Overworked or infection?


Fast track your progress with the world's premier training program the Artist Accelerator

I

Itsalittlecold

Basic
Joined
13 Feb 2019
Messages
17
Location
Hull
First Name
Shaun
Gender
Male
Hi, I’m new here.. I’m not a tattoo artist but I am very worried with recent tattoo (2weeks)
So I thought this is probably a good place to get answers. So I when I got my neck tattoo, I fell in love with it, I thought it was great. 2-3 days later I started noticing patches and one area looking weird, I proceeded to wait a few more days before seeing the said artist for his opinion, before I went to him, I saw a different artist (done 8 of my bro’s with no probs) she said it was infected and I need to let it dry out and try clean the scabbing off. So with that I went to my artist as I should listen to his advice, he really wasn’t happy with the look of the tattoo and made me feel it was my fault, this is my first tattoo and he didn’t give me written instructions or anything, but with my bro having so many I trusted him when it came to aftercare. Anyway he said it wasn’t infected and I should keep it moisturised twice a day with Cocoa butter. Now straight away I am so confused as two well established business’s in my area where saying completely opposite things. It’s making me worry, after 2 weeks it’s very sore and I can feel every movement with my neck, but I think with it been my neck it’ll take longer to heal. I’m concerned whether I should see my doctor or if it’s a case of been overworked, I’d like to see your opinions please.... sorry for long post I’m trying to explain best I can. How do I attach photos?
 
R

Rossco

Premium Gold
Joined
30 Sep 2018
Messages
333
Location
uk
First Name
....
attach file below the box you used to type your post..


id personally go see a medical professional and let them decide if its infected or not..if it is infected they will give you tablets to sort it out..im sorry to say if it is infected it will be certainly something you will have done by accident and not the studios hygine
 
Last edited:
R

Rossco

Premium Gold
Joined
30 Sep 2018
Messages
333
Location
uk
First Name
....
like that
 

Attachments

  • 20190213_125529.jpg
    20190213_125529.jpg
    42.4 KB · Views: 6
balooka

balooka

Premium Plus
Joined
14 Nov 2017
Messages
437
Location
Netherlands
First Name
Jay
Gender
Male
I think only premium members can attach images? You could upload it to a free photo service like flickr, imgur or something like that. Hard to tell what's wrong with it without any images.

Just a quick question, your first ever tattoo was in your neck?
 
I

Itsalittlecold

Basic
Joined
13 Feb 2019
Messages
17
Location
Hull
First Name
Shaun
Gender
Male
ribul said:
attach file below the box you used to type your post..


id personally go see a medical professional and let them decide if its infected or not..if it is infected they will give you tablets to sort it out..im sorry to say if it is infected it will be certainly something you will have done by accident and not the studios hygine
Click to expand...
Thanks for your reply... I don’t think it has anything to do with artists hygene as they are a well established studio and been around for a long time.. once I find how to upload images you’ll see where I’m confused to it been overworked or infection.. I am currently in gp waiting to see doctor.
 
I

Itsalittlecold

Basic
Joined
13 Feb 2019
Messages
17
Location
Hull
First Name
Shaun
Gender
Male
balooka said:
I think only premium members can attach images? You could upload it to a free photo service like flickr, imgur or something like that. Hard to tell what's wrong with it without any images.

Just a quick question, your first ever tattoo was in your neck?
Click to expand...
Ah yes, that makes a lot of sense... if I upload to Flickr ect could that be then transported to here? I can give my snapchat, if someone is interested in seeing images.. I have no problem with that. Yes my first was on my neck, I’ve always been in love with neck tattoos and I’m always covered up, so I thought I’d like it on show... it’s a runic symbol (fearless) I love the way it looks but just a shame the problem is on my neck lol
 
balooka

balooka

Premium Plus
Joined
14 Nov 2017
Messages
437
Location
Netherlands
First Name
Jay
Gender
Male
You can add the flickr link here, no problems. I don't have snapchat, sorry.

Oh I'm OK with you having the neck tattoo, but I had the impression most artists wouldn't do neck or hands as a first tattoo. Must be only me then :D
 
I

Itsalittlecold

Basic
Joined
13 Feb 2019
Messages
17
Location
Hull
First Name
Shaun
Gender
Male
balooka said:
You can add the flickr link here, no problems. I don't have snapchat, sorry.

