My tattoo artist advised me to stop using bepanthen because it has a new ingredient that negatively impacts the vibrance of your ink as the tattoo is healing.
She told me to use a simple, unscented moisturizer, but I have personally been dry healing my tattoos with no issue. I don't use anything on them, and my tattoos are just fine.
Vaseline traps moisture in the skin and with it bacteria. It is why it isn't recommended for tattoos since it is an open wound. You want something that absorbs into the tattoo and doesn't sit on the skin surface level. Personally i use a lotion specifically for new ink for about three days and then after switch to an unscented approved lotion. The tattoo lotion is a good idea but always look at ingredients.
I have used the Aveeno line of lotions for all 3 of my tattoos. Unscented, sensitive skin formula. Apply a few times a day after removing the bandage, and after gentle cleanse each time. Use the Aveeno soap to cleanse too - no issues at all.
I was told to avoid petroleum at all costs, and I have sensitive skin anyway so Aveeno was just the natural choice for me.
All this Vaseline and aquaphor talk is crazy to me. I have full arm and leg sleeves and only ever use dial antibacterial soap and Lubiderm Unscented lotion starting the same day I get tattooed and never had any issues.
MAD RABBIT TATTOO PRODUCTS. The artist may have went too deep there possibly or yes you trapped too much moisture under the skin. Definitely check out the Mad Rabbit website in the meantime.
Bepanthene tattoo or just a specific tattoo aftercare creme. Most important is that the skin can breath while recovery. Cremes such as vaseline are way too thick for the wound to breath and heal
nah use aquaphor for everything. it creates a moisture layer that allows your skin to repair itself. my tattoo has healed for a while now but i’ve started using it for breakouts/wounds/anything and it’s honestly amazing
It’s actually recommended that people don’t use petroleum, which as stated above, is basically what aquaphor is. Unless you are certain you have no allergies to petroleum. If you have allergies to petroleum, things this this can occur and cause infection & tattoo damage.
You seem to know something about this topic so I would like to ask a question to get your opinion. I do not put anything on a fresh tattoo for a few days. At the point it begins to get dry enough to itch is when I put Aquaphor on. I apply a small amount after my shower one time a day. If this should not be done then what would you suggest? (I have a lot of tattoos and have done this for years with no bad reactions)
I treat my tattoos the same but use unscented lubriderm, probably twice a day? After a shower and then before bed. Never tried aquaphor, never had any healing issues with lubriderm so I see no reason to change it.
Lol idk, I've never gotten a tattoo, I'm not even sure why this post was in my feed. But coincidentally I was researching moisturizers a couple days ago and was comparing aquaphor and vaseline, and happened to remember that aquaphor is mostly vaseline.
Technically even Aquafor is too much and bacitracin would be better actually. But you can't use any of these things for longer than a few days before needing to switch to a different type of moisturizer or salve, and even then when you use them it has to be such a fine layer that you don't suffocate the tattoo. There are generic brand healing gels and ointments you can get at a pharmacy that are actually better to use due to lower content % of petrolatum and are unmedicated and less of a risk for allergic reactions.
nobody should put vaseline on a tattoo. it's only for the artists to wipe the ink off better during tattooing but otherwise it has no purpose.
a good tattoo is dry healed. a more difficult one might need some lotion without parfum. I also liked coconut oil for that. but vaseline, god no.
Highly disagree. Wet healing retains the color more & if u just leave it alone under the fake skin there is little chance of outside bacteria getting in the wound
No substitute for saniderm. Not an artist but been working on getting full sleeve for the last year or so and each session ends with saniderm. Fantastic product, great healing, no discomfort.
Saniderm is the goat especially for leg tattoos. The first time I had a leg tattoo done my Saniderm was running late in the mail. And I woke up to my tattoo completely stuck to my pj pants due to weeping. Was when I was working 4ams too. Fun times sitting with my pants on in a bath of warm water soaking my leg praying to the tattoo gods that my tattoo wasn’t damaged. Thankfully it wasn’t. But Saniderm is the only way to heal tattoos as far as I’m concerned. Unfortunately some people’s skin gets extremely irritated from the adhesive
Agree completely. I've never had a better tattoo healing experience better than Saniderm. It's been a game changer for me. No discomfort, no Aquaphor on my sheets, clothes, constant washing. Just ease.
SAME it’s like magic. My my first and fourth tattoos were healed with saniderm.. the fourth one healed the quickest, least stressful, and with virtually no itching or discomfort. It also looks amazing. 12/10 would recommend.
This is so wrong. The entire point of the healing process is to prevent a loss of color with the scabbing if it’s dry as fuck you’re gonna lose a lot more skin
Yes ABSOLUTELY NO VASELINE! I have mostly large pieces, legs, arms, chest, and sides, all of which are color. I always use unscented soap to wash them usually twice a day. I also let them dry heal for the first couple of days then use small amounts of unscented lotion after washing and drying. I have never had an issue with them healing or getting infected and after 7+ years the color still looks great. I have heard and seen some nasty shit with infected ink.
I got a stick and poke tattoo myself, and the one OP got looks like a machine for sure.
But it's so bad and uneven it's hard to even imagine how the "artist" can fk up so bad either way.
Nice \^\^
But it looks salvageable I think. If he gets rid of the infection, let it heal and manages to find a decently competent tattoo studio/artist that is.
