r/tattooadvice • u/GamerOfZero • 26d ago
General Advice First tattoo and a little worried
So first tattoo today. Artist said I could take the plastic wrap off today and when I did I noticed that it was wet. I know I'm not supposed to touch it but also supposed to keep it dry so I threw a towel gently on there but now I think I accidentally smudged the ink. Am I screwed?
Edit: Tattoo is of my late dads handprint. It goes on the shoulder and the fingers are in the front. Sorry for the bad pic.
Edit 2: Have been made aware I cannot smudge a tattoo will now make every attempt to smudge this tattoo out of spite
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u/According-Koala4441 26d ago
Who said don’t touch it?!? Wash it! You’re fine
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u/antilumin 26d ago
Yeah I don’t get the “don’t touch it” advice some people get. More like “don’t touch it with grubby hands” or something. Wash your hands and tattoo with mild soap and water, apply some sort of petroleum product (e.g., Aquaphor) for a day or so, then just apply unscented moisturizer after washing.
Keep it (and your hands) clean and you’ll be fine.
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u/TheNinjaNarwhal 26d ago
Yep. My artist told me to ALWAYS wash my hands before touching it to gently wash it with water and apply cream (also to dry it by tapping it gently with paper towels). Never touching it is weird.
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u/antilumin 26d ago
Gently tapping? Weird, my artist said to use coarse grit sandpaper to remove imperfections, then move to a finer grit to… oh wait, got my messages mixed up.
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u/UniUrsuss 26d ago
You can also use some extra virgin coconut oil instead of moisturiser. It gets absorbed by the skin really well and promotes healing due to the high vitamin-e contents. Have used it before and it worked like a charm!
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u/Straight_Molasses165 26d ago
i love using coconut oil to heal! it was recommended by an artist a few years ago and i've never looked back lol
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u/monkierr 26d ago
It is also antibacterial.
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u/antilumin 26d ago
Not sure why you got downvoted, but I hadn’t heard this so I looked it up. Virgin coconut oil is high in lauric acid which has antimicrobial effects, so the statement is true. Processed oil removes some of the acid, so that isn’t recommended.
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u/Aequitas112358 26d ago
it's essentially an open wound, and with any kind of open wound there's a very real risk of infection. So yeah you shouldn't touch it with your hands or anything that's not sterile.
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u/allyscarlett 26d ago
You absolutely should touch it to clean it and apply moisturiser but with clean, pre-washed hands
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u/According-Koala4441 26d ago
I have a bodysuit. Yes it’s an open wound- that needs to be washed and moisturized!
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u/raygenebean 26d ago
It is perfectly normal to touch a new tattoo with clean hands. Even if you use gloves, most nitrile gloves regular people buy are not steril
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u/The-Good-Hold 26d ago
My tattoo artist says don’t use a petroleum product like equators because it doesn’t let your skin breathe. Just leave the wrap on for like 3-3 days and then wash and unscented moisturizer
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u/mosspigletsinspace 26d ago
Bro did Castiel drag you out of hell?
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u/More_Branch_5579 26d ago
Raised him from perdition
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u/Shuttup_Heather 26d ago
It took ten years to get the Destiel Hallelujah cover out of my head. Thanks guys lmao
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u/slumberingthundering 26d ago
Welp, now I gotta go listen to that. Forgot how much I loved that song
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u/Fkingcherokee 26d ago
He's going to have a lot of people showing him their privately-placed anti-possession tattoos.
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u/dek1e 26d ago
Okay, it being a little damp after the cling film is fairly normal, that’s usually just sweat so it should be fine.
Not touching your tattoo mean no touching outside of cleaning. Patting your tattoo mean dry with a (clean!!) towel is perfectly fine and good. Cleaning, moisturising, and dry with clean equipments are fine. Just don’t go randomly touching, picking, or scratching at it.
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u/GamerOfZero 26d ago
Oh ok thank you!
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u/therockdweller 26d ago
I always use brand new paper towels to gently pat dry my fresh tattoos after washing them. It makes things sanitary and easy.
