Healing your tattoos

In this section, I share general information on what to expect when healing a new tattoo, including some extra info on scar cover-ups and tattoos on melanated skin.
 

What You Should Know About Healing

There’s a lot of misunderstanding around how tattoos look once healed. Most of what you see online are photos of freshly done tattoos — ink that looks dark, bold, and radiant. But a healed tattoo is something quite different, and beautifully so.

A tattoo is embedded into your skin, which sees it as a wound and heals by growing new layers over it. That means the ink ends up sitting underneath your skin — not on top of it. Think of it almost like a scar, but one that holds pigment instead of fading back into your skin tone.

Now, your skin isn’t transparent — it has tone, texture, and depth. Imagine three layers of translucent parchment stacked on top of one another, each with a natural beige or brown tint. If we draw a blue line on the middle sheet and place the top sheet over it, the drawing still shows through, but it looks a little softer, more muted. That’s how tattoos look once healed — still visible, still vibrant, but filtered slightly by your skin tone and the passage of time.

Your skin will continue to change — it stretches, renews itself, gets dry or moisturised, sometimes bruised or scraped. Your tattoo will change with it, gently ageing alongside you. Fine lines might soften, tiny details may fade a little. In many cases, a small touch-up can refresh it — in others, it’s best to let it be. This is why tattooers are often cautious about designs that are too fine, tiny, or minimal: tattoos need enough room and depth to heal well, age well, and remain beautiful over time.

The first two weeks after your appointment are the most important for healing. During this time, keep the tattoo clean and lightly moisturised (see my Aftercare section for details). The top layer of your skin usually heals within two weeks, but deeper layers take longer — sometimes up to two months. The best thing you can do is be kind to your skin: avoid trauma or friction, moisturise occasionally, drink plenty of water, and nourish your body.

A well-healed tattoo is more than a mark on your skin — it becomes part of you.

Healing a scar coverup 

Scar cover-ups hold a very special place in my heart. I’ve been offering this service for many years and have had the honour of working with so many incredible people. I’ve covered scars from burns, surgeries, skin grafts, accidents, mastectomies — but perhaps the most impactful, for both me and the wearer, are self-harm scar cover-ups.

Choosing to tattoo over self-harm scars is never about shame. It’s about readiness. It’s a quiet but powerful way of saying: I’m starting a new chapter. The scars don’t disappear — and maybe they shouldn’t. But they can be transformed.

I always use florals and botanical designs for these projects. Not just because they suit my style and work well visually, but because they symbolise growth, joy, and life. The skin over scars is more delicate, and it reacts strongly to tattooing. Scar tissue often swells more, becomes redder, and feels raised and inflamed immediately after the session — but this is part of its healing process.

Interestingly, many clients report that tattooing scar tissue doesn’t hurt more than tattooing regular skin. What’s remarkable is what happens after. Scarred skin goes into full repair mode. It produces collagen at a heightened rate, often resulting in the area becoming smoother and softer than before. This has been a consistent and joyful outcome reported by almost all of my scar cover-up clients.

If you’re considering a scar cover-up, you’re very welcome to reach out and ask anything — I know it’s a big decision, and I’m here to support you in it.

 

Healing Tattoos on Melanated Skin

I've made this an extra point, as there's a common misconception that tattoos don’t show well or are more difficult on melanated skin — I want to assure you that this is not the case. The same principles apply, just as with lighter skin tones, like the “parchment paper” analogy I shared earlier. Imagine two sheets of brown parchment paper — if you draw a dark blue line on one sheet and place the other on top, the line is still visible. Naturally, on deeper skin tones, contrast and spacing become even more important to ensure the design stands out clearly. For many people with melanated skin, less soft shading and fewer tiny details work best because these subtle tones can blend with the natural skin tone. This doesn’t mean tattoos can’t look beautiful or vibrant — it means the design is thoughtfully adapted, just like any other type of artist choosing tones and techniques to suit different mediums.

Tattoo healing on melanated skin is just as successful. Early redness and irritation may be less visible, which can make a fresh tattoo look less vibrant initially, but as the skin calms, the true colors and lines will emerge. It’s important to know that melanated skin can be very sensitive and may be more prone to swelling or scarring, including keloid scars for some. If you have a history of keloids, we’ll discuss the safest approach to your tattoo to ensure the best care and outcome.

On sensitivity and care:

One of the most common — and harmful — misconceptions is that darker skin is tougher or less sensitive. This is simply not true. In fact, melanated skin often requires even more care during tattooing. It can be more reactive, more prone to swelling, and in some cases, more vulnerable to scarring or keloid formation. That’s why it’s crucial for artists to work gently and precisely, always prioritising the health and long-term healing of the skin. I take this very seriously and will always approach your tattoo with the respect, skill, and sensitivity your skin deserves.

A quick note on black ink pigment and melanated skin:

All “black” tattoo inks are actually very deep, dark blue-based pigments. While they look pure black on lighter, more translucent skin, on melanated skin with warm undertones (yellow, orange, or red hues), the blue undertone can become more visible, or even enhanced. This means tattoos may appear slightly bluish rather than pitch black. This is completely natural and nothing to worry about — it’s just how the skin tone interacts with the ink, creating a beautiful and unique effect. 

Above all, every tattoo I create is individually designed to suit your skin and your vision. My experience working with melanated skin means I understand the care and respect it requires, and I’m here to ensure your tattoo experience is safe, comfortable, and beautiful.