SStu

You don't need lotion. Dry healing works just fine. 

You don't need lotion. Dry healing works just fine. 

Quick update!
I've had 5 removal sessions and I think I'm finally ready to get the cover up. I must say that the time has really flown. And hands down laser removal is way worse than getting inked. But luckily I had a super awesome guy who was an absolute blast to work with. He was very knowledgeable and made the whole experience better than bearable. I actually looked forward to the sessions and will miss his studio!
Here's a rough sketch of what's being considered. This was my artist's original concept before we even talked about removal. So I'm thinking (and hoping) we'll be able to be more flexible with the design. I'm really in love with the look of it though. Any thoughts?

Initially, he talked about still using the old Freddie Mercury in the new design...but I'm thinking something more like stage lights. His suggestion feels a bit too cheesy for me, though I understand why he brought it up as an option. If any one has a suggestion or idea, I'm all ears. Honestly, I'd like to see his head move up slightly (which might be possible after the removal process?). But I've also been told it's good placement as is. 
Regardless, I'm pretty excited. I have an appointment for January.

Yep. Just make sure it doesn't get any redder or hot. Keep it dry. 

Woops, should be fixed. Pasted them in instead of attaching.

Yep, and I've had at least a couple that came out fine after looking worse than that. 

Yep, and I've had at least a couple that came out fine after looking worse than that. 

You can expect to see what it looks like. Tattoos take 4-8 weeks to heal. With a bad scab maybe longer. There is NO way to predict the future. Get it touched up if necessary.

Yes, it will even out. And yes, new tattoos are always more intensely-coloured than settled tattoo.

Almost 4 months later your tattoo shouldn't need any special soap at all. Also shouldn't be reacting differently than any other part of your non-tattooed skin. 

excuse how swollen my arm is haha — i’m so excited to see how this is going to look when it heals 🗡

2-3 weeks isn't entirely abnormal for return visits, but I'd expect that they'd be working on parts of it that haven't been touched yet, and that you'd have at least a 3rd visit some time later to at least touch up older work. 

I’m not a tattoo artist, but given how small that is, I wouldn’t let him start working on it again in less than a month. As to the colors, you can’t judge a half done, unhealed tattoo. I doubt it will ever be as vibrant as that pic.

First, I wouldn't do anything until you've had it for several months. I've seen a lot of tattoos made MUCH worse because people were in a hurry to "fix" them. Second, why would you get a tattoo from someone without much experience? It's usually a recipe for dissatisfaction.
Having said that, I like it and think it looks good. Lots of people have tattoo regret. The vast majority get over it. Wear that tattoo proudly.

sigh

just know that "removal" is a long painful expensive process that does not "remove" ink 100%, and please, a bad tattoo is not the end of the world.
I have some good tattoos, some great tattoos, and some shitty ones, it's all part of the tattoo process, I love all my tattoos though.It's all parts of my life over the years that makes my body a road map of my experiences.

Okay i really appreciate you because i got diagnosed with cellulitis too on my lower left leg on my calf kind of and it was soooo swollen and read and it hurt but i have not put any ointments on it because i air dry tattoos until it’s too dry and then I’ll put a little lubriderm on it. Got it Tuesday went to the doctors Friday and got antibiotics as well. It’s really scarred already but i was adding to my leg sleeve and was my second tattoo with this artist. Fingers are crossed because this shit hurts.

pictures, please. 

Not necessarily, unless you don't want our input on ability. 
Not necessarily "specializes", but you'll definitely need one who is proficient in black-work AND cover-ups. 

What artist?

For me, if the accumulated time in the sun throughout the middle of the day was going to equal more than 30-45 minutes then I'd be applying sunscreen once in the morning and then again early-mid afternoon. It would take literally 30 seconds and I'd feel protected. 

Hey all - it's been a long time!  Between having a baby and surprise global pandemic, I took a 3 year tattoo hiatus.  You can imagine I was very excited to put an end to that extended break this past weekend with this piece by Steve Flores at Spiral Tattoo in Ann Arbor, MI.  Knee ditch butterfly:


 
I was really nervous about how I was going to heal this spot with a toddler running around.  I haven't bent my leg more than 45 degrees in 5 days, so we'll see how it turns out. 😛

Yes, all the metal (titanium) is now sitting on my desk and was removed a while ago. The scare tends to be very sensitive form time to time (depending on weather and temperature).
And I was lucky after the accident, so I gut to surgery fast enough and hat a really skilled surgeon.

For me, if the accumulated time in the sun throughout the middle of the day was going to equal more than 30-45 minutes then I'd be applying sunscreen once in the morning and then again early-mid afternoon. It would take literally 30 seconds and I'd feel protected. 

Well, not that recently, but the idea was "Nah, snow is gone long enough, I'll be fine to go to the train station by bicycle..."