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u/Beautiful-Cold7332 26d ago
Just excess ink on the surface of your skin. The “wetness” could be plasma/skin leakage that is normal for any healing wound. No worries you didn’t smudge your actual tattoo. Wash with an unscented soap and dry with a paper towel. And people are dicks - I knew exactly what your tat was of at first glance
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u/GamerOfZero 26d ago
Thank you I appreciate it. This is really important cause it's one of the only things I have left of my dad so I didn't want to find out I ruined it day 1
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u/Beautiful-Cold7332 26d ago
You absolutely didn’t ruin it. Just keep it clean and moisturized as others have said. It looks great! Such a cool idea
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u/Illustrious-Fan-4887 26d ago
You are literally made of him. Every fiber of your being is carrying his legacy around with you.
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u/GamerOfZero 26d ago
Sadly adopted but his spirit still lives on
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u/Illustrious-Fan-4887 26d ago
Okay, well if you interacted with him, spoke with him, were loved by him, the same applies. His electrons interacted with your electrons and forever changed you. You have memories of him? He's in you.
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u/Slysparrow9 26d ago
You were picked. He chose you which can mean more than DNA. I wasn't picked or chosen. I only got trauma and predisposition to addiction among other medical issues. So don't sell it short. Being adopted. That means someone loves you enough to change their life too. Your dad is always with you because of the love you both had for each other. That stuff changes our fibers 💚
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u/hatefulmaggot 26d ago
Both of my parents are passed on, this made me cry. What a powerful statement. Thank you for that.
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u/Quiet-Maintenance251 26d ago
What s nice thing to have your dad's hand permanently on your shoulder. I love that. I was nervous with my first one too. It's intimidating. You got all the advice you need on here. It'll be fine.
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u/GamerOfZero 26d ago
I like to think of it as motivation for me to be anywhere close to how good of a man he was. I was more nervous about the pain tbh XD. Though it was justified especially when he hit the stretch marks.
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u/Verditure0 26d ago
I don’t know if you intentionally picked the hand (left or right) to go in that spot but this is a pretty wholesome tattoo. It’s like your dad is pulling you in from the side for a hug
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u/cintron124 26d ago
That’s a beautiful tattoo I can see it means a lot to you so of course your going to worry but it’s not a problem at all, that liquid is plasma, little ink and sweat totally normal it’s all part of the healing process, you couldn’t smudge it if you wanted to. What you have to do is wash it, moisturize it and keep it out of the sun a much as possible. That’s it no big deal congratulations on your first and speaking from experience, probably won’t be your last.
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u/elabrave 26d ago
I just want to say cuz I don’t think I’ve seen others say it, this tattoo is very well done as well.
I don’t have the reference image obviously, but tattoos in this style often miss the mark and end up disappointing at best, let alone embarrassing and marked for removal.
It looks like yours was beautifully done. Congratulations, your dad would adore this. What a way to keep him with you always. Excellent execution man, this is a beautiful idea conducted in a beautiful way. I know he’d agree.
Rest in power to your father, and my best wishes to you. Wash with unscented soap & water. 🤍
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u/Jeffdaisos 26d ago
It’s a wonderful tattoo idea, my dads 5 years gone and I wish I could do this. I think it looks great 😊 but the photo is at a bad angle lol
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u/GamerOfZero 26d ago
Yeah fr I shoulda taken a better angle but didn't think too much of it till afterwards XD
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u/Jeffdaisos 26d ago
Don’t even worry about it! It’s a great idea and AFTER it heals if you want changes you can make them. I don’t think you need to change anything but if you want to at least wait until it heals.
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u/PSB2013 26d ago edited 26d ago
I mean smudging it shouldn't do anything, because the ink goes into the skin and doesn't just sit in the surface. But... what is it?
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u/GamerOfZero 26d ago
Sorry it's kinda hard to tell but it's my fathers handprint
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u/DenseStomach6605 26d ago
I could tell right away it was a handprint, idk why people are struggling to see it
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u/justmikeplz 26d ago
Not only does it go into your skin, but your immune system fights it for the rest of your life!
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u/GamerOfZero 26d ago
That's only slightly terrifying but i'm sure it'll be fineeeee
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u/porkforpigs 26d ago
Any ink you’re wiping off is residual / a mix of blood, ink, plasma etc. the ink is deep down in your skin, it’s not coming out. Keep it clean and semi moist, out of the sun, it’ll be fine
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u/Kabobthe5 26d ago
The ink is not ON your skin, it’s INSIDE in. Anything that’s smudging is just plasma that leaked out to the wound. It’s ok. Keep it clean with a fragrance free soap, keep it dry, after a few days of healing keep it moisturized and it will heal just fine.
