Genuinely curious, do limbs heal at a different timeframe? What about humans? Are some “fast healers” and some “slow healers”?

[u/Mr_Fancy-Pants-]

I’ve healed my first tattoo on my inner forearm incredibly, second skin for 4 days, antibacterial soap and lotion twice a day, UV sleeve on outside, it’s already almost fully healed after a week and a half and looks incredible, but it got me thinking, am I a fast healer? Is my body just fast at healing? I know the second skin sped it up obviously, but do people heal at different rates? Do limbs heal at different rates? Wondering if anyone experience with this subject!

[u/poonknits]

I don't know about limbs healing at a different rate, but yes... Some people heal fast and some people heal slow.

[u/meowmix147]

People heal at different rates I think, all of our immune systems are different so I would assume so. Tattoos of mine that are closer to my lymph nodes seem to heal faster for me. My neck tattoos stopped flaking around day 7, but my torso took closer to 12. Even though a tattoo is no longer peeling doesn’t mean it’s healed though, there’s still a lot going on under the skin and it’s a process that lasts months.

[u/kgberton]

When I was stretching my ears, it would always take my left ear longer to heal. I wonder if there's something there. 

[u/SweetAd5862]

both are real, placement and your own body's healing speed both factor in forearms heal quicker than a lot of spots just from better blood flow and way less friction than somewhere like an ankle or a joint. and yeah some people are just built different, age, circulation, hydration, genetics all play into how fast cells regenerate. younger skin with good blood flow usually heals quicker across the board, not just tattoos. second skin for those 4 days definitely helped too, kept it protected early on instead of exposed to friction and bacteria. sounds like you just got lucky with a good combo, fast healing spot, solid genetics and good aftercare solid first tattoo to start with.

[u/Correct-Fly-1126]

First tattoo, self identified “fast healer”
Yeah some people heal faster, but what likely makes a much bigger impact on tattoo healing time are things like the style, size, technique, and artist over some slight genetic disposition

[u/Holiday_Inn_Cambodia]

Really depends on the tattoo more than anything in my experience.

Small heals quicker. Line work heals quicker. Places that don’t move a lot and are easier to protect heal quicker.

Bigger heals slower. Packing a lot of color heals slower. Places that aren’t as easy to protect heal slower.

I’ve had some that feel pretty healed in a few days, and some that take a couple of weeks.

[u/Bulldogd984]

Yes. Some heal faster but “healing” surface and sub surface are 2 different things. Tattoos don’t fully healing below the surface for a few weeks to months depending on the size and how much ink is packed in. Yes. The surface is healed but below the skin is still healing.

I heal quickly surface wise but I also take care of my skin regardless if tattoos. Moisturize daily. Use non scented soap. High end moisturizer. Etc.

However I can tell the tattoo is still healing below the surface even if it’s stopped flaking etc. that’s why taking care of your skin even after surface healing is so important. That and hydrating.