Hogrider

You may not like it but it's not a BAD tattoo. Just my opinion, but the more you screw around with it, the more likely you WILL end up with a bad tattoo. Go big around it and you won't even notice it. I definitely echo @Gingerninja - wait at least a year. It sounds like a long time, but it will pass before you know it.

If you are worried start with your tattoo artist. Go see them in person and show it to them. First of all, it doesn't look like there is anything wrong with it from the picture. The yellowing areas are probably bruises. Small dots and discharge may be too much moisturizer. Skin popping up and bubbly, I don't know; I can't see it in your picture. It just looks like you have some pretty heavy scabs.

What do you think it is supposed to look like? Maybe it's my ancient eyes, but I don't see what's wrong with it. You know tattoos take more than 5 days to heal, right? It looks like it's bumpy because of scabs and I don't see any yellow.

I see laser removal in their future.

If your penis looks like that, go see a doctor. ;-)

My artist always says that just because it hurts is no reason not to get tattooed! just finishing up my leg, as @Gingerninja says, it depends on where on the thigh. Knee ditch and inner thigh were no fun. Working my way up, ass and side next, then on to the ribs.

Has she tried Vitamin E oil? If not, she should try it for a few weeks and see if it helps.

First, if it's a small quote, likely no one notices it but you. Cover it up until you get comfortable. How long did you think about it before you got it? Did you do your homework in choosing an artist? Were you sober when you got it? Does it look good? Can you post a pic?

You might want to try some vitamin E oil. Don't over do it though. Less is better. Once a day for a couple of weeks and see if it helps.

It looks like you have some blowout going on there. The ink is spreading. No way to fix that. I agree with the other people that said leave it alone and see how it looks in a couple of months. And I wouldn't go back to that person again.

Do you have a picture? Was this done in a shop? It's hard to imagine a professional tattoo artist telling you to put vaseline on it for three weeks.

I would advise what everyone else advises, let it dry out. At least a couple of weeks.

More is not always better. ;-) Did you're artist say to put bacitracin on it for a whole month??? I wouldn't be putting anything on it after a month except my normal cocoa butter once every couple of days. A TINY bit of cocoa butter, but for what you have, I'd put nothing on it for a couple of days and you'll probably be fine.

There may come a day when hand tattoos won't limit career choices, but we're not there yet. I have pretty heavy coverage; two sleeves, full back and one leg, but I can cover everything up with pants and a long sleeve shirt. My only comment for people that want to get hand tattoos is to go into it with your eyes wide open. In today's economy, there is no more job security. You may need to switch companies or occupations. Think long and hard. If you decide to do it anyway, go big or go home!

Quit overthinking it. It's a nice piece. Don't ruin it for yourself. My artist told me very early on that if you look at any tattoo long enough you'll find something wrong with it. Enjoy your tattoo, it's a nice tribute to your grandfather.

One tattoo artist's opinion, although certainly a revered artist. Using numbing cream is like buying the Son's of Anarchy vest and going around pretending you're a bad ass; well, maybe not THAT bad. Clearly I'm an old fart, but I get sick of everybody wanting everything to be easy. It's one of the reasons we're raising a generation of pussies; nobody wants to earn anything. I guess I'm more of a Jack Rudy "It's a good thing tattoos hurt" kind of guy - http://www.ocweekly.com/news/jack-rudy-on-tattoos-stigma-and-why-its-good-they-hurt-6459877.

Again,what you need to do is some research. Find a reputable artist, experienced with coverups and see what they can do. Get multiple recommendations from people with good work. I don't know how you found the original artist, but I'm assuming you didn't do your homework.

What you need to do is some research. Find a reputable artist, experienced with coverups and see what they can do. Get multiple recommendations from people with good work. Did you not look at what they were going to tattoo on you before they started????

Take a closer look at his work. IMHO there is very little black/grey contrast, it's very monotone, and some of it is so dense it's hard to read. I think that is what would happen to your drawing if this guy does it. You need some negative space to provide contrast, otherwise it will look like a big blob of ink from 10 feet away.

Not trying to be a snob, but it makes me sad that tradition is lost. What's next, Sedation Tatooery? Here, we'll sedate you and you won't feel a thing.

+1 Not every image is suitable as a tattoo.

I've never been in a shop that burns incense.

You cannot have too many panthers, tigers, Koi, Dragons, Ladyheads, Skulls, etc., etc., etc.

I came to tattoos late in life, but I am definitely of the opinion that you should earn them.

At the ripe old age of 59, and I can hardly believe I'm that old, I can tell you that what people say about regretting the things you didn't do more than the things you did do is 100% true. I don't have many regrets as I try to find the good in all my experiences, but the few I do have are regrets about things I wished I'd done. I was in a motorcycle accident 10 years ago, almost lost my leg, was inconstant pain for about 5 years and was in physical therapy trying to walk without a limp for 7 years on and off. I could cry about that, but my wife at the time asked me for a divorce the week I got home from the hospital and I wound up meeting the love of my life. In my book, even the accident worked out pretty good! Life is all about how you view it.