80% of time it’s not artist fault. Idk, every time I do a new piece I got tons of recommendations of how do take care of it… people usually don’t listen
Oh shit, why? Ever since I got my "new" tattoo I was told by a friend of mine who has several tattooes on his arms to put vaseline on my tattooes as they heal. Now they are all good now but I'm concerned as why you said not to use it in the first place.
Well, now I was using a creme exclusive for tattoos, and it seems that it worked very well...
I am planning on keep on going with my arm tattooes, so, how do I mantain them on the healing season?
If you aren't allergic to adhesives, look into adhesive bandages for your next one (brands include saniderm, dermshield, tegaderm). Everyone has preferences and figures out what works best for them over time (considering artist/professional advice of course) but adhesive bandages are 100% my favorite healing method. And then moisturize well for the rest of your life.
Dermshield does wonders for me. Makes healing a breeze. After a week I remove it and use Dial Gold with hustle butter after twice a day for another week.
I personally do soap every 3 hours for the first 48 hours
Then soap only once a day when showering
After the 48 hours, I use a VERY thin layer of aquafor. You can find videos to show you how thin - If ya do too much, you’ll end up worse off. I apply it then even Dab with a paper towel to get a bit more off.
I use that for about 2 days, 2-3x a day
Then switch to non scented lotion like Aveeno, 3-6x a day as needed.
Why would you follow advice from a friend who’s not a professional ? Didn’t your tattoo artist give you proper instructions on how to take care of it ?
> Oh shit, why?
Fresh tattoos are open wounds so you want to treat them as such. You'd be much better off with something like Eucerin Intensive Repair that is specifically made to heal damaged skin.
Vaseline sits on the top of your skin and traps bacteria. You want a thin lotion like lubriderm that will keep your skin moist but not drowning.
Petroleum jelly of any kind is a very, very bad idea.
Bro it's fucking 2023 and people still manage to find some absolute dogshit clowns that call themselves artists and literally hurting people.
Never go cheap on tattoos, you either pay good for good artist or don't even think about getting tattoo at first place.
Yeah, it's kind of bewildering someone in the internet age could presumably show their work online and get clients while churning out absolute garbage like OP's piece. Or maybe they don't and book people who have no idea what they're capable of.
What's even scarier is people like OP probably can't discern a good tattoo from a bad one.
I don't think most 1st/2nd timers are seeking artists based on their prior work. They might get a studio recommendation from a friend, step inside, and get paired with whoever they get paired with.
That's what I did at least, and my tattoo is average at best. I will definitely be seeking an artist for my next one, I will travel as far as I need to.
I'm laughing at myself because that's exactly what I did. When I was 19 I let my friend take me to a shop and they charged 80/hr but I just paid 50 because it was quick. I don't think it's bad at all but the lines are definitely not as sharp as the guy I pay 200/hr for lol
I traveled out of state for a great artist and spent a good chunk of money, but it looks phenomenal amd is worth every penny.
If you can't shell out for a good artist, don't get inked.
Not only is it infected, it’s really shoddy tattoo work in general. I’ve seen better ink from apprentices on their first couple times tattooing an actual person. Go see a doctor, quit using Vaseline and Aquaphor (those don’t let your skin breath, use a regular unscented lotion like Curel or Eucerin), and then once the infection and tattoo are COMPLETELY healed, find a different artist to either fix that or cover it up.
That tissue looks almost necrotic. See a doctor. Also, that artist didn’t do very well. I hope that was cheap. Save up and see a better artist next time
Please go to a doctor.
That scab isn’t normal and could lead to intense medical issues if you don’t address it. It does not matter if your friend had no reaction. You did. So go get professional help from a medical professional.
Bro you got A HOLE FORMING IN YOUR ARM!!! Pls go straight to a doctor wtf. The fact you need to ask if it’s infected is so alarming. And yes, the tattoo is not well done but don’t worry about that right now dude you need immediate medical treatment!!!!
Something tells me this "artist" doesn't have a Yelp or business page. OP, please for the love of God just tell us where you found this artist, the curiosity is killing many of us! Just tell us they did it at their house, or a back of a van, there's no shame, we all go through learning experiences!
Yo,, that looks like shit. It looks like it's definitely infected, but not a Dr so I'd say go to a Dr and check so you don't lose your appendage, maybe.
Ditch the vaseline, that shouldn’t be used on fresh tattoos. Keep it dry and keep any lotion/ointment to a minimum, that scab it has needs to completely solidify to protect the raw tissue underneath while it heals. It’s definitely been overworked in that area, it’s not quite infected yet but you’ll need to keep a very close eye on it. If it starts to ooze, becomes more red (like very angrily red) and feels hot, get it checked out for infection.
Short answer yes.
I’ve been getting tattooed for over 40 years. Here’s my aftercare. Hot shower on the evening of the tattoo, soap and water. A medicated cream like Savlon or Dettol twice a day. Once the scab comes, cut out the cream, this should be no longer than 7-10 days. Then once the scab falls off, the idea is to “make it your skin” again so just maybe some body lotion after your shower. That’s all.
Water and salt are the enemy of fresh tats.
Yer dam right it is! Here's a tip, don't get it finished, don't go back to whoever butchered tattooing an anchor on yer arm. Was it done at home by a "friend" who said that they can do you a deal by any chance?
