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Nice. It's been 7 years since my last one, I guess hitting 30 has made a nervous wreck about this stuff 

Yeah I thoght it might be :) Oh another question, could bumping into furniture etc damage the tattoo at this stage? 

I just removed my second layer of Saniderm. To my surprise there was ink on the bandage when I removed it, I guess that's normal and all, but I couldn't see any fluids under it before I removed it. 

The tattoo looks great, and feels alot more healed now that I had this layer on for 4 days. 5 days since I got tattooed. I can see no scabbing, apart from a small piece of skin sticking out. It's so small that I thought it was dust or something and almost tried to remove it, until I realized that it's probably best to leave it be. Maybe it will scab more later in the healing process, time will show. Applying the Hustle Butter made it feel great, but I the whole area feels a bit.. stiff, in lack of a better word. Kinda like a sunburn that's almost healed. I'm gonna keep applying a thin layer of HB 3 times a day for the next 3-4 weeks or so. 

One thing is for damn sure though, I'm never healing a tattoo the old way again. I've seen the light, Saniderm all the way from now on!

Fingers crossed I won't need any touch-ups! 

You are most welcome, sir!

Hi. Not sure what the name of those styles are, my guess would be dotwork/geometry. 

As far as finding an artist goes; check out Tattoodo, they have a great catalogue over many things, including artists/shops in major cities. There's also an app you can dl to your phone. 

Haha yeah I guess you're right. When I got tattooed on thursday me and the artist was just shooting the shit, and she told me she knew a guy who started tattooing at the ripe age of 35, and he was doing rather well these days. I love stories like that, so inspiring! 

Sorry, won't hijack your thread any more now OP! 

Those are great! I wonder if its ever too late to start drawing? I'm 31, feel like that boat has sailed for me. 

Grats man! Must be nice to be able to lower your shoulders, finally. 

Just as a side-note for anyone thinking about ordering Dermalize or Saniderm. I liked Saniderm better than Dermalize. It was easier to apply and remove, and it feels.. thinner, more natural. My artist also commented on it being easier to apply. Will definetely order some of this stuff for my next trip!

Ok thanks, that's good to hear :) When I woke  up today I noticed the second layer had started to peel in some of the edges (I had to cut smaller sheets to cover the whole area). I was planning on removing it tomorrow, but maybe I'll just leave it on for a few more days then, if it doesn't come off by itself, that is. 

I got tattooed on the 10th, 2 days ago. I had recieved some Dermalize/Saniderm from a local tattoo shop, they cut the pieces and sent them to me free of charge. 

Anyway, my artist let the tattoo bleed for 10-15 minutes, and applied the first layer of Dermalize, and a bit of Saniderm. They are pretty much the same product, so she saw no harm in mixing them. 

I took off this layer when I got back home last night, it had been on for about 27 hours. Peeling it off was a bit awkward, but no damage to the tattoo, and no blood. A little ink and plasma, but that was expected. I washed it with a fragrance free soap, and let it dry. Then I put on some Hustle Butter, but washed it off when I read the instructions given by Dermalize and Saniderm that the tattoo was to be completely dry when applying the next layer. So now I have the second layer of Saniderm on, and I can see no fluids, not much redness, just a few spots here and there. It feels a bit warm from time to time, is that normal? It feels kinda dry, but maybe that's just because of the Saniderm layer? I kinda wanna take it off and start applying Hustle Butter. My artist said I could heal it normally when I got home, or if I liked the film I could apply a second layer like I did. I applied it because the FAQs from Dermalize/Saniderm said that a second layer should be put on and left there for 2-3 days, maximum 6. 

What do you guys recommend doing? Should I take it off if it feels dry, warm etc, and start treating it with Hustle Butter? 

Alot of people are saying tattoos can be empowering, and I can vouch for that. 2 days ago I got almost my whole inner forearm done, and I absolutely love the tattoo. 

I have been somewhat insecure my whole life, worse when I was a kid than now, but it's still lurking in the back of my head from time to time. And I'm already feeling the effect of this piece. I don't necessarily enjoy being the center of attention, but 3-4 times complete strangers have stopped me on the street and complementing me on the tattoo. Which honestly I have to admit, it feels great! Tattoos are a great way to express yourself, but think about the design for a while before you get it inked. Good luck!

I'm one of those who like a good theme. You have some kinda masculine stuff in that piece, snake, tigerhead with a dagger through it etc. How about neutralizing it a bit? First thing I thought was adding some floral or something. 

My tattoo artist sent me the pic she took, and this one I managed to upload. 

So what do you guys think of it? :) 

It's done! The Valkyrie is in place, and I'm totallly in love with it! I tried uploading a pic, but it wouldn't let me. If I can't figure it out I'll post one when I get home tomorrow :)

Just got a mail from her, she's about to start working on the sketch! I can't wait to see what she comes up with :)

You know what they say; if it sounds too good to be true, then chances are it is. 

Life's too short for shit tattoos. 

Good to hear! One thing I keep hearing again and again is the importance of actually seeing pictures of healed tattoos when browsing artists. 

+1 on finding another artist. 

You wouldn't want a lifeguard who can't swim. Bit harsh maybe, but F*** it - forever is a long time. 

Is it normal to get cold feet when the appointment is nearing? Or, I wouldn't say cold feet, I've payed for plane tickets and the hotel, and I've been thinking about this tattoo more or less constantly for about four months. Maybe it's the fact that I already have a tat that I have regretted for a long time? I've been thinking alot about the motive, whether I should add more to it, tone it down a bit etc. I also heard someone call realistic tattoos "5 year tattoos" - will it look faded and like crap 10 years from now? And will the forearm be life-changing? I honestly think it will be nothing but empowering for me, but these thoughts have been screwing with me, haha. 

@Gingerninja: Yeah ofcourse, skin cancer totally sucks, so I'm using a lower SPF on my back. 

Yeah I don't know, I just keep hearing how bad the sun is for a tattoo, and that even the shortest amount of time spent in the sun can damage or fade your tattoos.. just got me like a-ha! :P

The weather has been amazing for the better part of a week now (highly unusual in Norway), so I've gettin' mah tan on, yo. I always smack on SPF 50 on my tattoos, but lately I've been thinking what if I dont apply sunscreen on this tattoo? Wouldn't it be easier to get it removed or covered up if the sun had worked it's "magic" on it for a while first? I know direct sunlight isn't good for our skin in general, so for longer periods in the sun I'd obviously use sunscreen, just not sunblock like I do on the tats I actually like. 

Any inputs, am I missing some vital aspects to purposely fading a tattoo with UV rays? 

Your original tattoo was shit, but this coverup is great if you ask me. However, I do see what you mean about the yellow/orange in the lower flower. It will probably fade to look like your natural skin colour over the years, my guess at least. Then again, tattoos fade, and colourful tattoos probably need touching up more often than black and grey. 

If you want to change the colour of it then that's a perfectly sound solution, but like everyone above said; wait a while. I have a tattoo on my back that I have been insecure about for around 5-6 years now, so I know what it feels like. I know that I'm gonna get it fixed some day, but since it's covered most of the time I'm in no rush. 

Good luck, whatever you decide to do :)

As soon as I read the word "tribal" I got a grin on my face. Had to google polynesian tribals, and they look nice - not your standard 90's tattoo craze. Kinda reminds me of knotwork. 

Good luck! 

It's healing? I'm sure it'll be just fine.