Dan

this /\ and yes,with a proper application of one of the dermal films,you can do & wear just about anything.

friendly advice, but a touch up on a 2mm tattoo ? in 6 months it's going to look like a couple freckles anyway.

so,just know that tattoos take around 6 months the fully heal if not longer. and also remember that a tattoo will NEVER look the way it did the day it was done EVER again.

so it may be,we burn it everyday here at home.Yes,we are a couple old hippies from the 60's/70's I have been to several shops that burn it and have a mellow gallery vibe.Nice atmosphere IMO.

ok,sorry,but I'm thinking getting infected from incense smoke is a little out there.that's a stretch IMO. I have never heard of infections from incense smoke.I really don't think that's possible.

yes,consider all the good advice,but remember one thing,it's on you,and you are the only one that really matters in the end.

no,as long as it's sealed & was cleaned & applied properly,5,6,7 days would be fine IMO I have done 5 & 6 days before with good success,7 would be fine IMO(speaking from my own experience)

hi and welcome,congrats on finally taking the plunge. fair warning though,it's a real addiction LOL

LOL stop obsessing on the pain ! just go get the tattoo,pain is part of the process ! you are building it up way too much in your head and that will negatively affect your experience. if you are that scared of the pain,don't get the tattoo.

welcome to the forums, where do you live ?

forget the numbing cream ,get the tattoo, you already said it,especially being your first one,feel the pain,embrace it,earn it. make sure you follow a good pre-tattoo preparation. -------------------------------------------------------- here is what I do. sleep good and don't drink alcohol the night before (or the day of), pre-hydrate the day before and day of and while being tattooed,(water or Gatorade) eat a good non greasy healthy meal right before getting tattooed, bring candy (I bring M&M's and Skittles) to eat during the tattoo(the sugar will keep you from passing out),I also bring a banana,beef jerky, and a few cold bottles of water in a little ice chest(no artist has ever minded me doing this,as a matter of fact they have liked it). keeping up body sugars,potassium,and electrolytes will help to keep you feeling good throughout the process , get yourself mentally in a good place.in the days leading up to and during the tattoo. ask for a few 5 min breaks to stand up ,stretch,and get the kinks out. turn the ringer on your phone off this all helps me have a better overall tattoo experience,and the artist will appreciate it too

obessive stuff we think about our tattoos,that happens to me too,as soon as the machine is off,I am thinking of the next one, lol pics yet ?

here is a good pov from a prominent artist. http://timhendricks.com/?p=5944

hands,knees,elbows,neck,ribs,ankles,no big deal for me,but I agree with the butt,and it's the inner thigh for me too.

very nice ! you're lucky to get in with chris ! how long did you wait ?

looks great,I would leave it alone for a while, rethink adding around it in 6 months,IMO it looks good by itself. and it will look like your other tattoos in time too,it just looks like that now because it's new. I'm sure your other tattoos looked bold and dark when they were new too.

I get redness and bruising from Saniderm every time on any spot on my body,it goes away in a week or so,or longer depending on where it is on my body..

this forum is full of a lot of very experienced and knowledgeable tattooed people,there is good advice here. I do agree with you,that tattoo needs some help,a good coverup artist could make that go away.

take it off,wash the tattoo,dry it with a new paper towel, and reapply another sheet of it,the oozing of liquid is totally normal.I usually wait about 20 hours or so to apply the dermal film so all the oozing is done by then.

that is totally normal IMO,I have a lot of tattoos and that happens to me everytime.

it's self adhesive,there is a peel off layer and trust me,it sticks really well,and I already had referenced a thread here at LST in my previous post in this thread,

well,yes,wrapping it will help,put on something like Aquafor or cocoa butter under saran. next time ,something like these dermal films below will solve that problem if you buy it before,I get mine online, unless you can find it locally. like Saniderm or tegaderm , you should be able to find Tegaderm at walgreens,target,or CVS these products are great stuff for healing tattoos IMO,I have used them for a few years now with great success. you leave it on a tattoo for a few days,you can shower and sleep with it on and no hassle. https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/nexcare-tegaderm-waterproof-transparent-dressing/ID=prod361001-product http://www.target.com/s/tegaderm sizes?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google&fndsrc=tgtao&CPNG=Health%2BBeauty_First+Aid&adgroup=Bandage+Wraps&LID=700000001170703p18867092695&LNM=tegaderm+sizes&MT=b&network=g&device=c&location=9032467&gclid=Cj0KEQjwzpfHBRC1iIaL78Ol-eIBEiQAdZPVKoOE6pWGkfIszCWeBFK5SaZhszGKVAlJmV2aNwkWtccaAuF28P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds here is some reading here on it. https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/4431-tegadermsanidermtatuderm-healing-process/ and remember to keep it clean. this is my thigh with Saniderm on it

welcome to the forums AND the addiction Alicia. glad to have you here. that rib piece rocks !

I like getting the first appointment of the day,I like a big healthy breakfast then a 11 am or 12 ish appointment time. that way I'm refreshed with a good night's sleep and good meal and ready to go. then yes @el twe ,it's beers directly after and relax out of the sun the rest of the day. LOL and like @el twe also said,good idea to get it the day before your days off from work.

cool tattoos for sure,who is the artist and shop ?