You’ve recently had your first tattoo, and you’re doing everything your artist told you to do, following their instructions to the letter. But to your horror, you can see that the ink is coming off as you shower! Is this normal or is it the tattoo not healing properly?!

The quick answer is that yes, it’s perfectly normal for ink to come away as a tattoo heals. Ink is driven deep into the skin by the tattoo needles, but some will be on the surface of the skin, and some others will collect in scabs above the tattoo.

It is normal for some of this excess ink to be lost as the body tried to repair the wound that the needles made in your skin. There will still be enough ink for your tattoo to look bright and intense, if you follow instructions carefully.

Just remember to blot tattoos dry with a paper towel, rather than rubbing with a cotton one, and wear loose clothes over it, rather than anything tight.

If you’re worried about the tattoo having discoloured or missing areas, see your artist within two weeks of having the tattoo done; occasionally a new tattoo might need some touching up.

If you’re worried about infection, see your artist immediately! If your tattoo is getting hotter, more swollen, is oozing pus and gets more painful rather than less, please act quickly!

For step-by-step guide to tattoo after care, see our articles Balmonds’ Ultimate Guide To Tattoo Aftercare and Which Is The Best Moisturiser To Apply On Tattoos?

Recommended products:

Balmonds Skin Salvation
with hemp and beeswax

Balmonds Daily Moisturising Cream
with shea butter and calendula

Use Skin Salvation for the first month and thereafter Balmonds' Daily Moisturising Cream.