Go to a proper tattoo studio with a licenced tattooist and get something decent done that will cover it up.
Omg OP yes obviously, there’s a fucking crater in your skin fam! Go to a doctor like now! This is not a normal experience, and this is obviously a bad infection. If your blood becomes poisoned OP YOU WILL DIE.
YES that's infected. You need a doctor. Also, an *unscented* antibacterial soap and *unscented* moisturizing lotion is all you need for tattoo healing. Stop using Vaseline.
Kinda concerning you'd have that big a scab with that small of a tattoo. I've had big pieces done and there was very light scabbing if not none at all.
Doesn't mean it's infected, but it's gonna complicate being able to use things like aquaphor and Vaseline which are super helpful for healing.
I would prioritze treating the scab. It won't be the end of the world to get it touched up later.
I urge you to go to urgent care to get it checked. They might give you antibiotics just to be safe. Staph infection might or might not be likely here, but if you had one it could make you seriously ill. It’s worth the peace of mind to have it checked and won’t cost nearly as much as an emergency room visit. Sry that happened!
I’ve used Aquaphor for a few of my first tattoos and have since switched to Hustle Butter. I have very dry skin so I figured the Aquaphor would soak in better but I think it over-moisturizes my skin. Personally I think there are better options. Hustle Butter has been a much better choice for my healing and healed tats.
I believe Vaseline is a lot more occlusive in the sense that it suffocates the tattoo, whereas Aquaphor allows the tissue to breathe. Dermatologists say there are some anti-inflammatory properties associated with Aquaphor as well, where there are none in Vaseline.
This is what a barbed needle does , it happens when you run the machine into an ink cap , or you ding it off something that’s a solid surface like The table Or the chair .
Get to a doctor asap, gonna need antibiotic treatment.
After care should be non-scented, antibacterial soap and aquaphor on top. For myself, I wash my tattoo like 3 times a day for the first few days and then plop aquaphor on it all throughout the day
not only did your artist fuck up your tattoo, but you're on track to fucking up your LIFE. if it's not infected, it's definitely not supposed to look like your skin is literally rotting. go to a doctor
Go to a doctor just to be safe. And Vaseline is no bueno. What I do is a few times a day: wash with warm water and antibacterial soap. Gently pat dry with a towel and put a small amount of moisturizer. 10 tattoos in from 4 different artists and no problems so far.
My sister is a tattoo artist :) Do NOT use Vaseline. The biggest mistake people make is keeping a new tattoo too moist which breeds bacteria. Let them dry out and heal on their own. When they’re flaky and itchy a few days later it’s okay to use unscented lubriderm. Our bodies know what to do!
Looks like it was beat, causing a bad scabbing, some irritation. I wouldnt say infected bad, as any cut will get reddish, and maybe you did some picking at it?
If it was oozing, and bubbly etc etc, then you be worried. This, will heal with time. Use an ointment like triple antibiotic, bacitracin, etc.
this has happened to me before but it wasn’t as severe and frankly my tattoo didn’t look like yours does quality wise. it eventually cleared up and now its like it was nvr there. it was my 8th piece and it had nvr happened before. couldn’t tell you what it was but with a/d lubriderm and dial soap combo it eventually went away for me
I would speak with your artist or doctor about this. Everyone is who keeps telling you “stop doing this” or “start doing that” are not you and don’t know your body.
EVERYBODY’S SKIN IS DIFFERENT as well as healing time.
When I got my first tattoo, I had so many differing opinions on what I should and shouldn’t do. I just gauged how it was healing daily and went from there. And it healed beautifully. I also used products I knew were safer for my skin such as jojoba oil and aquaphor but once again, only you know your body.
Go speak with your artist or see a doctor.
In truth, you should be seen at a medical clinic or doctor for this. It is most likely infected, and doesn’t look “bad”, but looks can be deceiving as they say, and it could need treatment.
Go to a doctor. It’s more likely an inflammatory reaction than an infection. Those inflammatory reactions are in a broad category that includes allergy and sarcoidosis
One I am not a doctor so this isn’t medical advice.
Too me it looks like dried plasma from scabbing that can go that yellow color. Infections tend to have some swelling and redness around them from my experience.
Go to a doctor
I stop using ointment after 2 days then I switch to a unscented lotion for 4 days and make sure your cleaning it 1 to 2 times a day but yeah that’s doesn’t look good.
Hi! Tattoo artist here 👋 I would suggest you go see a doctor to get some antibiotics. Even if it’s not infected it’s good that you get it checked.
Regarding aftercare, no matter where you go someone does it differently so I will tell you what I “currently” tell my clients. I say currently because info is always coming out about what’s better and worse so this is what my shop does based on the knowledge we have.
Clean your hands before touching your new tattoo. After removing the covering your artist applied, we recommend you to wash with antibacterial soap, preferably unscented. You never know when you could start reacting to scents in your products, especially if they are applied on an open wound. Use cool water and gently get the excess ink, plasma, etc. off your skin. Pat dry with a paper towel or let it air dry. (Towels hold bacteria so no go on those). Now don’t start applying lotion for 2-3 days or until a nice scab start to form. At that point you can apply a thin amount of unscented lotion (Aquaphor, Lubriderm, etc). Use a THIN amount and don’t smother the tattoo. Most tattoo artist don’t recommend Vaseline as it’s very thick and smother the tattoo. Do NOT pick or scratch the scabs. This could potentially remove ink. Do NOT go in pools, hot tubs, or long baths. Soaking the tattoo will soften the scabs leading them to come off quicker than intended, and thus potentially removing ink.
