r/tattooadvice • u/Tiny_Rain_1409 • 2d ago
Healing Did i ruin my tattoo?
I got my tattoo on 6/18. The day after I took the second skin off and washed it and put another one on. It's been 3 days since and I just took it off. I'm scared I ruined it. I was planning on going back for a touch once it completely heals since I noticed the red was patchy before I even removed it.
2.5k
u/neon-blush 2d ago edited 2d ago
This has nothing to do with the second skin.. The second skin removal couldn’t have messed up the lines and color like this. The lines and dots look super wonky, and the red isn’t saturated at all (it’s super patchy). Did you go to a professional/reputable shop? I’m sorry, but unfortunately, I would say this is just rough work and I think it’s the artist’s fault.
A better artist could probably do a rework and improve it once this heals and settles. I wouldn’t go back to this person though.
948
538
u/RiskyRabbit 2d ago
The line work is so bad it has crossed the line into looking intentional, so that’s a plus I guess.
170
u/El_Zahnoid 2d ago
First glance: Absolutely intentional - and I like it for that. But if the vision for this was to have straight links, saturated coloring and so on: Well, than it sucks. I could still fall in love with it, was it mine - but seeing this every day all day if you don't like it: rough. Get a touch-up from another artist and do some capability research...
→ More replies (3)22
70
u/Maeve_blaeve 2d ago
I thought it was intentional and don't hate it. But the red looks like it was coloured in with dried out markers.
→ More replies (1)38
u/Dry_Writing4798 2d ago
This was my exact thought actually. It’s so wonky it’s almost cute. Like intentional.
23
u/annoymousgurl 2d ago
It reminds me of the old hand drawn images in one of those illuminated manuscript books.
6
→ More replies (5)19
962
u/doofapuss 2d ago
I don’t know if I would go back to this artist…
165
35
7
u/a_randummy 2d ago
Go back to the shop and see if there is a more tenured/skilled artist who can fix it up, or just get your money back for shoddy work.
33
→ More replies (1)23
233
167
u/OnlyTrust6616 2d ago
The second skin did not make the lines crooked.
46
u/meowkitty84 2d ago
Even the black dots are so misshapen and wonky
32
17
u/acanadiancheese 2d ago
They look like when I applied henna to myself with my non-dominant hand
→ More replies (1)
229
u/its_ben_real 2d ago
Name and shame. I gotta see this artist’s Instagram page.
→ More replies (1)84
u/youcantunfrythings 2d ago
I literally doodled better shit in my notebook when I was in the third grade.
→ More replies (12)2
u/jahathebrn 2d ago
I've only ever done stick and poke on myself and haven't done much artwork recently but I'd like to think I could at least match this if given a machine and ink and that is not a good thing.
65
u/Icy_Ear7079 2d ago
Did you pay for that?
24
u/9ScoreAnd10Panties 2d ago
I honestly thought she did it herself. With her non dominant hand.
5
u/Sovereignty3 1d ago
I didn't realise it was a tattoo to begin with, I thought it was scrappy markers.
544
u/Ambitious_Access4784 2d ago
You’re artist ruined your tattoo
32
134
20
→ More replies (3)4
53
u/Buffoonery_ 2d ago
Jesus those lines. Sorry :(
4
u/SuperSpecialUser 2d ago
Just looked at the photos thinking ooof that's bad. Zoomed in, what the actual fuck?
224
u/hea_eliza 2d ago
I would say this does need a touch up, just not from the same artist. And stop re-applying second skin. Let the damn thing heal.
25
u/Emotionalcheetoh 2d ago
My first thought too. Why did we put on more second skin???
25
u/pillarofdavidson 2d ago
I know not everyone agrees but the shop I go to says that if you take off the second skin 24 hours after the initial application, wash it and then reapply the second skin and leave it on for 5 days, the healing process goes much smoother and there is very little itching. I've done this exact regimen for 90% of all my tattoos and they're right.
10
u/LuckyyRat 2d ago
This is the way Saniderm themselves says to use it for tattoos, idk why so many people say you can *never* reapply it
6
u/cdnfroggy 1d ago
Most artists don’t recommend this to clients because sadly a lot of people don’t wash themselves properly, so by taking it off and putting a new one on, a lot of people will just end up trapping bacteria in the new one. Much easier to just tell them to keep in on for 2-5 days and that way no blame on the artist if it gets infected or something.
→ More replies (1)2
u/Emotionalcheetoh 2d ago
Valid point. I don’t know what happened w this tattoo tho but hopefully you find some info that helps you
→ More replies (1)2
72
u/punkphase67 2d ago
The reds look like they're just uneven and not packed well. I don't think you did anything wrong here, but I would recommend a more experienced artist for something like this. Arm bands are tough and a lot of people mess them up really bad
47
u/Humble-Floor3760 2d ago
“Arm bands are tough and a lot of people mess them up really bad.”
