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Rayna3 · Tattoo lover Joined: 17 Nov 2006 Posts: 7

Hello all, I've just gotten my first tattoo and very pleased with the results. However, I'm now afraid to work out. I'm a female and not interested in putting on any bulk. But I'm VERY worried about sweating on my tattoo.

I know this sounds gross, but I'm really concerned and have been unable to find any info about this. I've looked at so many tattoo sites I'm going blind looking.

I really hope someone can give some advice in this area. If I sweat on it, will it cause it to fade more quickly? Would it have an immediate effect on the ink that I haven't thought about??

Please -- any help would be greatly appreciated. Tks Smile

mgray767 · Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 12:40 pm Post subject:

Working out and sweating shouldn't be a problem. Just make sure to was it afterwards. One thing to keep in mind, try not to do anything too strenuous during the first few days of healing. Other than that congrats on your first tattoo!!!

~Melissa

Rayna3 · Tattoo lover Joined: 17 Nov 2006 Posts: 7

Thank you Melissa!! I'm very excited and can already see that getting tattoo's is addictive. I can't wait to get more Smile

Also, thank you for the advise on working out. I've actually had the tattoo for 1 week now and have tried to be very diligent in caring for it. That's why I was so afraid to sweat all over it. After all the money, pain and time I've put in I didn't want to screw it up!

I'll be sure to wash it after I'm through working out. On a side note, it seems to be faded to me even now. Do you know if this is normal?

Thanks again!!!

mgray767 · Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 9:17 pm Post subject:

Tattoos often look 'faded' during the healing proccess. Has it finished peeling yet? If not that could be why it looks that way. The only thing I can really say is go talk to the artist and she what they have to say about the tattoo. They want their work to look good so in most cases if the color or anything needs touched up they will do that free of charge. So I would go talk to them.

~Melissa

oh_bugger · Tattoo addict Joined: 13 Sep 2006 Posts: 516

As said above dont worry about sweat just clean up afterwards, the colour will show better once the healing is finished, thats my experience anyway.

Where abouts is the tattoo ?

Rayna3 · Tattoo lover Joined: 17 Nov 2006 Posts: 7

It's on my back - in the middle. It's by no means small, but it's not huge either. The tattoo artist said it was pretty bold to get the size I got for my first tat. I didn't really think it was all that big tho! lol

Not that you guys care to know this, but I didn't wear a bra for a week and am still nervous about wearing one. The tattoo runs down to just passed mid-back and a bra would run right across it.

I've had it for 12 days now and so far so good except for it looking faded to me. It's a dragon done in black with lots of shading.

oh_bugger · Tattoo addict Joined: 13 Sep 2006 Posts: 516

[quote:d8db98d5bd="Rayna3"]It's on my back - in the middle. It's by no means small, but it's not huge either. The tattoo artist said it was pretty bold to get the size I got for my first tat. I didn't really think it was all that big tho! lol

Not that you guys care to know this, but I didn't wear a bra for a week and am still nervous about wearing one. The tattoo runs down to just passed mid-back and a bra would run right across it.

I've had it for 12 days now and so far so good except for it looking faded to me. It's a dragon done in black with lots of shading.[/quote:d8db98d5bd]

All my black work has healed slightly paler than it looked when fresh.

If your tat is twelve days old then it is still healing and horrible i have a leg piece that is eleven days old and looks most unpleasent at the moment dont worry about the depth of colour for at least another fortnight.

I woudnt worry about the bra rubbing the ink, it should have setled enough by now to be safe is there any mayor scabs left on the bra line if not then your fine to wear one (sadly).

Rayna3 · Tattoo lover Joined: 17 Nov 2006 Posts: 7

LOL - that was a cute reply Bugger!

Actually, I've had no scabbing and very little peeling. The tattoo-ist also said I hardly bled at all Smile

Thanks for the info on the fading -- I didn't know if it was normal since this was my first. I hope it's not too faded by the time it heals completely though Rolling Eyes

I hope you guys don't mind just a few more questions. I've been reading ALOT on tattoo's now and I'm getting a bit of contradictory info. One place says to use lotion another does not. Then there's the issue of brands to use.

