Tattoo Care and Advice
94Before Tattooing
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Before You Get Tattooed
If you're getting ready to go get your first tattoo, here are a few things you should know:
Since tattoos are a healing surface wound, you really should to avoid hot tubs, swimming pools and soaking in bathubs of water during the healing period. Before the surface heals, the skin is susceptible to infection and public pools and water are easy sources of bacteria. Also, the soaking can cause the scab to come off too soon, which can also hurt your new tattoo. So don't go get tattooed the day before that beach vacation or cruise!
Make sure you get a good night's sleep the night before your tattoo appointment and be sure to eat a good meal a hour or two ahead of time. The process of enduring being tattooed is more tiring than most people would imagine and it often stresses the body the same way vigorous activity does, even though you aren't being highly active.
Do not drink alcohol or take aspirin before you get tattooed. Both of these thin the blood and can cause you to bleed heavily during the tattoo process.
If you are going to be tattooed for a long time, make sure you have a way of getting home that is safe, or have someone else drive you. Some people become disoriented or a bit fuzzy-headed after long tattoo sessions due to the endorphin rush.
If you have any allergies to antibiotic ointments, latex or petroleum products, be sure to tell your tattoo artist BEFORE they start to do any work on you. That way they can make sure any equipment or products they might use on you will be safe.
During Tattooing
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While You're Getting Tattooed
The actual tattoo process is the most exciting part. It's also the most painful. But here are a few suggestions to help you hang in there.
Try not to move around to much, or watch what the artist is doing. Any sudden movements on your part may result in a permanent mistake! Be sure to ask your tattooist to stop if you suddenly realize you have to cough or sneeze.
Bring along water or juice for you to drink. With larger pieces, sometimes people find they like to take a break and have a small snack to help them get through the process.
If there is music you really like to listen to, bring along some earphones and your portable music player.
If you are going to have to lay down to get tattooed, you might want to bring along a favorite pillow or a blanket to be more comfortable.
Some people bring along a friend for support. Make sure to ask ahead of time to make sure your tattooist is ok with someone hanging out and watching, or even if they can sit with you and talk or hold your hand.
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Taking Care Of A Tattoo
Once your tattoo is done, it's not too hard to make sure it heals the best that it can. And it is worth the few days of special care after all that cost and discomfort it took to get it.
Whatever you do, do NOT pick at the scab on your new tattoo. If the scab comes off too soon, you run the rick of having the ink "heal out," which leaves a blank spot in the design and then you'll have to get that part redone. This can happen a little bit during natural healing, but picking at a scab pretty much guarantees it. No matter how much it itches, don't scratch it.
You can shower with your tattoo, but don't let it sit under the spray and get soaked. Wash it gently with a mild, natural soap using just your fingertips, and try to roll or scrape off as little scab as you can. Rinse quickly and make sure when you dry off to pat (not brush/scrape) the tattooed area.
Tattoos that are totally brand-new get a light smear of antibiotic ointment on them, until the scab forms. Once the scab starts, you will want to switch to a natural or organic, unscented lotion to keep the skin moisturized. You do not want to use anything that contains lanolin or petroluem jelly in it for healing your tattoo, as these will clog the pores and often contributed to the ink healing out. I personally tell people to avoid diaper rash creams (aka A&D ointment or bepanthen), as these very often do contain lanolin and petroluem. I've also learned that the Australian product Lucas Paw Paw Ointment contains petroleum jelly (although it doesn't say so on the label) so avoid that one too!
While tattoos are healing, you want to avoid skin trauma. This can include clothes that rub the area too much, any activities where the tattoo would get hit hard, anything that scrapes or scratches the healing surface and heavily sweating. Sweat is how the body cools itself AND gets rid of toxins. That toxic sweat can cause your new tattoo to become infected.
Initial healing from new tattoo to scabbed is about 3 days on average and the scab often falls off around days 7-10 but your individual skin healing can vary. The tattoo usually still has some dry skin on top (nicknamed "the saran wrap" phase by many because the tattoo can look shiny) after the heavy scab comes off and after two weeks the skin surface is often healed. The tattoo may be flat to the skin at this point, or it might take a little longer to become flush with the skin. Until the entire surface is healed you want to avoid any swimming or soaking in a hot tub!
