Does Tattoo Bubbling Go Away – Fact & Prevent Explained

A newly done tattoo requires strict aftercare. Proper aftercare can prevent any damage to your tattoo, heal the tattoo faster and give you a vibrant-looking tattoo to show off. But failure to do proper maintenance after getting a tattoo can create multiple problems. One of them is tattoo bubbling.

Tattoo bubbling is never a pretty site. It looks sticky and gooey. It occurs mainly when the skin absorbs too much moisture. You won’t feel any pain but trust me, tattoo bubbling has the potential to permanently damage your tattoo. So prevention and if you already have a tattoo bubbling then fixing it is very crucial. Do not stress yourself by thinking does a tattoo bubbling go away or is it a permanent condition? I will cover all the aspects regarding this topic in this piece.

Key Takeaways

• Scabs getting very moist or saturated cause bubbling.
• Tattoo bubbling can take a few hours to a few days to go away.
• Tattoo bubbling increases the chance of infection and has the potential to fade or ruin the tattoo design.
• Keeping the scab dry is the best way to prevent and fix the bubbling issue.

Tattoo Bubbling: Normal or a Concern?

Yes, Tattoo bubbling go away with time. If the tattoo is small and has small bubbles it may go away within hours. But a big tattoo with a big area of bubbling can take up to three days to go away.

People who get a tattoo for the first time or face the tattoo bubbling issue the first time, get nervous by thinking it may not go away. Tattoo bubbling is not a permanent state. When the tattooed area absorbs too much moisture it can create these bubbles. It is just like a regular bubble or blister, that contains bodily fluid. With proper care, it can go away quickly without doing any damage to your precious tattoo. That said, prevention is always preferred over fixing or taking care of the issue after it happens. Because does not matter how you take care of bubbling, there is always a chance it may not get fixed within a short time or damage the tattoo. So I strongly suggest you take the necessary steps to prevent the bubbling from forming on your tattoo, to begin with.

Time it Takes for Tattoo Bubbling to Go Away

Tattoo bubbling like any regular bubbling does not take much time to go away. A small bubbling issue can go away within a few hours. As small bubble pockets hold a small amount of fluid, that your body can get rid of easily if you take proper care. If you have a strong immune system then it may go away on its own without you doing something.

But if the bubbles are big or a big tattoo got affected by bubbling then it can take up to 4 days to go away. Because larger areas or bigger bubble pockets hold more bodily fluid hence it takes longer for your body to process the issue. These larger bubbles are prone to get infected or damage your tattoo. Make sure to take care of it before it gets serious.

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5 Reasons Behind Tattoo Bubble Forming

Tattoo bubbles do not form randomly. There are a few reasons behind it to form.

Here I listed 5 of them:

1. Applying too much product on healing skin

Applying too much lotion, Vaseline or even A+D healing ointment can make the area too damp. It could have been fine if it was on regular skin. But damping a portion of skin that is healing is never a good idea. The healing skin can easily absorb moisture. A moderate amount of moisture is good for healing but too much moisture will cause excess absorption of liquid hence forming those bubbles. When your new tattoo goes through scabbing, those scabs can easily absorb moisture. Moist scabs can form a bubble and easily peel off. Moist bubbly scab peeling off is not good as it can absorb tattoo ink while it peels off from your skin.

2. Weak immune system

The strength of our immune system is not the same. Some have a strong immune system and some have a weak immune system. A strong immune system will not only fix the bubble issue quickly on healing skin but also prevent it from happening to some extent.

3. Prolonged shower

You can take shower after getting a new tattoo but it cannot be a prolonged shower. Taking too much time showering or frequent showers will make the healing skin damp. This damming can lead to bubbling. It is recommended to keep the tattooed area dry when you shower. And only wet the area during cleaning time.

4. Frequent cleaning

Cleaning the tattooed area twice a day should be fine. But cleaning it more frequently on daily basis may lead to bubbling.

5. Not drying the tattoo properly

After taking a shower, or cleaning it is necessary to pat dry the tattoo to absorb any moisture left. Not drying the area properly can lead to bubbling.

5 Ways to Prevent Tattoo Bubble From Forming

Prevention is always easier than fixing. So make sure to read this portion carefully even if you do not have a tattoo bubble yet.

