Tattoo removal advice?

I think it’s called Band-Aid—or maybe I've got the name slightly wrong, I was just sitting here trying to remember it and it completely slipped my mind.

I actually tried out a sample back when they had it available at the pharmacy, and I have to say, it managed to cover up my tattoo quite well. Though, since mine isn't particularly colorful, I suppose I can't be entirely sure how it would handle something more intense—it probably depends on the skin itself, I guess.🤷

The little bottle was roughly $83 at the time.

white butterfly said:I have a couple of questions: "Is it possible to get tattooed over scars that healed up about 3 years ago?" and also, "How much would a 40cm tattoo cost?"
I would be so incredibly grateful if someone could help me out with even just one of these...

1. You can definitely tattoo over a scar, but you really need to have an artist take a look at it first—I actually got ink right over my old appendix surgery scar once.
2. Mine was roughly 10 inches long and it ended up being $300

cc_army said:The golden rule? Try to stay out of the sun for about three months—that’s honestly the safest bet if you want it to look good. But, obviously, it really depends on where you get it done... If you're getting something in a spot that stays covered most of the time, you won't have much to worry about (unless you're some kind of outdoor fanatic who's constantly out in the heat). You could technically go swimming, but you've got to be smart about it—stay in the shade, keep it covered if you can't dodge the rays entirely, and slather it in high-SPF sunscreen—we're talking SPF 50 or higher—every few hours...

👍
And don't go sweating your eyes out either... honestly, if I were in your shoes, I'd just wait until September. That way, the tattoo isn't sitting there being baked by the summer sun and all that other nonsense.

stormytrucker21 said:I’m trying to wrap my head around how dangerous this actually is for your health, and honestly, what kind of damage does it do to your wallet?

What are all the red flags you need to look out for with this stuff?

😕

And once it's over, am I even allowed to donate blood?

Look, if you let some random guy tattoo you in a dilapidated basement, sure, you might pick up something nasty. But otherwise, most professional tattoo studios in the States operate like actual medical clinics—they have to pass strict inspections. They’ll unwrap a brand-new needle right in front of you, so you can be 100% confident about the sterile conditions.
It isn't dangerous at all... your muscles might feel a little tender underneath where the needle hits, but once everything heals up and the skin settles, you're good to go.
Personally, I haven't had any issues even after four years.

My tattoo cost me $333 for a 15x15cm design. But since I got a hookup, it was cheaper—usually, you're looking at at least $150.

One thing to keep in mind: don't get inked in the middle of summer. The intense sun can really irritate skin that's already sensitive from the process, which might increase your risk of skin cancer.
Then again, you could get skin cancer just by being reckless and tanning too much under the blazing sun... so... maybe aim for autumn or winter and you'll be fine.

Susan Price said:👍
And don't go sweating your eyes out either... honestly, if I were in your shoes, I'd just wait until September. That way, the tattoo isn't sitting there being baked by the summer sun and all that other nonsense.

Wait, why wouldn't you be allowed to sweat?
Back when I was training in kickboxing, I was absolutely drenched after every single session. I actually asked about this at the time, and they told me it’s actually great—it helps clear out your pores faster. You've gotta let your skin breathe somehow, right?

GRAVEYARD QUEEN said:If you're looking to hide scars, burns, or even old tattoos, you need to check out Band-Aid liquid makeup. It’s specifically formulated for heavy-duty coverage. The best part? It doesn't stain your clothes, and it stays put even if you're swimming in the ocean. It actually works.
You won't find this stuff at Sephora or any fancy department store; you have to go straight to the pharmacy to get it. And honestly, even the tube is pretty small. $83.

I’ve been through this a thousand times before. It’s old news.👍

Thanks for the tip, but honestly? I tried Band-Aid about ten years ago and it was a total disaster. Zero stars. You’d have had better luck just slapping some cheap Max Factor foundation over it and calling it a day. 🤷

I have a question as well 🙂 My tattoo is done, and tomorrow marks the end of the ten-day period I was supposed to spend moisturizing and caring for it. I spent quite a bit of time outdoors and used protective film, so I feel like it hasn't finished peeling entirely. When I run my finger over it, some spots still feel slightly swollen, almost as if the wound hasn't fully closed up yet.