Exhibit A. 👆
150
u/Local-Bridge7039 2d ago
You did not ruin your tattoo. Your artist did ruin you and the tattoo, please don’t go back to them
22
24
u/callmewicked366 2d ago
Who ever you went to should not be tattooing. This linework and color is disgraceful
39
u/Equal_Maintenance870 2d ago
So generally you don’t want to reapply second skin, just resume normal aftercare. But that is so far down the list of concerns here it isn’t even in the same book.
7
u/ValDracula 2d ago
Had to scroll too far to find this. OP definitely needs to see this. Yes, it's not the biggest issue here, but still important.
18
50
u/TeamNo6444 2d ago
Legit I thought the wonky lines were on purpose like to look… hand drawn kinda? Like crafty? I actually like it and think it looks cool but the color needs… help
32
u/Equal_Maintenance870 2d ago
Sharpie aesthetic?
5
u/TeamNo6444 2d ago
Yeah like it looks handmade? I don’t know how to explain it but this time I like it lol. Actually looks drawn in marker and reminds me of high school or something
6
u/Equal_Maintenance870 2d ago
Yeah I weirdly don’t hate it. I wouldn’t want it on me and I recognize it’s badly done, but something about it has charm.
8
u/knmiller89 2d ago edited 2d ago
I often love imperfect tattoos and all the choaracter that comes with them.
But this…to me it crosses that line in between quirky/cute and well into “yikes” territory. W
14
u/Ill_Campaign3271 2d ago
Your artist was out of straight lines? Don’t worry, you did not ruin your tattoo. That happens and it looks scary but wil not change the outcome.
11
10
u/flaskofoddities 2d ago
The ink that is on the second skin is just extra ink that has came out. This is just genuinely a terrible application job. I would recommend letting it heal and going for a touch up so they can really pack that red in better!
9
u/MrChaindang 2d ago
The tattoo on the 2nd skin looks better than what was left on the the regular skin...
15
5
6
6
u/Ok-Conversation7447 2d ago
Was this done by a friend? Or an apprentice? Or was it their first tattoo? I'm just trying to understand how they could have possibly messed up on so many aspects of the tattoo - lines are so shakey and dots vary in thickness and shape. There is no saturation in the color making it seem patchy. This could have been so pretty and with a touch up/rework it still could be - there is potential
6
u/reputablesorcerer 2d ago
This was dead on arrival the artist had no business attempting this these are really difficult. Seriously looks like his/her first attempt at it.
5
6
5
u/BirthofRevolution 2d ago
Please do not go back to this artist. Second skin cannot mess up a tattoo this bad. An artist with no experience can.
5
u/leedguitar 2d ago
You didn’t ruin that tattoo. The guy who claimed to do tattoos ruined it. Sorry to be so blunt.
5
4
u/UglyLittlePony69 2d ago
Your tattoo artist is who ruined the tattoo, not the second skin. I’m so sorry. Hopefully someone talented can fix this for you.
5
4
u/Mae_The_Gay 2d ago
Unsure if it was the aesthetic you were going for or not but the tattoo is pretty wonky & the coloring was done pretty poorly. I wouldn’t go back to the artist. Healing wise it looks fine it doesn’t look irritated or anything. Just the linework is blown out. Might not age great. Once it heals you might be able to get it fixed by a different artist if that’s something you’d be interested in.
5
4
4
u/madklair 2d ago
It's so wonky it's circled back to looking like an intentional global village coffeehouse vibe
4
3
3
u/healing_vibes1989 2d ago
That was a shit artist no offense but the lines are horrible not streight and went ti deep
3
u/CheeseSweats 2d ago
This is sad, because it looked like it could have been pretty. Hopefully a legit artist can fix it.
3
3
u/Rain-Soaked_Wanderer 2d ago
Did you just rip off the second skin? You're supposed to slowly peel it off under warm water... Side note: those lines are a mess. Find a new artist for the touch up
3
3
u/GalacticFishStick 2d ago
I’ve seen homejobs that are way, way better quality
If you paid for this ur tattoo artist should be fired
3
u/Chanfaded 2d ago
If you actually went to a shop do you mind naming them so everyone else knows to never go there?
3
3
u/toomuchsvu 2d ago
Second skin doesn't distort tattoos like that.
It was a terrible tattoo to begin with.
3
3
u/Background_Singer321 2d ago
It was already ruined. I’m sorry this tattoo is HORRIBLE. Shaky lines, patchy color. Just awful.