• Avoid using too much product on skin: Excess use of products such as lotion, ointment, and Vaseline can lead the bubbling. Use and apply a moderate amount of product and dab the tower after applying just to make sure it is not damp.
• Do not wet your tattoo in the shower: It is recommended to keep the tattoo dry when you shower. It is not easy depending on the place you got your tattoo. But try your level best to keep it dry.
• Avoid open sources of water: Avoid showering in the local river, swimming pool, or ocean. It may dampen the skin and cause bubbling. That is why swimming should be done only after the tattoo has completely healed!

• Pat dry when it appears moist: If you notice the tattoo appears to be moist make sure to pat dry the area with a paper towel. As long as you keep the area moderately dry it should not cause any bubbling. This can prevent over-moisturizing and decrease the chances of infection.

• Strengthen your immunity: Eat healthy food to stay healthy and maintain a strong immune system. A strong immune system not only speeds up the healing of your tattoo but may also prevent bubbles from forming.

4 Ways To Fix Tattoo Bubbling

If you are looking for fixing a bubbling tattoo, there is a high chance you already have a tattoo bubble. Not to worry as I will provide you with some easy fixes to heal the tattoo and make the bubble go away.

1. Erase moisture: Keeping the tattoo area a bit moist helps with healing but since you got bubbles you should erase any moisture left on the area. Your goal is to keep the area dry so the scabs can lose their dampness and softness. When the scabs become dry and crusty it means the bubbling issue is fixed.
2. Get some fresh air: Do not cover up the bubbles. Keep them exposed to fresh air, as fresh air can do a great job absorbing moisture and making the area dry. It is the best way to promote the natural healing of the tattoo.
3. Do not pick the bubbles: It is very tempting to poke at those bubbles or pick on those soft scabs. But poking or picking won’t do you any good. Picking those soft scabs can fade or distort the tattoo as soft scabs can absorb the ink. Not to mention it can prolong the healing and cause infection.
4. Boost immunity: Boosting your immunity can be a great way to fix the issue internally. The Immune system heals our wounds, so a strong immune system will boost the healing process of bubbles.

2 Risk Of Tattoo Bubble

Tattoo bubbles may not be painful but they can sure be harmful. It can damage your tattoo in many ways.

Here I listed 2 risks of a tattoo bubble:

1. Infection

A tattoo bubble can cause infection. The gooey texture of a bubble can attract bacteria and make things even more complex. And the soft, moist can peel off and make the area even more prone to infection. According to a review of studies conducted in 2016, nearly six percent of people got an infection after getting a tattoo. If you are wondering how would you know if you have an infection or not, then try to match the following symptoms with yours, if they match then you most likely have an infection.

2. Distortion of Tattoo

Scabs swelling up increases their chance to fall off. Scabs will fall off naturally that is not the issue, but these swollen, soft, damp scabs falling off is not a good thing. Swollen scabs not only absorb moisture but also ink. So when they fall off you will lose a lot of tattoo ink. And as a result, you will be left with a faded or distorted tattoo.

To avoid distortion, make sure not to poke or pick on the scabs or bubbles. Make sure the scabs are dry and have no moisture to ensure when they fall they don’t carry any ink with them.

FAQs

Can I pick on the tattoo bubble?

No, you cannot. Picking on a tattoo bubble may fade or distort the tattoo.

Does tattoo bubbling go away on its own?

Yes, they may go away on their own. But if the bubbling is huge you may need to take some necessary steps to fix the issue.

Can tattoo bubbling ruin my tattoo?

If you leave it alone, it won’t ruin your tattoo as it is sometimes seen when a new tattoo is healing. But if you touch or scratch it, it has the potential to ruin your tattoo!

Final Thoughts

Healing tattoos can get bubbling more often than you think. So do not be upset as it is a common and easily fixable issue. You can fix the issue by keeping the area dry. Scabs getting too much saturated is the reason behind the bubbling issue. To prevent it, you need to ensure your scabs are completely dry.

Your tattoo bubbling should away within a few days. And if it is a small tattoo or bubble then it may go away in a matter of hours. But if you see any sign of infection then visit your doctor. Infection on the tattoo bubble is a serious matter that may damage your tattoo and put your health at risk.

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