Leah Posted December 11, 2017 Share Posted December 11, 2017 Hey guys, I'll add a pic later in the thread but I recently got a bicep tattoo, 3 days ago, decent size (a cover-up) and my bi-cep is the size of a ham. I had a similar experience with my forearm. Anyone else experience this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SStu Posted December 11, 2017 Share Posted December 11, 2017 Nope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted December 11, 2017 Share Posted December 11, 2017 1 hour ago, Leah said: Hey guys, I'll add a pic later in the thread but I recently got a bicep tattoo, 3 days ago, decent size (a cover-up) and my bi-cep is the size of a ham. I had a similar experience with my forearm. Anyone else experience this? I have had swelling on my hands, and a little on my bicep along with bruising on my thighs & biceps. take some OTC anti-inflammatory(Ibuprofen or naproxen (Aleve) ) and keep it elevated if you can , it will go away. Leah 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leah Posted December 11, 2017 Author Share Posted December 11, 2017 Thank you. I have a pretty physical job but as soon as I go up I’ll be sure to ice and elevate it. Was curious if anyone else shared my experience. Thank you! Dan 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leah Posted December 11, 2017 Author Share Posted December 11, 2017 I normally swell like this. It’s the oddest thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leah Posted December 11, 2017 Author Share Posted December 11, 2017 For reference, I usually do not have a bi-cep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottyg Posted December 11, 2017 Share Posted December 11, 2017 When I got my calf tattoos my lower legs--especially my ankles and feet--got swollen. It's just how the body works and isn't uncommon. That's what it looks like is happening with your arm. But we're not doctors. If you're worried always go to the doctor. oboogie and Leah 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leah Posted December 11, 2017 Author Share Posted December 11, 2017 (edited) Thank you! I know it’s pretty normal for me to swell this way so I’m not so nervous, more curious about others’ swelling and whether or not they do. Thanks for responding! Cheers. Edited December 11, 2017 by Leah scottyg 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InkIncShow Posted December 12, 2017 Share Posted December 12, 2017 Everyone is going to be different, but in my experience placement matters and I am willing to bet your diet does too. My ditch got super swollen, but I think that was a matter of placement. My bicep didn't at all, but I eat a lot of almonds, ok fine I eat lots of nuts there I said it. Anyway, healthy oils are going to help your body fight inflammation. Plenty of others can cause you to swell more. You could check this article out to get a better idea: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/foods-that-fight-inflammation I get how new age-y and probably asinine I sound, but lets face it, your body is going to react to situations differently depending on what you put inside it. Leah 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leah Posted December 13, 2017 Author Share Posted December 13, 2017 20 hours ago, InkIncShow said: Everyone is going to be different, but in my experience placement matters and I am willing to bet your diet does too. My ditch got super swollen, but I think that was a matter of placement. My bicep didn't at all, but I eat a lot of almonds, ok fine I eat lots of nuts there I said it. Anyway, healthy oils are going to help your body fight inflammation. Plenty of others can cause you to swell more. You could check this article out to get a better idea: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/foods-that-fight-inflammation I get how new age-y and probably asinine I sound, but lets face it, your body is going to react to situations differently depending on what you put inside it. Awesome advice! That doesn’t sound asinine at all, diet is a huge factor in so many other things so why not tattoos? I should eat better that is for sure. The swelling is way down now and I’m starting to peel, I usually start peeling after like 3 or 4 days. Thanks again for the response and the link. Have a nice night! Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hogrider Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 I don't swell much but the more sensitive the skin, the more I swell. After a couple of years of getting tattooed, my artist switched the aftercare to include a soak in a hot tub right after the tattoo and the next day. I not only swell less, but I have much less discomfort. He got it from Filip Leu and I've been using it the last 4 years. Leah 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leah Posted December 13, 2017 Author Share Posted December 13, 2017 Love that! The hot bath idea is great! 💡 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 (edited) 5 hours ago, Hogrider said: I don't swell much but the more sensitive the skin, the more I swell. After a couple of years of getting tattooed, my artist switched the aftercare to include a soak in a hot tub right after the tattoo and the next day. I not only swell less, but I have much less discomfort. He got it from Filip Leu and I've been using it the last 4 years. you submerge a fresh tattoo ? aren't you worried about infection from the tub water ? Edited December 13, 2017 by Dan Leah 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hogrider Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 6 hours ago, Dan said: you submerge a fresh tattoo ? aren't you worried about infection from the tub water ? It's just me in the tub. If it's recommended by Filip Leu, that's good enough for me. I know it's frowned on in the US, but apparently in Japan, it's common practice. I haven't had an issue in four years, so no, I'm not worried. Also, I always take a shower before I get in the tub. I don't see any difference between the tattoos I healed the old way and the tattoos I healed using a bath. Dan and Leah 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oboogie Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 On 12/11/2017 at 2:24 PM, scottyg said: When I got my calf tattoos my lower legs--especially my ankles and feet--got swollen. It's just how the body works and isn't uncommon. That's what it looks like is happening with your arm. But we're not doctors. If you're worried always go to the doctor. Same. Devious6 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 8 hours ago, Hogrider said: It's just me in the tub. well, we all know water inherently has a lot of bacteria in it,(city/local water's acceptable levels) that's the only thing I think about, but if that works for you then great ! Devious6 and oboogie 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devious6 Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 Neither of my upper arms swelled after my tattoos...but we all react differently. Leah 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChoWai Posted December 30, 2018 Share Posted December 30, 2018 Depending on the area I swell quite a bit. For front thigh tattoo, once I got home an hour later my right thigh was clearly a lot bigger than my left, and over the next 3 or 4 days the swelling went down. Also when I got the top part of my forearm tattooed, there was this bulge! But this improved the next day and the swelling did not go on for days like my thigh. My thigh tattoo is now nicely healed and its been 8 days of healing for my arm. (still in progress) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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