Question:
I have read, re-read, and re-re-read the FAQ, especially the section concerning
healing/care of a new tattoo, but I still have an unanswered question which I
will now defer to the denizens of RAB.
so I am currently nursing a 10 day old tattoo of a koi fish on the inside
of my lower leg, from knee to ankle. This is my first (real) tattoo; I do not
consider the gawdawful scratching I received from a friend's shady uncle when I
was 15 to be an example of the art of tattooing. It's just an ugly scar. Now,
the question: I have been following a regimen of applying moisturizer
approximately 4-5 times per day, in a very thin coat. The tattoo has begun
flaking and peeling in the last few days, and I've not been able to apply
lotion since then, because I would run the risk of pulling/rubbing off the
scabs. My question is: should I discontinue applying lotion and just let the
healing process run it's course? Or should I continue to keep the tattoo
moist, albeit *very, very* gingerly, to avoid accidental removal of the scabs?
Answer:
-Generally tattoos do flake and peel in 5-14 days after the tattoo was
applied. If things are going right, these flakes are thin, like after a
bad sun burn and yes they do contain some of the coloring of the tattoo.
This is fine. It was part of the plan. The intention never was for all of
the injected ink to permanently reside in your body.
Sometimes when things go less well, the bits that flake off are really
scabs. They are thick, crusty and often do not have ink from the tattoo in
them. This means things have not gone well or that something really wacked
the tattoo and broke it open. Anyway, the tattoo artist can fix any
damage. After it heals, it will not look nearly as bad as you may now think
it will look.
-keep applying that moisturizer! Even with moderately rough
application of the lotion, you usually won't pull off any scabs
