Within 2 to 3 weeks of receiving a fresh tattoo, the outer layer of skin should seem healed. The healing procedure, on the other hand, might take up to 6 months. During this period, your tattoo is under development and will reflect the changes in skin color, so it's best to leave it alone. Healing after tattoo removal is just like recovering from any other kind of skin injury, such as burns or scars. Your tattoo surgeon will likely suggest some sort of treatment for fading aftercare. This usually involves some type of sun protection because ultraviolet light can accelerate the fading process. In general, tattoos are permanent, though they may blur, soften, or even disappear over time due to skin aging or scarring. While most people won't want to completely erase their tattoos by removing them, there are treatments that can reduce the appearance of dark ink and allow you to keep the memory of your past without worrying about scarification.