Hogrider

From what I've seen, more people cause problems by too much care than by too little care.

Every tattoo doesn't heal the same, even on the same person in the same spot. 4 -6 weeks to know what it's going to look like, but where you got it, blow-outs are very common. As @Dan wrote, you can't fix a blow-out.

It takes 4 - 6 weeks for a tattoo to heal. I had one tattoo that had some purple in it and the purple didn't look right for much longer. 8 days in, you can use sunscreen.

I like big bold tattoos, just look at my avatar. The main thing is to find a good tattooer that you can trust, and go with their recommendations.

Too many Tattoo TV shows have people thinking that getting a tattoo is like having someone draw on you. I agree with @SStu 100% Bigger and bolder is better.

A tattoo is never as dark as it is the day you walk out of the shop. It takes 4 -6 weeks to fully heal, so wait until then before you make a decision on what to do next.

You'll know in about a month to six weeks.

Way overthinking it. You have a good tattoo; enjoy it.

If that is a week old and oozing puss and still bleeding I would definitely see a doctor; that is not normal. Also, A&D ointment should NOT burn.

That does NOT look right. I would get to a doctor ASAP.

He's probably not getting the answers that he wants.

It takes at least a month for a tattoo to heal. Be patient and see what it looks like then.

It's a nice tattoo. Whether or not it was a mistake is something only you can answer. I wouldn't recommend finishing the sleeve until you get your head on straight about what you want to do. A full sleeve is a really big commitment. I've never had the tattoo regret thing so I can't really relate.

If the gel hasn't helped in 5 months I think it's safe to stop using it. ;-) I've had good luck with liquid vitamin E, but it's not quick. You have to use it every day for a couple of months. Go see someone that REALLY knows what they are doing. 99% of tattoo fuckups start with not doing your research (drunk, in a hurry, spur of the moment, etc.). Coverups aren't easy, you need a tattoo artist experienced in coverups. This isn't going to be cheap, quick or easy to fix; stop making it worse.

I wouldn't do anything until you come to terms with your tattoo. It's very nice and I've seen a lot of people make things worse, not better when they rush to try to fix something. I've never had tattoo remorse so I can't relate, but you have a really solid piece that will stand the test of time. It's not like you got a monkey humping a football, or something stupid. Even if you don't grow to love it, it's not something you need to be embarrassed about. It's solid work, a solid design and you should wear it proudly.

I have a few lines that raise and itch during really hot and humid weather. What is ignorant about a biopsy? Sounds like you have a good dermatologist. You're lucky they didn't just dismiss your complaints and tell you to laser it off.

I took a long time doing research before I got my first tattoo (years), and after I decided on an artist talked to several people he'd worked on, had to wait three months for my first appointment. I decided to get a sleeve and told him, Japanese style, everything else is up to you. Same with my back, it was originally going to be a Kapala skull, but I showed up the morning of the appointment and he said, "I'm not feeling a Kapala skull, how about an Oni?" The results are in my avatar. I brought him a pic for second sleeve, but he just used some of the elements and for my leg I just said I want a Samuri and Tiger - all the details were left up to him. I'll occasionally make a suggestion, but for the most part, my input is very high level, just the image, all details left up to him.

Being in a hurry is the cause of a lot of bad and regretted tattoos. What's the hurry? Why couldn't you wait a few months? He even said you could come back; it doesn't sound like he was pressuring you. It is wrong to assume the artist would have some variations ready. If you expect something, you should confirm it with your artist; they don't read minds. My artist sometimes has a stencil ready, sometimes draws freehand and sometimes does both. I'm not sure why you would consider going back to this guy. He sounds like a Richard Cranium. There are lots of talented AND nice tattoo artist, take your time and find one. Just my two cents, but I'd step back, take a deep breath and think this through. You are putting something on your skin that will either be there for ever, or will be costly and painful to remove and cover up. Don't rush, do it right the first time. Your skin isn't going anywhere.

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.

The ink goes UNDER the skin. Four days in, you're not going to screw it up by clothing rubbing on it.

I didn't mean to imply that you shouldn't finish what you've got. I wouldn't add water over the lighthouse just for the sake of symmetry. It will limit your choices if you decide to finish the rest of your leg. If your goal is to keep getting tattooed, I'd suggest enjoying each piece as you get it. You'll always be a little 'out of balance' but who cares? You're getting good, solid work and that's the main thing.

Did you dry heal?

Just my opinion but I think you have as good a chance of making it worse as you do of improving it. It's a nice, solid tattoo. I'd finish it and live with it a while before thing about what to do next.

Interesting, but after a while they start to look alike. Waaaay to detailed for a tattoo.

When you have more tattoos than your artist (I'm not there yet).