Cracking Scab!!! Help Plz

hey guys, i turned 18 last week and had gotten 2 tattoos on the day, one was a black lettering outline on my shoulder/upper arm and the other was a decent size skull with a snake through it that is fairly detailed, the skull is just shaded with black and a little white and the snake was coloured in a dark and light green(thsi tat is on the side of my calf/shin). anyways its been a week now and the black outline on my shoulder has been great, the scab has fallen off and had started falling of a few days ago. But the snake on the other tattoo scabbed up and has stayed scabbed without out sign of being ready to fall off until last nite when i noticed it had started cracking, i have lost a small amout of in ink a few areas and in the cracks the colour looks really really dull, like i have really lost a fuckload of color. i have been moisturising with protat cream 4 times a day as my artist said so i doubt i have cared for it incorrectly. i have gone back to my artist thismorning and he said not to worry about it too much, and that besides he will go over it again when it is healed. I really hope it doesnt come to having to have the snake recoloured because it looks great as it is, has anyone been in the same boat and have any advice or words of wisdom? it really sucks because this snake looked so great with the colouring when it was first done :( Thanks, -Schoey

Ithink I speak for everyone that has ever been tattooed before that yes, we have been there! I've had it happen to me once or twice, and the best advice I can give to you is DON'T PANICK TO SOON! Keep in mind that a tat that is scabbed as bad as you say, Looks like absolute shit during that phase and I have panickes to. Both times that it has happened to me I was in COMPLETE shock when it finally healed. You have to at least give 5 weeks or so after healed to really know if it needs some touchin' up my man. Keep it hydrated and clean and just leave it heal and you'll be surpised at what it looks like when done.I just had my problem a matter of weeks ago and was on this same forum, had scabs a mile thick and mine healed good despite the splitting and concrete scabs falling off, colors nice and bright and held up nice. no touch up needed. Have faith in your body's healing capability

thanks for the encouraging words dude, muchly apprieciated! i really love this tat coz the colouring was so mad on the snake hey, but if you guys have had the same situation and things turned out great i have confidence mine should too. thanks, - Schoey

Send me some pics bro, it probably isn't as bad as ya think!

Dont panic. Mine have all done the same thing. Scabs fall off when they are ready, and all color will fade. It sucks! But it just happens

i sent u the pic of the tat pauly, i just took it then. so from what kinkie says does that mean any colour tat you get has to be touched up? my mates coloured tat seems to look alright and he got it same day? sorry if im annoyin u fellas and askin stupid questions, im new to the tattoo scene, and plan on gettin many more so i guess ill learn from these experiences. thanx -Schoey

hey there everyone heals differently.. i just had a few small scabs on my chest that i left alone and they healed fine enough that i don't need a touch up. If you happen to need one its no big deal the artist shouldn't charge you for a touch up. Also if i was you i would be just as worried. We have all been there with our first scab. I had some pretty bad ones but are now all touched up and look great. Shit happens... best of luck to ya

I hear that bro, I got ALLLLOOOOTTT of ink and I still lose sleep everytime The slightest trace of a scab pops up! No shit, it's true. I lose my mind for 5 days or so until they heal, so don't feel bad bro, like dude said, "we've all been there", it sucks, but that's how she goes