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Looks like an allergy to me. I'm allergic to fabric softener, and that is exactly what my skin looks like when I'm exposed to it. That first picture after tattooing where its super red... was it red like that before the artist started their work? Tattooing on top already aggravated skin probably wasn't the best idea, but based on your followup picture it appears to be getting a little better. Try taking a benadryl or something and see if the redness and itching gets better. I've never had a tattoo look like that, and my itching never starts until the peeling phase. Any medical advice you get from a forum could be bogus and likely won't put your mind at ease anyway. I would talk to a doctor to rule anything bad out, and to put your mind at ease.

@shabashe i've mostly heard it called a Borneo star. Here's a starter link for ya! https://tattooartfromtheheart.com/blog/borneo-rosette-our-connection-with-nature-and-our-desire-for-security/

I know this post is now a couple years old, but if by any chance you are still dealing with this, I think I figured it out. I have had this issue since I've had tattoos!!! I have trouble with candida and have always had bumps on the backs of my arms, but I have some that never go away inside healed tattoos and they flare during the summer months. I just tried dandruff shampoo Nizoral for my scalp, and figured I'd try it on my arms and accidentally discovered these bumps magically going away! My tattoos are brighter, almost new looking again too. I think your bumps are yeast spots/candida! It's totally normal, but my guess is postpartum hormones spiked an imbalance/overgrowth for you, which I hope was temporary. If not- try this!

Just wear what you want to wear. My parents don't like my tattoos, either, but I don't hide them intentionally. If they see them, they see them. They know they are part of me, and they love me.

I have several face tattoos, I get abit of oily skin and clean my face with cleansers etc but when I got my face tattooed I would just treat the tattoo like a regular tattoo, as for using the stuff on your face a few days before, maybe just avoid using them in the area you're having it, I had no problem using face cleaners even the day before but I don't know what products you use, after getting it I just cleaned the tattoo as I would a tattoo anywhere else on my body avoiding any face cleaners near it etc, just using mild or antibacterial soap on it & moisturiser, just basically doing the same aftercare for a face tattoo as one on, say, my arm, all of my face tattoos healed pretty quickly, I have 5

Just dropping in a pic of my almost finished Matt Collins full back for the thread. Home stretch now, it’s 90% done just got a few touch ups to go, maybe 29 hours work so far I think? Stoked!

Hey all, Know this thread has been a little sleepy as of late, but just writing to say how much it helped me prep for my first session with Tony Hundahl on my back. Had it a few days ago and I definitely psyched myself out. I traveled from Chicago to Austin so had plenty of time to let my nerves get the best of me. I went in preparing for the worst, and while it was definitely rough, the tips and techniques mentioned in this thread helped immensely. All in all, it was a wild experience unlike any other tattoo I've gotten. Sat for roughly 3 hours and he was able to get the whole outline done. The craziest part for me was that you never really "get used to it" like many other tattoos I've gotten. Every line feels like the first. But in doing so, your mind goes to some crazy places to help get you through it. The "stoke" definitely pulled me through. I finished the session with an incredible high and feeling of confidence that I really wasn't expecting. Such an incredible experience. Anyways, going back in a month to start on the shading, and then hopefully booking a few back to back sessions to really get the ball rolling. Can't (but totally can) wait. -G PS: Tony Hundahl is the man. Can't recommend the dude highly enough. Since I'm traveling, he wasn't able to trace my back, but he still managed to have a stencil that ended up fitting perfectly. Definitely feel like I'm in good hands.