Now and for the rest of your life, your tattoo needs as much sun protection as it can get. If the surface is still raw, do not put sunscreen on it, as it can can skin irritation. Keep it covered with soft clothing and out of the sun. Sunburn causes tattoos to lose colors or fade in intensity, and it can make fine lines and details turn blurry.
Remember: your individual skin healing and reactions may vary! If you think you are having a problem, go back and talk to your tattoo artist or see a doctor!
After Tattooing
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How To Recognize An Infection
Tattoos can be red, swollen (raised-up), weepy/bleeding and just plain sore when they are done. The more complex a design and the longer you sat there, the greater the chances for these symptoms. If your tattooist had a really firm grip on you or if you tend to be sensitive to it, there might even be a few bruises.
If your tattoos increase in redness, become more painful, and either the skin or the fluids weeping out become yellow-greenish in color, those are all classic signs of an infection. In those cases, either go back to your tattoist or doctor to have the infection confirmed and evaluated.
If left untreated, infections can not only damage the tattoo itself, they can potentially lead to something life-threatening like blood poisoning.
Some people have allergic reactions to tattoo inks or and experience adverse skin reactions. To determine this, you need to see a doctor or dermatologist.
If you have more questions about if your tattoo might be infected, Go See Your Doctor!
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More Tattoo Aftercare Info
- Pre-Tattoo and Post-Tattoo Self Care - Body Art
Make sure to take care of yourself both before and right after you get tattooed. This can help make for a more pleasant experience and consequently better body art - "Care of Pet" - Tattoo aftercare instructions
Tattoo care sheet I was given with my third tattoo - HOW DO I CARE FOR MY NEW TATTOO?
The artist that did your tattoo will have something very definite to say about the care of your new tattoo, and it is probably a good idea to listen to him/her. Many shops will have an information sheet listing care instructions. - rec.arts.bodyart Tattoo FAQ, Part 6
How do I care for my new tattoo? Suggested Method #1: The Minimal Moisturizer Method Suggested Method #2: The Huck Spalding Method Suggested Method #3: The Noxzema Method Suggested Method #4: The FAQ Maintainer's Own Method - Tattoos and Tattooing
This decorative art form continues to be a growing attraction to teenagers. Teens as young as 13 and 14 are getting their first tattoos. It isn't just guys who are getting them, over the past twenty years the number of women getting tattoos has quadr - Keloids and Scarring FAQ - Body Art
This is a FAQ composited from the Bella Body Art e-mail and message board forums on the related topics of scarring and keloid scar formation.
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Got A Tattoo Question? - please note, only questions not already addressed will be approved/answered
How does tattoos cover scars?
rach, sometimes due to how a person's skin heals the ink "heals out" leaving a spot that needs to be redone.
i had a tatto done above and next to my ankle and it is now a week old and already the green ink in the daisy chain seems to have dissappeared i am unure of why as i have done exactly what the tattooist advised and now i am unsure as to what i should do about it please help
Matt, sweat is not only how your body cools itself, but removes toxins. Sweating heavily with a barely healed tattoo can often lead to the tattoo becoming infected, which in turn mars the appearance.
If I were to get a tattoo on my back, then essentially rest 48 hours, then have to do construction-type work (sweating, dirty environment - but it's under a shirt) for a couple of long days, will that be ok for it?
Jordana, that shiny layer is a thin layer of skin and is a sign that you are at the "saran wrap" stage. That has to peel off on its own before your tattoo is done healing, and you can judge the final color.
about five days ago, i got a tattoo in all black ink. i've followed my aftercare instructions to the letter - but now that it has peeled, it's not black anymore. it's turned a lighter grey. it's still shiny though. will my color return to black once it completely heals?
eobrienk!, tattoos have to heal once they are done, the same as any other break in the skin. This means scabbing and then shedding that layer. When you see a brand-new, just-done tattoo, you are really looking at an open wound that hasn't even started to heal yet. You have to wait for about two weeks before you can judge what it looks like.
i got my tattoo done yesturday and after my tattoo artist took a picture of it, it looked the way i wanted it. but today when i took the bandage off and after i washed it ... it seems to be bigger ( its of a butterfly )and one side looks a bit different from the other :(
wth happened ? and how can i fix it ...
