Normal Tattoo Scabbing Vs Infection

If you got yourself your first tattoo, congrats and welcome to the club! Having the first tattoo can be exciting and confusing. Confusing because during the healing phase, you will face some natural things which might feel odd to you. Such as tattoo scabbing, tattoos appearing faded during healing, tattoos becoming dry on their own, etc. These are all-natural parts of the healing process so don’t sweat it. But if you catch a tattoo infection, that would be quite troublesome. But as a new tattoo enthusiast who does not have a vast knowledge of tattoos, how would you know the difference between normal tattoo scabbing and infection?

To be honest, if you are experiencing scabbing for the first time then it is easy to confuse it with an infection. But there are ways to tell them apart. In this piece, I will elaborate on normal tattoo scabbing vs infection so that you can tell the difference and take the necessary steps to handle the situation.

Key Takeaways

• Normal tattoo scabbing and infection are not the same.
• Scabbing is a natural process of a healing tattoo but infection is caused by germs or bacteria and it is harmful to your tattoo.
• Tattoo scabbing may occur after 2 to 3 days after getting the tattoo and may last for a few weeks, it does not harm the tattoo and with proper care, it won’t cause much irritation or itching either.
• Tattoo infection may occur whenever you get bacteria or germs into your healing tattoo and it would cause fever pain, itching, pus, fever, rash, etc.
• To take care of your tattoo during scabbing you may wash the area with gentle soap, soak it dry using a paper towel, apply mild moisturizer, and avoid doing physical activity that could cause issues to the scabs.
• If you get catch a tattoo infection visit your doctor or consult with your tattoo artist. You need to take antibiotics to aid your body fight off the infection and wash the tattooed area using antiseptic soap.

Tattoo Scabbing & Infection

Getting a new tattoo is fun but the healing process is annoying. I never found a single person who said they enjoyed the healing time of their tattoo. There are reasons behind it. A new tattoo or healing tattoo is quite delicate and requires special care. Even if you take special care there are natural healing processes that cannot be avoided. A few things that cannot be avoided are:

All these things can be minimized by taking proper care, but you cannot get rid of them altogether by taking any medicine or herbal care. While the tattoo is healing it will be prone to get infected. If your tattoo gets infected you might have difficulty understanding that if it is not normal irritation and scabbing or infection. Let me sum up the difference below.

After getting a tattoo your skin gets wounded, to repair this wound your body starts the scabbing phase. If you have scabs then it is a good sign that your body is healing the tattooed area. These scabs might look like tiny, crusty patches on your tattooed masterpiece. Scabs are not pretty but you should not complain as it is for your own good and within two weeks the scabs will go away on their own. Scabs can vary depending on skin type and tattoo type. They can be small and flaky or a bit thicker and bigger. Scabs can be super tempting to pick on, but don’t you dare pick or scratch your scabs as they can potentially fade or distort your tattoo.

On the other hand, infection is not a natural part of the healing process and is a serious issue if you get a tattoo infection. If you get a tattoo infection then you can tell by observing the symptoms. You should look for symptoms or signs such as redness, swelling, severe irritation, pain, mild fever, difficulty doing regular tasks, rash, etc. If you see one or multiple symptoms like these then visit a doctor to get yourself checked. It is better to seek professional help to treat tattoo infection as it could potentially lead to serious health issues and can distort your precious tattoo if not treated in time.

Normal Tattoo Scabbing: What You Should Do With Them?

Nobody likes scabs, trust me. Scabs are not pretty to look at and on top of that scabs cause the tattoo to become dry and which increases the itchiness. Sometimes the scab could appear bigger in size and if it is your first tattoo, then after seeing such scabs you might freak out. Don’t freak out, though! Scabbing is a totally normal part of the healing process and the size and shape can vary depending on various factors. You might not have the same looking or sized scabs as your buddy did when he got a tattoo.

