Devious6

I got my first about six months ago...a month shy of my 61st birthday. Got my second last Saturday. After many years of finding excuses not to do it, I finally decided it was time to make it happen. Where do I go from here? I have no clue...but you never know.

It's best to talk with a quality laser removal tech to see what's possible. You can certainly lighten it...and perhaps get it to the point where it can be covered. You'll never get it to the point where you'll have natural skin tone that would permit unconnected individual pieces...but perhaps a competent artist could create a cohesive look of blended designs. The key is to also find a competent artist.
Why do you want to remove this one?

Welcome to the forum. Lots of great people and advice to be had here! Both of mine are in places where they can be covered by short sleeves so I haven't had the same experience. I do have many people who work for me who have visible tattoos...and it has had no impact on how they are perceived at work. Hopefully, your experiences will be the same. As you get more confident, you can always test the waters with friends and trusted colleagues and then expand your "circle" beyond them.

You've already been given several options for advice. Did you try Benadryl as was suggested? If, as your artist suggested, it might be heat related did you try anything that would help eliminate a heat rash? In the end, though, the best course of action is to see your physician at this point and definitively determine what is causing the bumps. 

Welcome to the forum! The key will be to find an artist who can transform your ideas into reality. There are lots of ways to go in finishing a sleeve using the mythology theme  - since your upper arm will have the Heavens at the top and Atlas in between, perhaps the lower arm could be an earth-bound reference? As a retired Army officer, for me the warrior theme is always part of my thought process. What else captures your interest in mythology?
If you indicate where you're from, or willing to travel to, there are some great folks here who might offer suggestions on artists. Scan through the photos and video archives, troll Instagram and you'll find some great ideas.

I believe that there is always room for a new company to emerge if it can capture a market share with a different or better product. And, I try to support US owned companies and products made here when possible.
in terms of my opinion, remember that I am a newbie to the world of tattoos - just have two, both done in the last 7 months. And, I'm at the upper end of your age demographic at 61. That said, here are my thoughts.
Someone needs to begin the process of driving the continued cultural acceptance of tattooing and its recognition as an art form. It seems that most  shirts I see, with few acceptances are black and most designs depict the "darker" images - skulls, zombies, villains, etc. Trying to eek out a new market for similar designs on black shirts with US costs would be tough - not impossible, but tough.
Personally, I'm looking for that new trendsetter. Colors, different and artistic designs and even classics that show the depth and breath of the art form. That is something I would buy. I've got enough black t-shirts...my wife will tell you I have too many. ?
As a retired Army office and now president of a small college, I take every opportunity to show off my tattoos and to break the perceptions of tattoos and people who have them. I wear t-shirts often outside of work so having designs that show the art and artistry of tattooing would be both helpful and refreshing. 
Just my very limited and personal $.02.

Went in for some shading to finish my first tattoo on Tuesday. My artist commented that it had healed really well but that he wanted to touch up a few places where the black tribal lines were not uniformly colored. He did that first, then added the minimal shading around the lines we agreed on. We talked a bit about my "next" piece - my right upper arm probably this fall with the summer pool season coming - and then walked out to the receptionist/cashier. He shook my hand and told me there was no charge, that he saw the shading as part of the original price. I fully expected to pay for that since we didn't discuss it up front - and I gave him a good tip as I left.
Here's a pic taken right after removing the wrap before the first cleaning. I'll post a better one once it's healed - this one shows a lot of red irritation where the gray shading was added. In any case, I am really happy with my first tattoo - it reflects what I wanted and has great symbolism for me. It is also my 61st birthday present from my wife - my birthday is Saturday. Now to plan for the next!

Hey Yamy,
Welcome. Sorry about your surgery. I know all about wanting to cover scars with tattoos. Let me say this...scars can be beautiful. Please don't rush into getting your NECK tattooed. In my experience, you need to give your scar at least a year or more to heal. The longer you wait, the more settled the skin will be. As a result, the better the tattoo will look.
When was your surgery? How big is the scar? I would focus on healing your scar before doing anything, especially on your neck.

Good luck. The community here has a lot of experience (Dan, SStu and Hogrider). If you don't want to take advice from people who have a lot of experience, go forth. I think that you are very likely to end up with a mess. Your skin, your body, your choice. I've been down the laser path for a bad tattoo and glad that I did. I was able to get it lighten enough for a great tattoo. 

Hhhhmmmm, I love the smell of Spam in the morning.
Could it be that there is a clue to the intent behind your post above in the website affiliated with your account???
 

Thank you all. I appreciate the advice and the kind words. I will continue to go through the threads and keep getting tattooed 

Welcome!!

Happy New Year, everyone!!!

Happy New Year, everyone!!!

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year! 

Gingerninja and myself answered that already,
it's too late now to worry about aftercare for that cross on your finger,nothing will help it,it's already mostly healed.
the best advice is to go to a professional shop next time.

I don't want to sound like a dick, but this is why you go to a real, reputable tattoo shop...

you don't want to avoid peeling or pick at it,
most tattoos will 'fall out" on the sides of fingers like that, especially scratcher garage tattoos  like that.
and like was said,peeling is a normal and good part of tattoo healing.Let it peel.

This is going to sound harsh...
So, tattoo's peel - that's part of the healing process.
And never, ever, ever pick at a tattoo. You most likely pulled out the ink. 
Did you get any aftercare instructions? Follow them. 

Wanted to get one more tattoo before the year ended :)
Happy New Year, everyone! 

LOL you make that sound funny,(in a good way)    thanks for that,and merry christmas.

Hahaha....Merry Christmas! @AverageJer

In August we got a puppy. She is some kind of beagle mutt and it's lucky she is so cute because she is the biggest asshole I have ever met. Anyway, she and I would like to wish you all a merry christmas and  happy new year. 

Wow, @JAC1961 - awesome work!!!!

I am spending the holidays with my parents who are in their 80’s. Always nice to visit family. Met a new girl friend a few weeks ago and we having fun. After a trying summer, life is good again. The most interesting thing I did lately was visiting a glass factory with the new girl friend and blowing Christmas ornaments.