Those on the MB with Tattoos, alittle help please?

[Mistress]

Ok so it has been almost one week since I got my Tattoo, it didn't look too bad the first couple of days, red around the edges and swollen, but with where it's at its easy to irritate it by jeans and bending over constantly. I was following the directions the Tattoo place was giving as well, blotting it with warm water for a minute or two about 3-4 times a day as well as applying the bacitracin ointment. Alittle concerned about the tighteness while healing I called the place and they said everything would be ok, that its just from the scabbing and so on..also from the jeans and I could keep a papper towel on it while at work everyonce in awhile to keep clothes from rubbing it when I bend if I wanted but it wasn't needed. SO I did that a few times as well....

But it has been almost a week and now its really scabbing, and looks pretty gross if you ask me. However, it's not that swollen nor tender any more, only whenever I bend, or it tightens in my sleep. I'm still doing what I should, I haven't moved on to putting lotion on it just yet because of the scabbing so I'm keeping with the ointment. Am I doing something wrong? I am a slow healer when it comes to cuts and scrapes, but should it be this scabbed after a week? I have no one on the outside of the computer to ask, so I am asking you all.

Please provide me with a little info and help ease my concern....

I don't wanna fuck it up, considering I'm doing what they said to do, it shouldn't right?

 

[estevie]

It sounds normal to me. It will scab. DON'T scratch it! Keep it moist. Some people heal faster than others. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Bob Peale]

It's been a few years, but I remember mine to be similar. I will say the one thing I did different was keep mine covered with gause (every day when I changed the dressing I had the cutest little cartoon on it )

Washed with warm water, bacitracin everyday. I heal like Wolverine, though, so I'm not the best example (I actually ran a 5 mile race the day after I got mine and the bloody thing got swollen), but my wife's scabbed for 10 days.

If it's just scabbing, I wouldn't worry. If it's still really red and puffy around the edges, have it checked out.

 

[Absoluthoyt]

to avoid itching it slap it best answer i found with mine

 

[Pan718]

Might help...

To take 500 mg of Vitamin C (buffered for your belly) a couple times a day to boost your body's healing response, babe.

(Beaming healing energy rays toward your skin!)

 

[Mistress]

I was just informed by someone that bacitracin since it is like neosporin has more then likely been pulling out the color thinking it's dirt

 

[Pan718]

Surely tattoo parlors would have figured that out and stopped using Bacitracin! I seriously doubt that's the case...

Bacitracin is an anti-biotic ointment... meaning it kills bacteria that could cause infection...

It doesn't have a bleaching agent or 'cleansing' action in the way that hydrogen peroxide does (becauses it bubbles and lifts dirt out of a cut)...

 

[Angel]

It might be pulling the color out. Remember though that most tats leak some color.


I'm talking to my tattoo guy on the phone as I type this. Like I thought when I talked to you, bacitracin is on his list of things he does not recommend putting on a tattoo to heal.

I described the picture you showed me to him. He says it sounds like scabbing. Keep it moist with a thin layer of Aquaphor, so it can still breathe. He says it should be fine, but he hates the whole bacitracin thing.

He also said to be careful with keeping it covered too long so it can breathe but if you're only doing it for work so it doesn't rub it should be fine.

 

[Pan718]

Well I won't argue with your tattoo guy, Angel

 

[Mistress]

Ok so I finally got the Tattoo place to answer the phone and talk to me, the guy that did mine had the day off, so I talked to another. He said not to worry about it if I'm a slow healer it might take up to three weeks to heal and look right. That after the scabs are gone it'll be just fine.

And I said what if it doesnt...he said they would touch it up for free (Ugh that means more needle though lol)
Of course if it comes to that I wont have a way there to get it done again....

 

[Angel]

Well I won't argue with your tattoo guy, Angel

I'll have to assume that all tattoo parlors have different opinions on things. But both places I've been to have always told me to never put any anti-bacterial ointment on a tattoo.

My instructions have always, always been to wash it gently and to apply Aquaphor or some Vaseline Product (I forgot which one, since I Never use it - my tattoo guy gives me a tube of Aquaphor)

The aquaphor will keep it hydrated, and using a thin layer will help it to breathe.

Hell for the one on my stomach I just used plain vaseline and it healed faster than any other tattoo I have.

One thing you might also want to do if you have really dry skin once it heals is to lotion it daily. Dry skin flakes and makes a tattoo look faded fairly quickly.


