I got my tattoo done over a year ago (its a star of david in the middle of a tribal sun) on my lower back. it healed fine, bit itchy but no infections, no weeping, nothing untoward. I've read the tattoo aftercare thread and it healed like it was meant to. But its still quite raised - when I run my fingers over my lower back, I can feel the shape of it under my skin. Just wondering if this is normal or what it is. thanks -Tamsyn
It is normal. That is just the scar tissue under it. As long as it doesn't hurt or it isn't weeping it is fine.
there shouldnt be scar tissue. if there is, it means that the artist stayed on the same spot for to long. maybe your skin is being irritated by the ink. what color is it? red is a common problem for a bunch of people. i knew a bunch of people who's red spots would raise all the time. but this sounds like a question for mr inferno, he knows about tattoos, i really do not. i just wanted to take a guess
my tattoos tend to raise if my allergies are acting up... ihyave really bad seasonal allergies in other words i am allergic to everything.... also if i use a new lotion or someting they will raise up but they are not always raised...
the tattoo is completely healed now... the scar tissue is a probable answer, I reckon. Its all in black, no colour for me and I'm not allergic to anything so I doubt that its either of those. the scar tissue one sounds the most likely. I had to go back again to have bits redone which hadn't taken the colour properly so that could be the bits which were stayed on for too long or something...
^^^ My guess would be scar tissue. This is "normal" in that it is a common problem. This is not normal in that it shouldint happen if the tattoo is well done. Its a matter of overworking the skin. Allergies are another option, but you can determine this by taking a benadryl and seeing if the raising gets better. Peace
Shop around for a better artist on your next tattoo. Go check them out before you get it done. Look at their portfolio, if they don't have one there to show their work off- run, don't let them touch you. Remember, don't skimp on the price- a good tattoo ain't cheap and a cheap tattoo ain't good. Another thing, you shouldn't need a touch up later- it should go in right the first time.
good advice earthstar. i would say that the reason is not because the artist stayed on one spot to long, but it generally happens if they went to deep, or there was an inperfection in the needle. it is possible that you have scar tissue; i wouldn't know without looking at it, but it can happen. i have some raised areas in my yellow on one of my tattoos and in some black as well on another, and i've found that it is because i was having a reaction to the ink, not because of the person tattooing. and novocaine is right, red does do that alot because the body for some reason rejects that color, but even though you're talking about grey and black it could be the same deal. starbright colors give me a problem like that, and it's not something you can fix, but just something you have to deal with. not all colors have that affect and sometimes depending on where you get the tattoo it wont have an effect either. i can't give a reason why, i haven't figured it out yet. i would say though, get a new artist.
ahh, our poor absent minded brother chris.... he lost his awesome portfolio with years of work in it. good thing he's already got a following and is a top notch ink slinger, now he's inkin like mad to make another book.
