tattoo healing

[redbird]

The tattoo started to flake a little last night; it's more noticeable today. The flaking makes putting lotion on a little tricky.

No real itching yet, but the area is still tender and sore. I looked up the "how to heal a tattoo" faq from rec.arts.bodyart on faqs.org, and along with the varying suggestions was the observation that it's similar to a sunburn. Obviously, I don't plan to apply sunburn lotion, but the analogy feels right.

I don't recall my other tattoos feeling tender like this afterwards; placement, size, something else?

Comments

[kightp.livejournal.com]

My second tattoo was quite tender for a few days; I took whichever anti-inflammatory I had on hand and that seemed to take care of the problem. It was also significantly larger than my first, and I figured it was just an effect of healing.

[fimbrethil.livejournal.com]

Placement could be a factor. If I remember correctly, it's on your lower abdomen? Clothing could be irritating it plus that's a tender area to begin with. Also, looking back at the photo, the color is very vivid. Did your tattoist layer colors? Often, to get the right color, tattooists will go over the same area with slightly different shades and that can cause tenderness.

[callunav.livejournal.com]

I will note that Bactine lotion has quite a decent topical anaesthetic in it. It won't make you go numb, but that combined with the pain reliever/anti-inflammatory of your choice might make it a lot less tender, and keep the tattoo from drying out at the same time.