Many artists prefer that their clients use only the lotion. Often the ointment is applied too heavily – which is why it gets on your clothes. With a heavy application, dirt and bacteria can stick to the tattoo. With far too much of a petroleum based product like A & D, it can prevent the proper sealing in of the ink so artists worry about losing ink, too.

I personally prefer ointment as a THIN veil the first few days.

As with tattoo convention work, it was likely not attended to in the appropriate amount of time after tattooing and too much fluid built up on the skin causing thick scabbing, whether over-worked or not.

Scabbing is not normal. In some instances of very thick and tight scabbing, a doctor actually has to remove it. Really, as much as people will complain, you need Ink Fixx ointment or A&D ointment to soften those scabs because at this point you even risk scarring and probable loss of color.

Did you ever get a scab on your knee as a kid and it dried up and kept getting bumped before it came off and re-scabbed, bled, and hurt – especially if the edges got bumped? It scarred, too, right? You need to avoid this scenario.

Do yourself and your tattoo artist a favor and not pay too much attention to the skin changes as your tattoo is healing. It will start looking pretty bad and some areas will appear lighter than others. Just let it go through its natural process and follow the aftercare instructions.

In 30 days you will have a beautiful fresh epidermal layer and will know how well the tattoo healed in.