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bak3rboy · Tattoo lover Joined: 09 Aug 2009 Posts: 1

I got my first tattoo yesterday of three letters all in black down the side of my leg. I got home and after an hour took the dressing off and washed it with soapy water. It was fine. Then this morning i put "Tattoo Goo" on the tattoo. Then again this afternoon. Unfortunately I think I have put far too much Tattoo Goo on the tattoo. It is all glossy and its like the ink is wet and coming off. I am really worried about this and I dont know what to do. Have I ruined it already?

oneheadsup · Tattoo lover Joined: 28 Sep 2009 Posts: 1 Location: NYC

It's unlikely you did any damage to the tattoo. Generally, it's recommended that you remember to do just a few simple things:

1)Keep it clean. That means gentle soap and warm water with no towel rubbing, just gentle patting to dry with a clean towel or pad.Make sure your hands are absolutely washed. Avoiding infection is primary during the initial period when your wound is exposed That is the first 3 or 4 days The bandage is removed the first day and NOT rebandaged.
2)Antiseptic cream for the first 3 days or so. A&D is OK. So is Bacitracin.Neosporin is not because many people have experienced allergic reactions to it. After that, for the next 3 or 4 days you need to keep it moist with a non fragrance moisturizer. That is when you might consider Tattoo Goo, not at first.

You are not likely to have damaged your tattoo unless you have created an infection for yourself by not being antiseptic. An infection could have much worse consequences than simply screwing up the tattoo, so take care of your health and the tattoo will likely do fine as long as you don't abuse the area.

Let's hear how it goes.

Les

Aussie_Al · Tattoo lover Joined: 21 Sep 2009 Posts: 51 Location: NYC

Great advice there Les!

moondog · Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 11:45 am Post subject:

for myself; we all heal differently. but i wash it with mild un scented anti bacterial, or regular unscented sop. 2-3 time each day the first three days; pat dry with paper towel, ointment of choice light coat. dont grease it up like ron jeremy before shooting a porno hehe.

then after the 2-3 days i apply vaseline intensive care when it starts to dry out for about 5-7 days. lubriderm i heard works well too. tattoo aftercare is really important. i have even used, although its not highly recommended just pure vaseline for first three days after washing and patting dry. i prefer to use a ointment though. they say vaseline draws out some ink.but i have used it in a pinch.

some say just wash it 2-3 times a day at first, pat dry apply thin coat of ointment. then just let it do its thing. so many choices because we all heal different. but as stated KEEP IT AS CLEAN AS YOU CAN. hope my 2 cents helps.

deaded518 · Tattoo lover Joined: 07 Oct 2009 Posts: 34

good advice there les, the only thing i do differnt is once the bandage comes off, from that point on i only use an unsented lotion like lubraderm 2 or 3 times a day till after all scabs and flakey skin is gone but like moondog said we all heal differnt. the reason i dont use any triple antibeotic or such is ive fond it tries to draw the ink out.

heathmalc · Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 9:43 am Post subject:

Oneheadsup and Moondog gave really sound (good) advice.

I personally never use a bandage as I was told by an old tattooist that it (the bandage) can sometimes chafe/rub the tattoo and irritate it - which is something you really don't need.

As for the original question - No, I doubt you ruined your tattoo. However, if the ink seems to be coming out in a liquidy/pussee way, then there is a good chance that the person who gave you the tattoo ripped your skin while inking you. If this is the case, you want to wash with soapy water every two hours, rinsing with the hottest water you can stand. The purpose of this is to open your pours for the next step: Put A & D ointment on your tat (a very thin coat - just enough to make the area moist, but not enough to be able to rub/scrape any off). You will repeat this EVERY 2 hours: Wash, rinse with hot water, cover with A&D (or similar). This will allow the ointment's antibacterial properties to help heal you, and keep you from scarring so bad. It will also help stop the drainage that occurs when your skin is ripped by the needle, thus not so much ink will be lost, and your tattoo will look better when healed.

Do this for 72 hours, then continue with normal treatment of tattoo.

Heath

zapzapzap · Tattoo lover Joined: 17 Oct 2009 Posts: 45

Go back to your artist and ask them to clarify their instructions. That is better than ANY of the other advice you have gotten off this forum! Your artist will be more than happy to go over it again.

If one of my clients came in needing a touch up because they followed aftercare instructions they got from the internet, I would tell them to go see if the internet will touch up their tattoo... If they follow my instructions properly touchups are always free.