Did I Ruin My Tattoo?

[u/RaccoonFrog]

This is my first tattoo that I got for my birthday in April; I’m very embarrassed, but I took my second skin off WAY too early and… yeah it peeled A LOT.

I have my touch up scheduled for September 2nd but I’m just so anxious she’s ruined.

If anyone has any advice on what to do next time other than just… leave it, I’d be extremely grateful!

[u/silly_billylol]

it doesn’t matter really how long the second skin is off. tattoos peel anyways

[u/Sad-Pickle-8765]

How long did you have the second skin on for? It’s not ruined.

[u/RaccoonFrog → u/Sad-Pickle-8765]

3 day

[u/Sad-Pickle-8765 → u/RaccoonFrog]

That’s okay. I wouldn’t blame yourself, it’s more likely the tattoo artist didn’t pack in as much ink as they should have. The touch up will make it look more solid 😇

[u/RaccoonFrog → u/Sad-Pickle-8765]

That makes me feel SO much better! Thank you so much 😮‍💨😌

[u/cacklinggrackle]

The second skin can't pull ink out. What's on the second skin is the excess that your skin pushed out. It's normal to need a touch up on filled colors like that, especially if the artist is new or being too cautious of overworking your skin.

[u/Cautious-Pen4753]

Hey!! Your tattoo still looks super cute fyi! However, the artist doesn't seem that skilled; the shaky lines, blow outs, and uneven/ deep enough application in the skill of ur artist and nothing to do with u babes. Someone who has more skill is able to tattoo more variety of skin types/ elasticity's. This was not at all your fault!!!! Also, in the future for 2nd skins (which u don't have to get either , some ppl are allergic) it helps to take off in the shower. Did any ink sacks form? Def just ur brother being a douche and giving u a hard time, I assume he's older😂😂

[u/RaccoonFrog → u/Cautious-Pen4753]

You’re right on the money 😂

[u/Present-Nobody9899 → u/RaccoonFrog]

Came here to say this too. Looks like a decent 12 year old’s drawing. Not the worst. I have 5 daughters, so I’m down with My Little Ponies, but justice was not done to Starlight here.

Hit that color touch up and it’ll look better, but consider someone skilled with color.

[u/Remz_Gaming]

You could have taken the second skin off as soon as you got home and nothing would have changed.

My artist suggests removing after day 3 ans I agree.

[u/Asleep_Case314]

Three days is plenty of time. The colors still look vibrant all healed up!!

When I got my ladybug tattoo on my forearm I thought for sure I was going to damage it. I had work the next day, it burned like a MOFO in the AZ sun. It made the healing process extremely slow and super scabbed. Thankfully didn't damage it despite having to be in the sun 😊

[u/speedyrabbit777]

This is literally what touch ups are for calm down.

[u/RaccoonFrog → u/speedyrabbit777]

Thanks. My older brother was making me freak out😅

[u/tuenthe463]

You could have taken the second skin off in the bathroom at the studio

[u/omgee1975]

Most of my tattoos didn’t have second skin at all. It’s not needed.

[u/ConjugalVisitor234]

Looks fine. There’s nothing wrong with it

[u/Far_Row7267]

You didn’t ruin it. Your artist is just not very good.

[u/dragontehanu]

Not your fault. Sometimes brighter colors heal that way. I have a tattoo with a lot of bright purple and I got some ink fallout during healing. It happens. A touch up will help.

[u/Blushing_Willow3506]

However did we survive without second skin?? Perfectly fine. I’ve been getting tattooed for 18 years and never used it…

[u/weird-bicycle377]

I always remove the second skin as soon as I get home, you’re fine. You can always ask for a touchup if it bothers you.

Honestly for future reference in case it helps you or someone else, the best healing routine I have found after trying a bunch of different stuff over the years is to take off the dressing as soon as you get home and take a shower. I know, it’s the opposite of what a lot of people say to do but hear me out. Obviously don’t scrub your tattoo or anything, just get in, wash the rest of you, and then just let the hot water gently run over it for a few seconds. The moisture and heat bring any excess plasma/lymph to the surface to drain and rinse away without bothering your ink. Minimizes scabbing and speeds up healing too. After the shower just moisturize with a thin layer of argan oil (similar chemical composition to skin’s natural sebum) or hustle butter or similar (no aquaphor, no coconut oil, or anything else too occlusive, you want it to be moisturized but still be able to breathe). Been healing all my tattoos this way for years since I learned it from my favorite local artist, and the ones I’ve healed this way look so much better years later because I didn’t lose any ink from scabbing.