A tattoo takes up to 6 months to fully heal, though your skin will go through several stages of healing during that time.
At week 2, the tattoo may begin to itch as it flakes and scabs.
In weeks 3 and 4, a layer of dry skin will form over the tattoo before exfoliating itself, and the itchiness will fade. Redness and itching at this stage may be an early sign of an infected tattoo.
After the first month, all itchiness and redness should be gone, but the skin below your tattoo may continue repairing itself for up to six months.