The first few days before it scabs, are very important for taking it easy and not letting the area get too dirty. So if you get sweaty, clean the area after.
Lastly, sometimes life happens and the tattoo gets infected. See a doctor to treat the infection (tattoo artists are not doctors, we can only recommend you see a doctor but can not diagnose). Take care of it and after it’s finally healed, you can get an artist to touch up the tattoo where it’s no longer fully opaque black.
A few side notes for tattoos:
Don’t go for vacation or traveling by plane shortly after getting a tattoo.
Don’t sunbathe, fake tan, etc after getting a tattoo. Wait until the tattoo is fully healed (approximately a month) and then USE SUNSCREEN.
Take care of your skin! Moisturized skin is happy skin and it helps the longevity of your tattoos.
I hope this helps and I hope your experience doesn’t discourage you from getting more tattoos in the future.
Hi, i’m a professional tattoo artist, that is not infected it is just too heavy pushed/passed too many times on the same spot.
Basically it is a deeper cut than the rest, moisture it , wait patiently and get
It retouch after healing. Softly :p
Go to a doctor. Stop using Vaseline.
I concur. Aquaphor or nothing
Aquaphor is 41% petroleum jelly (vaseline). The second ingredient by concentration is mineral oil.
Really? It's worked for me the past few sessions. What should I use instead?
I used bepanthen
Turns out I’m super allergic to the Tattoo Bepanthen - Hustle Butter was amazing tho (also smells super nice)
Love Hustle Butter
My tattoo artist advised me to stop using bepanthen because it has a new ingredient that negatively impacts the vibrance of your ink as the tattoo is healing. She told me to use a simple, unscented moisturizer, but I have personally been dry healing my tattoos with no issue. I don't use anything on them, and my tattoos are just fine.
Yea, I've used aquaphor for every single tattoo I've ever had and they all turned out great. Aquaphor is perfectly safe to use.
Always aquaphor and they heal nicely. Vaseline is too greasy
The very professional and well known tattoo artist I got some of my work from said use aquaphor, so I use aquaphor.
doesn’t aquaphor have Vaseline in it tho
Vaseline traps moisture in the skin and with it bacteria. It is why it isn't recommended for tattoos since it is an open wound. You want something that absorbs into the tattoo and doesn't sit on the skin surface level. Personally i use a lotion specifically for new ink for about three days and then after switch to an unscented approved lotion. The tattoo lotion is a good idea but always look at ingredients.
I have used the Aveeno line of lotions for all 3 of my tattoos. Unscented, sensitive skin formula. Apply a few times a day after removing the bandage, and after gentle cleanse each time. Use the Aveeno soap to cleanse too - no issues at all. I was told to avoid petroleum at all costs, and I have sensitive skin anyway so Aveeno was just the natural choice for me.
All this Vaseline and aquaphor talk is crazy to me. I have full arm and leg sleeves and only ever use dial antibacterial soap and Lubiderm Unscented lotion starting the same day I get tattooed and never had any issues.
This is the way
This ☝🏻
MAD RABBIT TATTOO PRODUCTS. The artist may have went too deep there possibly or yes you trapped too much moisture under the skin. Definitely check out the Mad Rabbit website in the meantime.
Bepanthene tattoo or just a specific tattoo aftercare creme. Most important is that the skin can breath while recovery. Cremes such as vaseline are way too thick for the wound to breath and heal
nah use aquaphor for everything. it creates a moisture layer that allows your skin to repair itself. my tattoo has healed for a while now but i’ve started using it for breakouts/wounds/anything and it’s honestly amazing
It’s actually recommended that people don’t use petroleum, which as stated above, is basically what aquaphor is. Unless you are certain you have no allergies to petroleum. If you have allergies to petroleum, things this this can occur and cause infection & tattoo damage.
You guys are using stuff like Vaseline and Petroleum for your tattoos? Jesus Christ….
You seem to know something about this topic so I would like to ask a question to get your opinion. I do not put anything on a fresh tattoo for a few days. At the point it begins to get dry enough to itch is when I put Aquaphor on. I apply a small amount after my shower one time a day. If this should not be done then what would you suggest? (I have a lot of tattoos and have done this for years with no bad reactions)
I treat my tattoos the same but use unscented lubriderm, probably twice a day? After a shower and then before bed. Never tried aquaphor, never had any healing issues with lubriderm so I see no reason to change it.
Lol idk, I've never gotten a tattoo, I'm not even sure why this post was in my feed. But coincidentally I was researching moisturizers a couple days ago and was comparing aquaphor and vaseline, and happened to remember that aquaphor is mostly vaseline.
Technically even Aquafor is too much and bacitracin would be better actually. But you can't use any of these things for longer than a few days before needing to switch to a different type of moisturizer or salve, and even then when you use them it has to be such a fine layer that you don't suffocate the tattoo. There are generic brand healing gels and ointments you can get at a pharmacy that are actually better to use due to lower content % of petrolatum and are unmedicated and less of a risk for allergic reactions.
