Why Your New Tattoo Burns

Starting out on your journey toward getting your first tattoo can be exciting and slightly painful – yet the burning sensation you experience after returning home is completely normal and is your body’s way of working out how best to heal itself from its new wound. Burns are typically part of the healing process and should subside over time. However, if they persist beyond seven days or are accompanied by other symptoms like fever, redness, swelling, or discharge from the tattooed area,, you should seek medical advice immediately.

Burns are Normal

An opening wound or a tattoo needs proper care to heal efficiently and correctly. Over its first couple of days, you may notice some irritation or burning when cleaning or applying lotion to it. This is normal and will subside after washing the area. To help alleviate itching during this stage, gently apply healing lotion twice or thrice daily as part of your tattoo care regime. Picking or scratching your tattoo could damage the pigment and lead to severe infections.

Bleeding is Normal

Within 48-72 hours of getting an ink treatment, it’s normal to experience some bleeding and bloody areas in your ink. This is a natural part of the healing process wherein your body releases ink and plasma from your skin to flush away from its system. They can ensure the ink is safe before providing painkillers to ease swelling, itching, or rashing symptoms. As part of your tattoo recovery plan, you must wash and moisturize the area twice daily, particularly in its initial days of healing. This will help relieve initial redness, swelling, and itching while protecting it against further damage to skin cells.

Infections are Rare

Tattoos carry the risk of infection; while infections are rarely serious, they still exist and must be taken seriously. Fever, excessive oozing or scabbing, persistent swelling that lasts more than one week, and hard, raised tissue in the tattooed area are all telltale signs of infection. After receiving your new tattoo, it’s essential to keep it moisturized with a lotion such as Zensa Healing Cream or shea butter, or an ointment recommended by the artist who gave you your ink. Swimming and clothing that sticks to the tattoo for two weeks should be avoided to allow it to heal correctly. Also, always wash your hands before touching a tattooed area to reduce bacteria transfer into the skin.

Peeling is Normal

Peeling is integral to tattoo healing; your body naturally sheds off old dead skin and any pigment from your tattoo ink over time. New tattoos generally begin peeling 3-5 days post-tattoo session and may last up to 7 days before becoming fully apparent. Your tattoo may change color during this time and appear brighter and duller than initially anticipated. Proper aftercare of tattoos ensures optimal healing and reduces infection or inflammation risks. If any signs of infection arise or your tattoo begins itching and warming to the touch, consult your physician immediately. After getting your tattoo, in addition to an oozy, red, swollen area, you may also see thick, white flakes of skin that come off on their own as your body adjusts and heals itself from the trauma of getting the tattoo. These thick white skin flakes may remain a protective shield that eventually sheds off as your body heals itself.