Is My Tattoo Infected?

Hiya there people, this is my first post so I'll introduce myself quickly. My name is Danny and I'm from London. 21 years of age and currently a student

So I've got my first tattoo when I was on holiday in Hong Kong about a month ago, everything went fine during the healing process but recently some spots have started to pop up and I am worried that it may be the start of an infection. During the healing process I made sure I didn't soak the tattoo is water, washed it with unscented soap and patted it dry with a clean towel. After showering I put on Bepanthan nappy rash cream.

When I got back to London the tattoo started peeling, so I let it peel off naturally whilst keeping it moisturised. Around 2 weeks ago the tattoo has finished healing, no more peeling (thank god, It didn't look nice) but I noticed a few small red spots and red rashes popping up (which looked even worse than peeling). I let it be and read about it online and found out that I may have been using too much cream, which clogs up the pores which apparently forms spots. This wasn't the case, I eased off the cream and didn't use alot, only just a tiny amount to make the tattoo shiney as read online. More spots started appearing and the rashes got bigger which is really getting me worried as this is my first tattoo and I don't want it to be a bad experience as It will put me off getting more.
Here's a pic of what It looks like (It is not puss in the spots, the flash made It look white)


As I did this in Hong Kong I can't go to the tattoo artist for help. I was thinking It may have been the equipments he was using that made It this way, but I can't point fingers. Just so you know, It was done in a tattoo parlour which actually looked nice and hygienic. I travelled around for hours too look for the the most cleanest and modern looking tattoo parlour there was.

Please any advice? should I book an appointment with my local GP?

I would personally see your doctor. Do you know what ink was used as that could play a part of diagnostics as some foreign inks contains matalics

an infection will typically make the whole are red and HOT. If it's just bumps...you may have ingrown hairs from shaving or possibly just clogged pores, like you said. But still, if you're concerned I'd go get it looked at. 2 weeks out it's not open any more and not real suceptable to infection like it would be new.

Alright thanks for the replies. And no, I don't know what ink was used as I was just looking forward to getting inked and was careless. I'm going to book an appointment with the doctors first thing tomorrow.

@TexasPT Ingrown hairs? I'm a hairless dude, I can't even grow a mustache lol yeah it's just bumps, they don't hurt or anything, just not a good sight. I'll try not applying any cream for the mean time and see how that goes.

sounds like a reaction to the ink to me can last for months

On my phone it looks like pimples, possibly staph infection / personal hygeine / aftercare ? Get it checked over and keep us informed.

Got an appointment on Thursday, I'll keep you guys updated. I haven't used any cream on the tattoo for the whole day and the redness is dying down abit, I noticed 2 spots are starting to fade away. Lets hope the cream is to blame, I would hate for it to be an infection.

Sometimes it takes time for a tattoo to heal but it will heal gradually.

you mention your hairless - did they shave the area before tattooing you? (your likely not hairless but have peachfuzz type hair, could still get infected).

also... some of the tattoos iv gotten from less skilled artists get cysts/pimples on them, just wait it out; pretty certain there's no (serious) infection there, just a bunch of pissed off follicles. I use face scrub on my crappier tattoos while showering, seems to keep the pimples away.

you can get cysts/pimped from stuff so simple like:

- shaving rash
- ingrown hair (where you've pushed a hair into the skin
- using tap water in your rinse cup
- the client applying too much bepanthen and clogging their pores

infection can happen anywhere (it usually happens outside the studio) all it takes is for them to get home and their pet to brush past their tattoo it's so easy.. most of the time it's not even the artists fault

I didn't know that about tap water, what do you use, distilled ? I have been using bottled still water.