Jessica08

I've seen plenty online, but my original one was bad. The lines were uneven. One side of the cross was thicker than the other side and some lines thinner than the others. This was only an outline no filling in or anything. Just a horrible tattooer even though he did one on my brother and it turned out good. I didn't do my research. It was a spur of the moment type deals. Still kicking myself over that. Hopefully my coverup will heal to where you cannot see the old underneath.

I think two weeks is a general time frame for being able to safely work tattooed skin. I would wait well past that point before you consider a touch up though. Give it a couple months to fully settle and heal and then evaluate the tattoo again.

Jessica, give it a solid month to heal. Even then the skin will be sensitive...remember, you basically wiped-out a whole big chunk of fairly tender skin, so it's gonna take a bit to heal.

Each state has different laws regarding tattooing, but no state I am aware has a law regarding this issue. Sterilization can be taught in an afternoon, it takes a lot longer to learn how to tattoo, most people probably learned how to scrub tubs and run an autoclave before they ever picked up a machine. It seems so second nature, that I am not saying it wouldn't happen, but there would probably be a few more red flags that jumped out at you concerning the professionalism of a shop that re used equipment.
Even if you are out of supplies, there are always other tattooers in shop to borrow from, or even using a disposable single use plastic tube would be an option, or you run the autoclave and make your client wait. I can understand how people are weird about stuff and always try to make them feel at ease, but if you knew how seriously ever shop I have been in takes it, both for your safety and the tattooers and their families safety, you mind would be at ease.

I think this is a great idea for a forum. The emails and notifications were very straightforward, and I liked the fact that you are actually required to read the rules, etc. I like the countdown clock you had up on the rules. Haha.

I think this is a great idea for a forum. The emails and notifications were very straightforward, and I liked the fact that you are actually required to read the rules, etc. I like the countdown clock you had up on the rules. Haha.

Like everyone said, if you are having any type of skin/healing problem, you need to wait until it is 100% healed. I'm sure you didn't make anything worse. Just wait until that thing is fully healed and then evaluate whether or not you are unhappy with it or still think it looks odd. In my experience, when something gets covered up, the tattoo that got covered stays raised for a bit.
BTW...I really like your dog mousepad!

Sure. Here it is. I'm a little embarrassed to post it because I think the old tattoo looks bad underneath there, but there may not be much I can do about it.

Maybe a nice dog portrait on the other arm just to balance it out...

Ahhhhhhh...never say never! Hear you are, looking around LST, saying it's your last tattoo, and next year this time you'll be entering that sweet full-backpiece in the contest!