Didds, if some of the scab got ripped off, it might have taken some of the skin and ink below with it. You'll have to wait until the whole thing heals and then you might need a small touch-up.
HI,I had my tattoo done yesterday nothing big just a small letter on the wristbut it got ''scratched'' by scratched i mean the top layer got cut off pieced of the letter faded wich i gather it's poorly skilled tattoo artist.Now my question is any possibility of it geting enfected i use antyciptics on it to keep it clean.i've also been given a cram called teramycin by the artist and told to apply it every 5 hours for 1 week should i continue applying it regarding of the wound?Thanks.
Allan, some people get tattoos done in nothing but black ink. And a good tattoo that is taken care of properly won't need to be recolored in the future.
Luciana, tattoos will really vary with placement and different artists. Also, make sure your clothing isn't rubbing the tattoo too much. Be gentle with it and if it stays really painful, go see a doctor.
Hey, yeah i was just looking into what i'll need to do - cause im planning on getting some ink on my 18th in about 3 months time, and im just wondering is it wise to have alot of black in my first tattoo, and is too much black like impossible to re-ink later on?
I just got a tattoo last thursday on my back. It is somewhat bigger to my first tattoo on my foot. It's been almost 4 days since being tattooed & the part of my back where the tattoo is burns, almost like I got a bad sun burn. Is that normal? I didnt experience that with my foot tattoo, but my foot tattoo is also MUCH smaller.
hoping you could help. Thank you
Samantha, ribs can be tricky. The raised bits might actually be where your artist scarred you. Fading is a sign of ink coming out from not being down deeply enough. Both those things are often symptomatic of a new and inexperienced, or poorly-skilled artist... or a human with extremely sensitive skin. I can't say which in this instance.
Hi, so i got a tatoo about 7 months ago. i took care of it very well, and it healed perfectly, no infection or anything. ever since, that one area ( my right rib cage) has been very itchy, ive applied mild moisturizers and such, and its been getting better, BUT recently ive noticed in one spot it sort of hurts like it did after i first got it, like healing scar tissue or something. and my tattoo is still raised in some areas... should i be alarmed? or is this normal. my tattoo is of a cross, the outline is still perfect but the filled in part is starting to fade in most areas... please help!
Shawn, that little bit of missing ink "healed out" so no, it's not going to come back. You'll need to get a touch up session to re-tattoo that bit.
Kirstenblog, I find that artist who use plastic wrap are usually too cheap to buy any other sort of bandage. But really, I don't like how "wet" that sort of covering keeps the tattoo.
I got my tattoo two days ago and this morning I woke up and part of the "T" is missing on the bottom left of it, My arm does not itch or anything but where the ink is missing it looks like a small scar...is this normal? Will the ink come bakc?
I just got my second tattoo and I am loving it! I actually had different aftercare instructions this time. They wrapped it up in cling film or saran wrap and said to change it 3 times a day and clean each time. I got home and it really didn't feel right so I took it off and let it breathe, felt better straight away! My first tattoo I was told to keep it clean and dry, let it breathe and DON"T SCRATCH! It was hard not to scratch it yes but not impossible, and everything went find so I am doing the same now. Have you heard of this method of using plastic to cover the new tattoo? They said it was to keep it protected just in case you do scratch it but it also sounded like the healing time would be much longer. I actually was thinking about writing about this topic and that is how I found your hub, I would love to know your thoughts as you sound very knowledgeable :).
Hayley, you'll want to read the section here called "taking care of a tattoo."
hi there! i found your article very helpful and it helped me decide to take the tattoo plunge next week on my 18th birthday. im planning on getting a tattoo on my foot, but im an athlete. How long should i wait before putting back on my socks and sneakers? THANKS!
Cara, the trauma of a tattoo leaves some scar tissue in the skin, so to get a cover-up tattoo means that all that thicker skin then gets punctured. It's not too surprising that your husband is finding it more tender. He can try putting an ice pack on it, which relieves swelling and can lessen the feeling of the tattooed area, just don't get it wet.
