Devious6

Wow!! Beautiful work!! Welcome to the forum!!!

Welcome!!

Welcome! Any tattoos?

Welcome to the forum! At this point, your pieces have settled in and are continuing to heal. We all heal at different rates and it takes 6 months or so to fully heal. I'm not sure how much moisturizer you are using but it "could" be a reaction to the moisturizer - either using too much or just generally having some allergic reaction to this specific cream. You could try switching the moisturizing cream to another brand, or even cut it out totally now for awhile to see if that helps. In the end, your skin needs air to heal. Of course, the best way to ensure it's not an allergic reaction to the cream - or the ink - is to consult your doctor/dermatologist. I hope you figure it out soon!!

Ummmm....get one.

Welcome!! I know from my own experience that it's easy to be overwhelmed - especially for me since I've only got 2 tattoos. I get fixated on the end state and don't focus on the details. Then I over-analyze it afterwards. Time and experience will overcome that...I hope. You have a beautiful tattoo that is unique to you!

Welcome!!! Very nice work!!

Welcome!

Welcome to the forum!

Beautiful work! Welcome!

Excellent @Dan!!!

And welcome to the forum!

Assuming it isn't infected, it looks like you may be putting too much lotion on it. Your skin is healing an open wound. It need to be kept clean and to have air - both. Just a very light amount of lotion - or none at all for those here who "dry-heal" will serve you better than too much. My skin reacts similarly if I use too much lotion during healing.

Happy Birthday, @Dan!!!!

Welcome! I'm up north of you in northeast PA.

Welcome and congratulations on some nice pieces!!

@Dan I am so very sorry for your loss.

Welcome!!! Post some pics when you can!

Welcome!!!

Welcome to the forum!!! And that is one, awesome tattoo and picture memory!! I'm still a newbie to tattooing - have only two, both last year at age 61. I, too, must admit to enjoying Ink Master! I live in northeast PA - just north of Scranton and only about 25 miles from the home of Ryan Ashley Malarkey.

Welcome to the forum!! I wholly agree with Dan. And, remember that it takes months for a tattoo to fully heal - and no tattoo will ever be perfect. Each is an individual piece of art and each of our bodies reacts differently to the ink, pressure of the needles and the approach of the artist. We all have a tendency to overthink our tattoos - me included. Let this one fully heal and plan for the next!

Welcome! I'm late to the party here so I won't repeat the good advice you already have received. It sounds to me that you might be over-using the Benpanthen - that's what is causing the raised areas. Your skin needs air to breath and heal. Lighten up on the ointment - you should barely be able to see it when you're done applying.

I can't provide any advice, but welcome to the forum!

Welcome!! That's a fantastic piece to start your journey!!!

Welcome - and that is an awesome start!!