I got my first tattoo just over a week ago. I've always wanted one and finally decided it was time to get a small one on my wrist. I was very very happy with the result:
It's an Unalome, but one I designed myself. It has a few elements that mean something to me. I was very happy the artist did such a great job. But after a few days, I noticed the tattoo was starting to look weird. I took this foto on day 5:
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As you can clearly see, the edges of the tattoo were red and some heavy bruising could be seen around the edges as well. I looked it up on the internet and I read that wasn't really out of the ordinary, so I left it at that. But it became progressively worse... a day later, it looked like this:
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Yesterday (so after 8 days), it looked like this and is why I decided it was time to visit the doctor:
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I went to the doctor's today and they think it's a bacterial infection and I will need antibiotics. I took this picture moments ago (it actually looks better than yesterday):
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I'm a bit bummed out because I'm worried this has totally ruined a beautiful tattoo and that it will look terrible once it has completely healed. I was soooo glad with the result when I just got it...
Well that looks painful. How long did you keep it covered?
I have several now and have never gone through anything like that. My first I used an antibody ointment for the first week and it healed without any issues. The ones after that I was told not to use any medicated ointment and while they did heal it took longer and I don't see any differences.
I had one tattoo that took a long time to heal and I was afraid it was going to scar and have white patches where it had really bad scabs But today it is fine and there was no issue with any of the color.
I did notice that my skin doesn't like white ink and the two tattoos that had white ink it has faded to where you cant see it anymore. They itched really bad for a long time, but are fine today minus the white ink.
Good luck with yours I hope that it sorts itself out.
[This message has been edited by Jake_Dragon (edited 07-08-2020).]
Observationally, it looks to me like the skin directly over the ink has died. And it looks like the skin surrounding the ink is pulling away. It smacks of an immune-system problem with the ink itself.
If I was somebody else, i would seek the advice of a professional.
Dang...looks like some ugly cuts I've had from barbed wire... I only got one tat in 70 years and the guy that did it was adamant I keep it coated in some kind of antiseptic salve for the first 10 days and it came out alright, but they cut right thru it when they did my open heart surgery so you can't even tell what it was now..
From what I've heard, tattoos on the inner wrist or forearm can be a problem because the skin flexes so much in everyday use and the skin is so thin.
I know that of all the cuts and scrapes I've had over the years, the inner wrists are the slowest to heal.
Good luck with it!
[This message has been edited by maryjane (edited 07-08-2020).]
To me, the actual tattoo will be fine once it heals and the scabs are gone.
The concern I see is the expanding redness around the entire tattoo. That could indicate a blood infection. If it continues to expand outward, it could be very serious if not taken care of so antibiotics are the best bet. Redness around the ink lines is normal. A continuous red ring around the entire tattoo that is growing is not normal. Glad the doctor is giving you meds for it.
[This message has been edited by IMSA GT (edited 07-08-2020).]
Were you washing it with a antibacterial soap each day (a couple times a day for the first few days)? Were you using a product like Aquafore each day to moisten the skin and keep it from drying out? Did you use a Tripleantibiotic on it or Bactracin?
[This message has been edited by Khw (edited 07-09-2020).]
Were you washing it with a antibacterial soap each day (a couple times a day for the first few days)? Were you using a product like Aquafore each day to moisten the skin and keep it from drying out? Did you use a Tripleantibiotic on it or Bactracin?
I was told to wash it three times a day with luke warm water, then gently dry it (no rubbing) then apply some moisturizer. I used a special moisturizer for new tattoos.
How old is this picture? It looks very dry. That is one thing all of the artists I dealt with said was to keep it moisturized.
I used A&D Healing Ointment several times a day, would wash a couple of times and every time I went to the restroom then apply more ointment. I did this for the first 2 weeks then I didn't need to wash it as much as the healing was going well but continues with the ointment for 4 weeks. Perhaps that was a long time but they all look pretty good and I only had trouble with one healing and it was on my elbow
As it looks now, this will eventually be just one big scar. It looks like my body is completely rejecting the tattoo. It has come loose at several places now. And I don't mean it's getting dimmer, I'm saying it comes loose as if someone has taken a knife and cut it out of my skin. 😞
Was this a legit, licensed artist/shop? I’m thinking the ink manufacturer would be interested in knowing about this.
Google tells me tattoo rejection is often from the ink not being applied deep or heavy enough. Considering the poor aftercare instructions you got, sounds like an amateur tattoo artist. But Google is guessing lol
[This message has been edited by WBailey1041 (edited 07-25-2020).]
