A cloudy or milky look is a normal part of healing. It usually shows up as the peeling winds down, and it comes from a thin layer of dead and new skin sitting over the ink. The ink itself isn't fading. Keep moisturizing lightly, don't pick or scrub it, keep it out of the sun, and give it a few more weeks before you judge the result.
Sources: Healthline, Tattoo Peeling (medically reviewed by Cynthia Cobb, DNP, APRN); Cleveland Clinic, Tattoo Aftercare (dermatologist Shilpi Khetarpal, MD); Authority Tattoo, Why Does My Tattoo Look Milky?
Why a healing tattoo looks cloudy
Tattoo ink goes into the dermis, the middle layer of your skin. The needles also damage the top layer, and your body replaces it as the tattoo heals. While that happens, you're looking at the ink through dead skin cells and brand-new skin.
Healthline says a dull look during healing has nothing to do with the ink itself. It comes from dead skin cells built up on top of the tattoo, and once the skin finishes peeling, the colors should look fresh again.
That's why black can look gray or hazy for a while, and colors can look muted. This stretch is commonly called "the milky phase."
How long does the milky phase last?
Usually one to two weeks, and sometimes up to a month. The deeper skin keeps healing for months after that.
That range comes from Authority Tattoo, a tattoo site, which places the milky phase after the scabbing stage and before the tattoo takes its final look. Cleveland Clinic says that after about three weeks the scabs are healing and there's less flaking, but the bottom layers of skin take several more months to heal completely.
Big pieces, heavy color and slow-healing spots can take longer. See the day-by-day healing timeline for what each stage looks like.
What to do while it's cloudy
- Keep moisturizing. Apply 1 to 2 pumps of Kavai in a thin layer, 3 to 4 times a day while it heals, or whenever the skin feels tight.
- If it's still a new tattoo, wash it gently with mild unscented soap and warm water, then pat it dry with a clean paper towel before you moisturize.
- Don't pick, peel, scratch or scrub. Cleveland Clinic says picking at scabs or pulling off flaky skin can irritate the area or cause infection. That includes exfoliating gloves and scrubs.
- Keep it out of the sun. Cleveland Clinic says a healing tattoo can be sensitive to direct sunlight. More in tattoo sun protection.
- Don't soak it. Stay out of pools, hot tubs and baths until the surface has healed. See swimming after a tattoo.
- Wait before you book a touch-up. Judge the tattoo once it has fully healed, not while it's still milky. See touch-up aftercare.
The full daily routine is in how do I take care of my new tattoo?
Cloudy, or something else?
- Right after a clear film comes off: wrinkled, cloudy skin from the moisture under the film is normal and settles within hours. See what to do after removing Saniderm.
- Soft, puffy, bubbly scabs after a shower or swim: that's usually a waterlogged tattoo, where the scabs have soaked up too much moisture. See waterlogged tattoo.
- A blurry halo of ink spreading past the lines: that may be a blowout, where ink went too deep. Authority Tattoo (medically reviewed by Jennifer T. Haley, MD, FAAD) says a blowout is often noticeable within a few days, and unlike redness or bruising, it generally stays the same. It doesn't clear when the peeling ends. Talk to your artist.
- Still dull after it has fully healed: dry skin on top can make a healed tattoo look gray or ashy. See how to make a tattoo look brighter. If lines or colors really didn't hold, ask your artist about a touch-up.
Signs your tattoo needs a doctor
A cloudy look on its own isn't a sign of infection. Some redness, swelling and tenderness in the first few days is normal too. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) says to see a doctor or board-certified dermatologist right away for signs of infection:
- redness that gets darker or spreads instead of fading
- pain that keeps going or gets worse
- a rash of itchy, red, painful bumps in the tattoo
- fever, chills or shivering
- pus or open sores
Healthline (medically reviewed by Carissa Stephens, RN) also lists discoloration, swelling or itchiness that goes on for a long time as a reason to see a healthcare professional.
Kavai while the ink settles
No oil or cream can rush the milky phase. What Kavai can do is keep the new skin moisturized while it settles.
I made Kavai for healing tattoos and for the years after. It has three ingredients: organic cold-pressed sesame oil, vetiver essential oil and a small amount of steam-distilled citrus oil. No water, no preservatives and no petroleum. A thin layer absorbs fully and isn't greasy, so nothing heavy sits on top of the new skin.
A 2018 review in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences (Lin et al.) describes sesame oil's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects and a possible effect on skin barrier repair.
It comes in an airless pump. Air and fingers never touch the oil inside, so it stays fresh and clean from the first pump to the last, and every press gives the same small amount.
Kavai is vegan, and Kiwi Glow is Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free.
Sesame is one of the FDA's major food allergens. If you're allergic to sesame or citrus, don't use Kavai. If you're not sure, patch test on a small area of healed skin first.
Shop Kavai Tattoo Oil ($45, free US shipping)
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See the full guide: Tattoo aftercare guide: the best oil for tattoos and how to heal well
Cloudy or milky tattoo FAQ
Is it normal for my new tattoo to look cloudy?
Yes. A thin layer of dead and new skin covers the ink while it heals, so the tattoo can look cloudy, milky or gray for a while. It clears as the skin settles.
How long does the milky phase of a tattoo last?
Often one to two weeks, sometimes up to a month. Bigger and heavily colored pieces can take longer. The deeper skin keeps healing for several months.
Why does my tattoo look cloudy after peeling?
The skin that's left after the flakes come off is new and hasn't settled yet. It sits over the ink like a thin haze until it matures.
Does a cloudy tattoo mean the ink is fading?
No. The ink is in the deeper layer of skin. The cloudiness is on the surface.
Can I make the cloudy phase go faster?
No. Keep it moisturized, out of the sun and out of the water, and don't scrub, pick or exfoliate it. Scrubbing or picking at it can irritate the healing skin.
Is a cloudy tattoo infected?
Not on its own. Watch for the signs listed above, like spreading redness, worsening pain, pus or fever, and see a doctor if you have them.
When should I get a touch-up?
Wait until the tattoo has fully healed and the milky look has cleared. Then, if some spots really didn't hold, ask your artist.