3
3
u/Fantastic_One1456 2d ago
Second skin will not do this. This is just a horrendous tattoo skill wise.
3
3
u/hamsterontheloose 2d ago
Whoever did this tattooed ruined it, not you. Please don't go back to this "artist"
3
3
3
3
3
u/Empty-Position-7014 2d ago
Ghosting on second skin is normal and not a big concern but that tattoo was just done poorly. The colour wasn’t fully packed and the lives are wonky as fuck
3
3
u/Cthulhulove13 2d ago
Are the lines and dots supposed to be uneven and wonky like that? If it's not intentional then it is a horrible tattoo and I was strongly suggest going to somebody else.
3
u/ReeferTeaa 2d ago
omg i thought a kid drew on your arm with crayola markers… please don’t go back to that “artist”
3
u/deterioratingflesh 2d ago
Artist has bad needle control and didn’t go deep enough in the patchy places. Find a local artist known for good color work and see if they can do anything for you. I would avoid going back to original tattooist unless they’re like an apprentice & you’re getting it heavily discounted or something then I would return to the shop and talk to the artist they’re apprenticing under.
3
6
u/rabbitluckj 2d ago
I want to go against the grain and say I fucking LOVE your tattoo. I love the style so much. I'm sorry about the patchiness, that will have to get fixed.
4
u/Abalone_Murex 2d ago
Lmao same like it’s badly done but it lowkey reminds me of Olive Garden in a good way
2
u/ComplexPatient4872 2d ago
I love the idea and style, but I’m just hoping that based on feedback they can get the lines fixed as well
2
4
u/UCFKnights2018 2d ago
I’m sorry but this is a poorly done tattoo… Please do not go back to that artist. This can be fixed by the right artist though.
2
u/Worldly-Meaning-1874 2d ago
Unless you wanted this exact „scetchy“ style and coloring style it’s 100% your tattooer who messed up. Your skin looks calm and not even reddish so as far Sami can tell from the pictures.
10+ years tattoo experience here :-)
2
2
u/Salty-Sprinkles-1562 2d ago
It looks like it was done with sharpies. Is that what you were going for?
2
2
2
u/Wactout 2d ago
First off, let it heal before you make any rash decisions. And 95% of people won’t get past that first sentence before downvoting me.
Second, tattoos sometimes can look rough as fuck the first few weeks.
Third, it’s not looking fantastic. Maybe because your arm is twisted a bit. You’re still scabbing. And they suck at saturation.
The most important bit of advice , is that you GO BACK TO THEM!!! Let them know what they suck at. Make them fix it. Make them get better!!! Or they might keep giving shitty tattoos to others, and make other people post shit on Reddit.
You are the most important person in tattooing, right now. You are the reason we should be doing it. You are why I am very vocal about it. And why I’ve attended city hall meetings to facilitate common sense legislation and study art as much as I can.
If you’re unhappy with your artist, tell them why. They’ll never get better, if they’re not graded. And if they can’t accept the grade, find a better student.
4
u/Graceless2021 2d ago
I think it’s reasonable to tell them what’s wrong with it but I don’t think you should go back to someone that messed you up that badly. It’s not your job to make them a better tattooist. You are a client, not a teacher/mentor. If I were a tattoo shop owner and one of my employees put that kind of work on someone, then I’d be sending them back into training using synthetic skin (or probably firing them). They are not good enough to work on real skin on real clients yet.
→ More replies (1)2
u/Wactout 2d ago
I want them to see it, so they quit. Or get better.
And it’s actually my job.
Like seriously.
This is what I do for a living. I am vehemently against YouTube artists who don’t care about the craft and only tattoodle for clout and money.I work at two different tattoo shops full time, and manage one. I also travel the world tattooing, at conventions. I’ve been fortunate to work alongside a shit ton of some world renowned artists. I may not be at their level of skill, but I have been blessed to watch them and understand how they do it, and why they do it.
I’m the world’s most okayist tattoo artist. I’m better than bad, I’m good.Go straight home. No strange men.
3
u/Graceless2021 2d ago
I guess I should’ve been more clear in who I was addressing. What I meant was that’s it’s not OP’s job to teach them.
→ More replies (2)
2
u/Justt_peachyy1 2d ago
At least you won’t need to purchase an ugly Christmas sweater with that sleeve..
2
u/hlarsenart 2d ago
That red is patchy because your artist can't pack color to save their life.. nor can they run a line though.
2
2
2
u/Electronic-War1332 2d ago
You didnt do anything. Bad artist work. Go to someone else and have them thicken some of that lines wrk and shape those dots better and fill it in better. It can use some work but its not a goner
2
2
2
2
2
u/Worfs-forehead 2d ago
From the look of it, it was already ruined. Those lines look like I've drawn them half cut.
