AboutThe GYPSY - Professional Tattoo Artist and Body Piercer Expertise I can accept questions on proper tattooing and piercing procedures, including but not limited to, licensing, sterilization, studio promotion, safety, what to look for in an artist/studio, aftercare, apprenticeship, studio management and proper design/piercing placement. I can also rate artistic quality. We also can answer questions on tattoo/piercing resources, ie; books, videos, studios and artists/piercers. PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING BEFORE ASKING YOUR QUESTION: I will NOT answer "How To" questions. If you want to know how to tattoo or pierce do the right thing and seek out a formal apprenticeship. Tattooing and piercing are not a "Learn On Your Own" professions. ALSO: Please DO NOT ask me about tattoo or piercing prices. Rates vary from region to region. You will need to check with studios in your area for their current rates.
Experience
Past/Present clients I tattoo/pierce over 1200 people per year. Multiply that by 31 years and I have tattooed and/or pierced approx. 37,200 people.
The GYPSY founder of Skin Art Creations Tattoo Emporium® is a State of Kansas licensed Tattoo & Piercing Artist & Trainer and has been in the Tattoo & Piercing Industry since 1976. He is a Professional Member of APT (Alliance of Professional Tattooist), and has taken and passed the APT Tattoo Mastery Test. His formal art training and experience has helped him win numerous awards both Nationally and Internationally. The GYPSY's art has been exhibited in museums World wide, including the Smithsonian. He has also appeared on television, documentaries, albums, radio talk shows and in numerous magazines. Along with his Wife Debbie they have developed and maintained numerous projects including resource and shopping sites. WE INVITE YOU TO VIST THESE SITES: www.ubtat2d.com - www.ablazable.com - www.emerald-city.us - www.sekpress.net - www.freaky-links.com and www.pluribusunum.net
Question I consider myself a very experienced tattoo guy. I have an entire back piece, a sleeve on my left arm, stomach and chest are done and the question I have is about my current right arm sleeve project. We are about halfway done and starting to add colors and this is a new artist I am using mind you. It has been a week since our 5 hour session was completed. It is peeling and I am doing the exact same aftercare I have done on all my tattoos. Neosporin right after it is done. The next day lubriderm fragrance free lotion. Certain areas are still very slightly sore but for the most part it is just healing. There are red circles in my sleeve and they are puffy and sting. They dont have puss or dont look infected but it is the only part and only color of my new tattoo that is puffy and stings. I have never had such an issue. Is it the ink? the color? The artist? I know there are alot of variables and the tattoo is sort of fresh but since this has never happend in the many tattoos i have im kind of worried. Can you shed any light on this. Thanks
Answer Jason,
I can answer your question quite simply. Chances are that you are experiencing an allergic reaction to your after care treatment. First and foremost you should NEVER use any form of Triple Anti-Biotic ointment on a tattoo for any reason and especially Neosporin... It is the worst of the lot! In order for a tattoo to heal properly it must heal naturally. Natural healing occurs from the inside out. Triple Anti-Biotics heal from the outside in to reduce scarring, this is not natural to the body and it can have a severe effect on a tattoo.
Your other problem is the lotion you are using. ALL lotions have the same compounds in them that are found in tattoo pigment and therefore act as a thinner to the pigment. They can also clog the pores from over usage and not allow the tattoo to breath properly. Lotions are made to soften the skin and they usually replace the bodies natuaral oils, which the body needs to heal the tattoo properly, with the chemical compounds that are in the lotion.
Now when you start using two different chemical compounds on your body at some point a severe reaction will occur as the body starts rejecting the use of these compounds. I personally recomeend A & D ointment to my clients as I have found the least amount of reaction to it. However, I have seen people that have used A & D on their tattoos for years that suddenly aquire a sensitivity to it and from that point on they can no longer use it.
My advise to you at this time is to discontinue all lotions, ointments and creams. Let the tattoo dry out and it should clear up in 7 to 10 days. I would also suggest that you go ahead and consult a physician just to make sure that you are not infected due to the puffiness and stinging you mentioned. In the future you will need to stay away from the lotions and triple anti-biotic ointments. Use A & D, Bag Balm or Pure Aloe Vera Gel for the healing of your tattoo. Avoid, lotions, oils, creams, triple anti-biotics, bacitracin and products like Tattoo Goo.
