Scab Gone, [Raw Skin] Exposed? Tattoo Care Tips Now!

When the tattoo scab fell off raw skin underneath, it can be a startling part of the tattoo’s colorful journey. This is a crucial moment in the life of your fresh masterpiece.

Initially, as the ink settles, you witness your skin transforming into a healing work of art, but this phase is not without its challenges. The scabbing phase, albeit annoying, is a necessary part of the healing time.

However, when those small scabs come off prematurely, it presents not a good sight for your healing tattoo.

This article aims to guide you through such a situation, emphasizing the importance of protecting the delicate raw skin to prevent fading and other issues, ensuring your tattoo remains a vibrant and healthy expression of your personality.

Also Read: Little Bumps On Tattoo After Healed

Table of Contents

Scab Falling Off And Raw Skin Underneath: Explained

When you get a new tattoo, it’s like adding a vibrant story to your body. But it’s not all about the ink and design; healing is a significant part of the tattoo journey.

Tattooing essentially creates a wound on your skin, and the scabs that form are not always a pretty sight. Around the 3 to 4 day mark, you’ll start to notice these scabs.

They’re your body’s way to heal these wounds. Typically, these scabs last for about 4 to 5 days, during which the skin underneath is busy repairing itself.

As the scabs fall off on their own, they absorb the liquid from your body and dry out. This is a natural process where the absorbed liquid helps release the scabs.

However, if they come off prematurely, it can lead to fading and even infection. It’s crucial not to expose the healing tattooed area, especially when the raw skin underneath is still healed.

Remember, every tattoo is a unique experience, and its healing process can be just as personal and diverse as the designs we choose.

Also Read: Can You Put Carmex On A Tattoo?

7 Reasons Why Scab May Fall Off Prematurely

Reasons why scabs have fallen prematurely are listed in the following portion.

1. Too Much Moisture

While healing your tattoo, it’s essential to keep it moisturized to fasten the process and reduce itchiness and dryness.

However, using too much lotion or cream can lead to oversaturation, where your skin cannot absorb all the liquid.

This often results in big, thick scabs that may fall off prematurely and cause the tattoo to fade, exposing raw skin underneath.

2. Rubbing

Rubbing a healing tattoo too vigorously, especially during washing or drying, can cause friction that may lead to scabs falling off prematurely.

3. Tight Clothing

Wearing tight clothing can be a pitfall in tattoo aftercare. The constant rubbing of fabric against your new ink creates friction, leading scabs to fall off prematurely and potentially damaging the design.

4. Picking Or Peeling

Itchy and dry scabs can be tempting to pick or peel, but they should never be removed forcibly, as this can damage the tattoo.

5. Bad Aftercare

Proper aftercare is crucial for the healing of tattoos; a failure in this step can lead to scabs falling off prematurely, jeopardizing the integrity of your tattoo.

6. Infection

An infection in your tattoo can lead to various issues, including scabs falling off prematurely and compromising the healing process.

7. Allergies

An allergic reaction can cause the tattoo area to become swollen, leading to scabs falling off prematurely and affecting the tattoo’s healing process.

Also Read: Is Bactine Good For Tattoos

7 Issues Regarding Scabs Falling Off And Raw Skin Underneath Showing

Issues arise when scabs fall off and raw skin underneath starts showing, especially if fallen prematurely; in your tattoo’s journey, there’s a high chance you’ll notice and face such circumstances.

1. Increased Irritation

Increased irritation during the healing of a tattoo can range from mild pain to unbearable circumstances, especially when premature scabs fall and raw skin gets exposed.

This can make you feel an increase in discomfort every time you move the tattooed body part; if it feels like it’s being scratched or hurt, it’s sometimes necessary to visit a doctor immediately.

2. Tattoo Fading

Tattoo fading occurs when the protective layer of skin and scabs is lost prematurely during healing, leaving the tattooed area exposed.

