first tattoo and i'm freaking out!

I got a tattoo a week ago (my first one) on my upper back in between my shoulders. A friend of mine who has tons of tattoos told me all he used was vaseline and neosporin during the healing process. So of course i follow his lead. When i shower i rub soap on the tattoo with my hand and i always keep the neosporin on it. But now i notice a bump in a shaded area of my tattoo. Maybe a boil even? What the hell is up? Do i need to see a doctor or is it part of the process?

I'm not a tattoo professional, but I've read the answer to this question a number of times now. Most t pros say not to use vaseline or neosporin because it causes allergic reactions. Instead, stop using the stuff for a couple of days and let the tattoo dry out. Then, use lubriderm or similar instead. Someone else can comment, but that seems about the most common answer that I've read. Gently clean the tattoo with luke warm water and mild antibacterial soap a couple times a day, and then put on a THIN layer of lubriderm (just a pea sized amount to cover it, not super slimey... Try not to sleep on it at night or let it get stuck to sheets if you can. If it does, pull up the sheets and use some water to get the sheets off - don't pull it. bumps = allergic reaction. A Hope that helps... Dee (not a pro, just an end user :-)

Why did you follow the advice of your friend and not your tattoo artist? I have never heard any reputable artist recommend neosporin or valosine to hal tattoos...

always listen to your artists ,not your friends.