@Leah3 weeks is still plenty early as far as healing goes, I'd skip the ointment and wait at least 3 more weeks before starting something else...
I meant to update this thread sooner, but here's the latest on my red ink saga:
The benadryl cream didn't do a whole hell of a lot for me, other than some short-term relief. The next suggestion was witch hazel, which I applied probably daily for several months. Things got better, but only to a point. Granted, I was told to have some applied with a tattoo machine and needle to get it under the skin, but topical application seemed to help. I then visited my local shop, got a new tattoo, and asked this artist if he would do as the first artist (who had a guest spot but lives too far away for me to conveniently follow up with, besides the point but still) suggested and actually tattoo the spot with witch hazel. He graciously obliged, which sparked a conversation with another artist who had a client with a similar problem and suggested rubbing vitamin E oil on the red ink.
The witch hazel tattoo helped a lot right away, and once that felt "healed" I began applying vitamin E oil twice a day, then daily, and now every few days. Now, there are still some small spots that are a bit raised/hard, but nothing remotely like it was before. The whole experience has honestly soured my feelings about the tattoo - nothing against the artist or the design, but I can't help but associate it with this 15+ month long healing process...
Sorry for the ramble, and hope it didn't come off as too much of a rant. Tattoos!
This post has just given me ease. I am dealing with an itchy slightly raised pink and red tattoo from 3 weeks ago tomorrow. I stopped in to see my artist yesterday and show her what I was dealing with, and she recommended that I get a witch hazel tattoo to relieve things. Of course I began the spiral that is Google and you're the FIRST person to mention this practice for these symptoms! Fingers crossed I'll have the same luck. Sorry it took you so long to heal!
Red ink healing question
in Tattoo After Care
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This post has just given me ease. I am dealing with an itchy slightly raised pink and red tattoo from 3 weeks ago tomorrow. I stopped in to see my artist yesterday and show her what I was dealing with, and she recommended that I get a witch hazel tattoo to relieve things. Of course I began the spiral that is Google and you're the FIRST person to mention this practice for these symptoms! Fingers crossed I'll have the same luck. Sorry it took you so long to heal!