Thick scabs in concrete areas (mostly dark/filled).

[BombMaiden]

Hello all.

First, let me say I'm following my artist exact guidelines for tattoo care: Wash 2-3 times a day with natural soap and apply a very thin layer of balm tattoo 3 times a day, a bit more if the tattoo gets too dry. I had many tattoos and never had any problems or thick scabs, also they are "lighter" tattoos with not so much work on and deep filled areas.

My tattoo is doing "well" if we talk about pain, swelling, redness/heat and not green/yellow fluids that indicates infection. However, I have a lot of thick scabs. This was my tattoo day one, I could see some damaged areas already:

 

 

This is day 5:

 

 

As I said, no pain, no fluids, only a bit of heat coming out.. But those thick scabs are driving me crazy, should I just contact my tattoo artist?

Edited February 6, 2019 by BombMaiden

[oboogie]

You're just going to have to get it touched up.

[BombMaiden]

7 hours ago, oboogie said:

You're just going to have to get it touched up.

I'm fine with that, I knew it would be needed, I just want to make sure so many scabs are expected in this kind of tattoo

[Hogrider]

5 hours ago, BombMaiden said:

I'm fine with that, I knew it would be needed, I just want to make sure so many scabs are expected in this kind of tattoo

I've never had a tattoo that looked like that with well over 200 hours in the chair. 

[oboogie]

6 hours ago, BombMaiden said:

I'm fine with that, I knew it would be needed, I just want to make sure so many scabs are expected in this kind of tattoo

It is absolutely not expected. I have only had that happen once, and that was due to an allergy to a particular color or something. I had to get an antibiotic shot, and most of the color fell out.

What is happening to yours isn't normal, and I'm not convinced it isn't infected. 

Edited February 6, 2019 by oboogie

[BombMaiden]

1 hour ago, Hogrider said:

I've never had a tattoo that looked like that with well over 200 hours in the chair. 

 

44 minutes ago, oboogie said:

It is absolutely not expected. I have only had that happen once, and that was due to an allergy to a particular color or something. I had to get an antibiotic shot, and most of the color fell out.

What is happening to yours isn't normal, and I'm not convinced it isn't infected. 

Some of them are going off with soft cleaning without any trouble, color loss or fluids and no pain at all. I visited the tattooer this morning and he said it's probably overwork and no sign of infection, anyway I will be very careful and if I see any sign of infection I will go to the doctor ASAP. 

Edited February 6, 2019 by BombMaiden

[Jay41585]

Need advice-I got this done last Sunday.its been 6 days.most of it is healing except for that one part shown in the picture.I i think it’s infected and just need to get some advice on how to treat a tattoo infection.tattoo done yet.need to finish it.but I’m really concerned for that one part of my arm.thanks in advance.

-Jay

[SStu]

That's not looking so good - but at least part of the result is because the "tattooist" didn't know what he/she was doing, and you were the guinea pig. 

If its red and sore you might have an infection going on under there. I'd recommend going to see a doctor if you haven't already done so. 

[Jay41585]

21 minutes ago, SStu said:

That's not looking so good - but at least part of the result is because the "tattooist" didn't know what he/she was doing, and you were the guinea pig. 

If its red and sore you might have an infection going on under there. I'd recommend going to see a doctor if you haven't already done so. 

Thank you for the feedback.i did go a professional shop the next day and ask.and he said “Just let it scab up and fall off by itself, or if it gets any redder and starts pussing then go get it checked out and get antibiotics”update today.its actually gotten better and it’s not red or hurting.but just to be on the safe side I do have an appointment today to see my doctor and will update later on.i appreciate the feedback and reply.praying it’s nothing serious

[oboogie]

I have had an infected tattoo (bad reaction to a particular color), and they'll just give you some antibiotics, and you'll be fine. Glad you are going to the doctor. That tattoo "artist" really did a number on you. That's awful.

[Jay41585]

1 hour ago, oboogie said:

I have had an infected tattoo (bad reaction to a particular color), and they'll just give you some antibiotics, and you'll be fine. Glad you are going to the doctor. That tattoo "artist" really did a number on you. That's awful.

Thank to thank for the feedback.Ive been to this shop and artist a couple times in the past and this is the first time I’ve ever experienced it.I went to the doctor to have it checked it,but like I said it was getting better and not how it was in the picture.He did recommend antibiotic,keep it elevated and rest.he told me to wait a couple weeks and come back for a follow up.

[ananthu]

Hi jay,

I was browsing and came across the topic. had a similar situation with my tattoo. after yours healed completely, did it look like a tattoo blowout?