ptcruzar

Well I’ll definitely not use Cetaphil again.  Aveeno was also recommended, so was unscented lubriderm.  I use Cerave unscented lotion on it now with no complaints. 

Hey, good question re-scented lotion. 
 

No, I used a new bottle of Cetaphil lotion which was a recommended lotion from the tattooist. I switched to aquaphor a bit after it was stinging.  Then basically let it air dry out once I was on the antibiotic. Just bad luck for me, it healed up nicely though, no scarring or touch ups needed.  

Hmmm, everyone heals differently but if it’s swelling and hot, I’d go to the doctor. 

Considering how awful it looked, it’s healing so nicely now. Time heals all ❤️ Tattoo is 17 days old now. I highly recommend going to the dr right away if you think something weird is going on. 

Good news, the antibiotics are done as of yesterday (7 days of 500 mg Kephlax 3x a day).  Today’s pic is day 10 after the tattoo and day 8 after starting antibiotics).  
 

The tattoo looks like it’ll be ok 🤞🙏 once it got infected I stopped putting anything on it and washed 2x a day, letting it air dry.  I did cover loosely it at night and if it was oozing with nonstick pads.

just sharing in case anyone else had a similar issue. 

19 hours ago, M90 said:

Trying to flesh out an idea I have for my next tattoo but I'm struggling a bit.

I'd like to get something that represents/symbolizes unity, loyalty, family, love. Any single one of those or combination of them.

If anybody could throw out some ideas I'd really appreciate it!

I just had my kid's birth month flowers tattooed on my forearm.  My son was born in November so his flower is a chrysanthemum and my daughter was born in February which are violets.  A guy a know has a tree on his forearm with family members' names tattooed on the trunk.  Pick something you'd like and think how you could use it to represent your family, that's how I came up with the floral idea.  You could also consider the Chinese or regular Zodiac.  My son and husband are both dragons so a dragon was in consideration.  My parent's are apple farmers, on my back I have a blooming branch of apple blossoms with an apple coddling moth that my dad sprays for as it's a pest, lol. 

10 minutes ago, oboogie said:

A tattoo artist can help with you. Go to talk to a good one.

This ^^^ a good artist should be able to design elements to add to your existing tattoo

49 minutes ago, oboogie said:

I wouldn't wrap it when sleeping, either, especially since it isn't weeping anymore. It is looking better for sure.

Oh that’s makes me nervous that I might scratch a puffed up section off because it’s sooo itchy.  I can control myself when I’m awake but asleep all bets are off 😂  

I’m using nonstick pads with that breathable athletic wrap over it really loosely.  Then remove it in the morning in the shower so I don’t pull anything off.  

I wonder if you could add the wolf’s body to the head? Maybe some mountains/trees? 

Day 7 after tattoo

day 5 antibiotics

tattoo is finally starting to dry out and look normalish.  Definitely glad I started the oral antibiotics when I did.  I’m not putting anything on it other than a bandage when I sleep so I don’t accidentally bump or scratch it. There’s still lots of puffy, blistery areas but I can also see some lines flattening out. 

28 minutes ago, SStu said:

I've never seen this before. Imho I'd let it dry heal. 

It's entirely possible it'll end up just fine, too. 

Dry heal would be just to wash it 2x a day and do nothing else right? Just to double check.  Fingers are crossed it heals ok.  

How did this end up healing?  My day 6 tattoo is looking like this, though it's more like blisters then scabs.  Did you put anything on yours. 

Thanks, I appreciate it.  I’ll update in case anyone else goes through something like this. Today is day 6 post tattoo, day 4 of antibiotics and it quit oozing.  I’m not putting anything on it.  Not sure it I should to help it not scar?  The entire tattoo feels tight and fluid filled like a blister.  Still hurts to use my arm. 

Doctor said anytime you have an open wound, you can get an infection.  People can get cellulitis from bug bites.  So the tattoo is basically an open wound and it got infected.  He also said that tattoos on extremities can get more inflamed than on the torso. And that I was dealing with inflammation plus cellulitis. Can't say for sure what caused it (me or the shop). Artist said she followed the same set up as other tattoos and that my tattoo was the first time she's had an issue.  I did follow the artist's aftercare which was different from my other tats.  In that I didn't leave the first bandage on overnight, and used lotion rather than A&D or Aquaphor. The lotion really stung (I used a new bottle of Cetaphil). I'm thinking I just had really bad luck. Or that it was overworked causing the inflammation that set me up for an infection...

I think my healing and edema is due to the cellulitis infection.  Not the ink.  As I have 3 other tattoos and no issues even with red ink.  

Today it's not oozing plasma so I just washed it and am letting it air out without a bandage.  It still looks like it did on day five without oozing plasma.  Very raised and full, puffy lines.  Today is day 4 of antibiotics, I have a 7 day course.  If it doesn't go down more I plan to revisit the doctor in case the infection isn't responding to the meds. 

The artist did say that the lines are "heavily worked."  And that I'll probably not scar but will probably need a touch up.  Which I'm not so sure about at this point considering this reaction I'm having. 

On a positive note, I have a large tat on my back that I was apprehensive about at first, but really love it now, 2 years later.

4 hours ago, EoL said:

I read them all lol. I can possibly PM a picture but I'm so unsure about the tattoo. My biggest concern on top the work itself is how worried I am about the chemicals in the pigments, especially titanium dioxide given my piece has a lot of color and white. Something I never even considered before hand ironically. I feel like I should have went with grey wash if I got anything and I never wanted color originally but after seeing the sketch it seemed to make sense at the time. I suppose it doesn't help this is my second tattoo and it was 9 hours on the ribs.

I understand how you’re feeling, dealing with regret myself though it’s due to my tat being infected and will probably not heal well.  I’m mad I did this to myself. plus mine is on my forearm so it’s very visible and looks so nasty. 
 

however, we can’t go back in time and change things.  So try not to think about the chemicals, everything is made of chemicals anyway doesn’t mean it’s bad.  
 

and if you’re self conscience, just wear a shirt and forget about the tat. 

13 minutes ago, oboogie said:

You're just going to have to wait it out and finish your antibiotics. Sorry that happened to you.

Have you ever seen a day 5 tattoo do

this?  This is my 4th tattoo and I never had an issue.  It sucks this is the first one on my arm for everyone to see. The others can be covered with clothing. 

I haven’t put anything on it other than the nonstick pad the doc said to put on it.  If I let it air dry, it oozes plasma nonstop, starts dripping off my arm even. 
 

honestly, at this point I’m just hoping I don’t get a huge scar. 

So I got my first tattoo that will be visible and I’m on day 5 healing.  I ended up going to the doc on day 3 and was diagnosed with cellulitis.  So I’ve been on antibiotics for 2 full days.  The redness and swelling is going down. 
 

I followed the after care instructions of remove bandage after 4 hours, wash and light lotion (I used cetaphil lotion). 
 

2 days after the tattoo, it started swelling up and oozing plasma like crazy.  I’m just washing it and letting it dry, I’m not putting anything on it other than non-stock bandages which I change out.  These were recommended by my doc because the plasma starts dripping off my arm in minutes.  Tattoo is located on inner forearm.  I’ve never had any issues with my tattoos on my torso. 
 

I’ve tried letting it air dry without a bandage but it leaks so much plasma.  I’ve been in touch with the artist but she seems to be at a loss. 
 

so basically I’m just wondering if anyone’s seen a tattoo like this heal ok? 
 

First pic is fresh, second pic is from is after washing this morning, day five.  I air dried it and it’s still really puffy and oozy.