Tattoo Healing Stages — What To Expect Week By Week
Tattoo healing stages roughly break into three. Days one to three is the open phase — the skin is tender, weeping a little, and most prone to bacteria. Days four to ten is the flaky phase — the surface dries out, light flakes lift, and the itch kicks in. Days eleven onwards is the settle phase — the surface looks healed but the deeper layers are still doing work, often for another month or two.
The Dr Pickles routine adapts across the stages. Heavy reliance on the foam wash and Second Skin film early on. Switch to balm or gel through the flaky phase to keep the area moisturised. Continue using the balm regularly during the settle phase to keep the skin supple as the tattoo finalises.