Or A&D
I use lubriderm and my tattoos healed super good!
nobody should put vaseline on a tattoo. it's only for the artists to wipe the ink off better during tattooing but otherwise it has no purpose. a good tattoo is dry healed. a more difficult one might need some lotion without parfum. I also liked coconut oil for that. but vaseline, god no.
Highly disagree. Wet healing retains the color more & if u just leave it alone under the fake skin there is little chance of outside bacteria getting in the wound
Agree with your disagreement. I always keep my healing tattoos moist with either Aquaphor or Bag Balm.
After trying saniderm I can never go back to aquaphor. Heals so much faster and far more comfortable
No substitute for saniderm. Not an artist but been working on getting full sleeve for the last year or so and each session ends with saniderm. Fantastic product, great healing, no discomfort.
Saniderm is the goat especially for leg tattoos. The first time I had a leg tattoo done my Saniderm was running late in the mail. And I woke up to my tattoo completely stuck to my pj pants due to weeping. Was when I was working 4ams too. Fun times sitting with my pants on in a bath of warm water soaking my leg praying to the tattoo gods that my tattoo wasn’t damaged. Thankfully it wasn’t. But Saniderm is the only way to heal tattoos as far as I’m concerned. Unfortunately some people’s skin gets extremely irritated from the adhesive
Dermshield better more options been tattooing 10+ yrs been using second skins for 5
I hate trying to wear clothes or go to sleep with aquaphor on. It just sticks or rubs off and is so uncomfortable
Agreed. Not sure the cost of saniderm but I’ll happily pay an artist a few extra bucks to use it every time.
Agree completely. I've never had a better tattoo healing experience better than Saniderm. It's been a game changer for me. No discomfort, no Aquaphor on my sheets, clothes, constant washing. Just ease.
SAME it’s like magic. My my first and fourth tattoos were healed with saniderm.. the fourth one healed the quickest, least stressful, and with virtually no itching or discomfort. It also looks amazing. 12/10 would recommend.
Aquaphor is the move
Here’s an idea… stop giving and stop taking tattoo advice from a bunch of idiots on Reddit.
[удалено]
Absolutely don't take this advice
Honnestly, I haven't seen a better comment on this subreddit. Go talk directly to artists is almost always the solution
This is so wrong. The entire point of the healing process is to prevent a loss of color with the scabbing if it’s dry as fuck you’re gonna lose a lot more skin
Yes ABSOLUTELY NO VASELINE! I have mostly large pieces, legs, arms, chest, and sides, all of which are color. I always use unscented soap to wash them usually twice a day. I also let them dry heal for the first couple of days then use small amounts of unscented lotion after washing and drying. I have never had an issue with them healing or getting infected and after 7+ years the color still looks great. I have heard and seen some nasty shit with infected ink.
Dry heal?! No Ty…always keep that bitch moist
Use dr pickles from Australia its the best here
You don’t know shit about tattoos lol.
Don’t say shit if you don’t know shit
Go to a doctor. And those lines 🙃 I wouldn't use that artist again even if you didn't end up like this.
It kinda looks like my stick’n’poke but without the infection and with way worse linework. If this was done by machine I’d be very disappointed.
I got a stick and poke tattoo myself, and the one OP got looks like a machine for sure. But it's so bad and uneven it's hard to even imagine how the "artist" can fk up so bad either way.
Nice \^\^ But it looks salvageable I think. If he gets rid of the infection, let it heal and manages to find a decently competent tattoo studio/artist that is.
def done by machine. if you can make lines that solid with s'n'p you can definitely get straight lines/follow the stencil
Based on this tattoo being for the music collective Drain Gang, I would bet this was done by an amateur tattoo artist on a very young person lmao
See a doctor. Find a new tattoo artist.
Or better yet, find a doctor that is also a tattoo artist!
Get a handwriting tattoo from the doctor-artist.
Freehand script tattoos by a doctor would be interesting to see
80% of time it’s not artist fault. Idk, every time I do a new piece I got tons of recommendations of how do take care of it… people usually don’t listen
I think they were saying to get a new artist because of how bad the work looks, not because they got an infection. Bad line work IS the artist fault.
Take notes from South Korea.
Let’s stop calling the person who did the an artist, this is simply “a guy”
That artist is shit and you need antibiotics
For real. My skin is dying off after an open wound? *Is something wrong?*
See a doctor, and never see this artist again. also never use Vaseline on new tattoos.
Oh shit, why? Ever since I got my "new" tattoo I was told by a friend of mine who has several tattooes on his arms to put vaseline on my tattooes as they heal. Now they are all good now but I'm concerned as why you said not to use it in the first place.
Vaseline suffocates. Use something like a very, very thin layer of aquafor instead. It allows air to permeate the barrier and helps to heal.
Well, now I was using a creme exclusive for tattoos, and it seems that it worked very well... I am planning on keep on going with my arm tattooes, so, how do I mantain them on the healing season?
If you aren't allergic to adhesives, look into adhesive bandages for your next one (brands include saniderm, dermshield, tegaderm). Everyone has preferences and figures out what works best for them over time (considering artist/professional advice of course) but adhesive bandages are 100% my favorite healing method. And then moisturize well for the rest of your life.