My husband just got a tattoo over an existing one and it seems to be scabbing pretty bad plus it is hurting him, immensely. He is putting H20 ointment on it but the pain is worse today. He is not new to tattoos and has two half sleeves plus a bunch on his chest and back so I know that if he says it is hurting it is way more then normal.
Amy, behind your ear is not only nerves, but some really unpadded bone. I can't say what you would consider excruciating compared to me, but suffice to say, behind the ear is going to be much more painful than someplace on the body padded with body fat or muscle.
I'm thinking about getting my first tattoo (a small one) on my upper neck sort of behind my ear lobe, but am semi-worried about the pain. I know that there are glands in that general area, so would getting a tattoo have a negative affect on them? In your personal opinion, do you think the pain would be excruciating?
MissKitty, all my healing advice is written into the Hub and you can follow the links for more.
Ok thanks for the info. A layer of skin just peeled off and there is still ink there but it's weeping, is there anything I can put on it to help it heal better?
Ouch, MissKitty! Burns take a while to heal, and you may not know how damaged or not the tattoo is until it's all done healing. With a first degree burn, there might not be any damage, as those are only on the outermost layer of the skin. But if you got a second degree or worse burn, then the burn may be deep enough that those skin layers may have ink in them. If that's the case, the tattoo could "heal out" and you'd see gaps or white patches where they used to be ink.
Hi, I got my tattoo just over a year ago and I just got a burn on it at work and around parts of the tattoo is red can't see directly on top of the tattoo as it's coloured, I was wondering what might happen to the tattoo now.
Shannon, as I can't see your tattoo, I can't say for sure what is happening. But understand that until the tattoo scabs and heals fully, the surface is going to look a different color and texture from the finished marking. The appearance could be due to excess ink on the surface, or it could be due to a poor quality tattoo, or it could be how your own skin is reacting to the process. However, you can't really begin to judge how a tattoo is doing until it's one to two weeks old.
i got a tattoo about 3 days ago. it is black words on my wrist. it hasn't scabbed yet, but on the top of one of the letters you can see the line for the letter and then slightly above it it appears that it "bleed" out slightly? is this part of the healing process?
Greg, my advice on care is written out on this hub. You just have to read it.
Hey thanks! This is my 4th tattoo, but the reason I'm a little worried is because my other tatoos didn't scab up like this, could it be because the inner forearm is a sensitive area? Now that it is scabbed, what is the best care in your opinion at this point? Keep it moist with unscented lotion or let it be a little on the dry side? Thanks again.
Kim, read the section on this hub called "Taking Care of A Tattoo."
Greg,
No, yes, yes, and I can't predict how that will heal.
Im getting my first ever tattoo tomorrow, its going to be on the inside of my left forearm, not far down from the wrist area....BUT im going to orlando on 18th september, will it be ok in the sun, as its on the inside of my and not as exposed? and will i be ok to swim with it? thanks
Hi, I got a forearm tatoo and black ink was used. It's not that big of a tattoo but the artist used 2 cups of ink on it. My scabs are thick but it appears to be healing normally. Is it possible to use too much ink for a tattoo? Could some of the scabbing be excess ink in the scabs? And most importantly, should I let these scabs stay on as long as possible and what do you think the chances are after they come off that my tattoo is black and not gray? Thanks for your knowledge.
Jane, the thing to remember about scabs is that they are full of blood and extra ink, which makes them look deceptively dark. And that shiny appearance your tattoo has is another layer of healing skin, which is making it look deceptively light for now. Once that peels (often called the saran wrap stage) your tattoo should take on a matte appearance, and that's when you can judge the color.
Hey i got a tattoo last wednesday, and ive taken care off it exactly as it says, my scab came off after a few days, the colour doesnt looks as black, its gone much lighter, but looks a bit shinny? will it peel again? and will the colour stay this light?
Christina, if the surface skin is still scabby, I wouldn't recommend putting makeup on it as that could irritate the still-healing tattoo.
