What To Do When Your Tattoo Starts Flaking (And What NOT To Do)

Kiwi Glow | Kavai Tattoo Oil

Flaking is one of the most confusing parts of healing a new tattoo.
Your ink suddenly looks dull, dusty, dry, or even like it’s peeling off — and people panic.

Relax.
Flaking is not only normal, it’s necessary.

Here’s exactly what’s happening and what you should (and should not) do.

⭐ Why Tattoos Flake

A tattoo flakes because your skin is repairing itself. The top layer (epidermis) is lifting away, and the body is shedding damaged cells from the tattooing process.

This is completely normal.

Flaking happens because:

• your skin is regenerating

• the surface cells are ready to shed

• the deeper layers have absorbed the ink

• the barrier is rebuilding

Flaking = healing, not fading.

⭐ What If Your Tattoo Doesn’t Flake? (Especially With Kavai)

Most people expect dramatic peeling — big flakes lifting off — but many Kavai users report little to no visible flaking at all.
This is actually a very healthy healing pattern.

Here’s why minimal flaking happens with Kavai:

• Sesame oil keeps the skin flexible, so the top layer doesn’t become brittle

• Healing is smoother, so shedding happens in tiny, invisible micro-flakes

• No fillers or preservatives, so irritation is reduced

• Oils absorb instead of sitting on the surface, preventing buildup

• Vetiver and citrus calm redness and dryness

• Non-comedogenic formula, so pores stay clear and skin doesn’t form crusty layers

Your tattoo still heals — it just does so cleanly, without the dramatic peeling most people expect.

So yes, it’s completely normal (and ideal) if your tattoo barely flakes when using Kavai.

⭐ What To Do When Your Tattoo Flakes

✔️ 1. Leave the flakes alone

Do NOT pick, pull, scratch, or “help” them come off.

Picking flakes can:

• remove ink

• cause patchy spots

• delay healing

• create light patches

Let them fall off naturally.

✔️ 2. Moisturize lightly — not heavily

Use 2–3 drops of Kavai Tattoo Oil and massage gently into the skin.

Why oil works better than lotion or balm:

• absorbs deeply

• doesn’t clog pores

• keeps the skin soft and flexible

• prevents cracking

• supports faster, cleaner healing

• no preservatives or chemicals

Light moisture helps the skin shed smoothly.

✔️ 3. Wash gently once or twice a day

Use warm water only.
No scrubbing, no washcloth.

Pat dry — never rub.

✔️ 4. Wear loose clothing

Anything tight can pull flakes off prematurely.

Soft cotton/linen or natural fibre is best.

✔️ 5. Avoid the sun completely during flaking

A healing tattoo + UV exposure = instant fading and irritation.

Cover the tattoo if you must be outside.

⭐ What NOT To Do

❌ Don’t pick flakes

You can pull ink out.

❌ Don’t scratch

This can damage the healing skin.

❌ Don’t over-moisturize

Lotions and balms trap moisture → soggy skin → lost pigment.

❌ Don’t use petroleum products

They suffocate the skin and slow healing.

❌ Don’t expose your tattoo to the sun

Especially during peeling — the ink is vulnerable.

⭐ How Long Does Flaking Last?

Most tattoos flake for 3–7 days, depending on:

• your skin type

• size of the tattoo

• placement

• depth of the ink

Some larger pieces may flake in stages for up to 14 days.

Your tattoo might look:

• cloudy

• dull

• greyish

This is normal.
The vibrancy returns once the deeper layers finish healing.

⭐ When To Contact Your Artist

Call your artist if you see:

• thick yellow crusts

• spreading redness

• hot, inflamed skin

• unpleasant odor

• pain increasing instead of decreasing

These are rare but worth checking.

⭐ Recommended Aftercare Oil for Minimal Flaking

Kavai Tattoo Oil supports smooth, clean healing with:

• cold-pressed sesame oil

• vetiver

• citrus essences

• zero preservatives

• zero fragrance

• zero fillers

• zero petroleum

Your skin heals faster, with fewer flakes and better long-term vibrancy.

How to keep your tattoo bright and vibrant.

SHOP KAVAI TATTOO OIL