tattoo tomorrow!

[CodaDrummer]

Originally Posted by Sidekick

yeah, we'll see if i need to get any touch ups after it's all done healing. right now it's under a big ugly bandage, but i can see blood soaked through a little bit. it doesn't sting anymore really, but just feels bruised.

i'm kinda confused though because the guy told me not to get it wet, but then i went to the website and it said that after you take the bandage off the next morning your supposed to wash it in warm water and dry it off (but not to let it soak). what did you do?

Yeah, don't soak it, but make sure you clean it regularly! You must keep it quite moist during the healing process. Dry scabs can tear the skin and scar; ruining the tattoo.

If you can get it, pick up some "Tattoo Goo", yes that's what they call it. It would most likely be available at the place that did your ink. I used Mecca as well, but I can't seem to find it anymore.

Absolutly NO polysporin(sp?)... it keeps it moist untill it dries out and does the same to the skin.

Just keep it as moist as you can without dripping everywhere and let it heal naturally. Take the bandage off occasionaly and let it get some air.

[sidekick]

^i'm glad you did. but i mean i knew it was going to hurt. i think pain is easier to manage when you are like 'okay, i'm going to be hurt here...but i'll get through it."

edit: for nev

Hemi: i'm supposed to keep the bandage on until morning and then take it off and keep it off.

[cubed]

Originally Posted by Sidekick

i'm kinda confused though because the guy told me not to get it wet, but then i went to the website and it said that after you take the bandage off the next morning your supposed to wash it in warm water and dry it off (but not to let it soak). what did you do?

I'd suggest messaging leviathan on here, he has a lot of ink done and could give you some care suggestions if necessary. He's got a half sleeve, chest, ribcage and both shoulder blades inked up. Like I said he may be able to give you some tips.

[CodaDrummer]

Originally Posted by Sidekick

^i'm glad you did. but i mean i knew it was going to hurt. i think pain is easier to manage when you are like 'okay, i'm going to be hurt here...but i'll get through it."

edit: for nev

Hemi: i'm supposed to keep the bandage on until morning and then take it off and keep it off.

Hmm, well... I guess just a minor contradiction between different artists.

Always listen to the person with the pen in his hand... I think that's the best advice.

[sidekick]

^yeah, he told me to use prep h for swelling for two days and then not put anything on it and keep it dry for 10 days.

[CodaDrummer]

Originally Posted by Sidekick

^yeah, he told me to use prep h for swelling for two days and then not put anything on it and keep it dry for 10 days.

Wow, well that ain't no minor contradiction.

Well, you know what... listen to em. Biggest thing is trust when getting something like that done.

Either way, you're inked! :)

[sidekick]

haha yeah i guess there is more than one way to heal a tattoo. next has been around for a long time so i assume that their way isn't going to kill my tattoo. plus, if i do need a touch up i can come back and they do it for free. as they should.

thanks for all your advice though. i was nervous about getting it and now i'm nervous i'm going to fuck up the aftercare. but i think the main thing is not to let it be in the sun and not to get it soaking wet doing the dishes or showering.

[Leviathan]

I tend to take the bandage off within 24 hours, wash it with soap and water really good afterwards to get rid of the old ink and blood. I then put vaseline intensive care on it about 4 times a day. I will let it get wet in the shower but I take care not to soak it the first couple days. I've never had a problem with healing, I have seen someone who didn't put cream on his arm, let it dry, then decided to play tenis and it cracked. Needless to say the cracks showed up as massive scars.

[CodaDrummer]

Originally Posted by Sidekick

haha yeah i guess there is more than one way to heal a tattoo. next has been around for a long time so i assume that their way isn't going to kill my tattoo. plus, if i do need a touch up i can come back and they do it for free. as they should.

thanks for all your advice though. i was nervous about getting it and now i'm nervous i'm going to fuck up the aftercare. but i think the main thing is not to let it be in the sun and not to get it soaking wet doing the dishes or showering.

I was more nervous about the healing process than the actual procedure! It's just the fact that whatever happens, it's there forever.

