A tattoo is a unique expression that literally becomes a part of you once you get it. Getting a tattoo involves inserting pigments into your skin’s top layers. But over time, these layers shed off, leaving your tattoo less vivid.

You can get a burn on a tattoo in all the same ways you’d get a burn on nontattooed skin. Most burns happen at home when you touch or get too close to something that’s hot or on fire.

You could also get a burn on your tattoo during medical procedures. In rare cases, tattoos can swell or burn during MRI exams.

Burns on tattoos have also been reported during laser hair removal procedures.

More commonly, you can get a sunburn on your tattoo if you don’t use adequate sun protection.

Burns are less likely to be super painful or cause damage if the tattoo is old compared to when it’s new. Fresh tattoos are open wounds, so they will hurt more and are more sensitive to damage from a severe burn.

Tattoos take as long as 6 months to fully heal, though the outer layers of skin may heal in 2 to 3 weeks. Your tattoo is more vulnerable to damage when it’s healing.

Depending on their severity, burns are classified as one of three types:

When you get a mild burn on your tattoo, you may notice your tattoo seems brighter in the affected area. It may look like the tattoo is new, appearing vibrant in the patch of reddened skin.

Soon after, though, the burned area on your tattoo may begin swelling or scabbing. This means it’s healing. Your tattoo should look fairly normal but might be a little faded once it’s healed again.

When you get a more severe burn, it may pass through all the layers of skin that contain your tattoo. This can permanently damage the appearance of your tattoo, leaving certain parts without any ink.

Again, a new tattoo is more likely to react adversely to a burn than an old tattoo.

When you get a sunburn on your tattoo, you might notice swelling and redness. It may also peel and blister as the sunburned layers of skin shed. This means that getting sunburned can quickly dull your tattoo.

Getting a burn on your tattoo will probably negatively affect its appearance in some way. But treating a burned tattoo is the best way to minimize the damage.

If you have a mildly burned tattoo, treat it like you’d treat a mild burn on any other part of your skin. Here’s what to do:

These burns should heal in a few weeks.

Perform first aid while contacting emergency help right away if you experience any of the following:

Call your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following:

Treat sunburned tattoos like you’d treat sunburned skin with no tattoos:

A sunburned tattoo will heal in about 2 weeks.

Mild burns and sunburns may dull the appearance of your tattoo once they fade. That’s because you’ll lose some layers of pigmented skin from the burn.

More severe burns may cause a complete loss of pigment and possibly scarring over the burned tattooed area, which may already have some scarring from the tattooing process.

Because tattoos dull or disappear completely when they’re burned, some people might think burning is a cheap and easy way to get rid of an unwanted tattoo.

Don’t attempt to do this. Burning your own skin is extremely dangerous and puts you at risk for infection, scarring, and disfigurement.

You should be very cautious when considering any procedure that involves burning your skin.

Branding has become a popular form of body modification, but it’s quite dangerous. Never attempt to do this on your own or with friends. Find a licensed professional and research the risks beforehand.

If you have a burned tattoo and don’t like its appearance, you can talk to a professional to learn about your options.

If you’d prefer the damaged tattoo be removed completely, contact your doctor. They can recommend tattoo removal treatment. This treatment might involve:

If you want to repair your damaged tattoo, contact a tattoo artist. You may want to find the artist who did your original tattoo, if possible. This will ensure you get the best possible result.

Explain what happened, and make sure they’re comfortable tattooing on damaged skin. They will likely ask how long it’s been since you burned your skin. Wait until it’s completely healed before getting your tattoo repaired.

Tattooed skin burns just like skin that’s not tattooed. Mild burns and sunburns will cause some damage to the very top layers of your skin.

Luckily, these burns can be treated at home. However, they may dull the appearance of your tattoo.

More severe burns can cause fading, infections, or permanent scarring.

There are several ways to remove or repair your tattoo if you’re unhappy with its appearance after a burn. Contact a professional for advice and to set up a treatment plan. Never attempt to burn your own skin.

Last medically reviewed on June 1, 2020

Having an itchy tattoo soon after getting it isn’t unusual, as this is part of the healing process. However, there are a few causes of itching that…

It’s normal to notice irritation or swelling after getting inked. But tattoo allergies go beyond simple irritation — the skin can swell, itch, and…

After getting a new tattoo, the outer layer of skin will typically appear healed within 2 to 3 weeks. However, the healing process can take upward of…

When you get a sunburn, you want to find something to soothe your irritated skin. Here's how essential oils can help your sunburned skin.

Considering laser tattoo removal? Get the details on how you can lower your chances of developing blisters and other possible side effects.

If someone recommended cocoa butter for tattoo aftercare, you might want a second opinion. We've got the details on its benefits and how to use it.

Cartilage piercings heal from the outside in, which means that they may look healed on the outside long before the process is truly done. Bumps are…

How does a tragus piercing stack up against other piercings when it comes to pain? We've got answers to all your piercing pain-related Qs.

Discover whether you can donate blood if you have a tattoo. Also learn which conditions make you ineligible to donate, how to find a blood bank, and…

The best tattoo removal options include laser therapy, surgical excision, and dermabrasion. Here’s a look at what each involves.