I’ve used curved mags for a few years now. No idea if it makes any difference I’m just used to them now. I’m a bit naughty I don’t check my pre-mades unless they seem ‘wrong’ when I start using them.

That not a ‘legal’ requirement, thats a proviso set out by the tattooists insurer.
Therefore it will not be the same for all tattooists…

It will improve slightly with time, I wouldn’t touch it for at least 5 months personally. Then you could have any missing colour put back in. It will always be scarred now though I’m afraid.

Sun is always bad for tattoos whatever their age but… When a tattoo first heals, the layer on skin between the ink and the surface is kind of thin, feels a bit rubbery and looks shiny. This means your new tattoo has less protection from the sun and it’s UV rays. Also, before the tattoo is healed it would hardly be a good plan to get it sun burned!

New tattoos don’t like sweat so exercise and something like a sauna would not be advisable that said, a good tattoo done by a top artist probably wouldn’t suffer too much. But really is it so important that you use a sauna? Your only looking at 10 days or so to heal anyway!

Swimming pools aren’t recommended because of the chlorine. Chlorine is bleach and can fade out a new tattoo quite badly especially in the first couple of days.

I hope that helps 🙂

In fairness to the artist there really doesn’t appear to be much wrong with your tattoo. I mean if I were being really picky then I guess the lines could be a bit sharper and it could use a bit more contrast. But all things considered, most people would be very happy with a tattoo like that.

You mention you’ve never been back to the same artist twice? I wonder if you have unrealistic expectations about what can be achieved with the tattoo medium? Even the best tattoo will have some imperfections, some are the artists fault, some are down to events during healing, some are a result of the individuals skin and skin tone.

I agree with the above though, a bit of colour would really make it pop. 🙂

Good luck

They are rosettes, Borneo rosettes. They are quite often done by hand. 🙂