I am such an idiot! After preaching the importance of proper tattoo care I totally messed up by stopping care too early.
I have been working on a quarter-sleeve and my latest session was only two weeks ago. I am very happy with the results but due to my stupidity I may need to have this gone over again.
I took care to keep my new tattoo moist and wrapped it with plastic wrap religiously for four days. At dawn on the fifth day I went into the shower and noticed that all my color areas were starting to peel. This is usually a sign that the new layer of skin has generated and it is safe to let the tattoo dry. So I washed the tattoo and removed a bunch of dead skin. When I got out of the shower I towel dried the tattoo. At this point I stopped moistening the tattoo, which was a huge mistake!
After two days of not moistening the tattoo I started to notice that some areas had not peeled. Upon closer inspection I realized this was not skin but scabs over much of the black ink areas. I guess they were drilled a bit deeper or thicker possibly. It is now two weeks after my tattoo and the scabs are still hanging on.
There is no way take off scabs without ruining your tattoo. Do not ever try and remove scabs, they must fall off on their own. Be careful not to bump the scabs either as this can remove color.
Next time I get tattooed I will be taking care of it and keeping it moist for a solid week. I should really start t0 follow my own advise.
6 responses so far ↓
1 Jason // Mar 25, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Funny how we often forget what we think is best for others when it comes to ourselves. Whether or not we learn from our mistakes is what matters.
2 Frank pasallo // May 3, 2010 at 11:03 pm
Tattoo are the most ridiculous things you can put on your body. What idiots you people must be.
3 Alex // May 10, 2010 at 9:37 pm
Personally…I totally dislike tats so for me it would be a blessing but I am sorry that you had trouble with yours.
4 Jack // Jun 5, 2010 at 7:59 am
Frank if thats the way you feel , what are you doing here ?
5 dannydarko // May 22, 2012 at 6:26 pm
You aren’t supposed to keep your tattoo moist and wrapped in plastic for 4 days. A few hours after your sitting, take off the bandages and give it a rinse with nice hot water, then pat dry. Over the next week use lotion only when the tattoo is feeling dry. Too much moisture is not good for your tattoo and can cause your colours and ink to run.
Also try to keep it as dry as possible when showering, if it does get wet just pat it dry
6 Alex // Sep 23, 2012 at 6:58 am
Danny has it spot on. Why the hell are people who dislike tattoos on a page about tattooing?
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