Anyone with body art knows the addictive feeling of getting a tattoo. According to History of Tattoos, out of people who are inked, 70% have more than one tattoo.
If you find yourself daydreaming of your next inked artwork as soon as you leave the tattoo studio, you may be wondering when you can make your next appointment.
Do you need to wait a certain amount of time? And what about if you’re not happy with your tattoo? Do you have to wait to get it touched up?
Can I Get A Tattoo Fixed The Next Day?
It’s a good idea to leave some space in between tattoo sessions for a variety of reasons, including your health, money, and your chosen tattoo artist’s availability.
But, does this include fixing a fresh tattoo?
When it comes to finishing a large tattoo design or fixing mistakes, it’s still important to wait, as Ink Art By Kate explains,
“Hypothetically, you can finish a tattoo the next day, but if your body undergoes an immense amount of trauma for two days in a row, your immune system will get compromised. Your immune system has to heal a big part of your body, and your skin may get infected.”
When it comes to large tattoo designs, your artist will likely break up the design into multiple sessions. The length of time in between sessions will be around two to three weeks, to allow your immune system to recover and your skin to heal.
To work on the same area, whether it be to add details or fix a section, tattoo artists will advise you to wait until your skin is completely healed before going under the needle again.
Can You Get Another Tattoo While One Is Healing?
No, even if you want a separate tattoo in another placement, it’s still important to wait as the risk of infection is still high. Other reasons to wait include:
Lessens The Chance Of Making A Bad Decision
You may think that your idea for your next tattoo is a great one, but are you sure?
Due to the rush of endorphins from your first tattoo, you may still be riding that high and just wanting to get tatted again instead of thinking about what design you really want.
Keep in mind that a tattoo is a permanent choice, and the only way to remove it is through intensive (and costly!) laser treatments.
This underscores the importance of allowing your body time to recover and giving your mind the opportunity to carefully consider your next desired piece of body art.
Allows Your Immune System To Recover
Getting a tattoo is basically getting injured – your design may look incredible, but it is an open wound.
So, your body works hard to heal and close up this wound.
If you go back to your tattoo studio to get another tattoo while your initial one is still in the healing process, you’re putting your body and immune system under unnecessary stress.
This can make you more susceptible to illness and infection, and prolong the healing process.
It’s important to only get a tattoo while you’re in good physical condition – your body needs to be healthy in order to handle the trauma. This is why a tattoo artist won’t tattoo you if you’re ill.
“…you feel uncomfortable during the tattooing process. Plus, your immune system will be weaker while you’re sick, which can make it harder for your body to heal the tattoo properly… If your body is already compromised when you get your tattoo, it’s going to take several times longer to heal from both things. You will be trying to heal from your sickness, and now you need to heal an open wound,”
Tattoo Adore
Gives You A Chance To Save Money
A tattoo is not the time to skimp. To ensure you end up with a tattoo you love, take time to save money so that you can get the design you really want by the artist whose work you truly love.
Getting multiple tattoos close together can put a serious strain on your bank balance and put you under unnecessary stress.
Giving yourself this break can also ensure that you can get an appointment with your first choice of tattoo artist.
What About Tattoo Blowout?
Tattoo blowout is when an artist doesn’t place the ink in the correct skin layer during the tattoo process.
“Below the skin’s surface, the ink spreads out in a layer of fat. This creates the blurring associated with a tattoo blowout,”
Healthline
To correct tattoo blowout, you’ve got to get inked over the initial design to cover up the mistakes. So, you’ve got to wait at least two months for the skin to be completely healed.
- How To Avoid Tattoo Blowout
- Cover-Up Tattoo Ideas: What You Need To Know About Erasing Unwanted Ink
- What To Do When You Hate Your Tattoo
How Do You Know When Your Tattoo Is Healed?
For two weeks after getting inked, you’ll see your tattoo peeling and scabbing. This is an incredibly itchy period – don’t give in and scratch! Picking at your tattoo can distort it and prolong the healing process.
After three weeks to a month, your tattoo may look as if it’s completely healed, but it’s not.
“Remodeling of the skin underneath the tattoo will continue for three to six months when the tattoo is fully healed.”
Byrdie
While most tattoos are considered fully healed after three months, this greatly depends on the tattoo design. Minimal tiny tattoos may heal sooner, while colorful tattoos can take longer to heal.
If you gently move your fingers across your tattoo and its texture is the same as the surrounding untattooed skin, then you know your tattoo has fully healed.
To speed up the healing process, you must:
1. Follow your tattoo artist’s aftercare instructions and keep your tattoo clean and moisturized.
2. Eat a healthy diet full of antioxidant-rich fruits and veggies, foods high in vitamin C to boost the immune system, and drink lots of water to stay hydrated.
3. Stay out of the sun as it’s damaging to your fresh ink.
4. Stay out of bodies of water to avoid infections.
We know, getting a tattoo is an amazing experience! That’s why so many people keep going back for more.
But, there is no need to rush. In fact, it’s better for your health to give yourself space to heal and consider your next inking carefully.
