Most tattoos will scab over as they heal. This is a normal process that helps protect the new tattoo from infection and further damage. However the ink coming off with the scab is not.
I know how depressing it is to see a tattoo scab come off and there’s no ink underneath. Fortunately its not a big problem! You can have that spot re-inked again.
How does it happen? POOR TECHNIQUE!
In this post I’ll explain in detail how poor technique causes tattoo scab came off and no ink underneath and some of the most common misconceptions around this issue that some people think is true.
Also read if you can baby lotion on the tattoo to lessen the effects here.
People often call this issue as tattoo peeling no ink underneath as well. This guide applies to this too.
Table of Contents
- Why Did My Tattoo Scab Came Off And There’s No Ink Underneath?
- Common Misconceptions
- Can A Scab Pull Ink Out Of A Tattoo?
Why Did My Tattoo Scab Came Off And There’s No Ink Underneath?
Here’s a detailed explanation of why your tattoo peeling no ink underneath:
There are 3 layers to the skin, these are: Hypodermis (the bottom layer), Dermis (the middle layer) and Epidermis (the top layer).
I am pretty sure you are not interested in the science bit so I’ll get straight into why tattoo scab came off and no ink. However if are interested you can read it here.
For the perfect tattoo the INK MUST GO into the Dermis.
If the tattoo artist goes too deep and gets ink into the Hypodermis or bottom layer, it initiates the scabbing process (not the normal flaking). During scabbing most of the ink will get trapped within the scab and will come out as a process of the scab healing.
There are a lot of other issues that arise if ink reaches this layer. Here are a few more:
The Hypodermis is full of fat, cannot contain the ink because it doesn’t have the integrity as the dermis does so the ink it will spread under the skin like BLOATING PAPER which will cause a REALLY BAD GREY MESS.
Another issue is that if you penetrate into this layer the wound left behind is a FULL THICKNESS INJURY. You are breaching the body’s defenses and opening it up for infections! A bad overworked tattoo has a higher chance of getting infected. It also increases the healing time by weeks!
What if your tattoo artist didn’t go deep enough?
If the tattoo isn’t deep enough and only gets ink into the epidermis, the tattoo will look great for a couple of days but will DISAPPEAR within a month as the skin grows out. This is one of the reason why ink would come out.
Poor skills and technique of the tattoo artist is why tattoo scab came off and no ink underneath. If this has happened to you its already too late, go get it redone. But next time make sure you get your tattoos done by a professional who knows what he’s doing.
Common Misconceptions
Here are some of the most common misconceptions around tattoo scab came off and no ink underneath and tattoo peeling no ink underneath:
Ink Rejection: Some say our skin is REJECTING the ink and to use reputable ink sources. This is not true! Skin doesn’t reject ink!
Scratching/Rubbing the new tattoo: This is not entirely wrong and there is some truth to it. But for it to form these heavy scabs the ink must have gotten into the Hyperdermis. Also don’t scratch tattoo and instead slap them lightly.
More aftercare BS: Most tattooists use this as an excuse to avoid taking responsibility for their poor technique. The only cause for this either the ink went too deep or it didn’t go enough.
Tattoo Wears Off: Again this is not true, this happens if the ink had only gone into the epidermis.
Can A Scab Pull Ink Out Of A Tattoo?
Not all tattoos will scab to the same degree. Some may form a light layer of scabbing while others may form heavy scabs.
While the lighter ones are a bit okay, if you pick or pull a heavy scab the scab will pull out ink of the tattoo with it. Do not pick it, let it heal and fall off.
FAQ
Why does my tattoo look like its missing ink?
Your tattoo looks like its missing ink because the tattoo ink didn’t go deep enough into the dermis. It has only penetrated the top skin layer, the epidermis. This layer constantly grows new cells from the bottom and sheds the cells on the top which means ink on this layer will grow out slowly. All the ink of your tattoo that’s in this layer will be gone within a month.
What happens if a scab on my new tattoo comes off?
Unfortunately there is a chance that the scab will pull out ink along with it causing blotchy patches of ink.
