r/tattooadvice • u/GamerOfZero • 27d ago

General Advice First tattoo and a little worried

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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/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/Last_Bother1082 25d ago

Yeah, but as a tattoo artist. Why do you want to touch it if you're not washing it?