Oh I'm OK with you having the neck tattoo, but I had the impression most artists wouldn't do neck or hands as a first tattoo. Must be only me then :D
Click to expand...
I understand that actually, however if one didn’t do it.. I’m the type to keep on looking for one to do it. Here’s the Flickr link hope it works... there’s 16 photos from first day up until today, thanks for your time.
 
balooka

balooka

Premium Plus
Joined
14 Nov 2017
Messages
437
Location
Netherlands
First Name
Jay
Gender
Male
flickr link

Could it be that you forgot to either publish them or make them public? If I go to your flickr I can see your name but there are no albums (visible).
 
balooka

balooka

Premium Plus
Joined
14 Nov 2017
Messages
437
Location
Netherlands
First Name
Jay
Gender
Male
Are you still putting something on it? Some ointment? If so, don't.

I'm not a doc but I would think this is overworked and possibly infected , too, where the thick scabs are (and the ink is gone).

If it hurts, see a doc, if it still feels warm or hot even, see a doc. I am all for not panicking but you should not fool around with an infection.
 
R

Rossco

Premium Gold
Joined
30 Sep 2018
Messages
333
Location
uk
First Name
....
yep thats infected..you could go to hospital minor injuries and get tablets..you will be given a course of flucloxacillin..
 
fylfot

fylfot

Premium Plus
Joined
9 Jun 2012
Messages
1,167
Location
England
First Name
david
I don't know if it's infected or not but i am leaning more towards overworking, i say that because the main area that has lost colour is the darkest area in the 'just done' pic. So he may have been tattooing and thinking it was taking waaay to long to pack that solid black into your soft bouncy neck and cranked up the volts or gone deeper. Necks are horrible to work on, painful for you and very awkward for the artist to maneuver the machine due to the shoulder and jaw line ect. I never like to diss another tattooer but for a pro shop tattoo it's sub par. Care for it as you would any other injury and get the empty areas re-hit after a few months by a different artist.
 
I

Itsalittlecold

Basic
Joined
13 Feb 2019
Messages
17
Location
Hull
First Name
Shaun
Gender
Male
Thank you everyone for your reply’s.. I appreciate it :) as for lotion, I was instructed not to use it and let us ‘dry’ but the artist who did this, instructed for me to keep it lotioned. So I went to docs today as I was confused with it been my neck I’m scared of damaged skin/scarring.. the gp told me to keep it moisturised and prescribed antibiotic cream to apply 3 times daily. I never thought about it been overworked as when I saw my artist he seemed really mad and made me think it was my fault for poor aftercare, It may be that poor aftercare contributed to this, however he didn’t give me written instructions or anything, my brother found it weird that he didn’t show me the needle expiry date. But upon days of looking through my photos, I noticed it was almost instantly the bad appeared. I ain’t the type to take to social media or bad reviews ect hence why I haven’t named him. I will be following all the advise given to me. Thanks everyone!
 
balooka

balooka

Premium Plus
Joined
14 Nov 2017
Messages
437
Location
Netherlands
First Name
Jay
Gender
Male
Good thing you went to a gp for advise. I have an aftercare instructions list and it says 2 thin layers of Bepanthen (after cleaning it!) for 2-3 days, max. Never had anyone mention a reaction. The only one that had a reaction kept the tattoo covered in Bepanthen for 2 full days without cleaning it and all those layers prevented to skin from breathing.
 
R

Rossco

Premium Gold
Joined
30 Sep 2018
Messages
333
Location
uk
First Name
....
your gonna have to let it heal and settle down before you can recolour it....id personally wait at least 3 months...plus the next time its tattooed the infection could come back..i know this thru experience and being told that by the hospital...
 
M

marked 4 life

Premium Gold
Joined
31 May 2011
Messages
1,622
Location
U.K.
First Name
A
That is overworked and possibly the black ink got diluted with blood hence the poor fill, could even be the machine not running correctly.

That wasn’t done in a shop was it ?
 
Goldwingdaz

Goldwingdaz

Premium Plus
Joined
27 Aug 2016
Messages
1,189
Location
Stoke on Trent
First Name
Daz
Gender
Male
Geez, that is rough, definitely overdone and not the greatest work to be honest. I would expect better from a shop, however, just as a thought, have you been wearing any necklace? Jewelry on new tattoo flesh is a nono and will give a similar result in many cases.
 