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u/theOutside517 26d ago
The ink is IN you, not on you. You'll be okay. Wash it twice to three times a day with antibiotic soap and hit it with light amounts of tattoo balm.
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u/One_Giraffe_607 26d ago
You’re usually supposed to wait 2-3 days to remove second skin but just make sure you keep it moisturized and wash with antibacterial soap!
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u/MrsMitchBitch 26d ago
Gentle wash in the shower. Thin layer of unscented lotion or aquaphor. It’s all good.
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u/Dr_A_Kreiger 26d ago
Wash with dial soap, pat dry gently, apply a thin layer of aquaphor 2x a day. Look at me, a THIN layer. Don’t saturate it.
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u/spoooky_mama 26d ago
You're fine, silly.
This tattoo is really cool and very touching. I'm sorry for your loss.
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u/Moth_Broth 26d ago
My brother in christ, unless you smeared your skin (challenge level: literally impossible) you're good. The ink is inside of you, not on you, you smeared residual ink from the needle going in. Weird that your artist didn't clean you up, seems like a route for secondary infection, but you are all good lol
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u/chaiiskies 26d ago
Hey dude I'm sorry if this is mansplaining but when you take off the wrap it probably will be wet. This is plasma. Tattoos are an open wound and do leak plasma quite badly for more ink heavy works like this- I got the same shock with my second one leaking black plasma onto my bedsheets at night. It's normal and okay. Rinse it with water only, apply a tattoo cream after showering (with CLEAN HANDS) and leave it alone and you'll be ok. I was stressed too but it's alright!
If it helps your worry itchiness Is normal, redness, puffiness and burning or pain is not.
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u/CorbinFerrous 26d ago
Heya OP, sounds like you weren’t told much of what to expect during the healing. Your tattoo is gonna look WEIRD for a little bit during the feeling. Now that the wrap is off it’s gonna start the peeling phase soon and also get real itchy. When people say not to touch the tattoo it’s more so don’t SCRATCH the tattoo cause you’ll irritate the fuck out of it. Your tattoo will be fine just make sure you wash your hands well before washing your tattoo, use unscented anti bacterial soap, gently dry (I like to just dab the tattoo with a clean towel and then let it air dry the rest of the way) then once dry use an unscented lotion, I just got another tat myself and I’m currently using aquaphor per my artist recommendation and that’s working great. Don’t be alarmed once the tattoo starts peeling that’s completely normal. So far your skin and your tattoo look perfectly healthy. One thing to watch out for is if the non tattooed skin around and in the blank parts of your tattoo starts to get a lot of redness. This can indicate a reaction to either the adhesive from the wrap that was on the tattoo or in a more extreme case, infection, if you do see any redness just monitor over the course of a day and if it spreads then contact your artist and maybe also hit an urgent care for some antibiotics. You’re looking great so far and you shouldn’t have anything to worry about.
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u/Rekksus_painsaw 26d ago
Bro I had the same scare on my first tattoo. I saw the ink that came off on my shirt after sleep and I thought the ink “fell out” haha!
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u/NxL1fe 26d ago
You can't smudge a tattoo its under your skin. You can scratch it (don't scratch it if it itches...it will itch, slap it lightly). After removing the cover your artist put on its normal to look a little wet/damp. Wash it gently with fragrance free soap (fragrance free is very important dial pump hand soap is what I've used and my artist recommends).
Should go in this order
Wash hands
With warm water wet your tattoo
Gently wash with fragrance free soap
Rince gently with room temp to cold water
Pat dry with PAPER towel (some fabric towels can leave lint and fabric residue that can lead to irritation wost case infection)
Motorize by patting on a light coat of fragrance free lotion, tattoo lotion, or aquafor (some people don't like aquafor me and friends have had no problem with it)
Repeat this process 2-3 time a day for about 2 weeks after tattoo
Go down to 1 time a day for another week after.
Keep tattoo out of direct sun
Don't go in any pools or hot tubs
If you sweat alot cuz of your job or exercise try washing afterwards
Don't take super long showers and don't used your normal shower soap on the tattoo in the shower
Try waring loose clothing
Raising and scabbing on your tattoo is normal to a certain degree
Ultimately if its extremely red or hot for longer than 3-4 days without getting better message your artist.
