Tattoo peeling and scabbing after two weeks, what to do now?

I got a tattoo on my toe two weeks ago this past Saturday. Well, it's been a little of a drama becuase I think I put too much A&D on it and it has blurred and even after two weeks it still looks awful and not like a tattoo looks like. It has scabbed and most of the scabs seem to be coming off. NOW the skin kind of around the tattoo (they were three flowers) is peeling, as in the skin has turned white and looks like it will peel off some time. My tattoo artist had recommended putting A&D for the first two weeks. The last several days I switched to Aveeno twice a day. Since then I researched and I think I kept it too moist and others with tattoos have said I might consider not putting anything at all on it anymore and letting it dry and heal. I have been patient becuase I read that toe tattoos can take longer to heal. Is it not unusual that it is still scabbing a little and peeling now? And should I stop putting anything on it now and let it dry up? Thanks!

Were you putting lotion on and then putting a sock and shoes on or were you keeping it open to air?

Thanks for the question Abel_J. I have been wearing open toe shoes. I didn't put on a shoe with socks until about a week and a half later...and not for very long. It seemed really messed up way before that. Ha ha. I wonder if I should put Aveeno on it? It's all white with dry skin around the flowers. I was wondering if this is a good thing, becuase it looked like the clors had bled out just a little bit, but maybe when this skin shed, the color that bled out will go with it...hopefully! I guess it will take longer to heal, but I am just wondering if I should still put Aveeno on it...

Aveeno is really grainy. I wouldn't use that. Even though it's all natural I really don't like it much. You should use unscented Lubriderm and don't put on too much. Just a thin layer is fine. Honestly, I wouldn't put anything on it right now. Wash it off with soap and water. Don't scrub it, just wash over it lightly and don't pull any scabs or skin off. Pat it dry and let it breathe for an hour or two, then apply your lubriderm in a thin layer. Only put it on 2 or 3 times a day. Don't over-staturate it. Hope this helps. I am giving you this advice assuming the artist didn't do a horrible job and assuming he didn't ink you too deep. Give it a week with this routine, because if it's messed up, it's gonna stay that way until you touch it up (if it's possible).

Thanks so much Abel_j. I don't know if the artist did a bad job or not. It looked beautiful when I left there...but they didn't give me anything on aftercare, just told me to use A&D twice a day for two weeks and no baths, swimming, etc. Realy basic stuff. Didn't tell me about not putting too much A&D on it and maybe staying out of the sun at least the first day. Anyway, thanks for your response!

I cannot believe the number of people I talk to or who post here that were given absolutely NO aftercare instructions. In our shop they are not only given a care sheet ( actually TWO care sheets) and we tell em how to care for their piercings both before AND after the proceedure. What is WRONG with these artists and piercers? Do they not care how their work heals.

Dude, seriously. The last five people who I've run into that have been recently tattooed have come up to me and asked me about caring for it and I always ask them what the artist told them before I give any advice. The shit I have heard is ridiculous. From applying A&D for a month to keeping the tattoo covered with saran-wrap for the whole first week with A&D under it. It's just dumb, if you don't tell people how to care for their tattoos correctly your work is not going to look good no matter how good a job you did. People will pick and scratch if not told otherwise. Whatever, either way, any artist who doesn't give good aftercare tips or let alone doesn't really know what proper aftercare is and makes it up as he goes along, shouldn't be tattooing anyway.