Hell, I've talked to people online who put Peroxide on their body piercings and tattoos cuz the shop told em to.

 

[Pan718]

A couple of online resources you might read over...

http://starlighttattoo.com forum

or

http://www.timeless-tattoo.com/aftercare.html

How to Care For Your New Tattoo




The life of your tattoo is dependent upon the care it receives within the first few days...
it takes about two weeks to heal, and two more weeks to settle in.

Keep your tattoo bandaged from 2 to 10 hours. Remove gauze and wash tattoo gently with cool, soapy water. Rinse thoroughly, lightly pat dry with a clean towel.


DO NOT re-bandage your tattoo
DO NOT use Vaseline or petroleum jelly
DO NOT use alcohol or peroxide
DO NOT pick or scratch tattoo
DO NOT soak tattoo in tub or shower- get in, get clean, get out!
Stay out of pools, hot tubs, oceans, etc. for two weeks
Keep tattoo out of direct sunlight and/or tanning beds


With clean hands, apply a THIN layer of antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin or Bacitracin 2 to 3 times a day for 4 or 5 days; after that, switch to lotion.


You may instead prefer to use a good fragrance free lotion such as Lubriderm, Jergens or Eucerin. Apply a THIN layer and work in well 5 to 6 times a day for the entire healing process. DO NOT over lubricate your tattoo, however, don't let it dry out, either. Should any seepage occur, gently dab off excess with a clean paper towel.


If a rash occurs (bumps on or around the tattoo as with an allergic reaction) or redness persists, discontinue use and call us for suggestions or product alternatives.

 

[Angel]

Well damn, Pan.


I'll still keep on sticking to what my Tattoo God says. Mine have all healed quickly, cleanly and perfectly so I'll still stay away from the anti-bacs.

 

[Pan718]

This thread is moderated by a medical doctor...

And has a variety of suggestions on how to deal with itching and

http://www.faqs.org/faqs/bodyart/tattoo-faq/part6/

Subject: GENERAL ADVICE FROM A MEDICAL DOCTOR

The contributor for this question is Dr. Kai Kristensen
<tattoodoc@aol.com>, a pathologist recently retired lab director (after
almost 30 years) of an internationally reknown medical center in La
Jolla, California. While his professional expertise is not specifically
in bodyart, Kai is a bodyart enthusiast:

After the session, the best treatment is simply that which one would
give a bad sunburn. For the first few hours (or overnight) leave on the
protective dressing supplied. After removing that dressing, clean gently
with soap and water and apply a thin film of antibiotic ointment
(Bacitracin or any of the triple antibiotic ointments available over the
counter). That can be repeated during the day for comfort and sticky
clothing. The process is repeated the second and third days. After that,
keeing the area clean on a daily basis and (if you wish) lightly
lubricated with some vaseline to minimize crusting also helps minimize
the itch. Plastic surgeons keep wounds clean and moist for least scar
formation. Do not go swimming for the first day or two after tattooing.


COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS WITH NO BASIS IN REALITY:

1. "Vaseline makes a tattoo faded". The ink is underneath the epidermis
and the outer layer of dermis. There's NO WAY that vaseline can get
down through the epidermis to draw out any of the ink.

2. "Swimming makes a tattoo faded". For the same reason as the above,
pool chlorine does not get to the ink to fade it. Common sense
precautions include not swimming in a public pool with a raw sore,
such as a new tattoo while oozing or completely raw. After the first
2 days, the surface over the tattoo is impervious and (from personal
experience as well as science background) it is OK to swim.

 

[Pan718]

Well damn, Pan.

I'll still keep on sticking to what my Tattoo God says. Mine have all healed quickly, cleanly and perfectly so I'll still stay away from the anti-bacs.

Kiss,

Just heppin out my home-girl, Angel! I trust your man and your cute tats, but I wanna get Misty a doctuh's advice!

I'm feelin' extra responsible since I wuz there!


Pan

 

[Angel]

Oh, I know. I'd just honestly never heard from someone that it was okay before.

I dug out my aquaphor to see what was in it.


Active Ingredient : Petrolatum

Other Ingredients : Mineral Oil, Ceresin, Lanolin Alcohol, Panthenol, Glycerin, Bisabolol.


Uh, I have no clue WTF Bisabolol is


But anyway, it's "Daily Therapy" for Cracked dry skin and minor burns"..