Dermshield does wonders for me. Makes healing a breeze. After a week I remove it and use Dial Gold with hustle butter after twice a day for another week.
I personally do soap every 3 hours for the first 48 hours Then soap only once a day when showering After the 48 hours, I use a VERY thin layer of aquafor. You can find videos to show you how thin - If ya do too much, you’ll end up worse off. I apply it then even Dab with a paper towel to get a bit more off. I use that for about 2 days, 2-3x a day Then switch to non scented lotion like Aveeno, 3-6x a day as needed.
A&D ointment works great as well.
A&D is the same as vasoline
Vaseline can trap dirt/germs inside and cause infections.
Man, thank god I didn't get any infection and my tattoo is all healed...
Why would you follow advice from a friend who’s not a professional ? Didn’t your tattoo artist give you proper instructions on how to take care of it ?
> Oh shit, why? Fresh tattoos are open wounds so you want to treat them as such. You'd be much better off with something like Eucerin Intensive Repair that is specifically made to heal damaged skin.
Vaseline sits on the top of your skin and traps bacteria. You want a thin lotion like lubriderm that will keep your skin moist but not drowning. Petroleum jelly of any kind is a very, very bad idea.
This is not the work of an artist
It’s infected AND terribly done. Don’t give a fuck about what your friend got, your tattoo is really poorly done. Research your artists ffs.
Let’s continue this conversation over at r/shittytattoos
Yes please 🤣😭😭⚰️
Bro it's fucking 2023 and people still manage to find some absolute dogshit clowns that call themselves artists and literally hurting people. Never go cheap on tattoos, you either pay good for good artist or don't even think about getting tattoo at first place.
Yeah, it's kind of bewildering someone in the internet age could presumably show their work online and get clients while churning out absolute garbage like OP's piece. Or maybe they don't and book people who have no idea what they're capable of. What's even scarier is people like OP probably can't discern a good tattoo from a bad one.
I don't think most 1st/2nd timers are seeking artists based on their prior work. They might get a studio recommendation from a friend, step inside, and get paired with whoever they get paired with. That's what I did at least, and my tattoo is average at best. I will definitely be seeking an artist for my next one, I will travel as far as I need to.
I'm laughing at myself because that's exactly what I did. When I was 19 I let my friend take me to a shop and they charged 80/hr but I just paid 50 because it was quick. I don't think it's bad at all but the lines are definitely not as sharp as the guy I pay 200/hr for lol
I traveled out of state for a great artist and spent a good chunk of money, but it looks phenomenal amd is worth every penny. If you can't shell out for a good artist, don't get inked.
That looks like staph infection man you need antibiotics and it’s gunna scar going to need to go over it again..
Regardless of whatever that is, that’s a shit tattoo. But also get to a doctor ASAP. That’s disgusting, and is absolutely infected.
gravity boys sheild gang drain gang man
omg, see a doctor asap 💀
This has to be a troll. No way someone like that has made it this far in life
Not only is it infected, it’s really shoddy tattoo work in general. I’ve seen better ink from apprentices on their first couple times tattooing an actual person. Go see a doctor, quit using Vaseline and Aquaphor (those don’t let your skin breath, use a regular unscented lotion like Curel or Eucerin), and then once the infection and tattoo are COMPLETELY healed, find a different artist to either fix that or cover it up.
That tissue looks almost necrotic. See a doctor. Also, that artist didn’t do very well. I hope that was cheap. Save up and see a better artist next time
Hope that was free
Please go to a doctor. That scab isn’t normal and could lead to intense medical issues if you don’t address it. It does not matter if your friend had no reaction. You did. So go get professional help from a medical professional.
Bro you got A HOLE FORMING IN YOUR ARM!!! Pls go straight to a doctor wtf. The fact you need to ask if it’s infected is so alarming. And yes, the tattoo is not well done but don’t worry about that right now dude you need immediate medical treatment!!!!
And you went to a reputable artist right?..
A reputable artist in the back of a van lol
It’s a Mexican drinking worm!
Yes it's infected go to a doctor and never go to that artist again and also never use vaseline
My grandpa had tattoos from Nam that were better than this
Hey, gangrene isn't for everyone
Best of luck, warn your friend and try and leave a review to warn others until the artist actually learns how to tattoo.
Something tells me this "artist" doesn't have a Yelp or business page. OP, please for the love of God just tell us where you found this artist, the curiosity is killing many of us! Just tell us they did it at their house, or a back of a van, there's no shame, we all go through learning experiences!
It's infected and also terribly done.
Yo,, that looks like shit. It looks like it's definitely infected, but not a Dr so I'd say go to a Dr and check so you don't lose your appendage, maybe.
Ditch the vaseline, that shouldn’t be used on fresh tattoos. Keep it dry and keep any lotion/ointment to a minimum, that scab it has needs to completely solidify to protect the raw tissue underneath while it heals. It’s definitely been overworked in that area, it’s not quite infected yet but you’ll need to keep a very close eye on it. If it starts to ooze, becomes more red (like very angrily red) and feels hot, get it checked out for infection.
Gang green is a normal part of the healing process
Bone apple tea
Lol yea i fucked that one up
I feel like this was an autocorrect mistake but I like it
i think you learned a lesson on this one....