[CodaDrummer]

Originally Posted by Leviathan

I tend to take the bandage off within 24 hours, wash it with soap and water really good afterwards to get rid of the old ink and blood. I then put vaseline intensive care on it about 4 times a day. I will let it get wet in the shower but I take care not to soak it the first couple days. I've never had a problem with healing, I have seen someone who didn't put cream on his arm, let it dry, then decided to play tenis and it cracked. Needless to say the cracks showed up as massive scars.

Could have something to do with a person's skin type too?

[sidekick]

Originally Posted by Leviathan

I tend to take the bandage off within 24 hours, wash it with soap and water really good afterwards to get rid of the old ink and blood. I then put vaseline intensive care on it about 4 times a day. I will let it get wet in the shower but I take care not to soak it the first couple days. I've never had a problem with healing, I have seen someone who didn't put cream on his arm, let it dry, then decided to play tenis and it cracked. Needless to say the cracks showed up as massive scars.

oh yeah! he said to put vaseline on it! man i have a terrible short term memory. um...yeah i'm going to do everything you said, except i'm just going to hold my right arm out of the shower just to be safe. i just have regular white soap...should i get some different kind of soap to wash it with after i take the bandage off?

[Leviathan]

naw any soap should be fine, its just for the initial cleaning. make sure you don't get regular vasaline, get the intensive care cream.

Wait till it starts to itch :)

Originally Posted by Sidekick

oh yeah! he said to put vaseline on it! man i have a terrible short term memory. um...yeah i'm going to do everything you said, except i'm just going to hold my right arm out of the shower just to be safe. i just have regular white soap...should i get some different kind of soap to wash it with after i take the bandage off?

[sidekick]

^haha, i can't wait! i'll have to run down to super-value and pick up some vaseline now. good thing you reminded me about that. right now it just feels bruised.

[mugsy]

i've always used basal creme on my tattoos. kinda expensive, but is for super sensitive skin = not alot of infection causing stuff. always helped out my itchy tattoo syndrome.
i didnt use any soap when i washed off either tattoo - just water and my hand. i dont use soap on most of my body anyways because it dries me out no matter what - i use exfoliation cremes and rag.
for my ankle band i put sunscreen on it for the first year, almost every day it was exposed. the one of my stomach never sees the light of freakin day but when it does, it gets 40 spf - same as my ankle -while the rest of me gets 15-30 spf. ive always been super scared of my tattoos getting sun damage as i used to be in it all day long in the summer coaching.

after care for a tattoo is really easy jake. best thing to do, is to not worry about it and to not over do it. keeping it outta the shower is fine. i would avoid getting shampoo on it. but just rememer, its an abrasion, water wont neccessarily infect it. creme gets the itching down and really the choice of creme is up to you. my dad uses whatever he finds kickin around whenever his tattoos get itchy - hes used everything from coco butter to jergens. tomorow it will feel better because you get to see it. trust me.

youll be fine, takin care of a tattoo is waaaaaaaaay easier then taking care of peircing.

pictures pleaaaaaaaaaase.

[LDUB]

Originally Posted by miss.myra

Jaaake who at next is doing your tattoo? I used to work there!

Myra, I think I've asked you this before but did you still work at Next! when Paul worked there?

[~god~]

i want one so bad now.
I've got my design down and everything :(

[sidekick]

well here is the result! i took the bandages off this morning and cleaned it and put some creme on it.

so shiny!

[veN]

^ Looks awesome, Jake!

[sidekick]

thanks! i like it!

looks just like meghans drawing, which looks just like what i wanted in my brain!

[crookedking]

Originally Posted by Sidekick

after years of thinking and putting it off and chickening out i am finally getting a tattoo. just went and put the deposit down and booked the appointment for the place tomorrow.

nervous + excitement = my tummy right now.

LOL! when i saw this i thought you meant tatu was coming to town.

[crookedking]

Originally Posted by Sidekick

well here is the result! i took the bandages off this morning and cleaned it and put some creme on it.

so shiny!

hey, that's a mobius strip!


(i like to think of it that way instead of the infinite logo)

[sidekick]

^yup, it's called that, too.

[crookedking]

so...can you open mobius doors and travel through the mobius continuum? cause, if you can, can you open a space Time door and show me the myriad threads of human Life?

[sidekick]

i can do all that yes, but only with my right hand. my left hand is still stuck in regular time.

[crookedking]

that must be a strange feeling!