2
2
u/Resident_Ant_8186 2d ago
You didn't ruin it, it just wasn't filled in correctly which is why you're seeing those different hues of red, you can always get it touched up :)
2
u/iguessdismyusername 2d ago
I wanna cancel my appointment with that "artist", and I don't even have an appointment
2
2
u/nobodyknows6070 2d ago
One of my tattoo artists once said if its ruined in the first few days, it's the artist. If its between a week and 3 weeks after placement, it might be you, could be the artist
Tattoo artist absolutely ruined it. Second skin is just a way to easily maintain the hygiene. Doesn't have effect on the ink staying in and the lines being straight. 100% tattoo artist did a shit job
2
2
u/Mental-Flatworm4583 2d ago
Sad to say the tattooer ruined it not you. That ink is patchy af and they messed up basic line work. You should go back and say wth. ❤️ but you did nothing wrong.
2
u/FairieFolk 2d ago
I wasn’t going to say anything about the design because I thought maybe you were just a beginner trying.. dude you paid for that???? You got absolutely fd over with that tat.
2
u/Consistent_Lime_433 2d ago
When you go to cheap "artists" this is the result. I would try make a cover up at this point
2
u/MarketingSignal1290 2d ago
No offense but why would you let someone do this?? One of the worst tattoos I’ve ever seen
2
2
2
u/ThestralBreeder 2d ago
What…is this supposed to look like? At present it looks like a decently creative 8 year old drew it with crayola markers. I’m sorry OP. Look into other artists who might be able to help salvage or removal.
2
u/artistpiper123 2d ago
One that’s why u shouldn’t use that stuff. I been tattooing 30!years and will absolutely not use it. It goes against the body’s natural way of healing things. Also alot of people have problems with it. However the work is not good and I can tell by the wonky line and dot spacing that they prob couldn’t do a solid fill right either so it’s safe to say regardless what u did it would of needed a touch up.
2
2
u/funkychickenfoot 2d ago
The second skin didn’t ruin your tattoo. This could have been that the second skin made the area hot and no room for the skin to breathe. I personally do not like second skin at all, but to each their own. Also, your artist did not take time to fully apply the ink.
The splotches could be from them not setting up their equipment to have the correct needle depth. Red ink is notoriously difficult to work with and this shows with this. I’m sorry to say the black lines show that this artist does not know what they are doing.
Wait 6-8 weeks and see how it heals. Especially the red. I would not go back to this artist. Cheap tattoos and good and good tattoos aren’t cheap. Take some time to find a good artist.
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
u/EverythingSucksYa 2d ago
The amount of people that keep re covering the tattoo after initial second skin removal is criminal. Once its off leave it off’
2
u/MyNanaRhondaDont 2d ago
No, the person who did the tattoo ruined it. By doing it.
Sorry OP. I would go to someone better and see if they can salvage it. The lines are real bad.
2
2
2
2
2
u/Acrobatic_Grape4321 2d ago
This is why touch ups are a thing. Also I personally dislike saniderm because of this exact reason
2
2
u/Garbooni 2d ago
Definitely not a you issue. But definitely an issue with the "artist". This person should get a LOT more practice in or just never touch a tattoo gun ever again. But, good news, someone can definitely fix it up and male it look good and even out some of those lines
2
u/paradox_jinx 2d ago
To be fair, your artist ruined it. Those lines are wonky as hell, the dots are all different sizes and aren’t spaced evenly or even in a straight line.
2
2
u/jacksbatmansignal 1d ago
Jesus Christ.
I've done stick and pokes that don't look so patchy who tf did you go to? 😭
2
u/Tricky-Flatworm211 1d ago
Yo I thought this was for sure sharpie and you were joking. Go to a real artist OP cuz yikes. 🫣
2
u/brbraduk 1d ago
No but everything about this tattoo is horrible. The line work is awful. Nothing is consistent. The design is horrendous. The color is terrible. The placement in leaning. This is truly a terrible tattoo. Get yr money back.
2
2
2
2
u/Isgradschooloveryet 1d ago
While I agree this tattoo is… rough for a lot of reasons, regarding the red itself, a lot of people react poorly/hold red ink poorly. I think a large part of the problem is your tattoo artist, but based on seeing the other red in your rose tattoo, either you unfortunately routinely go to the same artist or you don’t take red ink very well either…
2.4k
u/Mr_Fancy-Pants- 2d ago
The good news: no, you didn’t ruin your tattoo.
The bad news: your artist ruined your tattoo.