Why does my tattoo feel raised and flaking?

Question

i got it almost a week ago, i've been doing all the up keep.

i do know it's not the place i went to, because they are widely known for their proffessionalism and hygene.

Answer 1

You should be happy that it's do all these good things.You would be in big trouble if it wasn't doing the itching & flaking. The reason it's raising is all the needles and ink you just had put into your body.The best thing to keep on it is vaseline .

Answer 2

It will feel raised and flake due to the dead skin. Try to use antibiotic at least twice daily. It will be ok. Don't worry if it isn't turning very red.  

Answer 3

go back and see what they have to say. or go to your doctors. whatever you do you should do pretty soon.

Answer 4

You just had needles poked into your skin over and over for an hour! Of course your skin is itchy!

Try A-D ointment. It is soothing and has some medication for the wound.  Always works well for me.

Answer 5

Because it is still healing. Flaking is usually the last step in the healing process - its normal.

Use A&D Ointment on it.

Answer 6

Because in essence, it is a superficial wound (although not even as deep as a cat scratch) and your body is responding to this "wound" as it would any intrusion.  What is happening is precisely what should be happening.

P.S. despite what others have said to the contrary, your tattoo SHOULD indeed be "flaking" or peeling.  I have never had a tattoo nor has anyone I know had a tattoo that did not peel.  You are fine!

DON'T scratch it!  The best way to deal with the itch is to smack it lightly.  I am surprised that the tattoo artist did not advise this.

Answer 7

Like the other posters said, it's probably just in it's last healing stage. The other option is that your body is reacting negatively to the ink, which is, after all, a foreign substance. Take a benadryl for the itch and also to relieve histamine levels. See your tattoo artist and have them look at it, and if there is a problem, be sure to see your doctor.

PS remember your care instructions, you should only be using ointment for the first few days or you will draw out the color.  My artist recommended aquaphor and it's healing brilliantly.

Answer 8

i have 11 tattoos and when i eat something that i dnt normally eat my tatoos get raised and itchy u might be midle allergic to something

Answer 9

its suppose to be puffy but not flaky, you should get some better lotion to put on it or you'll lose all your color!  

Answer 10

That's natural.  That first 'layer' is going to scab off.  Just keep applying the ointment so that it doesn't scar and wait for the flaking to stop--give it another week or two.