I've always used it with no problem, aside from the "Angel" on my belly, because it was so thin we (My tat guy and I) Decided to just go with plain Vaseline.

My cousin is unable to use the Aquaphor though, it made her break out and she ended up using lotion about a week and a half after she got sick of having a pimply tattoo.


I guess it really depends on the experience and the personal preference of each individual artist, but at least she'll know that if what her artist said isn't working for her personally, she's got a shitload of options here.

I can't fucking wait to get my armbands now.

Damn you Misty.

!

 

[Pan718]

Uh, I have no clue WTF Bisabolol is

!

I thought it's what they call baseball in Latin America...

 

[Aphrodisiac]

When I got my tattoo .. it did bleed @ first but just a little & afterwards I simply applied the neosporin & he * tattoo man *told me I should apply some body lotion every other day. He did mention that I should not apply body lotion with fragrance ... just every day body lotion.

I hope this little bit of info. helps you out a little , I read the above posts and they have offered exellent advice.

Feel better.

 

[Wizard]

I have had about 10 tatts on my body so far........neosporin every time..........keep a thin layer of it on it to keep it soft.
As angle said they will bleed out color but much will stay.....
I have never had on scab.....yes don't pick it it will then scar.....(and Loose color) ........keep it clean and neosprin on it....It will be fine..........

 

[Sorsha]

yes what pan718 said.

 

[perks]

I've had a tattoo fuck up and a tattoo work. The first time I used antibiotic ointment..the second time I washed the area 5 times a day with antibacterial soap and the massaged Lubriderm lotion into it. This second one has been scabbing peeling and flaking and now is looking just incredible. I got the second one done on top of the first one, so I thought there might be scarring problems and whatever, but it's beautiful.

Stop using antibiotic ointment.

 

[Chantal Marchon]

Thanks for-Tattoo Care Information

Thanks for the info. I have finally found a picture I want to have done. The problem is I can't have it done right now as I have a public job, at least til my own business picks up.

It is so cool- an oriental dragon that I want on the back of my neck.

I want to get a winged Isis for an armed band- I might do that first.

Anyone know where to find good graphics?

Thanks

 

[kiwiwolf]

Mistress check your PMs...

All you folks who use Petrolatum based products are asking for faded and blotchy tattoos. Vaseline used to be a cure all used extensively on tattoos, and at the time it was cool. todays inks wont handle that crap. They fade and blotch. I have over 115 hours of work on my body so I think I am qualified to offer this advice. All of my tattoos over 15 years old are in the process of being redone because of the fading.

At a tattoo convention/ competition last year I sat in on a lecture on current care procedures. Vaseline, anti-biotics, and constant wetting are among the no-no's. The lecture was delivered by a couple of the UK's best. They know their shit folks.

Use an anti-septic, not antibiotic cream, and as soon as the scab starts drying and flaking change to a Vitamin E cream. Do not wet the tattoo more than necessary. This just stops the tatt from scabbing, which of course is the whole idea. It has to scab to heal. Wash it twice a day, but otherwise leave it the hell alone. Do not cover them after you have removed the initial dressing. You need to have air getting to them to help the healing.

Pan, I'm not knocking you pal but the only thing doctors have ever offered me for my tattoos is advice on how to remove them.

Finally Mistress you might want to consider wearing dresses or other loose clothing for a while. From the position of the tattoo, it looks like jeans and the like will only rub, and this will probably only remove pigment...

Best of luck with it.

 

[Angel]

Kiwi, perhaps the different products artists use are based upon what ink they're using? I have no idea if there is an industry standard for ink or if artist choose whatever ink they prefer.

Your post made me wonder if that just might be the case for such a wide range of suggestions from various tattoo artists.

 

[KillerVanity]

[ARGH, my mouse just freaked out and sent my browser back two windows, so I get to write out my entire reply all over again...]

As a body arts professional, and a body with more than his fair share of modifications, I can tell you that what you were doing was fine. I recommend bacitracin to my customers and use it myself, as your tattoo is basically an open wound that needs to be treated as such. However, it's only good for the first week, and after that you should switch to a moisterizer. I personally use Lupriderm (the kind in the purple bottle, with added sunscreen) and alternate that with hemp body butter from the Body Shop after the healing process is over.

You need to be very careful with the scabs, because if the skin gets too dry they will pull off before their time and pull ink off with it. On the other hand you need to be careful of using too much of whatever substance you use because that could cause fuzziness and bleeding of colors.

Just my 2¢!