All I want to know is, since you guys can actually give me your personal experience, will lotion make the ink fade? I've been using Bacatracin, but the tube said NOT to use it longer than a week. I actually used it a few days longer, but got nervous about it and quit.

I've not used anything for 2 days now and I'm afraid I may be hurting the tattoo more than helping. I also read not to use lotion with alcohol in it, but all the lotion I've found DOES have alcohol in it! That's why I've not used anything at all. Since I'm not peeling and there's no scabbing do you guys recommend using any lotion? If so, what kind & for how long? I do still itch a bit, but not badly. Any comments? Thanks so much for all your help!!!!

mgray767 · Posted: Wed Nov 22, 2006 8:40 am Post subject:

All I use to heal my tattoos is lotion. As soon as it comes out of the bandage it gets cleaned and then a nice amount of lotion. That has worked the best for me. I reccommend Vasaline Intensive Care NONSCENTED Lotion, but any lotion that nonscented should be fine. For most people its a hit or miss on aftercare, until you find something that works best for you.

oh_bugger · Tattoo addict Joined: 13 Sep 2006 Posts: 516

HMMM the eternal aftercare question !

It is very hard to comment on aftercare as every artist seems to have a different way of dealing with it.

I suggest following the artists instructions, the chap who is doing my work at the moment suggests something called tamanu, and only to use it for three days, in the past i have been told to use preperation H (pile cream) Savlon (antiseptic cream). I would leave the tattoo alone now it should only need cream on it for the first few days week at the most.

You probably have a lot of dry skin on the tat at the moment this is quite normal my leg piece looks like an elephants back at the moment all dry and scaly. This will go in the next week or so then you will see the ink in its glory.

Ultimately it is unlikly that the lotion will harm the ink as it is kind of set in place now however it may damage the skin which could be why it is reccomended for no more than a week.

I am no expert at this hopefully one of the artists on here can give some more advice.

Where did you get the tat done ?

Rayna3 · Tattoo lover Joined: 17 Nov 2006 Posts: 7

Ok, thanks for all the help guys! You've been really helpful Smile

Hey Bugger, I got my tat done at a place called Skinsations Tattoo & Body Piercing. It's in Kingsport, TN.

I'll have to post a pic soon so you guys can see it and really give me your opinion!!

So how many tats do you have Bugger? And you Melissa? If you don't mind me asking --- Smile

I could go crazy with em! I believe I want a sleeve done next, but I'll have to save for a tat that size....

oh_bugger · Tattoo addict Joined: 13 Sep 2006 Posts: 516

Kingsport ? Where abouts is that then ?

I am halfway through my eight tattoo at the moment but i am giving thought to combining the work on my arms and getting a pair of half sleeves done not sure about that at the moment.

mgray767 · Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2006 8:07 am Post subject:

Glad I could help ya out.

I currently have 8. My currnt project is a dragon leg sleeve, so thats going to take a while. Can't wait to see pics of your tattoo it sounds really nice.

chic · Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2006 11:26 am Post subject:

rayna black is very hard to get just right, as your body expells it more than any other colour..
plenty of creams and after care you will be jjust fine...

hurry up with the picture...

Rayna3 · Tattoo lover Joined: 17 Nov 2006 Posts: 7

Let's see, Bugger --- Kingsport is in Tennessee Smile

Melissa -- glad to hear there are some other dragon-lovers out there! Smile

Chic -- I didn't realize black was expelled more than other colors - good to know! I will try to hurry and post a pic as I've now had some rather disappointing feedback from a few others who have seen it.

They said that they think the artist did it kinda weird. They don't think it's the ink. When I post the pic I'll explain a bit better since you'll be able to actually look at it.

I'll do my best to post it within the next few days!

Thanks guys!!

Rayna3 · Tattoo lover Joined: 17 Nov 2006 Posts: 7

Hey guys -- I went back to the tattoo parlor and talked with the artist and he said that it needed touching up. I got that done last night!!

Right when it was finally healing too!! I guess it's back to no bra for a little longer! LOL

I'm going to try to take a pic tonight and post it. Hopefully then y'all can give me your opinions Smile

Later!