I

Itsalittlecold

Basic
Joined
13 Feb 2019
Messages
17
Location
Hull
First Name
Shaun
Gender
Male
balooka said:
Good thing you went to a gp for advise. I have an aftercare instructions list and it says 2 thin layers of Bepanthen (after cleaning it!) for 2-3 days, max. Never had anyone mention a reaction. The only one that had a reaction kept the tattoo covered in Bepanthen for 2 full days without cleaning it and all those layers prevented to skin from breathing.
Click to expand...
Ahhh okay, I am keeping it very clean, before I apply cream I will wash it and leave 10mins to air dry.. the gp prescribed me with fusidic acid cream, he never told me how long to use it for though. So I’m guessing the full tube?
 
I

Itsalittlecold

Basic
Joined
13 Feb 2019
Messages
17
Location
Hull
First Name
Shaun
Gender
Male
ribul said:
your gonna have to let it heal and settle down before you can recolour it....id personally wait at least 3 months...plus the next time its tattooed the infection could come back..i know this thru experience and being told that by the hospital...
Click to expand...
Yes I was worried about that long time frame for healing, such a shame it’s on show all the time. So when it comes to a recolour seeking another artist would be my better option?
 
I

Itsalittlecold

Basic
Joined
13 Feb 2019
Messages
17
Location
Hull
First Name
Shaun
Gender
Male
marked 4 life said:
That is overworked and possibly the black ink got diluted with blood hence the poor fill, could even be the machine not running correctly.

That wasn’t done in a shop was it ?
Click to expand...
Unfortunately yes it was a shop that done it, funny thing is the shop I used is the longest running establishment in my city. I thought they would be great... live and learn lol
 
I

Itsalittlecold

Basic
Joined
13 Feb 2019
Messages
17
Location
Hull
First Name
Shaun
Gender
Male
Goldwingdaz said:
Geez, that is rough, definitely overdone and not the greatest work to be honest. I would expect better from a shop, however, just as a thought, have you been wearing any necklace? Jewelry on new tattoo flesh is a nono and will give a similar result in many cases.
Click to expand...
No, I don’t wear any jewellery. I never thought much of it, but with it been my neck I decided to take daily photos to keep checking, then looking back through the photos I noticed the problem was there all along.
I’m very worried that he’s damaged my skin or even scarred the skin.
 
fylfot

fylfot

Premium Plus
Joined
9 Jun 2012
Messages
1,167
Location
England
First Name
david
Don't worry your skin will be fine, even if it is scarred to a degree it can still be tattooed over, but make sure you wait a long time, months or even a year so the next tattoo artist has the best chance of putting it right. The problem is top quality artists are not going to be interested in doing a black tribal marking on a neck, they can pick and choose their work and are going to want to do more artistic designs.
 
I

Itsalittlecold

Basic
Joined
13 Feb 2019
Messages
17
Location
Hull
First Name
Shaun
Gender
Male
fylfot said:
Don't worry your skin will be fine, even if it is scarred to a degree it can still be tattooed over, but make sure you wait a long time, months or even a year so the next tattoo artist has the best chance of putting it right. The problem is top quality artists are not going to be interested in doing a black tribal marking on a neck, they can pick and choose their work and are going to want to do more artistic designs.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the response I appreciate it :)
 
M

marked 4 life

Premium Gold
Joined
31 May 2011
Messages
1,622
Location
U.K.
First Name
A
Itsalittlecold said:
Unfortunately yes it was a shop that done it, funny thing is the shop I used is the longest running establishment in my city. I thought they would be great... live and learn lol
Click to expand...
For a shop applied tattoo the line work is bad, it must of been by the shop apprentice or the least experienced, I would insist that it was repaired and tidied up by the shop once it has fully healed and settled down if not I would kick up a stink about it, how much did you pay for it if you dont mind me asking ?

Also I would of got you to remove your shirt or at least tuck a tissue in it to prevent it getting on to your clothes regardless of old clothes or not, when I tattoo women I always get them to tuck tissues themselves under bras and pants to prevent that mess you have on your shirt.
 
Last edited:
I

Itsalittlecold

Basic
Joined
13 Feb 2019
Messages
17
Location
Hull
First Name
Shaun
Gender
Male
marked 4 life said:
For a shop applied tattoo the line work is bad, it must of been by the shop apprentice or the least experienced, I would insist that it was repaired and tidied up by the shop once it has fully healed and settled down if not I would kick up a stink about it, how much did you pay for it if you dont mind me asking ?