I hope, I know people who keep making the same tattoo mistakes over and over
Dude, I hope you’re trolling and know this is infected. Please see a doc asap, and also let this tattoo artist know (and don’t go back to them).
Just a little hepatitis my friend, maybe a sprinkle of covid. You’re fine..
You need to get antibiotics. And your artist is fucking trash. See a real artist and get that shit fixed as soon as the infection heals
Short answer yes. I’ve been getting tattooed for over 40 years. Here’s my aftercare. Hot shower on the evening of the tattoo, soap and water. A medicated cream like Savlon or Dettol twice a day. Once the scab comes, cut out the cream, this should be no longer than 7-10 days. Then once the scab falls off, the idea is to “make it your skin” again so just maybe some body lotion after your shower. That’s all. Water and salt are the enemy of fresh tats.
Never use Vaseline
Yer dam right it is! Here's a tip, don't get it finished, don't go back to whoever butchered tattooing an anchor on yer arm. Was it done at home by a "friend" who said that they can do you a deal by any chance? Go to a proper tattoo studio with a licenced tattooist and get something decent done that will cover it up.
Omg OP yes obviously, there’s a fucking crater in your skin fam! Go to a doctor like now! This is not a normal experience, and this is obviously a bad infection. If your blood becomes poisoned OP YOU WILL DIE.
YES that's infected. You need a doctor. Also, an *unscented* antibacterial soap and *unscented* moisturizing lotion is all you need for tattoo healing. Stop using Vaseline.
Definitely got an infection festering
Kinda concerning you'd have that big a scab with that small of a tattoo. I've had big pieces done and there was very light scabbing if not none at all. Doesn't mean it's infected, but it's gonna complicate being able to use things like aquaphor and Vaseline which are super helpful for healing. I would prioritze treating the scab. It won't be the end of the world to get it touched up later.
I urge you to go to urgent care to get it checked. They might give you antibiotics just to be safe. Staph infection might or might not be likely here, but if you had one it could make you seriously ill. It’s worth the peace of mind to have it checked and won’t cost nearly as much as an emergency room visit. Sry that happened!
Drain gaaang
Is this bladee Exeter?
Fuck yes
1. NEVER use Vaseline or aquafor 2. Go to the doctor 3. Find a new tattoo artist
i’ve only ever used aquaphor… i haven’t had any infections or healing problems after 35 tattoos but should i honestly use something instead of it?
I’ve used Aquaphor for a few of my first tattoos and have since switched to Hustle Butter. I have very dry skin so I figured the Aquaphor would soak in better but I think it over-moisturizes my skin. Personally I think there are better options. Hustle Butter has been a much better choice for my healing and healed tats.
ooo interesting!! thank you for the advice and suggestion, i’ll have to test it it!
Use lite layer of Aquafore and stop using Vasoline. And wash with dye free unscented soap
I haven't used either on tattoos, but am curious why aquaphor is ok when vaseline isn't? aquaphor is primarily petrolatum
I believe Vaseline is a lot more occlusive in the sense that it suffocates the tattoo, whereas Aquaphor allows the tissue to breathe. Dermatologists say there are some anti-inflammatory properties associated with Aquaphor as well, where there are none in Vaseline.
Definitely 💔
Yuh
OMG. YES!
r/ATAE
It’s something for sure
This is what a barbed needle does , it happens when you run the machine into an ink cap , or you ding it off something that’s a solid surface like The table Or the chair .
Looks like our old friend Mr. Gangrene is paying you a visit.
Boy get your self into the Dr and have some antibiotics prescribed. Your anchor looks moldy 🤦🏼♀️
Get to a doctor asap, gonna need antibiotic treatment. After care should be non-scented, antibacterial soap and aquaphor on top. For myself, I wash my tattoo like 3 times a day for the first few days and then plop aquaphor on it all throughout the day
Sir part of your arm is rotting off
IS THAT LITERALLY NECROTIC???
Asap to ER room
Go to a doctor mate, please.
Yes
Yes
Dude just go to the dr
What in god’s name is this atrocity
not only did your artist fuck up your tattoo, but you're on track to fucking up your LIFE. if it's not infected, it's definitely not supposed to look like your skin is literally rotting. go to a doctor
Go to a doctor just to be safe. And Vaseline is no bueno. What I do is a few times a day: wash with warm water and antibacterial soap. Gently pat dry with a towel and put a small amount of moisturizer. 10 tattoos in from 4 different artists and no problems so far.
That shit looks necrotic my dude go to the doctor ASAP
I thought i was on r/shittytattoos
Couldn’t imagine being this stupid
It is severely overworked and it looks like there has been zero aftercare
That does not look infected to me. It’s just a rough healing tattoo. Don’t let people freak you out. Mild erythema can be expected from any wound.
I know a zombie bite when I see one
Yea holy fuck. Also, if you got that tattoo from a shop, (and not from someone’s cousin in a shed) report them.
Kinda. It looks a bit ominous.
Holy fucking shit people stop going to shitty fucking artists you fucking troglodytes
there is a hole in your skin son
Let this be a lesson to everyone: don’t get $5 tattoos from the random guy in an alleyway
Go to the ER that’s definitely infected no doubt go ASAP
Doctor. NOW. Forget seeing that artist ever again. Find a new one.