The dermis, where the ink is injected, can fade or wash out, especially without an adequate amount of protection from elements like sunlight, leading to a visibly faded tattoo.

3. Increased Infection Risk

An increased infection risk is a concern when a tattoo’s raw skin gets exposed, potentially catching infections if not properly taken care of. Proper care is crucial to avoid this risk and ensure safe healing.

4. Delayed Healing

Delayed healing can disrupt plans, like a vacation in a few weeks, especially when a tattoo hasn’t healed due to scabs falling and raw skin being exposed, potentially delaying the recovery time to over a month.

5. Tattoo Distortion

Tattoo distortion is a risk when scabs fall off and leave raw skin; there’s a chance that parts of the design might miss their intended colors or shapes, affecting the skins and the final outcome can look weird.

6. Increased Sensitivity

Increased sensitivity in the tattooed area can occur when the protective skin layer is compromised, leaving raw, healing skin more sensitive to even a breeze or normal water contact, intensifying every sensation.

7. Scarring

Scarring can be a serious issue as the area heals; failure to properly regenerate new skins may lead to permanent scarring, transforming what was meant to be a rad tattoo into an uncomfortable scar.

Also Read: How Soon After Laparoscopic Surgery Can I Get A Tattoo

8 Things To Do If Scabs Fall Off And Raw Skin Underneath Is Exposed

Things to do when scabs from your tattoo have fallen and raw skin underneath is exposed.

1. Do Not Panic

When faced with a tattoo scab falling off, it’s crucial to stay calm and not give in to panic; take a deep breath of air and maintain a sense of calm to assess the situation properly.

2. Clean The Area

To properly clean the tattooed area after the scab fell off and exposed the raw skin underneath, it’s important to use a gentle wash technique.

Avoid rubbing or gently touching the area with your fingers, as this can lead to irritation.

Instead, use lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance-free soap to gently remove any dirt or oil buildup. This will help keep the area clean and minimize the risk of infection.

3. Apply Antibacterial Ointment

For the tattooed area’s quality healing after the scab fell off, it’s essential to use a tattoo-specific antibacterial ointment.

This specialized lotion is highly recommended to protect the area from harmful bacteria and prevent infections.

Applying a thin layer of this ointment to the exposed raw skin underneath creates a protective barrier, reducing the risk of complications during the healing process.

Keep the tattooed area clean and ensure it stays free from any potential sources of infection.

4. Keep It Moisturized

To prevent dryness and alleviate any potential irritation or pain as your tattoo heals, it’s crucial to keep it moisturized.

A well-moisturized tattoo not only aids in the healing process but also helps in maintaining the vibrant colors and preventing tattoo distortion.

Choose a high-quality, fragrance-free tattoo-specific lotion and apply it gently to the tattooed area.

This will ensure your tattoo heals smoothly and retains its original beauty.

5. Avoid Friction

To protect the exposed raw skin after your tattoo scab has fallen off, opt for loose-fitted clothing that minimizes friction.

This precaution is essential to prevent any further damage to the healing area and ensures a smooth recovery.

6. Avoid Sunlight

Shield your tattooed area with sunscreen to safeguard the exposed raw skin from harmful sunlight.

This not only prevents potential irritation but also helps maintain the vibrancy of your tattoo, reducing the risk of fade.

Also Read: Can You Get A Tattoo On Accutane

7. Monitor For Infection

Here are the signs to monitor for possible infection:

Redness
Swelling
Increased pain
Irritation
Rash
Fever

Vigilance is crucial to ensure your tattooed area heals without complications.

8. Seek Professional Help

If you notice any signs of infection or if your tattooed area is in a problematic situation, don’t hesitate to seek professional help.

Both a doctor and your tattoo artist can provide the necessary guidance and solutions to fix any issues that may arise.

Your well-being and the outcome of your tattoo are their top priorities.