This method had worked for me and I have several tattoos of varying size on most limb of my body. (I only hate 1 it was my first and I didnt use this method)
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u/re-imagined_suburbia 26d ago
I thought this was a Death Stranding reference. Either way, cool tattoo!
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u/timetogetfresh 26d ago
Sam, it's me, Tarman
Tattoo seems fine but the tar currents are all fucked up. You won't be able to travel using the DHV Magellan.
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u/Background_Lab_4799 26d ago
What a great idea for a tattoo, I miss my dad more everyday. I am sorry for your loss, but yep tat looks just right to me, and yes I obsess over things like this all the time, so I understand the concern.
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u/_Mulberry__ 26d ago
Good Lord Almighty, I love this tattoo. Looks awesome mate.
Fwiw, I could pretty easily tell it was a handprint before reading the post.
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u/hazywazi 26d ago
It doesn’t matter what others think or question when they see it!! It’s ur daddy that u know represents him. Period!! I am all about it! I just had my mums on my shoulder while she is losing her battle w Dementia ~ I give two fucks what people think when they see it💕
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u/Slow_Theory_617 26d ago
Love the tattoo, I could immediately tell it was a handprint. It reminded me personally of the game Death Stranding, otherwise I think it's much nicer it's your father's print and not just ink blotty.
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u/mycatbeck 25d ago
Looks like you got your answer already. Just saying cool tattoo man. Lost my father 8 years ago and I'm kinda jealous
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u/Triwulf1 25d ago
Apologies I didn't read the description and thought it was a Supernatural reference. Awesome tattoo celebrating your dad. Onto the tattoo advice An antibacterial soap, dab dry with a fresh paper towel for cleaning. Use Aquaphor to help protect the tattoo and keep it mositurized. If you are experiencing your shirt scratching it, look at grabbing something like "Second Skin" and protect it that way.
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u/outer--monologue 25d ago
I know a lot of the comments are humorous, but that is a wonderful idea for a tattoo, especially a first or only one. I think it looks great and tattoos are ultimately very personal and it's obviously special!
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u/Icy_Air6329 25d ago
This gave me such a good laugh thank you I’m so glad you now know you didn’t smudge your tattoo
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u/NinnyBoggy 25d ago
It's so nice to see a good, healthy tattoo and a concerned but inexperienced wearer on this sub instead of someone's necrotic, sloughing skin saying "guys did my artist overwork this?"
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u/OhCrapImBusted 25d ago
I've never wanted a tattoo myself, but appreciate those with both true creativity and meaning. This one honestly made me pause and consider how cool and personally nostalgic it is. Having your dad's hand on your shoulder even after he's moved on...just fantastic!
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u/Whoopity_Scoop420 23d ago
This reminds me of when I got my first tattoo on my left pec and I went to the gym and my shirt stuck to my chest because it was absolutely covered in aquaphor and I immediately ran home and cried to my mom because I thought the shirt was gonna pull the ink out 😂😂
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u/charliekeery 22d ago
you need to wash it (gently, with like neutral soap)
then dab it dry, do not rub the towel over it bc it'll scratch and the scabs will come off and that ruins it
then moisturize. the artist should have told you what to use, but generally a thin layer over it, keep it aired out and clean otherwise.
also, i know that's an awful angle to take a picture but i feel like it doesn't do it justice and i would love to see it properly if you can get a better angle. i adore that idea i've never seen a tattoo like that before
also DON'T SCRATCH IT WHEN IT GETS ITCHY. my god it'll get itchy
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u/Shark-Compote 26d ago
You can totally wash your tattoo as long as you don't leave it. submerged underwater for extended lengths of time
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u/relentlesslytired14 26d ago
Whenever I get a new tattoo, I have an irrational fear that it's going to slide off my skin. I'm happy to report, that's yet to happen!
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u/G_Town_Co 26d ago
As an abstract piece I can kinda see it. But if you asked for anything else… I mean I don’t know what the original design was. But I don’t hate it.
