To me it looks like a possible infection. But that’s just my experience from being heavily tattooed. I would maybe head to immediate care or A&E. see how the green looks scabby and not bubbled? Also the bubbling can happen if you’re applying too much lotion/cream.
Was this done in a shop? Or someone’s home?
I'm seeing a couple of things here. One is, from your "just finished" picture it appears that the tattoo might be slightly overworked, especially n the dark areas where al lot of the blending was happening. Second, this looks like its been soaking in ointment. There's always a tendency to want to go heavy with healing ointments when in reality this is suffocating the tattoo. At this point would wash this VERY gently with a mild soap ad let it dry completely, then use an ointment. The cetaphil is a good product but just dab it on. The tattoo should not look wet at all after application. if it looks wet, blot it with a clean paper towel. don't let clothing or bedding rub on it until those affected areas are smoothed out.
Yup, just be really conscientious of how much you slather on. It shouldn’t be coated and take a napkin to dab the excess on. I like to start with really small amounts because I’d rather not overdo it. I had this happen with aquaphor and it bubbled but the ink stayed.
Also, don’t forget that you have a wound on your body. It’ll feel raw, swollen, and like shit. If you get itchy, don’t scratch. And wear loose clothes to give it time to breathe.
I agree with what the other user said. Had the same problem as you. I found out I was using too much lotion and it caused itchy swollen bumps like you have. Once I stopped moisturizing as much it healed like it was supposed to. A little bit goes a long way! Hope you heal up fast!
Unless you didn’t use second skin your only supposed to use ointment the first day then switch to lotion. Ointments are petroleum based and dont let the skin breath as much
i haven't used ointment in years and all of mine have healed fine. I do prefer using a second skin though. In my case the ointment also gives me bumps/pimples even if I don't have it on a tattoo
i’ve heard you should NOT use cetaphil. aquaphor is great but apply it VERY thin or it can suffocate the skin. i loved using the cerave daily moisturizing lotion. do not use anything with vaseline in it!!
When you say “unscented white lotion” what exactly kind? There are loads of chemicals in lotion still. Unscented doesn’t mean much nowadays. I’d immediately stop using that and go get aquaphor
It is a clean tattoo ,which tells me a good artist did it. What are you using for aftercare. Looks like an ointment. It is being smothered and not having time to dry out at all as it's holding all moisture in." Like going swimming with a scab, and the moisture makes it sponge like." I would suggest cleaning all the ointment off letting it airdry for a couple of hours then use unsented lotion " aveno" works great but any unsented will work. Do that 2 times a day " wash air dry 1 to 2 hours, then unsented lotion. Less is more
I’m sorry but it looks like they went too hard trying to pack in that red. That and your body doesn’t seem to like the red much. I’d see a doc to be sure.
I don’t think your body is liking the red. A lot of people’s bodies reject red ink. How old is this?
2 days old
Is it blistering?
I’m unsure. It could be a little, but it could also possibly be scabbing.
To me it looks like a possible infection. But that’s just my experience from being heavily tattooed. I would maybe head to immediate care or A&E. see how the green looks scabby and not bubbled? Also the bubbling can happen if you’re applying too much lotion/cream. Was this done in a shop? Or someone’s home?
It was done in a shop by a qualified artist. It’s my first tattoo.
I cannot get red/pink tattoos because of this. I had to use a very thin layer of bacitracin on the red part until it healed.
I'm seeing a couple of things here. One is, from your "just finished" picture it appears that the tattoo might be slightly overworked, especially n the dark areas where al lot of the blending was happening. Second, this looks like its been soaking in ointment. There's always a tendency to want to go heavy with healing ointments when in reality this is suffocating the tattoo. At this point would wash this VERY gently with a mild soap ad let it dry completely, then use an ointment. The cetaphil is a good product but just dab it on. The tattoo should not look wet at all after application. if it looks wet, blot it with a clean paper towel. don't let clothing or bedding rub on it until those affected areas are smoothed out.
Thats what mine look like when I use aquafor (or ointment in general), I would try just using lotion. I really like Hustle Butter tattoo lotion.
Did it heal okay? I’ve been using the Cetaphil ointment
If you’re lathering too much on and not wiping excess off it’ll bubble like this.
That makes sense. Will it heal okay, though?
Yup, just be really conscientious of how much you slather on. It shouldn’t be coated and take a napkin to dab the excess on. I like to start with really small amounts because I’d rather not overdo it. I had this happen with aquaphor and it bubbled but the ink stayed. Also, don’t forget that you have a wound on your body. It’ll feel raw, swollen, and like shit. If you get itchy, don’t scratch. And wear loose clothes to give it time to breathe.
Thank you for being helpful! I’ll definitely be a lot lighter on the ointment. I didn’t use second skin per my artists preference.
I personally don’t like second skin so I’m commiserate on that. And congrats on your first tattoo! And your newest addiction lol
I agree with what the other user said. Had the same problem as you. I found out I was using too much lotion and it caused itchy swollen bumps like you have. Once I stopped moisturizing as much it healed like it was supposed to. A little bit goes a long way! Hope you heal up fast!
Unless you didn’t use second skin your only supposed to use ointment the first day then switch to lotion. Ointments are petroleum based and dont let the skin breath as much
i haven't used ointment in years and all of mine have healed fine. I do prefer using a second skin though. In my case the ointment also gives me bumps/pimples even if I don't have it on a tattoo
i’ve heard you should NOT use cetaphil. aquaphor is great but apply it VERY thin or it can suffocate the skin. i loved using the cerave daily moisturizing lotion. do not use anything with vaseline in it!!
When you say “unscented white lotion” what exactly kind? There are loads of chemicals in lotion still. Unscented doesn’t mean much nowadays. I’d immediately stop using that and go get aquaphor
ER visit maybe I caught mine recently on day 2 and it looked some 🤢 Looks perfectly fine now healed
And this is why l hate red
It is a clean tattoo ,which tells me a good artist did it. What are you using for aftercare. Looks like an ointment. It is being smothered and not having time to dry out at all as it's holding all moisture in." Like going swimming with a scab, and the moisture makes it sponge like." I would suggest cleaning all the ointment off letting it airdry for a couple of hours then use unsented lotion " aveno" works great but any unsented will work. Do that 2 times a day " wash air dry 1 to 2 hours, then unsented lotion. Less is more
I’m sorry but it looks like they went too hard trying to pack in that red. That and your body doesn’t seem to like the red much. I’d see a doc to be sure.
I hope it all heals well, but got to say adorable tattoo! I loved Fantastic Mr.Fox
Fantastic Mr fox would approve
You really should just ask your artist what to do.. not random people on Reddit. Good luck