The Tig

Flashback, anyone?

I'm with @polliwog, you definitely want to remove the 'derm before the tattoo fully dries out (unless you are able to keep it on until it's gone through the whole peeling stage but I have no idea how you'd be able to estimate that). On my first 'derm heal I removed it at 5 days, if I remember correctly, and boy it was dry/flaky/difficult to get off. Also, from the outside it seemed like the tattoo was cracking but I don't think it was done peeling at that stage. Happily the tattoo healed great.
With my last piece I removed at 2 days and a half - the tattoo had basically dried up over the course of the last day or so but had not started cracking yet. I had applied at 3 hrs from finishing the tattoo but it weeped much less than the previous one for some reason. I think I hit the sweet spot because it was done oozing, not feeling tender either while removing the 'derm or after, and the skin wasn't overly dry. It started to and peel about 2 days later, and has been presentable (no flakes and was able to shave the leg) since day 10.
And guys & gals, do try rounding the corners of your 'derm before applying, it makes a huge difference later on when it tends to roll up and pull off the skin!

My tip for removing Tegaderm which I learned from an ICU nurse: put pressure on the area directly in front of where you will start to remove the bandage then pull directly out (not up). This method seems to work very well so far.
I also found that using smaller pieces with overlapping edges works better than large sheets which have lifted or gotten wonky over three days. I tested this out when I had my right ribs done. For the outline I used smaller pieces patched together and it worked very well. After Mike did the color, I used just a few large sheets that lifted a bit. I guess it may have something to do with the movement in the area but thought I'd share my experience.

Some more work on my arm ...

I've got a few new ones over the last 2 months...
 
Very stoked. Have a cool Japanese yokai tattoo booked for Saturday...

Got a little spider from Dylan Homer at Tattoo Union in Vancouver

 
Also, how do you embed instagram posts? I can't figure that out...

Just got my first tebori from Bunshin Horitoshi. Tosi is a great guy! Highly recommended.
I went with something classic and simple for my first japanese tattoo

Todd Noble did a Percy Waters girl for me and I took a really bad photo of it (sigh).  I love it, though.
 

@The Tig ah you're making me wanna ride
nice bike you got there 
I have some old Kleins (Quantum and Rascal)
finally clipped in last year 
fun fun
got get out of my lazy funk
thanks for the motivation

Tattoos like to ride, too.



 

Tattoos like to ride, too.



 

Tattoos like to ride, too.



 

Tattoos like to ride, too.



 

Tattoos like to ride, too.



 

Tattoos like to ride, too.



 

Tattoos like to ride, too.



 

Tattoos like to ride, too.



 

Tattoos like to ride, too.



 

Tattoos like to ride, too.



 

Tattoos like to ride, too.



 

Started this little fella: 
 

sorry folks these photos are too big, don't know how to resize down, i've been having probs linking urls from the 'gram,
I've got a little choice spot above the skull. i actually think i might blast over the nonsensical skull. who knows what yet.

and here's the wraparound OllieXXX whale in better view:

this is my project for next season (winter) i'm going to tile in some background in and behind the frog...perhaps some overlapping matrix of black and red spider webs. I don't know about the other side (inner thigh), its my last major space for a big tattooo. Something with fire, crazy colours, the weirder the better.

Just a quick follow-up, in the end I had no swelling at all and I just took off the tegaderm since the tattoo was feeling great and I wanted to be able to see it again. Seems like it's ready to peel, no scabbing and no tenderness whatsoever. This has been my easiest heal ever (including two tiny ones with just really thin linework). Definitely not what I expected, but I don't mind lol. 
Sorry for the crap pic, and the 'derm wrinkles! Tattoo is just under three days old.

I find your lack of accountability... revealing.
It is so sad to see someone continually shit all over themselves while blaming everyone else for their situation. Grow up, get over yourself and your angry attitude, and just maybe you will learn that you get what you give.