New Tattoo - Redness Around Lines/Scabbing

[Kade W.]

Hey guys! I’ve had quite a few tattoos, but not many on my forearms. This was partially a touch-up/cover-up (the color parts) and the line work outside (the “frame”) was all done 4 days ago. I see a little redness around this side of the lines and there is slight blowout in some of the parts, though it’s not bad.

I know the blowout is minimal and won’t matter as much when I get the tattoo colored in and finish my sleeve, but the redness sort of concerned me. Does it look like cause for concern to you all? 

Any info on any of this would be appreciated! I’m pretty OCD about my tattoos so I may overthink too much. 

[gtrjunior]

I don’t see anything to worry about there.
I recently got the beginning line work for a sleeve and we started on the forearm. Man, was it red and irritated. Took about a week but it subsided. Just keep it hydrated and you should see improvement in a day or so.

[Kade W.]

Thanks for the quick reply and info! Makes me feel better. How about the blowout around the crab claw and some on the rope? Does that seem minimal and not much to worry about either?

[Kade W.]

Also, I wash with Dial Antibacterial 2-3 times a day, dap with a clean napkin, let air-dry for 5-10 minutes, and put a very thin layer of Lubriderm on 2-3 times a day. Sound sufficient?

[gtrjunior]

You won’t know anything about blowout until it heals.
The day after my last session the line work was 3x wider than when it was done. After it scabbed and came off it was normal. Give it more time.

I typically clean the tattoo twice a day with antibacterial soap and use a thin layer of aquaphor afterwards. Just make sure you aren’t drowning it with moisturizer.

[Kade W.]

Cool. Yeah, I use very little Lubriderm. Just enough to loosen it up a little and hydrate my arm. It’s unscented as well, so I don’t have to worry about irritation. Appreciate you, bud! Thanks again for the info. 

[Kade W.]

I guess another reason I was asking about blowout was because the lines on the other side look a little cleaner, or maybe it’s just my imagination. Could be placement or positioning or whatever, too. 

 

Admittedly, I had just got done peeling from a sunburn on the side of my arm in the first pictures. I mean, it had been 2-3 weeks since I was burned, and it was very lightly, with minimal peeling, so I doubt that affected it too much but I guess there is always a chance. 

 

This pic is the other side of the tattoo.

[Kade W.]

And let my clarify. I had got done peeling just before I got the tattoo. I would never let my new tattoo get sunburned.

[oboogie]

1 hour ago, Kade W. said:

Also, I wash with Dial Antibacterial 2-3 times a day, dap with a clean napkin, let air-dry for 5-10 minutes, and put a very thin layer of Lubriderm on 2-3 times a day. Sound sufficient?

Just keep it clean. Don't but lotion on it.

[Kade W.]

So just deal with it tightening up? I didn’t know if it would heal worse with no sort of lubricant or lotion on it. Is putting lotion on it harmful?

[SStu]

Over lotioning is harmful, but light usage helps some people deal with the healing. I'm about 70% covered, have never used any and all my collection has healed perfectly. 

[Gingerninja]

I use light applications of lotion - my skin is super dry. That being said, you are gonna need to let everything heal for a good four to six weeks. 

[JAC1961]

My way of thinking is it's better to put a little lotion on during the itchy stage than to forget the start scratching at it.

[oboogie]

I slap it when it itches. I don't use lotion to speak of while it is healing. Too many people use too much. I dry heal all the time, and my tattoos all turned out really well.

[Kade W.]

When I do use lotion, I use a very, very small amount evenly. I’m very sparing. I use just enough to hydrate it so it won’t feel so, so, so tight. I have dry skin anyway.