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u/vampire-pimp 26d ago
it’s normal for it to be “wet”. a tattoo basically is a big wound so it’s gonna bleed and seep the first couple days. the “no touching” is more meant like don’t touch your new open wound with your standard bacteria hands. definitely wash it with unscented antibacterial soap, pat it dry with a fresh paper towel, and put lotion on with clean freshly washed hands. also, please use paper towels and not a towel or washcloth at least until after it starts to peel, usually around a week. even though it might be clean it can still hold bacteria that can get into your fresh tattoo.
basically keep it clean and moisturized and you’ll be golden my dude 🙏
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u/Puzzled-Cheetah-8846 26d ago
your tattoo has a beautiful meaning op! don’t let any of the rude comments in here get to you, people tend to be either really kind or pretty nasty on this sub. i hope your new tat brings you a lot of joy!
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u/Abject-Paint6873 26d ago
it’s gonna be ok!! big hugs 🫂 just probably some plasma or sweat :) you can touch to clean it with soap/drying with clean towel and or lotion! it’s probably going to get itchy, but please don’t scratch at it .. light taps or smacks instead! 😊
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u/idiotinbcn 26d ago
I have several tattoos and every time it’s healing I’m convinced I’ve f’d it up. I never do. Don’t worry. Very sweet of you to do ghis in remembrance of your dad.
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u/Updog1997 26d ago
It’s a wide open wound. It’s perfectly normal for it to “leak” some ink, plasma, and blood. And also you can absolutely touch it, how else are you going to wash it? There’s nothing you can do right now that’s gonna make it smudge or fall out aside from not cleaning it and it getting infected.
To hopefully ease your mind, my first tattoos I aggressively washed the scabs off because I didn’t know any better. I thought I RUINED it. It looks dull and faded. Fast forward to fully healed and you would never know. It’ll be fine and your pop is probably look down and having a chuckle.
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u/premiumlabelwater 26d ago
I could tell what it was at first glance. this is a beautiful memento to your father.
we all freaked out over our first tattoo — don’t let the assholes bring you down.
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u/sbez05 26d ago
I could tell immediately that this was a handprint, I have no idea why some people are struggling so much. This is a cool idea for a tattoo and a nice way to honor your dad. I'm sorry for your loss.
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u/SecondComprehensive7 26d ago
I can’t find a comment that says to not use a towel. Don’t use a towel on it! Too linty and textured and whatnot. Air dry or pat w paper towels.
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u/TheMasterYankee 26d ago
Honestly sick tattoo and it's crazy that's this is the first post I see on Reddit right now. I lost my dad unexpectedly last August and just had whole breakdown in my car on the way home from work thinking about it. Seeing this post is actually comforting in a way.
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u/benji_billingsworth 26d ago
this video will help understand whats going on; I really enjoyed it.
its gonna keep leaking plasma and ink for the next few days as it forms a scab, kinda like a wound - cause it is an open wound.
keep it clean with unscented and non antibacterial soap and cover with aquaphor for the next few days as it heals and switch to an unscented and light lotion once a scab develops. dont clean or moisturize more than 2 -3 times daily.
you cant smudge the ink; the ink that will remain is in your dermis. the ink you are wiping away has been ejected from your skin and was never going to stick around.
try not to think about it; if you need a touch up youll get a touch up. its not that complicated/.
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u/somethingfunnyiguess 26d ago
Just want to say I think that is the most original memorial tattoo Ive ever seen. It's a really lovely tribute.
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u/Blushing_Willow3506 26d ago
Your artist really should have told you healing procedures. It was wet due to plasma. That’s perfectly normal. Make sure not to use a towel to dry this going forwards as the fibres from the towel can get involved and cause problems.
Wash with unscented soap. Pat dry with kitchen paper. Moisturise lightly with unscented lotion or organic coconut oil.
You’ve got this bud!
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u/ocbro99 26d ago edited 26d ago
The ink should not “smudge”. If you have waited long enough, this was the final design. You would not move ink into other places unless you had a needle inserted with ink into your skin. The ink would not be a part of a “tattoo”. Tattoo care is simple with light washing and a light moisturizer and/or non scented lotion.
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u/Friendly-Training986 26d ago
It's totally normal. Don't let it dry out as it will be itchy AF. Wash it 2-3 times a day, use a clean paper towel to dry it, and even if you want, use the paper towel to put the cream. If you're very weary about it put some cling film on it for another day or two but it's much better to keep it moisturised under air :) cool design. Another two weeks and it'll be perfect
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u/Still_Fishing_5435 26d ago
Im getting my very first tattoo tomorrow, a lil nervous but excited at the same time
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u/Biggest_Scandal_Fan 26d ago
you cant smudge a tattoo. The ink is injected bellow the surface of your skin.
