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I can't help but think that you'll set yourself up for another disappointment by getting another "free" tattoo...

These aren't FREE tattoos. You're going to have to pay to have them covered up or lasered off. Take a deep breath and stop. As @Devious6 said, do your research. Shit tattoos are no bargain.

Just put a circle around it and add "Motley Crue"....then you're golden.

Hi i'm new here! Signed up because i'm at a complete lost of what to do about my coverup tattoo that covered up the baby angel (see pic). I love the hibiscus but hate how the peony flower came out. I hate the yellow and I think the peony is positioned weirdly. The yellow represents the inside of the peony. So i'm torn because i'm stuck with a half-loved tattoo and i'm having such a hard time finding examples of tattoos that go along with the hibiscus because it isn't a "realistic" tattoo but it also isn't too cartoonish. 1# question: should I change the yellow to blue OR what other color do you think would match? 2#: Would it be possible to cover it up with something else? (I've ran out of creative ideas) 3# any recommended coverup artists in FL, the USA or Europe?

I have lots of tigers so I really like yours! I guess I just don't see many pictures of women with large scale stomach tattoos. It's always those little underboob things or something across the bottom. It's a nice large open space....I need to start planning something apparently :) Wildcat

just noticed my post above from 5 years ago when it was just a dumb idea in my head haha...

Good to hear! One thing I keep hearing again and again is the importance of actually seeing pictures of healed tattoos when browsing artists.

The key is to research you artist before hand and to be able to clearly articulate your desires and expected outcomes. An artist will always want to have some artistic license or creativity - unless they're working from a stock flash sheet - but it is still YOUR tattoo. Spend some time looking around here at the photos,watch some of the videos, search Instagram for various artists and pieces of work. Do your homework first.

I think it looks like a pentagram, because it is a pentagram...

Slap a dragon head over it.

Thank you guys again for your advice! I really needed the prodding to feel ok about moving on. I had the consult last night which I felt good about and I will trek around to other places recommended on the forums here until I figure out how to make this piece better. Plus I will likely pick up on how to better vet out an artist along the way. I will also be poking around here for fun and learning.

Man. I love that you have such a good heart. I'm glad you are moving on to another artist. Good luck!

Totally my plan.

You're going to wear the result forever. Don't be in a hurry. Save up some $. Go up to Marquette (and/or a couple others) and visit the shop(s). See if they want to tackle such a project and what your options might be. If that were mine, I'd be willing to make 5-10 road trips to make it right. Anything less then a stellar tattooist is likely going to leave you with a bigger problem.

Well, another session; this one was tough: down the left side. Ugh.

If you are worried start with your tattoo artist. Go see them in person and show it to them. First of all, it doesn't look like there is anything wrong with it from the picture. The yellowing areas are probably bruises. Small dots and discharge may be too much moisturizer. Skin popping up and bubbly, I don't know; I can't see it in your picture. It just looks like you have some pretty heavy scabs.

It's very hard to tell from your picture but if it feels warm, is red or has pus then you should go to a doctor immediately - those are signs of an infection. Of course, you should follow the directions of your artist but 5 days of Aquaphor seems a bit much and, if your tattoo is not infected it may just be swelling a bit from over-use of the Aquaphor. By all means, if you have any of the symptoms above, go to a doctor. If not, you may just want to let it dry out for a day or so and then apply a VERY LIGHT coat of a unscented lotion, like Aveeno, several times a day.

I see laser removal in their future.

Welcome to the forum! As Dan said, it looks to be healing normally. Only time will tell on the saturation. It takes months for a tattoo to settle in. I'd suggest you check back with your artist in two or three weeks - he/she will be able to guide you on whether there might be any need for a touch up. And, remember your skin needs air to heal so don't oversaturate the tattoo with lotion - a very light coat of Aveeno or other scent-free lotion will keep it moist and less itchy.

it looks perfectly normal IMO,maybe use a good fragrance free daily lotion like Aveeno,very lightly a couple times a day. otherwise,like I said,looks just fine to me.

So...you all want a tattoo but no one knows of what? Why?

@Emil I saw this and thought how cool it was.

Had my second session a couple of days ago. I was in horrible shape going into this session, with stiches in my head, a concussion and generally fatigued. But "the stoke" pulled med through.

Again,what you need to do is some research. Find a reputable artist, experienced with coverups and see what they can do. Get multiple recommendations from people with good work. I don't know how you found the original artist, but I'm assuming you didn't do your homework.