So, should I continue applying ointment for a little longer (using the film or going without?) or should I just leave it alone starting tomorrow? 🤔

If I were in your shoes, I’d probably keep applying it for a bit longer. 👍
In my case, things mostly cleared up during that timeframe—though there was this one tiny patch left over—it felt a little rough to the touch and had a slight reddish tint, I suppose. But even that ended up fading away after maybe two or three days.

Using a film? I have the impression it’s never going to "dry out," and honestly, the product just keeps rubbing against it. I'm a bit confused 😁

Honestly, you’re better off just heading back to the guy who actually did the ink—he’ll give you the straight facts based on what he used... generally speaking, within about two weeks of getting tattooed, everything should be mostly healed and starting to peel. If you still have some Neosporin (or whatever you’ve been using to keep it moisturized), just keep applying it for a few more days... 👍

Look, folks... you can use plastic wrap for the first day, maybe the first few hours if you’re in a spot where your gear is constantly rubbing against the wound. Other than that? Forget the wrap! Just rinse it with lukewarm water and make sure it stays heavily coated with Neosporin.

If you don't, it’s never going to heal properly—it'll just get all messy and soggy. It HAS to breathe. But keep it greased up.

Here is what Shree replied before me 😁

I would probably just peel off the wrap—that’s actually what I ended up doing—though I think I might have kept it on until later that evening. And of course, just keep up with the ointment application 👍

At Zillow, they suggested I always keep the area covered with film whenever I'm sleeping or if my clothes touch the tattoo during those first ten days. Otherwise, my jeans just soak up all the ointment immediately, leaving everything bone dry. 😁

I was just hanging out at home wearing shorts, so I was 😁 maybe even 3/4 length
but when I went out, I wore something much looser—and honestly, I wouldn't say it chafed or hurt or anything... there wasn't any inflammation either, just a tiny bit of redness at first that seemed to clear up within a few hours. But anyway, that’s just my experience 🤷

At home, I either pull my pants up higher or just switch to shorts. However, since I spend most of my time outdoors lately, that’s becoming a bit harder to manage. 🙂

casualranger10 said:Wait, why wouldn't you be allowed to sweat?
Back when I was training in kickboxing, I was absolutely drenched after every single session. I actually asked about this at the time, and they told me it’s actually great—it helps clear out your pores faster. You've gotta let your skin breathe somehow, right?

But look, people told me I shouldn't be sweating at all for the first two weeks...

Nathan Gomez8 said:At Zillow, they suggested I always keep the area covered with film whenever I'm sleeping or if my clothes touch the tattoo during those first ten days. Otherwise, my jeans just soak up all the ointment immediately, leaving everything bone dry. 😁

Look, I get it—clothing shouldn't be rubbing against the skin. But if there is any way at all to keep stuff from touching that tattoo, you need to do it. Using plastic wrap just drags out the healing process and ends up messing with the ink quality. Sure, you can't exactly walk around naked, but come on... find a workaround or at least keep the cling wrap to an absolute bare minimum.

So, here's an idea from Pixien, for example. 👍

mistyridge5 said:I was just hanging out at home wearing shorts, so I was 😁 maybe even 3/4 length
but when I went out, I wore something much looser—and honestly, I wouldn't say it chafed or hurt or anything... there wasn't any inflammation either, just a tiny bit of redness at first that seemed to clear up within a few hours. But anyway, that’s just my experience 🤷

Bare skin 😂 Luckily, it’s just above the ankle 🤣

Anyway, I've been staying home most of the last two days, so it has some room to breathe... I can feel it healing; it itches constantly, but it should be fine soon 👍

GRAVEYARD QUEEN said:I’ve used COVERDERM liquid foundation before, which is specifically designed for masking up things like scars, burn marks, or even tattoos. It doesn't smudge onto your clothes and stays completely waterproof, even if you're out swimming in the ocean.
You won't find this stuff at a typical Sephora or Ulta; you really have to head to a pharmacy or a CVS to pick it up, and the tube is usually about $83.

It’s something I tested out quite a while ago.👍

Thanks so much 🙏

Hey everyone! Has anyone here actually been to "Crn" tattoo shop? I’ve heard some rumors that they’re top-tier but surprisingly affordable... I’m finally ready to pull the trigger on some new ink, but honestly, the decision paralysis is real. I’ve been looking into shops like "Washington, D.C.," "Gandalf," and "Crn" over in D.C., so if anyone has some firsthand experience or a strong recommendation, please let me know! Thanks!