Is that normal? Know in seconds.
Snap your healing tattoo. See what’s normal.
- Free
- No account
- iOS 26+
9:41
Everything we can see looks like normal healing for this stage. Keep up your aftercare and check in again tomorrow.
- Fresh
- Scabbing
- Peeling
- Surface healed
- Deep healing
Done
A straight answer, in plain English.
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Healing normally
Keep going.
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Keep an eye on it
Watch it.
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Get it checked
Show a pro.
Reminders for the first two weeks Pro
Three steps. 30 seconds.
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1
Snap a photo
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2
Get an AI read
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3
Know what to do next
Tattoo healing stages, day by day.
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Fresh
Days 1–3
Oozing, mild swelling, redness.
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Scabbing
Days 4–6
Light scabs. Tight and itchy. Don’t pick.
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Peeling
Days 7–14
Flakes like a sunburn. Tap, don’t scratch.
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Surface healed
Days 15–30
Looks healed, a little cloudy.
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Deep healing
Months 1–6
Color settles. Wear SPF 30+.
Is my tattoo infected?
Educational, not a medical device.
Healing normally
- Mild redness around the tattoo for the first 3–5 days
- Clear or yellowish plasma weeping in the first 48–72 hours
- Light scabbing that comes off on its own
- Itching, especially during week two
- Peeling that resembles a sunburn
- A dull or cloudy look in weeks three to four
- Slight bruising near the tattoo, especially on ribs, feet, or inner arm
Get it checked
- Redness that spreads beyond the tattoo outline after day three
- Pain or warmth that increases after the first 48 hours instead of decreasing
- Yellow or green pus, or thick foul-smelling discharge
- Fever, chills, or feeling unwell
- Red streaks moving away from the tattoo
- Swelling that worsens after 48 hours
- Severe blistering or a rash spreading well past the tattoo (possible allergic reaction)
Built to be trusted with something on your skin.
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Photos stay on your phone
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No account required
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Guidance from medical sources
Common questions
Something we didn’t cover? Email inkcheckapp@gmail.com and we’ll get back to you.
How does Ink Check work?
Snap a photo of your tattoo and answer a quick check-in about how it feels. Ink Check tells you your healing stage, what’s normal right now, what to watch for, and what to do next. It takes about 30 seconds.
What are the stages of tattoo healing?
Tattoo healing happens in five stages. Fresh (days 1–3): oozing of plasma, ink, and a little blood is normal, with mild swelling and redness. Scabbing (days 4–6): light scabs form and the skin feels tight. Peeling (days 7–14): the outer layer flakes off like a sunburn and itching peaks — don’t pick or scratch. Surface healed (days 15–30): it looks healed but may seem cloudy while dead skin sheds. Deep healing (months 1–6): the deeper layers finish healing and the color settles.
How long does a tattoo take to heal?
A tattoo's surface typically heals in 2–3 weeks, but the deeper layers of skin take 2–6 months to fully heal. Larger tattoos, tattoos on high-friction areas like feet, hands, or elbows, and tattoos on people with slower wound healing may take longer.
How do I know if my tattoo is infected?
Warning signs include redness spreading beyond the tattoo outline after day three, pain or warmth that increases after the first 48 hours, yellow or green pus, fever or chills, red streaks moving away from the tattoo, and swelling that worsens after 48 hours. Mild redness, light scabbing, itching, and peeling during the first two weeks are usually normal. If you suspect an infection, see a healthcare professional — Ink Check is educational and is not a medical device.
Is peeling and itching normal during tattoo healing?
Yes. Peeling and itching are normal between days 7–14. Your skin sheds the damaged outer layer the way it does after a sunburn. Do not pick, scratch, or peel — that can pull ink out and leave patchy spots. Keep the area moisturized with a thin layer of fragrance-free lotion and tap rather than scratch when it itches.
Is Ink Check a replacement for medical advice?
No. Ink Check provides educational information about tattoo healing but is not a medical device. It's designed to help you understand normal healing and know when to seek professional help. Always consult a healthcare professional or your tattoo artist if you have concerns about infection or your health.
Can Ink Check diagnose a tattoo infection?
No. Ink Check can identify visual warning signs of a possible infection — such as spreading redness, unusual discharge, or atypical healing — and tell you that medical attention may be warranted. It cannot diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition. For a diagnosis, see a healthcare professional.
Is Ink Check free to use?
Yes. Ink Check is free to download and includes 2 checks a day. Ink Check Pro adds unlimited checks, your full photo timeline, before-and-after compare, and recheck reminders timed to each result. Pro starts with a free trial.
What happens to my tattoo photos?
Photos are stored on your device. When you run a check, the photo is sent to our AI provider (OpenAI) only to generate that analysis, and Ink Check doesn’t keep a copy. No account is required.
What platforms is Ink Check available on?
Ink Check is available on iPhone (iOS 26 or later) and is optimized for iPhone Duo. It’s free to download from the App Store.
Next time it looks off, check it.
2 free checks a day. Pro: unlimited.
Download on the App Store
iPhone · iOS 26+