During this scabby adventure, your body is working its magic to repair the tattooed area. It’s like your skin is saying, “Hey, I got this! Just give me a moment. “You can think of these scabs as a shield that is protecting the sensitive tattooed skin until it is healed. It’s like your skin is having its own little scab party!

Do not pick on scabs

Now, here’s the golden rule: no picking at those scabs! I repeat, no scratching or picking! I know it’s tempting, like trying to resist the urge to pop bubble wrap but trust me, picking at your scabs can lead to trouble. It can slow down the healing process and even mess up your tattoo. So, keep those hands away and let the scabs do their thing naturally.

Aftercare for tattoo scabs

During this scabby phase, it’s important to take good care of your tattoo. Follow your tattoo artist’s instructions for aftercare like. In general, you should be

• Cleaning the area with a gentle and mild soap
• Not rubbing the area vigorously
• Drying the tattooed area with a paper towel
• Applying the recommended ointments or moisturizers
• Avoiding any activities that could disrupt the scabbing circle of the tattoo

Factor affecting tattoo scabbing

There are quite a few factors that could affect tattoo scabbing. Such as:

• Skin type
• Aftercare routine
• Tattoo type
• The type of tattoo ink used
• Tattooing procedure
• Strength of the body’s immune system

Someone who has a stronger immune system would heal the tattooed wound faster and the scabbing phase would end faster. The type of tattoo, tattooing procedure, and tattoo ink could also affect the time and the size of scabs you may get. Depending on your skin type, if you use too much moisturizer it could oversaturate the scabs and make them thicker and bigger. These juicy big-sized scabs can absorb a decent amount of ink from your skin. And if these scabs fall off prematurely without drying, then they would fall with the absorbed moisture and tattoo ink. As a result, you will have a faded or distorted tattoo. That is why proper aftercare routing is so crucial during the scabbing phase.

Embrace your tattoo scabs

So, embrace the scabbing phase as a temporary part of the tattoo journey. It’s a sign that your skin is working hard to heal and lock in that beautiful ink. Be patient, resist the temptation to scratch that itch, and let those scabs be the rock stars they are. Before you know it, your tattoo will be fully healed and ready to shine!

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Tattoo Infection: Understanding the Signs and What You Should Do

Now that you have an understanding of tattoo scabbing, let’s talk about the dark side of tattoos – infection! Now, infections are like the pesky party crashers you never invited. They’re troublemakers that you definitely want to avoid. I have divided crucial parts that you should know regarding tattoo infection below.

Pay attention to your tattoo

If you suspect your tattoo might be infected, it’s time to pay attention. Look out for some warning signs that things might not be going as planned. Is your tattoo looking angrier than a grumpy cat with excessive redness? Is it swelling up like a balloon on steroids? Or maybe it feels hotter than a summer day in the Sahara desert? These are all red flags, my friend.

On top of that if the infection is severe then you may face fever, severe pain, irritation, difficulty doing daily activities, etc. If your tattoo starts oozing weird stuff that looks like it belongs in a sci-fi movie, it’s time to get concerned.

What to do if you have a tattoo infection

Here’s the bottom line: infections are serious business. Don’t brush off these signs or think they’ll magically disappear. If you suspect an infection, it’s time to take action. Reach out to your tattoo artist or a healthcare professional who knows their stuff. They’ll be able to assess the situation, provide you with proper treatment, and help get your tattoo back on track. In general, you can do a few things such as:

• Apply healing and soothing ointment
• Washing the infected tattoo with antiseptic soap
• Taking antibiotics
• Eating healthy food
• Avoid doing too much physical activity
• Take proper rest

Remember, infections are the villains we don’t want crashing our inked party. Stay vigilant, keep your tattoo clean, follow the aftercare instructions, and if anything seems off or funky, don’t hesitate to seek expert advice. Let’s keep those tattoos looking fresh and infection-free.

Normal Tattoo Scabbing Vs Infection

The difference between normal tattoos and scabbing can be difficult to differentiate at times. Just so that you understand the difference well and don’t confuse scabbing with infection, I have elaborated on a few differences below.

