A waterlogged tattoo is a healing tattoo whose scabs have soaked up too much moisture. They turn soft, puffy and gooey, which is why people also call it tattoo bubbling. It usually happens when a new tattoo stays wet too long, or when lotion, balm or oil goes on over damp skin. To fix it, put nothing on it for the rest of the day, let it air dry until the scabs firm up, and go back to a thin layer the next day.
Causes and fixes from Healthline (medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, PhD, RN) and Authority Tattoo (medically reviewed by dermatologist Jennifer Haley, MD).
What a waterlogged tattoo looks like
- The scabs look raised, puffy and soft instead of thin, flat and dry.
- They feel gooey to the touch.
- They stick to clothes and sheets and can pull off easily.
Normal healing has light, flat scabs and flaking, usually starting around day 3 to 5. Some redness, raised skin, itching and clear fluid in the first days are normal too. The day-by-day healing timeline and tattoo flaking: what's normal show what to expect.
What causes tattoo bubbling
- Soaking: baths, pools, hot tubs, lakes or the ocean before the tattoo has healed.
- Long showers, or letting the spray hit the tattoo, then not drying it fully.
- Putting lotion, balm or oil on damp skin, which traps the water in the scabs.
- Too much product. A thick layer can do it even without water.
- High humidity and heavy sweating.
Healthline notes that bigger tattoos are more likely to bubble, but it can happen to a tattoo of any size or color while it heals.
How to fix a waterlogged tattoo
- Stop putting anything on it. No lotion, balm or oil for the rest of the day, Kavai included.
- Leave it alone. Don't touch, pick, scratch or wash it until it's dry. Once bubbling has started, don't blot it either.
- Let air reach it. Wear loose clothes and keep sleeves, straps and bags off it. The scabs usually take several hours to firm up again.
- Go back to your routine the next day. Wash gently with mild unscented soap and warm water, pat dry, let it air dry completely, then apply a thin layer. With Kavai, that's 1 to 2 pumps, 3 to 4 times a day while it heals, or whenever the skin feels tight.
Will a waterlogged tattoo ruin the ink?
Usually not, as long as it dries out before the scabs get rubbed off. Gooey scabs that get pulled off can take ink with them and leave patchy spots, and skin that stays wet is more open to infection. If you do see patchy spots once it has healed, your artist can fix them. See tattoo touch-up aftercare.
How to stop your tattoo from bubbling
- Keep showers short and stand so the spray doesn't hit the tattoo.
- Pat it dry with a clean paper towel, then let it air dry for 15 to 30 minutes before you put anything on it.
- Use a thin layer. If you put on too much, blot the extra with a clean paper towel.
- Don't soak it until it has healed. Swimming after a tattoo covers how long to wait.
- On hot, humid days or when you sweat, pat it dry during the day and wear breathable clothes.
This is part of why I put Kavai in a pump. 1 to 2 pumps gives the same small amount every time, so it's hard to overdo it.
Waterlogged or infected?
Bubbling is a moisture problem, and it settles once the tattoo dries. An infection is different. See a doctor right away if you notice:
- redness that keeps spreading or getting worse
- pain that gets worse or doesn't go away
- an itchy, red, bumpy rash around the tattoo
- fever or chills
- pus or open sores
Kiwi Glow can't give medical advice, so if something feels wrong, get it checked.
Kavai for healing tattoos
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 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.
Kavai is vegan, and Kiwi Glow is Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free.
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. No droppers, and no dipping into tubs and jars.
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.
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See the full guide: Tattoo aftercare guide: the best oil for tattoos and how to heal well
Waterlogged tattoo FAQ
How long does a waterlogged tattoo take to dry out?
The scabs usually firm up after several hours of air drying. Put nothing on it for the rest of the day, then go back to your normal routine the next day.
Can I put Kavai on a bubbling tattoo?
Not while it's bubbling. Wait until the next day, and only put it on once the skin is completely dry.
Should I pop the bubbles or peel the soft scabs?
No. Leave them alone. Pulling off soft scabs can take ink with them.
Can a healed tattoo get waterlogged?
Bubbling happens to the scabs on a healing tattoo. Once your tattoo has healed and the scabs and flaking are gone, showers, baths and swimming are fine.
Is it OK to get a new tattoo wet in the shower?
Yes. A short shower is fine and keeps it clean. The problem is staying wet, so pat it dry and let it air dry before you put anything on it.