tattoo question!

alexers

So I got at tattoo of a tree on my back (right below my neck), and it's not my first tattoo, but it is my first with color. The problem is that I feel like I have sunburn, is that normal? I have been putting neosporin on it, but I know it's recommended not to put too much on. Any solutions? Maybe another cream or lotion. I'm getting a tad bit worried.

South of Seattle

When did you get it?

alexers

Yesterday. I know they're supposed to be a bit sore right after, but my concern is that my last one didn't feel this bad. Is it the coloring in that does it? You know, the actual shading? My other tattoo is just an outline.

lostdawg

Mine always feel like a minor sunburn for a couple of days...you could have a reaction to the ointment, or maybe your shirt rubs it a little? Don't smother it either way, just a verrry light coating of ointment, you can always wash with Ivory soap and reapply. Good luck! Also, I had good luck with some stuff called "Tattoo Goo". It's in a little tin, and it's made with all natural ingredients.

alexers

lostdawg wrote:

Mine always feel like a minor sunburn for a couple of days...you could have a reaction to the ointment, or maybe your shirt rubs it a little? Don't smother it either way, just a verrry light coating of ointment, you can always wash with Ivory soap and reapply. Good luck!

Thank you! Oh, and just out of curiosity... what kind of ointment do you use?

lostdawg

alexers wrote:

Thank you! Oh, and just out of curiosity... what kind of ointment do you use?[/quote

Usually I just used the "goo", I wound up having a reaction to Neosporin, A&D Ointment and similar products. Nothing terrible, but I would rather use the Tattoo Goo. Of course , some people can't use that because it contains Bee's wax!

South of Seattle

You should be ok. How much color and how big was the piece?

I always do A&D ointment for the first 2 days (lightly) and then go to like some non-fragrance lotion like Cetaphil.

EvilMerlin

Feeling like a sunburn is a good thing, but don't put too much of any product on it. I just use a thin layer of lubriderm for a couple of days, and then let it start scabbing over and you'll be good to go after a week.

kcherub

it doesn't allow air to reach the tattoo, which it needs!

The "Tattoo Goo" works great, and as said above, you only need a teeny amount spread very thin, and yes--be sure to clean it with a mild soap and water each time before applying.

P.S. Mine felt like a sunburn, too. It was also on the back of my neck...maybe it's a location thing. I didn't remember the one on my stomach feeling like that, but it could be that one was 13 years ago, and I can't remember crap these days!!!

alexers

South of Seattle wrote:

You should be ok. How much color and how big was the piece?

I always do A&D ointment for the first 2 days (lightly) and then go to like some non-fragrance lotion like Cetaphil.

It's green, and it's not big at all. maybe the length of my pinky (but i have unusually small hands)

I've pretty much stopped fidgeting around for the most part, washed it, and did some neosporin. It doesn't feel as irritated.

Thanks for all your help! (That goes for everyone )

SENROCK

alexers wrote:

So I got at tattoo of a tree on my back (right below my neck), and it's not my first tattoo, but it is my first with color. The problem is that I feel like I have sunburn, is that normal? I have been putting neosporin on it, but I know it's recommended not to put too much on. Any solutions? Maybe another cream or lotion. I'm getting a tad bit worried.

ohhhhh man that sunburn feeling is NOT my fave. ugh. to me, that is worse than the needles itself! And its true, u gotta let it scab. The sooner the effin better.

SENROCK

South of Seattle wrote:

You should be ok. How much color and how big was the piece?

I always do A&D ointment for the first 2 days (lightly) and then go to like some non-fragrance lotion like Cetaphil.

dude. you got some ink on the pythons? I was not aware of such hottness!

South of Seattle

SENROCK! wrote:

dude. you got some ink on the pythons? I was not aware of such hottness!

Of course yo

mookie blaylock 10

i only have two tats, one on each shoulder. my artist recommended to me to use unscented lubriderm and vitamin e caplets. there was another cream that he said was better, but i can't recall the name of it and i couldn't find it at the time. i wish i could remember it, sorry.

anyway, i broke open the vitamin e caplets and mixed it with the lubriderm and applied it as often as needed. you should never let your tattoo get dry or scab! after my first one, i felt the sunburn feeling you mentioned, but only kind of like an itch. i wasn't using the mixture often enough and had to get a couple of touch ups on some of the colour that fell out from small scabs on each end. this one was green and black. the second one was much better as i'd had the experience from the first one and was able to keep it from scabbing at all. it healed great, never had any problems and it retained it's colour almost completely because there were no scabs.

good luck with yours. as a couple of others have mentioned neosporin is probably one of the worst things to use on a tattoo. everyone's skin is different and reacts differently of course, but most artists i have talked to have agreed that neosporin is a no-no. could be part of the problem.

SENROCK

South of Seattle wrote:

Of course yo

thats hott.

alexers

mookie blaylock 10 wrote:

i only have two tats, one on each shoulder. my artist recommended to me to use unscented lubriderm and vitamin e caplets. there was another cream that he said was better, but i can't recall the name of it and i couldn't find it at the time. i wish i could remember it, sorry.

anyway, i broke open the vitamin e caplets and mixed it with the lubriderm and applied it as often as needed. you should never let your tattoo get dry or scab! after my first one, i felt the sunburn feeling you mentioned, but only kind of like an itch. i wasn't using the mixture often enough and had to get a couple of touch ups on some of the colour that fell out from small scabs on each end. this one was green and black. the second one was much better as i'd had the experience from the first one and was able to keep it from scabbing at all. it healed great, never had any problems and it retained it's colour almost completely because there were no scabs.

good luck with yours. as a couple of others have mentioned neosporin is probably one of the worst things to use on a tattoo. everyone's skin is different and reacts differently of course, but most artists i have talked to have agreed that neosporin is a no-no. could be part of the problem.

oooh ok! thanks for that one! definitely switching to lubriderm.

lanners

i'm glad i stumbled across this thread. this is all good information...i'm getting a new one on the 25th and i've had such rotten luck in the past with colour flaking off that i was almost hesitant to get this new one done.

SoonForgotten2

When I got my tatt, they recommended a cream called Bepanthen. It healed beautifully, no scabs or anything and the colour looks great. It's maybe even too vibrant ;-)