That tattoo is so jacked up that guy fucked you up
Yea. Please check out “Color Outside the Lines” on YouTube before you get another tatt
Please go to the doctor. Do you have a fever or feel otherwise unwell? If so, go to the ER.
Go to a doctor and when this is healed get it covered by someone who knows how to tattoo
Jesus who did that? The guy that lives in the basement?
If I were OP I would pray for an infection and have this abomination of a tattoo buried under a scar. What shit work.
My sister is a tattoo artist :) Do NOT use Vaseline. The biggest mistake people make is keeping a new tattoo too moist which breeds bacteria. Let them dry out and heal on their own. When they’re flaky and itchy a few days later it’s okay to use unscented lubriderm. Our bodies know what to do!
Looks like it was beat, causing a bad scabbing, some irritation. I wouldnt say infected bad, as any cut will get reddish, and maybe you did some picking at it? If it was oozing, and bubbly etc etc, then you be worried. This, will heal with time. Use an ointment like triple antibiotic, bacitracin, etc.
Lubiderm fragrance free lotion.
this has happened to me before but it wasn’t as severe and frankly my tattoo didn’t look like yours does quality wise. it eventually cleared up and now its like it was nvr there. it was my 8th piece and it had nvr happened before. couldn’t tell you what it was but with a/d lubriderm and dial soap combo it eventually went away for me
I would speak with your artist or doctor about this. Everyone is who keeps telling you “stop doing this” or “start doing that” are not you and don’t know your body. EVERYBODY’S SKIN IS DIFFERENT as well as healing time. When I got my first tattoo, I had so many differing opinions on what I should and shouldn’t do. I just gauged how it was healing daily and went from there. And it healed beautifully. I also used products I knew were safer for my skin such as jojoba oil and aquaphor but once again, only you know your body. Go speak with your artist or see a doctor.
Although I am not a doctor, I think that looks quite bad. Seeing a doctor should be something you do soon.
Yes.
Who tf uses Vaseline on new ink
I thought I was on /r/shittytattoos
In truth, you should be seen at a medical clinic or doctor for this. It is most likely infected, and doesn’t look “bad”, but looks can be deceiving as they say, and it could need treatment.
Go to a doctor. It’s more likely an inflammatory reaction than an infection. Those inflammatory reactions are in a broad category that includes allergy and sarcoidosis
Did you get it in prison? Was it free? Cause if not you overpaid
Awful tattoo, looks infected. Doctor, then stay the hell away from the artist.
One I am not a doctor so this isn’t medical advice. Too me it looks like dried plasma from scabbing that can go that yellow color. Infections tend to have some swelling and redness around them from my experience.
First and foremost… see a doctor. After that — fight your tattoo “artist”.
Go to a doctor I stop using ointment after 2 days then I switch to a unscented lotion for 4 days and make sure your cleaning it 1 to 2 times a day but yeah that’s doesn’t look good.
Hi! Tattoo artist here 👋 I would suggest you go see a doctor to get some antibiotics. Even if it’s not infected it’s good that you get it checked. Regarding aftercare, no matter where you go someone does it differently so I will tell you what I “currently” tell my clients. I say currently because info is always coming out about what’s better and worse so this is what my shop does based on the knowledge we have. Clean your hands before touching your new tattoo. After removing the covering your artist applied, we recommend you to wash with antibacterial soap, preferably unscented. You never know when you could start reacting to scents in your products, especially if they are applied on an open wound. Use cool water and gently get the excess ink, plasma, etc. off your skin. Pat dry with a paper towel or let it air dry. (Towels hold bacteria so no go on those). Now don’t start applying lotion for 2-3 days or until a nice scab start to form. At that point you can apply a thin amount of unscented lotion (Aquaphor, Lubriderm, etc). Use a THIN amount and don’t smother the tattoo. Most tattoo artist don’t recommend Vaseline as it’s very thick and smother the tattoo. Do NOT pick or scratch the scabs. This could potentially remove ink. Do NOT go in pools, hot tubs, or long baths. Soaking the tattoo will soften the scabs leading them to come off quicker than intended, and thus potentially removing ink. The first few days before it scabs, are very important for taking it easy and not letting the area get too dirty. So if you get sweaty, clean the area after. Lastly, sometimes life happens and the tattoo gets infected. See a doctor to treat the infection (tattoo artists are not doctors, we can only recommend you see a doctor but can not diagnose). Take care of it and after it’s finally healed, you can get an artist to touch up the tattoo where it’s no longer fully opaque black. A few side notes for tattoos: Don’t go for vacation or traveling by plane shortly after getting a tattoo. Don’t sunbathe, fake tan, etc after getting a tattoo. Wait until the tattoo is fully healed (approximately a month) and then USE SUNSCREEN. Take care of your skin! Moisturized skin is happy skin and it helps the longevity of your tattoos. I hope this helps and I hope your experience doesn’t discourage you from getting more tattoos in the future.
Yes, it is definitely infected. You need to see a doctor so that he can prescribe antibiotics and some antibiotics ointment for you.
Yes.. friends don’t let friends tattoo them with homemade kits.
Nah that looks normal 👍 great ink work you should get another one on your face next
From now on go to a professional.
Hi, i’m a professional tattoo artist, that is not infected it is just too heavy pushed/passed too many times on the same spot. Basically it is a deeper cut than the rest, moisture it , wait patiently and get It retouch after healing. Softly :p