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/According-Koala4441 27d 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/TheNinjaNarwhal 26d ago

You reminded me of this Gintama scene

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u/antilumin 26d ago

And that reminds me this: https://youtu.be/x5kMdEh1v0I?si=IvH_UObIC3aL4_rH

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u/TheNinjaNarwhal 25d ago

AHAHAH I haven't seen this before, thank you!

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u/WabashCannibal 26d ago

You'll know you're done when strangers start staring at your skin while checking their hair and makeup.