A new tattoo is red, itchy and sometimes weeps fluid. Most of the time that is just healing, but whether it is infected is a common worry. We are not doctors: if you have doubts, see your doctor.
What is normal while it heals
A tattoo is an open wound that has to close. While it heals it is normal to have:
- redness and itching
- peeling, at some stages
- clear or blood-tinged fluid
- extra ink coming out
If you are worried about how it looks, message us on WhatsApp before you try anything yourself, and we will talk it through.
When to message us
Send us a message with a photo if:
- the tattoo heals slowly and still has no firm scab after a long time
- the skin around it feels hot to the touch
- the redness spreads more than 3–4 cm around the tattoo
When to see a doctor
If you have pus, strong itching or pain, see a doctor. Don’t wait for it to pass.
What to do, and not do, in the meantime
- Keep to the routine: wash it once a day with neutral soap, and apply a thin layer of cream 2–3 times a day once it is uncovered.
- Stay away from the beach, sun and swimming for a month.
- Don’t put antiseptic, alcohol or cologne on it. They burn the skin and can lead to infection.
- Don’t scratch it.
The full routine is in tattoo aftercare: the first days, week and month and in our aftercare guide.
How to lower the risk from the start
The studio’s part is new needles, cartridges and gloves for every client, surfaces disinfected between sessions, and written aftercare. How to check that before you book is in how to choose a tattoo studio abroad.
It also helps to tell the artist anything that could affect healing, especially if this is your first tattoo. A nickel allergy is a firm no from us: the piece can swell, itch or get irritated for years.
Questions people ask
Is it normal for a tattoo to leak fluid?
Yes. Clear or blood-tinged fluid is normal while it heals, and so is extra ink coming out.
How much redness is normal?
Some redness is normal. If it spreads more than 3–4 cm around the tattoo, message us.
What if my tattoo itches a lot?
Mild itching is normal. If it is strong, see a doctor.
Can I put alcohol or antiseptic on it?
No, never. They burn the skin and can lead to infection.
What about a piercing?
The same idea applies. If it looks or feels wrong, message us. If there is pus, strong itching or pain, see a doctor. More in piercing in Málaga.