Isotope

Welcome, great story.
Especially the Pinky Yun one.
A 20yo tribal tattoo is just as interesting to me as a flashy fresh piece, if not more. Got some history behind it!
My first tattoos just slightly poked out of t-shirt sleeves. And I thought it was a huge deal. Then I got my forearms and I told my tattooer I was finally ready to jump into the "big stuff" and my guy laughed at me because he put a big dragon on my ribs a few years before. Then after 10 years of tattoos I busted my neck cherry and got the first tattoo that could not be hidden (w/out looking like a jerk in a turtleneck). I got a piece that creeps on my hand a couple months ago and I was hyper conscious, especially in work meetings. Now it's no big deal. I'm getting the other side done at the end of the week. So I'm sure I've got a few weeks of the ugh post-tattoo anxiety comin' haha.
You become VERY aware of your new tattoos when they are visible at first. Then the idea (and ink) settles into the skin, the people around you get used to it and it's just business as usual. No big deal. It's just a tattoo, simple as that.
Perfectly normal and the fun part of the tattoo lifestyle.
Cheers

So I wasn't expecting another large scale piece. But Steve Byrne loved my basic idea, and I DID specifically tell him, apparently, quote "go nuts". 
I am a wreck this morning kids.

Link to video: 
 
 

So I wasn't expecting another large scale piece. But Steve Byrne loved my basic idea, and I DID specifically tell him, apparently, quote "go nuts". 
I am a wreck this morning kids.

Link to video: 
 
 

So I wasn't expecting another large scale piece. But Steve Byrne loved my basic idea, and I DID specifically tell him, apparently, quote "go nuts". 
I am a wreck this morning kids.

Link to video: 
 
 

So I wasn't expecting another large scale piece. But Steve Byrne loved my basic idea, and I DID specifically tell him, apparently, quote "go nuts". 
I am a wreck this morning kids.

Link to video: 
 
 

So I wasn't expecting another large scale piece. But Steve Byrne loved my basic idea, and I DID specifically tell him, apparently, quote "go nuts". 
I am a wreck this morning kids.

Link to video: 
 
 

So I wasn't expecting another large scale piece. But Steve Byrne loved my basic idea, and I DID specifically tell him, apparently, quote "go nuts". 
I am a wreck this morning kids.

Link to video: 
 
 

So I wasn't expecting another large scale piece. But Steve Byrne loved my basic idea, and I DID specifically tell him, apparently, quote "go nuts". 
I am a wreck this morning kids.

Link to video: 
 
 

So I wasn't expecting another large scale piece. But Steve Byrne loved my basic idea, and I DID specifically tell him, apparently, quote "go nuts". 
I am a wreck this morning kids.

Link to video: 
 
 

Wow, that's incredible. Can't wait to see that one finished!

So I wasn't expecting another large scale piece. But Steve Byrne loved my basic idea, and I DID specifically tell him, apparently, quote "go nuts". 
I am a wreck this morning kids.

Link to video: 
 
 

So I wasn't expecting another large scale piece. But Steve Byrne loved my basic idea, and I DID specifically tell him, apparently, quote "go nuts". 
I am a wreck this morning kids.

Link to video: 
 
 

So I wasn't expecting another large scale piece. But Steve Byrne loved my basic idea, and I DID specifically tell him, apparently, quote "go nuts". 
I am a wreck this morning kids.

Link to video: 
 
 

Progress with Chelsea Kotzur... color next. 

Maybe it's just because the back is the back, or that you're tougher than me, but a lot of my backpiece from Dave didn't feel very gentle.  Not that it really matters, because Dave is an incredible tattooer and a great guy, and whatever you get from him is going to turn out fantastic.

Solid black kidneys = only time I have ever puked after a tattoo session. +1 to mentally and physically prepare yourself. Be in a good place that day. 

Solid black kidneys = only time I have ever puked after a tattoo session. +1 to mentally and physically prepare yourself. Be in a good place that day. 

Agreed with the above regarding wrapping or the -derm products.  I've consistently had pretty good heals, not always perfect ones though, rewrapping my tattoos.  I actually didn't wrap a small one I got about six months ago because I was out of Saran Wrap and I figured because it was small it wouldn't be a big deal.  The thing scabbed and healed sort of crappy.  Go figure.
 
Next time you get tattooed talk with your tattooer about it.

you have my empathy.  scabbing has caused me so much anxiety when healing tattoos. have you tried re-wrapping when healing?  i think there is a thread on the topic that has a lot of peoples experiences with re-wrapping. 

i usually just bring the body part thats getting tattooed

Progress with Chelsea Kotzur... color next. 

Progress with Chelsea Kotzur... color next. 

I have very limited experience with the -derm products but I do have a full back's experience with getting a backpiece.
All you need to heal a backpiece is soap, water, time, and patience.

I've followed Kelly for a while and finally got to meet him Saturday at the Houston Tattoo Extravaganza. He had a few hours open and I couldn't pass up the opportunity. He is all that you mention above and very humble. I'll certainly have him create something special for me in the future.
Here's a photo of the very fresh, drawn on hanya he tattooed above my knee. It looks like it will settle in nicely when the grey wash lightens up.

Progress with Chelsea Kotzur... color next.