Your hub is great! I just got my third tattoo four days ago and it my first in a visible area. I have been wearing loose long sleeves to work to keep it covered, but I am in a wedding this weekend and was wondering if it was too soon to cover it with concealer or make up? It appears to be healing well; even faster than my previous tats, actually. I don't want to do anything that will ruin the healing process, so if make up is absolutely too soon I can cover it with a bracelet.
Arturo, I don't understand what you are asking me. So, you want to get a tattoo on your lower stomach or groin area.... so what? You can get a tattoo wherever you want.
hi, im 17 and im dfrom mexico, im going to a.. you can call it, tourist destination tomorrow, and im getting my first tatto there, i know i know.. i wont be able to go swimming, or take sun, but my question is, what should i do if my (extense) tatto, is gonna be in my lower stomach area (groin) [i know sexy huh?], but really, i mean im not planning on being nude for two weeks! help please!!
thanks for posting the advise..
Ren, I'm unfamiliar with that soap and those ingredients, so I have no idea how they act or what it might do to your tattoo.
Hi Relache, your hub is very informative, great job! I've got a tattoo on my right shoulder blade just a week ago
and now the scabs are peeling, which is pretty normal right? The healing process seems to be going fine but i've
got just one question. Tanning is not recommended for tattoos, but what if it's the other way around? I've been
using this skin lightening soap (with natural bearberry & licorice) which works great on my skin but will it
possibly fade my tattoo? I've stopped using it while my tattoo is healing but i'm planning to use it again and
when I do, I'll just avoid the tattooed area. I've read in one article that skin lightening soap running through
the tattoo during shower is ok but not leaving it on for several minutes. Any advice on this one?
Ralph, I think it's pretty obvious you need to either go back to your tattooist or to your doctor to determine if you are having a reaction or if you've developed on infection. I suggest the doctor, as if it's the latter, you can then get appropriate treatment.
I just got a home made tatoo 3 days ago and I got a R on one tricep and a F on the other.The F is heeling fine but the R still hurts there is a red rash all behind it, it is real bumpy in some spots and weeping. The bumps look red i dont know? the tat i got is all black what should i do?
Hmmm, that is a tricky situation. It would be best for the tattoo for you not to shave your head again until all the scabbing has come off, as that way you have the best chance of not damaging the healing surface. How long that takes will depend somewhat on how fast your head heals from the tattoo process.
just got a head tat when can i shave my head again my hair grows quick
Julie, tattoos appear the darkest when they are freshly-done, as there is still lots of ink in the skin and scab layer. You should never judge the appearance of a healing tattoo: you need to wait until it's fully healed and settled into the skin which takes about two weeks. And really, since tattoos naturally grow lighter over time, it will get lighter on its own if you don't do anything.
So i got a tat last night and i think its way too dark...what can i do durring and after the healing to lighten it?
Judee girl, it could cause problems. The biggest threat is bacterial infection, the next is healing unevenly due to being overwet.
i just got a cover up tat on my lower back...just 5 days ago not realizing 7 days later would be 4th of july! Im debating going to the river??? will this cause major trouble for my tat?
Craig, between the vague-ness of your question and the fact that I cannot see into the future of someone else's life, I have no idea.
Hi im going in for my first tatto on monday.lettering on top of my back.im going on holiday 3 weeks after..ive read your articles.Was wondering if you could tell me if it will be ok
Stella, you'll want to read the section on this hub called "Taking Care of a Tattoo."
hi, i had a tattoo done on me top right boob of a cats paw print its really tiny..its the size of a little finger nail...this was done like 3 days ago ive started to scab a lil but couldnt but help but notice a lil bit of scabbin is almost falling off and underneath there is no ink at all but my flesh, ive kinda put a lil moisterizer to smooth it bk over hoping it will stay stuck down but im scared it will all fall off and i there wont be any tattoo underneath...ive read everything the leaflet they gave me and did everything the intructions said why is this happening?
Chase, homemade tattoos are often poor quality just by the fact that the people who do them have such a poor knowledge of tattoo technique and don't know enough about preventing infection via proper medical sterlization of tools.
i did a homemade tat, and i didnt put any moisturizer on untill today when i read u need to... I did it like 4 days ago and now it scabbed and rose... will my tattoo be ruined
Ashley and Lauren, please read the section on Taking Care Of A Tattoo. Both your questions are covered in that area.
i work as a swimming swimming instructor and i had to go in a day after my tattoo for three hours and the day after that as well for the same amount of time. i was wondering have i troubled the healing process at all and is chlorine bad for the tattoo? moreover, how often would i wash and apply the tattoo cream?
