my 3 day old tattoo really hurts, is this normal healing?

Question

its 3 days old.

its red around the edges

sore to touch

cant put any pressure on it.

its a 4 inch by 4 inch tattoo

is this the normal healing process or is it infected

Answer 1

Yup it's normal or can be for some people. If your skin is more sensitive, (like you're ticklish) than it will hurt just because your skin is sensitive there. (Like why papercuts hurt so much).

Just make sure not to soak the tattoo, (like in a bathtub or pool), until it's fully healed or yes, it could become infected.

--Lee Ann

Answer 2

Okay, first off DONT put savalon on it!!! (I read that someone said that, but its a HUGE no-no!!! It will draw out the ink.)
Second off, someone else said 'is it hot like a fever, if so its infected.) No, its not infected. The pain you are experiancing is perfectly normal. You said it is red around the edges, and I'm guessing it is probably scabbed up a little bit. What you want to do is go and get some Diaper-rash OINTMENT. Do NOT get cream!!! The easiest way I can explain it is that you've just given yourself an elaborate scratch. The scab that forms is your bodys way of healing. You WANT to keep that scab on the skin, because when it heals, it will heal the ink into the top layers of skin. You do this by keeping it as moist as possible, which is why you want to put diaper-rash ointment on it.

The pain does go down after awhile, but it is replaced with itching. DO NOT SCRATCH!!! Simply get some non-scented lotion and apply it liberally...just slosh it on. After about 5 minutes, take a paper-towl and lightly dab off the excess lotion.

You will know when to switch between the lotion and ointment simply because you will start to feel the tattoo itching. thats when you want to stop with the ointment and start with the lotion. Also make sure that there is as little friction with the tattoo as possible, because it will encourage the scabs to loosen. Wash the tattoo very carefully once a day, use an anti-bacterial hand soap, and dont scrub at it. pat it dry with a soft, clean towl.

Remember, diaper-rash ointment and non-scented lotion, and above all, dont do anything that will loosen the scabs!

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
my 3 day old tattoo really hurts, is this normal healing?
its 3 days old.

its red around the edges

sore to touch

cant put any pressure on it.

its a 4 inch by 4 inch tattoo

is this the normal healing process or is it infected

Answer 4

take care of it, if its still sore after a week go back and see your tat dude..

Fresh Tattoo

Take bandage off in 2 hours
Wash tattoo carefully with warm soapy water
DO NOT SCRUB
Lightly pat the tattoo until dry…
DO NOT RUB
Apply a very thin coat of bacitracin or aquaphor ointment 3 times a day for 3 to 5 days
Although re-bandaging a tattoo is not recommended, if covering the tattoo is necessary a sterile bandage or dressing should be used.
Be sure and wash the tattoo every night and morning…
DO NOT SOAK
Avoid tattoo exposure to direct sunlight and refrain from swimming in fresh, salt or chlorinated water for at least 2 weeks.
After External Healing

Tattoos heal quickly BUT fading can still be a problem
Apply hand lotion once a day until dryness stops
Vaseline Intensive Care, Lubriderm, Nivea, etc...
Tanning fades tattoos
Always cover fully healed tattoo with sun block
DO NOT RUIN YOUR INVESTMENT!!!
Please Note:


Treat your tattoo with care… Improper care and bad advice can destroy your art!
Please contact a health care practitioner at the first sign of infection or an allergic reaction, and report any diagnosed infection, allergic reaction or adverse reaction to that artist and to the Texas Department of Health – Drugs and Medical Devices Division
(1-888-839-6676)

Answer 5

It is normal. Your tattoo is like an open wound. As if you had gotten a huge scratch. It is going to scab up and itch a lot. Try not to touch it often. Keep it moist, using A & D Ointment (this doesn't fade the ink). And try not to think about it. You're going to be okay, but touching it can cause infection, so stay clean, make sure to wash it gently during the shower with Dial, Unscented, Anti-bacterial soap and warm water, it stings, but it's healthy. Congrats on the tat... I have 3, and am getting a new one soon!

Answer 6

Yes it's normal. All you need to do is just keep it clean by taking a warm wet cloth with some soap that has no sent or anything like that and wipe it down with the cloth. Then after your done with that the best thing to put on it is Vaseline gel about 2 times a day.

Answer 7

Small world. I have a 3 day old tattoo also. I was told it would probably be sore for awhile. It would feel like a sunburn and start to peel. Keep carmex (yeah, its for ur lips) on it. It keeps it from drying out.

Answer 8

Its going to hurt and be red for a while. Be sure you are keeping it clean with non scented soap, and your not rubbing it against stuff. and also make sure you put lots of non scented lotion on it. if it isnt feeling better by the end of next week then you should see someone, but mine hurt for about a week to a week andhalf.

Answer 9

Well, it might be infected...
Does it feel hot? Like fever?
If so, it's probably infected.
What about your aftercare?
Are you washing it 3X a day, with anti-bacterial soap, like Dial? You should be.
If you're not using triple antibiotic ointment on it, you should be.
Do those two things, wait a few more days, then if it's no better, go see your Doctor for oral antibiotics..

Answer 10

It's perfectly normal for your tattoo to hurt the first week or two. Let it breathe and keep it clean.