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Hi all, hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and wish you all a happy new year. I still lurk the board from time to time and have had a bunch of work done since my last post over a year ago. Here are some more all done by the same bud; Rasta @ Ink Assassins. Mike.

Today was the big day for my first, wanted to share with you all! Thanks to all who gave me advice earlier it was very helpful! You were right it was an awesome experience! I was in the chair for 6 hours on the nose, 7.5 hours total time. Rocked out to Motorhead wire to wire!

Hi, First post, long time male lurker from Long Beach, California, 43 years young. Love Japanese style/themed and American Trad. -Mike

Chicago is 5 hours one way. I have to do 1-2 hour sittings. Two areas that are in progress

The latest addition, done today. Love it!

My basic aftercare routine: 1) Get home, wash tattoo with warm/hot water and gentle soap (I already buy the cheapest, shittiest soap out there, which is usually good for tattoos ) 2) Pat dry with paper towel, apply a tiny dot of Aquaphor 3) Depending on the time of day: either continue to wash it a couple times a day, or loosely wrap a paper towel/cloth around it to sleep and not destroy my sheets (to remove stuck on paper towel, I hop in the shower and let it wash off, no pulling!) 4) Wash maybe 3-4 times a day for the next couple days, whenever I was sweating or the tattoo starts to feel oozy and gross, maybe another tiny dab of Aquaphor once a day 4) Once scabs and peeling starts happening (around day 3 or 4), I stop doing anything special to it. I only rinse it in the shower like any other part of me (albeit more gently). I apply lotion only when it's so dry and itchy I can't stand it anymore, maybe once every couple days. So yeah, I'm generally pretty low maintenance with mine and only apply lotion for my own comfort. Your body can take care of itself.

My first couple of tattoos I had a very strict and detailed schedule of aftercare. Now with 200+ hours under the needle I am more of a minimalist. I can't help you with the bra strap dilemma, but I just avoid wearing skin tight clothes for the first week. In day 5 I only shower/wash the tattoo once a day and moisturize it with cocoa butter when I get up and when I go to bed. Your body will heal itself unless you really screw up badly.

I'm in the minority I guess, I don't go very crazy with it. I leave the wrap on overnight then usually wash at the beginning and end of the day with a light bar soap, and after it's dry apply A&D. Do that for the first two days, and then start with the lotion. In the past I've had no issues with gold bond with aloe, but I may shop around this time.