Is it okay to walk on the beach with a foot tattoo that is about a week old? If I don't get it wet in the ocean?
Rodrick, sometimes when someone's skin is really traumatized, some of the ink "heals out." Also, tattoos colors can be effected by people's own skin tones/shades. Once the tattoo finishes healing, go back and see your artist if you need some spots touched-up again.
Cecily, fake tan stuff looks orange, why would you want to put that on anything? I have no experience with tanning creams/ointments/whatever myself, but putting fake tanning solution on a healing tattoo would probably result in a nice infection. From what I've read, putting fake tans over healed tattoos have no effect on them.
Leland, that would all depend on the person, how much weight they gained or lost, the age of their tattoo, the exact placement and how fast the weight change occured. As far as the lower back vs the stomach, that area doesn't change as much or as fast comparatively, which is why it's become a popular spot to get ink. If the weight gain was slow and the person took care of their skin (stayed really hydrated/moisturized), nothing might happen. But extreme and rapid weight gain can damage a tattoo if the skin location is really stressed by the change, but that goes for any location on the body.
Samantha, I've never had someone ask me this question before. I had one of my own wrists tattooed this past December so I'm familiar with having that area tattooed, but to hear you say the design is "stretching" sort of doesn't make sense. All I can think is that your artist made some sort of error in how they tattooed you (either too shallow or too deep). When that happens, the ink molecules can be moved around by the skin's fluid system. I suggest you go back and talk to your tattooist about this.
does anyone have this experience?? i tattooed on last sunday.. and today is the fifth day... the skin dried somehow and some of the dead skin coming off.. and i saw pink colour tattoo instead of red?? i had black/red tattoo... but the red somehow became pink... why is it like this??
Is it okay to put FAKE tan on your new or old tattoos?
hypothetical speaking, what happen to your tattoo on your smotach or lower back if you lost or gain weight? just curious.
LOVE YOUR HUB! (:
i just got a brand new tattoo 2 weeks ago & now its streching. Whats the cause of this? Is it normal?-I havent gain weight & plus the tattoo is on my wrist.
Rik, how much or how heavily people scab can really vary with their own healing and how "heavy-handed" their tattooist was on them. Since the scabs contains bits of lymph fluids, blood and tattoo ink, they do seem very dark and tattoos look lighter when they come off. Some people also react to inks differently and occasionally "heal them out" which can sometimes require a touch-up appointment.
christie, I've not heard of anyone having an adverse tattoo reaction from flying, although new foot tattoos are sometimes bothered by the friction of shoes and socks.
Hi. I had my first tattoo done 12 days ago. It takes up about half of my upper arm. It didn't start scabbing for about 5 days, but has all scabbed now. My concern is, it seems to be scabbing again, even for a third time in some places. Is this normal? The second and third lot of scabbing is not as heavy as the first, but my tattoo seems to be getting a bit lighter each time. Would continuing to use the moisturising gel I was given help, or should I stop that now? (I kinda stopped using that after about a week)
Hi anyone who can answer...I am going on a holiday soon and am wanting to get a tattoo done on my foot while I am over there....will probably get it done a couple of days before I fly home. Will it be safe to fly with this new tattoo?? Is there anything that could happen to it on the flight I should be made aware of.....
Ashlee, you'll have to talk to individual artists to find out what their touch-up policy is and generally you need one if some part of your tattoo doesn't heal up well.
Tiffany, I recommend NO tanning. Not before and definitely not after tattooing. Any tanning will just ruin the art so if tanning is really your thing, I suggest you never get tattooed.
Jessie, you have to go see a doctor or tattoo artist and determine if you are having an adverse reaction to the ink or if it's some sort of infection. Only once you figure out what's happening can a proper treatment be applied...
I have 2 questions. Do ALL tattoo shops give you FREE touch-ups? & How do I know if I need a touch-up or not?
