scabbing

Hi all, Disturbing problem here. Had a fairly large piece done 4 days ago, mostly outline this time around but flowers were filled in (pink and red). The red, predictably, is scabbing fairly heavily. Damn red. Sucker hurts, too. I had no discomfort from the last piece, but this one is another story. Now my artist and i are sorta minimalist-ish when it comes to aftercare. I apply an incredibly thin, barely there smidgen of A&D ointment twice a day for three days, and then I stop and apply lubriderm on the fourth day and thereafter 2-3 times a day. I am past the A&D period and have just started on the lubriderm. My question is, how do you treat scabbing? Ignore it or lovingly slather with moisturizer, or somewhere in between like i'm doing now? I don't want the scabs to pull chunks of this tat out, even if it isn'f filled in yet. Also, a note to everyone--don't get pierced and tattooed on the same day, especially if you also get a nostril screw changed! Ouch cubed.

If the scabbing is only on the red you are probably having a bit of reaction...since the scabs already exist I reluctantly suggest dry healing...no ointments or lotions and as little water contact as possible...sorry it took so long to answer I must have overlooked your post...TAZ

Thanks so much, I have already been avoiding getting it wet and will stop the lotion on the red.