the tattoo for 3 days because it may meddle with the healing process (i).”

Following these tips will help you prevent color loss and reduce the chances of infection while the skin underneath repairs itself. However, it is essential to continue taking care of your healed ink for lasting vibrancy. Check out the next section to know more.

Tips To Take Care Of Healed Black Tattoos

• Moisturize regularly with any moisturizing lotion product to maintain the smoothness and suppleness of your skin.
• Always use sunscreen or sunblock before going out to protect your healed tattoo from direct sunlight.
• Avoid tanning whether it be via the sun or using tanning beds as they may cause adverse reactions to your tattooed skin.
• Do not scratch or pick the tattooed area to prevent ruining the beautiful piece of art.
• Avoid using harsh soaps or cleaning agents as they may cause skin irritation and spoil the fresh and colored pieces.
• Exfoliate your skin once a week with proper care to remove dead skin from your tattoo.
• Avoid doing touch-ups by yourself. Consult your tattoo artist to modify the tattoo design.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do tattoos get thicker when healed?

No. Tattoos do not get thicker as they heal. Once fully healed, they settle into the natural layers of skin and become a part of it.

Will my tattoo lose its boldness after healing?

Your tattoo may appear less bold once it is fully healed. The colors may look slightly faded due to the formation of a thin layer of healed skin over the tattoo. However, proper sun protection and care can help maintain its vibrancy.

Illustration: Fresh Vs. Healed Tattoo: Differences & Tips

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Ugly and painful blisters can develop after getting a laser tattoo removal. But fret not. Check out this video where an expert provides important tips on how to treat them.

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Scott TerryProfessional Tattoo Artist

     

Scott Terry is a distinguished tattoo artist and has over 20 years of experience in the field. He specializes in color and black-and-gray realism. Scott graduated from the Joe Blasco School of Professional Makeup Artistry.

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Shreya MukherjeeBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Shreya is a beauty and lifestyle writer with two years of experience. After graduating from Christ University, Bengaluru, she started as a writer for a non-profit organization, Bhumi, as an intern. She then wrote for a progressive content website.

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Eshna DasAssociate Editor

Eshna is an associate editor and a certified skin care coach. She has over three years of experience, a triple main bachelor’s degree in psychology, English, and journalism from Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru, and a master’s degree in psychology from Sampurna Montfort College, Bengaluru.

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Gazala Firdos AnsariBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Gazala Ansari is a beauty and lifestyle writer with two years of experience. She writes on relationships, makeup, and lifestyle and has bachelor's and master's degrees in English literature from the Central University of Jharkhand.

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