I was curious about bed tanning after getting a tattoo. It would def. be after it was healed, but I was wondering if you know ppl that still tan after.
hey is me Jessie again, will the bubbles go away? id would go to that tattoo artist but is 4 states away from me. i was on vacation & got a tattoo.
Jessie, a bubbly texture can be a sign of an infection or an adverse reaction to the ink itself. I suggest paying a visit back to your tattoo artist so that they are aware of your skin's response.
hello my brand new tattoo has 'bubbles' on top of them. is that good or bad? is there anything to prevent it?
-Jessie.
Jessica, you will want to go talk to a tattoo artist about pricing. Each person sets their rates differently.
First of all, I'd like to say THANK YOU for this article. I've been lazily searching for information on tattoos for quite some time, and this was definitely one of the most helpful pieces I have run across. In addition, thank you for allowing us to ask questions and taking the time to respond. =)
I guess my main question is pricing...I know that it varies on many different factors. But basically, I'm tattoo-dumb and wondered if you could give me any sort of estimate at all whatsoever? I'm wanting a heart...half being a treble clef and the other half a bass clef. It will be solid black...no shading or anything of the sort. I'm also thinking it should just be around 2 inches tall because I'm planning on getting it behind and a little below my ear.
I've never used coconut oil on a tattoo, nor have I ever heard of anyone using it, so I can't personally recommend it.
hey can i use pure coconut oil to get my tatto healed
Rashell, I've seen a few people lose pale colors from just one bad sunburn, or for the tattoo to suddenly really drop in brightness or clarity, but there's no way to predict how much sun exposure an individual gets before their skin art is damaged.
I got a tattoo back in october, and today i just ran out of the house without thinking and didnt put sunblock on. Then i went fishing all day, and i have a pretty nasty sunburn. Will this one-time burn have a noticable effect on my tattoos? or is it just prolonged exposure that damages?
Well, Larry, if you aren't going to make the effort, then your tattoo will just get faded much more quickly over time. When you get something that lasts forever, it means you either take care of it forever, or you don't.
how am i supposed to keep from getting sun on the tat on my forearm?!? i dont wear long sleeves an im not gonna spend the rest of my life puttin on sunblock,
Crystal, well obviously it's not normal to what you've experienced before, but it's not out of the ordinary for tattooing. Tattoos and how they heal can change due to placement on the body (skin textures vary with location), how "heavy-handed" the artist is, and the complexity of the design and shading of the artwork.
I got a tattoo 3 days ago..this is my 7th tattoo so I am pretty familiar with the healing process but this one is healing much differently. It is on my arm and it is getting a really heavy gross looking scab. Its extremely lumpy and think..not like the tattoo's I have had before. They only got a really thin scab on the top of them. This one also seems to be oozing a bit. It looks pretty gross. Is this normal?
Sarah, I have no personal experience with Tattoo Goo. But otherwise your tattoo sounds normal. It's still forming the scab which is why it left the outline on the gauze, the surface is still a bit open.
I got a tattoo 2 days ago. I've had some of the ink heal out. I got it on my stomach near my hipbone and covered it with guaze when I wore jeans last night so that the jeans wouldn't rub the tattoo. When I took the guaze off a few hours later there was a perfect butterfly shape with all of the colors of my tattoo on the guaze. Is that normal? The tattoo still looks fine, but I'm wondering what your suggestion is on what to do when I need to wear jeans...I mean I can't go around wearing sweatpants all the time! I'm also wondering after reading all of the after care instructions if what my tattoo artist gave me is okay to use. I am using Tattoo Goo, and he told me to use it for 5 days 4 times a day. Any experience with Tattoo Goo? Thanks!
Trisha, very detailed work and color shading often involves having the same area tattooed over more than once and it may be that this just creates too much trauma for your skin. Please note, this is me just guessing from you not saying that your first tattoos were detailed with lots color, just these last three. The only other thing I can think is that washing the tattoos so much may be irritating them. After all, new tattoos aren't very happy being wet.
relache says:
6 days ago
Joey, you'll actually have to sit down and talk with a tattoo artist in person so that they can examine the skin. If the scar tissue is still healing, you can't get it tattooed. It needs to be well-established.