Also I would of got you to remove your shirt or at least tuck a tissue in it to prevent it getting on to your clothes regardless of old clothes or not, when I tattoo women I always get them to tuck tissues themselves under bras and pants to prevent that mess you have on your shirt.
Click to expand...
It’s funny you say that, because he’s the guy who’s taken an apprentice on for training, leaves me thinking he’s the experienced one.. like I say the shop it self has been the longest tattoo shop in my city (Hull) I was happy with the tattoo at first, but maybe I should of shopped around. I paid £65 around 30mins work. Il will be popping into to see him in the next day or so, as he insisted it wasn’t infected. If I didn’t post on here and decide to go to my gp, I wouldn’t want to think about how bad it got. I’m considering seeing if other artists are happy to rectify his work, il be happy for it to redone but if my neck is left with a scar or damage, il probs go a little further with my complaint
 
M

marked 4 life

Premium Gold
Joined
31 May 2011
Messages
1,622
Location
U.K.
First Name
A
It needs the line work tidying up, curves are supposed to be curved and if it is tribal it should have points on it, this is what I mean.
 

Attachments

  • B51B8A74-BF3D-46D3-AE88-4EADD6E0B361.jpeg
    B51B8A74-BF3D-46D3-AE88-4EADD6E0B361.jpeg
    101.6 KB · Views: 17
MalligaMallan

MalligaMallan

Premium Gold
Joined
17 Dec 2014
Messages
5,687
Media
22
Location
Stockholm
First Name
Malin
Gender
Female
@tattoo.morth.art
marked 4 life said:
It needs the line work tidying up, curves are supposed to be curved and if it is tribal it should have points on it, this is what I mean.
Click to expand...

It’s a runic symbol so they could be this uneven on purpose. Just saying. I’m not saying it’s good lines, I can’t really tell, but it’s not certain the lines should have same pointy shapes as in a tribal, and it’s not certain the circle should be perfectly round.
 
balooka

balooka

Premium Plus
Joined
14 Nov 2017
Messages
437
Location
Netherlands
First Name
Jay
Gender
Male
Itsalittlecold said:
It’s funny you say that, because he’s the guy who’s taken an apprentice on for training, leaves me thinking he’s the experienced one.. like I say the shop it self has been the longest tattoo shop in my city (Hull) I was happy with the tattoo at first, but maybe I should of shopped around. I paid £65 around 30mins work. Il will be popping into to see him in the next day or so, as he insisted it wasn’t infected. If I didn’t post on here and decide to go to my gp, I wouldn’t want to think about how bad it got. I’m considering seeing if other artists are happy to rectify his work, il be happy for it to redone but if my neck is left with a scar or damage, il probs go a little further with my complaint
Click to expand...

Man, I must be slow! He did this in 30 minutes? Including prepping and stencil? I don’t do tribal or runes so I can’t really tell, but 30 minutes seems a bit fast, or is that just me :rolleyes:
 
fylfot

fylfot

Premium Plus
Joined
9 Jun 2012
Messages
1,167
Location
England
First Name
david
I was thinking the same, to line and solid pack that design on a soft area like that in 30 mins is going some imo.
 
I

Itsalittlecold

Basic
Joined
13 Feb 2019
Messages
17
Location
Hull
First Name
Shaun
Gender
Male
I’d say, including prep and stencil about 40mins and itis a pretty decent size to have. I have no knowledge or experience when it comes to tattoos however it’s kinda making me regret even getting this one :( is it weird I liked the pain? Lol
 
TexasPT

TexasPT

Premium Gold
Joined
9 Dec 2011
Messages
6,152
Media
1
Location
Texas
First Name
Mark
@marknovak5572
it's just a poorly applied tattoo...

or it's an average-ly applied tattoo. Depends on whether you go real world or TV show standards. Technically though, they butchered you. You'll need a few months healing before you can sort it out...but it will be fine in the long run.
 
Patch72

Patch72

Premium Gold
Joined
3 Aug 2014
Messages
1,479
Media
7
Location
Kent
First Name
Russ
Gender
Male
Wow that’s a grim tattoo mate,looks over worked,lineworks well off even for a apprentice,in a studio Inviament,once all the scabbing is off and the skin healed go back and get them to fix it I recon your looking at a least a month for it to be fixed.use bepanthen on your next one it will help you heal better
Good luck with it mate
 

Create an account or login to comment

You must be a member in order to leave a comment

Create account

Create an account on our community. It's easy!

Register

Log in

Already have an account? Log in here.


Fast track your progress - The complete online tattooing course for beginners

Top