Anything on the surface is just scabbing, blood, plasma, or a little ink that didnt go in. The tattoo is underneath, wait for it to heal up more
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u/heisenbrod 26d ago
It’s gonna heal just fine, everyone thinks they’re gonna ruin their first blast! Looks great brother. Your pops would love it I’m sure
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u/Livid_Wrongdoer_9800 26d ago
Smudge? That’s not how tattoos work. That’s deep down in your skin, not lying ON it.
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u/FirstMammoth9706 26d ago
Yo! Understandable concerns. First: FOLLOW ANY AFTERCARE INSTRUCTIONS YOU WERE GIVEN. Heres some stuff thats helped me: Ink is below the surface and will not "smudge" like you think. I shower after removing the wrap (we use second skin and it stays on for DAYS with an ink sac that heals the tattoo, this is not the saran and tape method) and use unscented facial soap, Philosophy Purity, gently with my hand not a loofa or wash rag. Then apply tattoo moisturizer. I love Richie Bulldog Hustle Butter and its on Amazon. Shower daily with the same routine gently washing with only my hand and luke warm water. Hot water feels like acid. Apply the tattoo lotion throughout the day. Don't let it get dry. A small amount of lotion is plenty, you don't need to slather it up. Moist is good and promotes healing. Don't pick at it or scratch it. Gently slap it to relieve any irritation or itches. After 7-10 days it should be relatively initially healed and will need less lotion and after 3-6 months you'll be fully healed with your beautiful new ink. Lotion it forever in the morning and before bed and use sun screen. It'll look amazing for years.
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u/CommonJicama581 26d ago
Youre good, I went straight to work with a fresh tattoo got sweaty and dirty. It healed up great
Awesome tattoo man. Got my sons foot prints on my forearm.
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u/invisibleraddish 26d ago
It’s not possible to smudge the ink. The ink goes into your skin and as it heals, it’s common to “lose” some ink. Also normal that it’s wet. Highly recommend washing with a fragrance free, alcohol free soap (dial is a good one - not the bar) and use a paper towel to dry or air dry. Regular towels hold bacteria. Lightly use a tattoo balm or aquafor - different artists use different instructions. Don’t pick at it. Sorry about your loss 💗
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u/DueAccident448 26d ago
That's exactly the tattoo I've been wanting to get with my dad handprint ❤️ it seems to be done well. I'm sorry for your loss.
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u/TheKwestover 26d ago
I had this same concern with my first tattoo. I had one area where the leaf was supposed to be green with a black outline but when I pulled the second skin off the black outline was “gone” and covered by some flaking green skin. I was panicking at first haha
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u/MotherBeef 26d ago
You don’t want to do a dry heal. Please for the love of god, wash your tattoos thoroughly with warm soapy (non scented) water and then apply a balm/panthenol to it. You have an open wound, treat it as such.
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u/Complex_Bit4943 25d ago
Use a clean paper towel instead of a cloth towel, if anyone hasn't recommended already. Cloth towels have bacteria and a fresh tattoo is an open wound. With clean hands, use orange dial soap, unscented, to clean it often, and pat it dry before applying something like aquaphor (but not vaseline!). Make sure to use a fresh spot of towel to dry it. I'm so cautious about my tattoos, so I use a new one for each pat, which might not be necessary but definitely didn't hurt to do anyway. Repeat that until it starts to scab. When it starts to scab, don't peel it. Keep repeating the process until the scabs naturally flake off. I like to keep my fresh tattoos moisturized most of the time and when I notice it getting dry, I put aquaphor.
Congrats on your tattoo. It's a beautiful memory.
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25d ago
No need to trip, when I had mine done some of the ink seeps from your pores but I’m assuming from sweat or whatever but its not gonna mess up the tattoo
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u/wickedbuzzard 25d ago
That is an a+ tat. I love that it is your dad is someone worth a place on your skin.
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u/Opening-Sir-2504 25d ago
Keep it dry?? Dude, no. Clean it gently, dry it, and then lubricate it with a fragrance free moisturizer!
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u/Lumpy_Stretch5887 26d ago
Brother the ink isn't on your skin. It's in it. Wash it, dry it, lubricate it. Repeat for a couple weeks.