Drying and itch · Days 4–7
Day 5: dry, dull and itchy
Colors often look faded today as the top layer dries out. That top layer is dead skin sitting over your ink, not the ink itself. Some tattoos start flaking around now, others not until day 10. Both are fine.
What to do today
- Moisturize when it feels tight, but keep it thin
- Wear soft fabric over it, especially at night
- Ignore how faded it looks this week
Under second-skin (Saniderm, Tegaderm)?
Most artists want second-skin off by day 5. Once it’s off you move to the normal wash-and-balm routine, and peeling tends to start a little later and lighter.
Saniderm peel, day by day →Normal in the drying and itch stage
The surface dries and tightens. Itching starts, light flaking may begin and the colors look a bit faded. This is the top layer of skin, not your ink.
- Tight, slightly stiff skin
- Itching that ranges from mild to maddening
- Light flaking starting, sometimes earlier on small tattoos
- Colors looking duller than on day 1
Care for this stage
- Keep washing and keep the balm layer thin
- Pat or tap when it itches. Do not scratch
- No swimming, baths or soaking
Go deeper: Is tattoo peeling normal?