Healing Process

I just got a tattoo and i am not sure what is going on. It seems to be flaking off and I can't tell if it is just the dead skin on top revealing the tattoo underneath...or if it is flaking off and revealing my pink flesh. I don't want to go to the artist and ask if this is normal. Please help me.

I'm no ink expert, just got 3 tribal works done, but I'd say thats normal. Some people apparently there tats scab (dunno if it's true but my artist told me that), but others heal better and quicker. Like mine instead of scabbing just would get flakey, kinda like I was healing from a really bad sunburn, cept it wouldn't peel big pieces off, just flake tiny pieces off. Anyways, I'd say thats normal and nothing to worry bout.

can i ask why would you NOT want to ask your artist you trust him to ink you,,but you do NOT trust his intelligence on your healling??sounds funny to me.

I agree, the artist who does the tattoo really should be the person to tell you how to heal the tattoo. Though, I guess, there are tattoo artists on this board that can dispence better advice than your average tattoo artist out there. Hopefully you didnt go to an average artist, though.

problem solved....i over reacted..thx everyone

Here is a precise description of the healing process of the skin, related to being tattooed: http://unimaxsupply.com/sitepgs/1healingtext.htm I keep such info, as well as screenshots of my new black ligth tattoo in my journal here: http://tmi.blogs.com/blog/tattoo/ Frank. http://tmi.blogs.com/about.html

What you are going through is a natural process of tatto healing...some people flake more than others. Your tattoo will be just fine.

ok i just got my first tatoo 4 days ago. and i'm wondering whats the best thing to put on it, like lotion, vaseline, etc. i know what my artist told me and thats what ive been doing, but my brother in law went to the same place and hes been using different stuff than me. if anyone can help, id appreciate it

ok i just got my first tatoo 4 days ago. and i'm wondering whats the best thing to put on it, like lotion, vaseline, etc. i know what my artist told me and thats what ive been doing, but my brother in law went to the same place and hes been using different stuff than me. if anyone can help, id appreciate it

Your artist should have told you exactly how your tattoo should be cared for....and that is who to ask...but I will tell you that a good quality Triple antibiotic ointment used very sparingly for two days then Non scented lotion till its healed and sunscreen with an spf of 30 or higher in the sun!

I got a tattoo last monday, they gave me A&D ointment it was a clear jelly type, but when it ran out i asked them and they said pretty much anything that does the same as the a&d ointment so i purchased some petroleum jelly skin protectant and it is doing the same thing. It also helps it from drying out so fast and flaking up

The only problem with vaselin( petroleum jelly) is that it is so thick it can keep the tattoo from getting air wich is essential in the healing process....most pros quit using straight vaseline many years ago.

On this same topic, I have a question for you guys... I'm getting ready to get a sleeve done (first appointment in 3 weeks! Yay!) And I'll definitely be asking my artist the same questions, I just wanted to see what other opinions there are on this... In regards to healing and such, I can't use some of the antibiotic ointments because I have a bad allergy to Neomycin. I also have issue using A&D Ointment because of the fish oil (I'm vegan). I was thinking of using this tea tree oil ointment that I have. It's a base of almond and jojoba oil. After the first few days, I can use Lubriderm with no issue, it's just the antiseptic stuff that I'm concerned about. Any other suggestions on what works well?

http://unimaxsupply.com/sitepgs/1healingtext.htm, this website helped me when it came to the tattoo healing that i just got on my wrist , my husband and i was also afraid of using the potroleum jelly on our tattoos at first for the simple fact it was thought by us to pull the ink away from the skin but this site explains that it has been proven to be untrue, but many ppl still have their own beliefs about that. but in reguards to your allergy, you should consult your tattooist to see which is the best, most will say aslong as it keeps the tattoo from drying out it will be fine, and if you have to use the jelly apply a thin layer to the tattoo so it looks wet not hardly visible from the jelly to much is to much.

Hello.. I just got my 2nd tattoo it will be 2 weeks tomorrow (thursday), and when i got it, and after i took off the bandage, i cleaned it carefully, did everythign they told me to do, and about 2 hrs later, i looked at my tattoo, on my ankle, and on the green leaves, in a spot, it looked like ink was missing, and i went back, and they said, that its to ealier in the healing process, to come back, cuz i thought i would need a touch up, and in some places, the color is darker than others, and such.. would i need a touch up? or will my tattoo get "normal" in a few more weeks? ps.. i got a rose on my ankle w/color