When I first got a tattoo, I was over the moon due to excitement. The initial recovery phase was tough, but looking beneath the scab was exhilarating. However, my first tattoo came out okay post-scab removal. But the second time, my tattoo ink was not below the scab.
I was a bit nervous and worried about the tattoo, and I was so worried with this sight. Naturally, I panicked and rushed to my tattoo artist. What I did and how I covered it, let’s explore ahead!
| Publisher | Jardan Mckenzie |
|---|---|
| Focus | Scab Came Off and No Ink |
| Category | Healing & Complications |
| Article Type | Informative Guides, Tips & Advice |
| Update Frequency | Monthly to reflect new insights and trends |
Is it Okay if the Ink Disappeared with Scab Peeling?
Whenever you get your first tattoo, remember these points.
First, it’s essential to make sure the artist uses sterile equipment and practices safe hygiene procedures.
The tattoos are also open wounds, so naturally, it takes time to heal correctly. Sometimes, it takes months to heal properly, so be patient.
Furthermore, whenever you get a tattoo, Itching and peeling are expected during the healing process. But here is a catch. If there are any signs of infection, such as excessive redness or discharge, immediately see a doctor.
As for the ink disappearing typically, it’s difficult to say without seeing the tattoo itself.
In most cases, the ink will fade somewhat during healing. However, this does not mean that your whole tattoo will vanish. The ink should still be visible.
But if you see that the ink has disappeared completely, consult with your artist. They can retouch it and add more color.
The reason the Tattoo Scab Came Off And There’s No Ink Underneath.
Whenever you see that the ink after the scab peeling disappears, it must be due to your tattoo artist’s mistake.
Getting a tattoo means inserting the needle into one of the three layers of the skin, right? In simple words, we have level 1, level 2, and level 3 of skin layers. These layers are Epidermis (level 1), Dermis (level 2), and Hypodermis (level 3).
Now, the needle must penetrate level 2 of the skin for a perfect tattoo look.
But it will be a problem if your tattoo artist is inexperienced and penetrating level three or level 1 it will be a problem.
Ink Gets to Level 3 Hypodermis of the skin
So first, what if the tattoo artist goes too deep? It will start the scabbing process. Yes, I know flaking is normal during the initial tattoo recovery. But I’m talking about scabbing specifically. When you see scabs coming off the tattoo, know that your tattoo gets too deep into the skin. And the tattoo ink will likely be stuck in the scab. So when the scab peels off, the ink will also be gone with it.
Not only does the tattoo in this layer disappear the ink, but it also leads to other issues.
Level three of the skin contains fats. Yes, our body fats are primarily in that layer. So what if you inject ink into that layer? It can’t hold the ink sack and will spread out the ink sacs. So when you see that the tattoo is turning gray or losing shape, it’s because of the tattoo artist’s mistake.
Apart from this, the tattoo leaves an open wound. And if you get a tattoo on this level, it goes behind your body’s defense system; how? The penetration this deep leaves a deep cut, and you are inviting all the microbes in the air to make for an infection. So, chances are you will see infections in your tattoo after a few days with such a mistake. And be prepared for the next few weeks to heal it properly.
Ink Gets to Level 1 Epidermis of the skin
Now, what if you get it on the topmost skin layer? While this will not lead to infections and severe stuff, it will waste your money. How? Because the tattoo will vanish once you get new skin on. It will look fantastic, I admit, at the start, but after 3-4 weeks, it will not be there anymore.
So, you see, with a few mistakes by your tattoo artist, you can ruin your entire tattoo. Moreover, flaking is normal during the initial phase, and sometimes some ink disappears too. As your skin grows, the tattoo peels and loses some ink. But if you see the problem is big, it’s because of your tattoo artist’s poor skills.
As for me, I did not have the Level 1 or Level 3 tattoo ink penetration problem. My tattoo healed perfectly, and the ink that had disappeared was retouched, and my tattoo healed perfectly. But if your problem is big, make sure to connect to a professional tattoo artist to cover it up for you!
Some Common Misconceptions that we have for tattoo Scab
The tattoo sometimes flakes, and sometimes it develops a scab. But it doesn’t mean that scabs must take off your tattoo ink. But as your tattoo aftercare states, you should not pick up the scab yourself. Let it fall out on its own, so you must adhere to it. Moreover, it would be best if you were mindful that not all scabs mean losing ink. Sometimes it’s pretty normal. Make sure you follow your tattoo artist’s instructions.
Things You Should Know About Tattoo Scabbing
Whenever you get a tattoo, make sure to remember the following points:
- You must take care of your tattoo like a newborn baby. It’s a fresh wound and leaves proper aftercare.
- Scabs come up over the tattoo and work as a protective barrier. So don’t panic immediately if you see a tattoo peeling with no ink underneath.
- If you take good care of the tattoo, like moisturizing and cleaning it regularly, it will not form a scab. So, you must keep the tattooed area clean and dry to prevent scabbing.
- If you see scabs formed on a tattoo, don’t pick them up prematurely. Why? Because it will lose the ink underneath it.
- Don’t scratch or pick your tattoo despite being urged to do so. It will disrupt the natural healing process.
- You should also avoid shaving the tattooed area.
- You should put on the aftercare cream suggested by the tattoo artist in the area.
- Wear loose clothes so that they don’t touch the tattooed area. Moreover, cover up the tattoo when you go out in the sun.
Some Reason of Tattoo Scab Containing Ink
There are a few don’ts that you must follow to prevent scabbing off ink:
- Don’t over-moisturize a tattoo. Yes, moisturizing is required for better tattoo healing, but if you overdo it will cause a scab buildup.
- Don’t aggressively handle the tattoo. Use a gentle scrubbing and cleaning routine.
- If you have an allergic reaction to the ink, it can be the reason for no ink under the tattoo scab and infections. You should do a patch test before getting a tattoo.
Conclusion
Getting a tattoo makes our blood pumped mad at levels of excitement. But upon seeing a tattoo cracking, with no ink underneath, we get worried. Although sometimes it is normal for tattoo ink to fade away a bit, and it comes back after it heals properly. But sometimes, it points to more significant problems. Make sure you consult a good tattoo artist who knows his job.
