Expert: Sasha Merritt - Professional Tattoo and Cosmetic Artist - 4/24/2009

Question
hi, i got my tattoo on January in spain.is in my inner bicep.. at fist it seemed ok but a week after it started getting these red itchy pimples. I was putting on my tattoo bepanthol, an every time i used it, it itched like hell. the pimples appeared only on the tattoo itself. i went to the doc. and he gave me some eczema ointment. i think it got worse. it got like bigger and worst looking. i think i put on to much ointments on my tattoo. bepanthol, bactroban, nivea, aloe vera, eczema cream, Vaseline, ect. after that it started to flake allot. now 10 days ago im letting it dry out. and i could see how i have wrinkled skin where the pimples used to be. in some parts there gone but left a mark on my skin. the times i put on baby oil it seems to get worst. it starts to look raised, i don't now if its normal couse its trying to lift up my dead skin.. i want to now if theres a other method to lift the dead skin. im also using a exfoliant for face and it seems to do ok. but i think its to light. i really don't now what to do. im a bit desperate here as you could see and paranoid. p.s. doctors don't now nothing about tattoos here.. i really think they messed it all up. if i stopped at that time to put anything on my arm i think it would be healed. if you want i could sent you a pic. im charging my batteries. the tattoo is only black because i still need the coloring..

Answer
Ricardo-

It could be that the tattoo had a slight reaction to the bepanthol and I agree, I think it was a case of too too much stuff being put on the tattoo.  Sometimes the skin is a bit sensitive when it is healing and can react to lots stuff that ordinarily wouldn't be an issue.  

What I'd recommend is to right now stop putting ANYTHING on it or doing anything other than washing it with mild soap and water once a day.  It is probably just over stimulated with everything that has been put on/done to it and needs a chance to heal itself.  

I'd give it a couple of weeks for it to calm down. I doubt it is messed up, it just will need some touching up.  I would not do a touch up for about 6 months after it has calmed down, and then use only 100% cocoa butter or mild, unscented lotion for aftercare.


Good Luck,
Sasha Merritt
www.dragonflyink.com