Well of course you will be swollen and bruised. I think people kinda of lose focus on what the tattoo machine is actually doing to you, weather you feel pain at the time or not. If you go to the doctor and get a little shot, you most of the time have a bruise the following day, and are tender in that area. Think, or TRY to imagine how many times you were poked, with MULTIPLE needles over the course of those hours.
You are going to bruise, its will be hot….Kinda feel like a fever. But worsly, if you bled alot, you probably will have to sit and do a good bit of touch up on a arm that had that much done in one sitting.
Kinda weird he gave you pills for swelling, I would say. But my advice is, keep it lubed with some unscented lotion, and wrap it in a cling wrap that you use to cover bowls and stuff in the kitchen. Like some Glad wrap. This will hole the moisture in, and keep it from scabbing over much. Especially around the elbow, where you bend alot.
Good luck with it……And post some pictures.
