Kurgana

@Tiresius so who'd you book in with
i enjoyed checking out the work being done by those tattooers you identified in your original post
i say if you want to get some funky watercolor design then get it
dont worry about 20 years, 10 years - listen - you're only promised today - so go get your tattoo and enjoy it - who knows where your tattoo journey will take you - you may end up becoming attracted to a variety of styles and designs - who knows
good luck - keep us posted
now go get tattooed! 

Some of the visual impact of that tattoo has to do just with knowledge of color theory, i.e. putting complementary colors, like orange and turquoise, next to each other.  But yes, that's a fresh tattoo.  A lot of styles that are popular on the Internet right now (like virtually everything featured on Buzzfeed) really depend upon the tattoos being fresh in the photographs.  We don't know what that tattoo will look like in 10 years; certainly the colors will be much more muted, and some might fade faster than others.  If you look at an actual bound portfolio in a shop, look for healed examples of an artist's work.  I've gone back to local shops a couple times now so that the tattooer can take a photograph of a tattoo that I've healed. The livedinttattoos Instagram account is also great in terms of giving you an idea of the variety of ways a tattoo might age. I do sympathize with anyone who feels like they don't have access to a lot of healed examples of good tattoos in person because virtually nobody I hang out with regularly is interested in tattoos.  Another good option might be to go to a convention; you'll certainly see all kinds of lived-in tattoos there...

Sounds like fun, @sophistre! I also had some serious bug that eventually landed me in the hospital with a drip a few days after getting my much smaller forearm tattoo, but I can't imagine how uncomfortable it must be with a huge one like yours. Hope you'll feel better soon and the tattoo doesn't mind the soaking.

Peeling full back/upper legs tattoo + norovirus = most uncomfortable, sore, itchy bed rest ever.

There comes a point when you're sick when you have to acknowledge that, even though you have a tattoo in the final stages of peeling...you really need to take a hot bath. A few hot baths. Multiple hot baths, so that you don't die of body aches.

I regret nothing.

(And the tattoo seems fine.)

Guys. How about we be kinder and humbler on the newbie threads? This is really tedious and frankly not fun to read at all.

Sorry, buddy but my thought is that you can do better. You found a forum that has a tag line of "Get Good Tattoos". This is a passionate group of people who have invested 1000's of hours in their art and 10's of 1000's of dollars in tattoos. Plus, most folks have tattoos that they regret. You have a great body - put something badass on it. @Rhythm

It seems like something a sorority girl would get. It isn't remotely original or interesting. Just keep thinking and come up with something you really love. Doesn't have to be meaningful, but I promise you it will be better than this.

please think about that tattoo really carefully before getting it, and when you do get one,like was said,go big or go home.

Welcome! One of the first things you'll notice about this group is that lots of us tend towards bigger tattoos. So, I'm going to say go bigger, bolder and on the ribs. Back of the arm is prime real estate...save it for another tattoo. My two cents.

Images are so much more interesting . . .

I can't offer suggestions of where to go since I know nothing about Spain, but I would suggest as far as subject matter, don't get anything related to your dad's health problems. No one (including him) wants to be reminded of that all the time. There's more to him than his condition. Find a positive way to spin it: maybe you want to say that he's brave or strong, in which case a ferocious animal might be the way to go. Maybe you have some fond memories of your dad that could be showcased by something beautiful and delicate like a flower. Maybe you could get an image of something that reminds you of your dad: did he carry a pocket knife, have a favorite hobby, go on family vacations, etc? Think of the good times and stuff that reminds you of him and something will come to you.

so what ? why is that an issue here ? what is the problem with someone asking a question ? what about new members ? or people that don't come here everyday ? I've been here 3 years and have not seen a thread about this topic.even if it has been asked multiple times,new input or reminders or new ideas are always good IMO.

I'm always staring at people's tattoos, I love seeing the awesome work people have. I hope if they have ever noticed me they realise I am staring with interest and appreciation not judgement.

My must haves are a bottle of Powerade or something similar and a packet of mints or tic tacs. I don't usually drink tons during the tattoo (but I do drink like a sponge for 2-3 days prior) to avoid having to take frequent toilet breaks, but sip on the Powerade every time I get the chance. I also bring a chocolate bar for emergency use, although the only time it's actually been eaten during or shortly after the tattoo was when following a 4 hr session on my forearm my friend came in for her first (10-minute) tattoo and promptly fainted :D. She had not eaten anything all day and this was at about 2 pm, so yeah, be sure you eat well before a tattoo!

After having a tough time healing my ribs I decided to give 3M tegaderm a try for the final session on them. I removed the first bandage after about 4 hours then proceeded to clean the area with some soap and warm water. I slept overnight airing it out and then put on the tegaderm in the morning using two pieces, rounding the corners and overlapping them just a tad. I had it on for close to three days and probably would of went another day but I started to smell funky which worried me a little. Once I realized the funk was coming from the tegaderm that's when I decided to take it off. I cleaned the tattoo once again with soap/ water and then went on to apply a minimal amount of lotion once or twice a day. To my surprise only a few spots flaked on me and I had no scabbing. For the most part I completely skipped the flaking phase and had some shiny new skin with close to zero itching. Overall, I was definitely impressed and will give it another try for the next tattoo. 
 

Was part of the design drawn on, or was it all stencil? I've heard it said that sometimes skin reacts like this for some people when they're tattooed over sharpie.

Hey, Courtney. Welcome! Enjoy your journey. Oh, and about the eating thing that @Kurgana mentioned. That's huge. Eat before you go and bring sweets with you.

hi and welcome,like was said,skin tone has nothing at all to do with blowouts,blowouts can happen fro many reasons,but not color or tone of skin,
blowouts can happen from the artist pushing too hard,
it can happen to even the very best artists,
it can happen on certain types of thin skin(like base of front /side of  necks,or soft thin skin anywhere on the body)
it can happen to old guys like me because of age,
it can happen from the artist stretching the skin too much during the tattoo,
but going back to very "pasty" or white-ish skin,that's actually the best skin tone for tattoos.especially color tattoos.
that's also why 50spf is our best friend
and the very best advice we can give you is to carefully choose the right artist.

Nice tigers! Here's a link to mine, by @teidetattoo :
 

I like coconut oil, and i also think if it works, use it. One can overthink things sometimes. Relax and enjoy your itch free tattoo and start planning more

Just a quick follow-up, in the end I had no swelling at all and I just took off the tegaderm since the tattoo was feeling great and I wanted to be able to see it again. Seems like it's ready to peel, no scabbing and no tenderness whatsoever. This has been my easiest heal ever (including two tiny ones with just really thin linework). Definitely not what I expected, but I don't mind lol. 
Sorry for the crap pic, and the 'derm wrinkles! Tattoo is just under three days old.

Ah, yes. Nothing like hot and humid. #boobsweat @oboogie

Be careful not to "over goop". You don't want to keep your skin from breathing, healing and clog yer pores.

c'mon it doesn't it itch that bad !
meh i wouldn't put sunscreen on a fresh tattoo for 2 reasons:
1. sunscreen has a lot of extra chemicals in it that you probably don't want penetrating a healing tattoo. it may fade it out prematurely.
2. wearing sunscreen only encourages putting that fresh tattoo out on display in the summer sun. protect it and keep it covered for at least a couple weeks.
get tattooed in winter and you won't have this problem. 
 

No. She will understand.