Also Read: How Long To Leave Tegaderm On Tattoos

FAQs About Tattoo Scab Fell Off Raw Skin Underneath

1. If Scabs Fall Off Prematurely And Raw Skin Is Showing, Is My Tattoo Ruined?

If you find that your tattoo’s scabs have fallen off prematurely, exposing raw skin, you might wonder if your tattoo is ruined. The good news is that with proper care and guidance from a doctor or tattoo artist, your tattoo can often be saved from any potential issues.

2. Can My Tattoo Heal Properly Even If The Scabs Fall Off Prematurely?

You might be concerned about your tattoo healing properly when scabs have fallen off prematurely. It’s important to know that with the right aftercare, your tattoo can still heal effectively.

3. Why Is Raw Skin Underneath After The Scabs Have Fallen?

If you’re wondering why raw skin appears after your scabs have fallen off, it’s a part of the healing process. This tattooed area is vulnerable and needs proper care to protect it until it heals completely without becoming infected or distorted.

4. Can A Scab Pull Ink Out Of A Tattoo?

When a tattoo starts to heal, scabs naturally form and eventually fall off. If these scabs are prematurely picked or pulled out, it risks the ink not being fully settled in the area, leading to blotchy patches or a pitted look, hindering the developing design of the tattoo.

5. Why Does My Tattoo Look Like Its Missing Ink?

During healing, when a tattoo starts to peel, it might look like there’s missing ink underneath. This is a common concern, but often it’s just a phase of the healing process.

Rare cases of actual ink loss can occur due to an artist’s error or unique skin reactions. However, as it continues to heal, the ink usually appears normal. No need to worry, as it’s seldom a sign of ink losing its place in the skin.

6. What Happens If A Scab On My New Tattoo Comes Off?

When a scab on a new tattoo either falls off or is picked off prematurely, it can lead to ink loss and increase the risk of infection. The scab serves as a protective cover, and when disrupted, it presents a greater opportunity for the tattooed area to become infected. Thus, it’s essential to take extra care to keep the scab in place until it naturally detaches.

7. Why Chunks Of Skin Missing From Tattoo?

Chunks of skin may end up missing from a tattoo due to scabs that peel off during the healing process. This usually happens around the second week. You might notice that the tattoo ink appears dull after your session, but this is due to dead cells that have accumulated on top of the tattoo.

8. Why Tattoo Scabs Coming Off When Washing?

When tattoo scabs start coming off while washing, it’s a normal part of the healing process. Seeing flakes can be alarming, but it’s essential to follow your aftercare routine. Using skin-sensitive antibacterial soap and moisturizing lotion can help the skin heal properly.

9. Why Tattoo Peeled Off Completely?

A tattoo may peel off completely as part of its early stages of recovery. This peeling is the body ridding itself of dead skin cells. Though flakes appearing while washing the tattoo may seem alarming, it is a normal occurrence.

10. What Happens If Your Tattoo Scab Comes Off?

If your tattoo scab comes off, it typically happens that the tattoo will take a longer time to heal. It doesn’t necessarily mean the tattoo is ruined or damaged. However, if a scab is picked off, it can cause ink loss and infection.

Also Read: Unlock The Secret: Why Is My Tattoo Shiny And What It Means For You?

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, the journey of a tattoo’s healing process, especially when scabs fall off prematurely, leading to the exposure of raw skin, can be a frightening situation if not handled with the utmost care and attention.

However, with the right approach and proper care, many potential damages can be avoided. From the initial stages of cleaning the tattooed area and applying antibacterial ointment to keeping it moisturized and protecting it from sunlight, every step is crucial.

Avoiding friction, monitoring for infection, and seeking professional help from a doctor or tattoo artist when needed are all part of the precise and delicate care required.

This delicate care can make the difference between a tattoo that heals properly and maintains its vibrancy and one that faces the risks of infection, distortion, increased sensitivity, scarring, delayed healing, and even tattoo fading.

So remember, when it comes to Tattoo scab fell off raw skin underneath, your proactive approach to aftercare can ensure not only the longevity of your ink but also the preservation of the art on your body.