Time

Tattoo scabbing occurs after 2 to 3 days of getting the tattoo. And the scabbing phase can last from two to four weeks.

On the other hand, there is no specific time when you might catch a tattoo infection. It can happen right after getting the tattoo or right before your tattoo could finish the healing process. And tattoo infection could last up to a week if you take proper medicine and care.

Tattoo distortion

Scabbing happens to all of us who get tattoos or any wound on our skin. Scabbing does not distort or damage your tattoo unless you deliberately pick on the scabs. Removing, picking, or scratching on the scabs could remove them from the skin prematurely and cause tattoo fading and distortion. And if you over-moisturize the healing tattoo it could cause oversaturation of the scabs and scabs could fall off prematurely. Apart from picking or making the scabs oversaturated, there is little to no chance of scabs damaging your tattoo.

On the other hand, infection has a high potential to damage your tattoo. Infection can lead to:

• Tattoo blurriness
• Tattoo fading
• The tattoo losing its shape

So, if you get a tattoo infection, do not delay visiting a doctor to treat the infection, and consult with your tattoo artist to get aftercare instructions for an infected tattoo.

Itchiness

Normal scabs can trigger mild itchiness. It is tolerable and if the itch feels annoying you can gently tap on the tattooed area to get some relief. But don’t go scratching on the healing tattoo as it could lead to infection and tattoo distortion.

On the other hand, an infection may trigger severe itchiness at times or not. If the infection triggers severe itchiness it will be very difficult to tolerate it. You have to apply soothing healing ointment to get the itch under control. You go for an ointment that contains aloe vera, coconut oil, etc. as they can provide a natural soothing effect.

Medication

Scabbing does not require any medication, not to mention no medication will be able to stop the scabbing as it is a part of the natural healing process.

If you got a tattoo infection then taking medication becomes compulsory. Your body’s immune system should be exhausted by trying to heal the tattooed area, on top of that you get an infection your immune system will have a hard time dealing with it. To aid your immune system to fight the infection taking medication such as antibiotics is highly recommended.

FAQs

Is thick scabbing on tattoos normal?

Small or medium-sized scabs are a normal part of the healing process. But thick scabs could be a sign of tattoo oversaturation, make sure to consult with your tattoo artist or visit a doctor if you see thick scabs on your tattoo.

Are scabs having pus normal?

No scabs should not have pus. If you are noticing pus coming out of your scabs make sure to visit a doctor or consult with your tattoo artist. As pus could be a sign of infection which could delay the healing and ruin your tattoo.

Can I scratch my itchy scabs?

Scabs can be a bit itchy and I understand it can be really tempting to scratch them. But avoid scratching scabs as it could make the scabs fall off prematurely and cause tattoo fading or distortion.

Why are my scabs dry?

Scabs cause dryness on the tattooed area and it is normal. That said, you should apply moisturizer to the healing tattoo. Because mild moisturization can fasten the healing and get rid of the dryness that your scabs create.

Can scabs cause tattoo cracking?

No, scabs do not cause tattoo cracking. But scabbing could cause dryness and an overly dry tattoo could lead to tattoo cracking. So make sure to moisturize your tattoo and avoid overly dryness.

Final Thoughts

Understanding the difference between normal tattoo scabbing and infection is crucial for a successful tattoo healing journey. Scabbing is a natural part of the process, so embrace those little crusty patches and let them do their thing. Remember, no picking or scratching! Just be patient, and those scabs will flake off on their own, revealing your awesome tattoo. Usually, it takes about two to four weeks to complete the scabbing phase. Depending on the immune system’s strength the timing could vary. On the other hand, infections are the uninvited guests we want to avoid at all costs. Keep a watchful eye for signs like excessive redness, swelling, pus, severe pain, itching, irritation, or fever-like symptoms. If you suspect an infection, don’t hesitate to seek professional advice from your tattoo artist if there is anything wrong. It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your tattooed skin. That is why you should follow the aftercare tips that your tattoo artists set out for you because they will know the best way to take care of it!

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