There can be a meaning behind your tattoo that is personal. They are great ways to help you go through certain times as it bears a reminder of your hardship. Wanting to show off your tattoo is very common and when you have a tattoo, you want it to look the best. This is done with proper care of the skin as it is an open wound that needs time to heal. But oftentimes, you might come across your tattoo looking wrinkly and shiny.
So why does my tattoo look wrinkly? There can be a lot of reasons why your tattoo might start to wrinkle. This is especially the case for newer tattoo owners who get scared when they see wrinkly tattoos. I am here to say that this is perfectly normal! It is all part of the healing process. But still, wrinkly tattoos do not look the best. That is why it is important to know how to properly take care of your tattoo so that it stops being wrinkly and looks its best!
Key Takeaways
- There are many causes for why your tattoo might look wrinkly. It can depend on how new the tattoo is and external conditions as well.
- Wrinkled tattoos will last for about 1 and a half months on new tattoos. But for old wrinkled tattoos, it will be far less!
- Following some of the tips mentioned here could be beneficial for you to avoid having wrinkly tattoos in the future.
6 Causes for Why My Tattoo is Wrinkly
When you just got a tattoo and start seeing it getting wrinkled, you might start panicking! It is an obvious first reaction that even I had when I got my first tattoo. I was immediately assured that this was normal and all part of the process. So let’s see some reasons why a tattoo might start wrinkling.
Healing process of a new tattoo
Wrinkly tattoos mostly occur on new tattoos. To understand why, you have to understand a bit about the healing process for a new tattoo. An open wound like a new tattoo needs time to heal. Your skin is stretched out so that enough ink can be packed in the dermis. As it heals, it will fold up and start the wrinkling that you see. But don’t worry, in a few weeks this will be completely gone!
Skin losing hydration
If your skin is losing hydration or is not moisturized properly, it can lead to your tattoo looking wrinkly. The tattooed skin will tend to be drier than other parts of your skin and needs to be hydrated properly. That is why you should have it moisturized so that you can keep the skin from cracking and wrinkling.
Poor tattoo aftercare
When you are not caring for your tattoo, it suffers by wrinkling up. For example, many people will use petroleum jelly or other similar types of products on their skin. While this will help lock in the moisture, it won’t allow the tattoo to breathe. It will start to wrinkle to create more surface area to allow the skin to breathe. That is why tattoo aftercare with appropriate breathable ointments and non-drying moisturizers is important to stop wrinkling your tattoo.
Too much water
Keeping the skin moisturized is good for the tattoo, but having too much water can cause the opposite effect. If you take baths and long showers or go out swimming, you will notice that your skin will wrinkle up. The same thing will happen to your tattoo when it’s submerged underwater or has too much water contact! Hot water will do the same thing and make your tattoo wrinkly.
Exposure to the sun
When you are out in the sun, your skin will start aging faster due to UVB rays from the sun. They break down the collagen in your skin that is responsible for elasticity. These rays are even more harmful to tattoos, causing ink pigment breakdown and making your tattoo wrinkled!
Exercising and sweating
When you are exercising, your body is losing water through the skin in the form of sweat. Your sweat is made up of water and a bit of salt. This helps to cool down your body but it also makes sure that your skin is dried up. This is another cause for your tattoo to look wrinkly.
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How Long Does Wrinkled Tattoo Last?
The good news is that wrinkled tattoo does not last very long. New tattoos will initially go through a wrinkled process due to healing. But after the healing is done and the ink has settled in the dermis, you will notice that your tattoo is much smoother than ever! This can take a full month but you will start seeing fewer wrinkles on your new tattoo after the first two weeks.
This process will be strictly dependent on how you care for your tattoo. Good tattoo aftercare is important for your tattoo’s health and appearance. Be sure to moisturize your tattoo whenever it feels dry by applying a thin layer. Use products with ingredients that do not clog the pores or irritate your skin. Avoid petroleum jelly at all costs as this ingredient does not allow the tattoo to breathe. There are tattoo ointments and creams that provide a breathable surface which is what you should be using.
Make sure that you do not over-moisturize your tattoo. This could lead to it becoming itchy and irritated causing it to become even worse! What you really want to avoid is scabbing or tattoo bubbles forming on your skin. So make sure you are following strict tattoo aftercare instructions from your tattoo artist. They will know how to avoid wrinkling the best.
If you follow the proper instructions and the following tips, you can be sure that your wrinkled tattoos won’t last for more than a day at max! It is mainly due to dehydration of the skin so it is important to take care of the skin.
Take Care of Wrinkled Tattoo: 10 Tips
It is important to take care of your tattoo as best as possible. With these tips and the right aftercare for your tattoo, you can reduce the chances of wrinkles forming on your skin significantly!
- Washing and moisturizing: Whenever your tattoo feels dry, clean the dirt and oil from your skin and moisturize it to help its appearance.
- Shorter showers: Remember to not take showers longer than 10 to 15 minutes. Shower in lukewarm water and don’t submerge it underwater (especially when new).
- Thin layer of cream: When you moisturize or apply the cream on your tattoo, make sure it is a thin layer of cream that you rub gently over the tattoo. Allow it to be absorbed into the skin and don’t over-moisturize it!
- Avoid petroleum jelly: Vaseline and petroleum jelly-based products should be avoided at all costs!
- Sunscreen: Protect your skin from the sun with the help of sunscreens! UVB rays from the sun will make your skin age faster and fade your tattoo quicker.
- Wipe off sweat: You can exercise, but make sure to keep your tattoo area free of sweat when doing so. That way you can avoid wrinkling your tattoo.
- Wear loose-fitting clothing: It is important to not constrict your tattoo. Wear loose-fitting clothing to avoid suffocating your tattoo!
- Proper nutrition and hydration: Drink plenty of water and have a balanced diet. That way your skin will remain wrinkle-free.
- Avoid sleeping on the tattoo: Try not to sleep on your tattoo, especially when they are new! It will suffocate them and make them wrinkled overnight!
- Don’t itch or scratch: If your tattoo is wrinkled, don’t itch or scratch it! It can make your wrinkles and tattoo even worse if you do so.
FAQs
How long before my tattoo looks smooth?
It can take anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks or 6 to 8 weeks for your new tattoo starts looking smooth. This is about the time it will take for the tattoo to completely heal the top layer of the skin.
Is tattoo swelling normal?
Tattoo swelling is normal for new tattoos. You can have breakouts happen on old tattoos but if they are there for a long time you should consult a dermatologist about it!
Why is my tattoo still wrinkly after a month?
It is completely normal for a new tattoo to be wrinkly after a month. It will take around 2 more weeks for it to look smooth and clear.
Final Thoughts
A tattoo looking wrinkly might be a sign that the tattoo is not being taken care of properly. It can stressful to think about your tattoo wrinkling, especially a new tattoo. But do not fear, it is all part of the healing process! Older tattoos that wrinkle should be more of a concern. If you do the proper tattoo aftercare and make sure to follow the tips, then your wrinkled tattoo won’t last more than a day! If it persists, be sure to ask your tattoo artist and consult a local dermatologist to get a better understanding of your skin’s condition. Wrinkles are a part of life and it is nothing that you should be concerned about!
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