Peeling Tattoo…That’s Old.

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Friday July 25th, 2008 @ 11:20 AM

Filed under: Tattoos

So, as a freelance designer who works from home, my work schedule is not always the most healthy–meaning, I tend to one or two hyper-focused overnighters a week. I’m hoping the physical stress of that is the key to my question, but I’m not so sure–I’ve never even heard of this.

A few days ago, during an intense work night, I noticed that some of the blue line work on my leg sleeve were puffed up slightly. Not all of them, but a few segments of a few lines. I thought it was strange but left it alone.

Today, about 3 days later, I was sort of absentmindedly picking at the skin on my shin, and peeled off a little strip of skin that was about 1/8″ long, and as wide as the line work it came from. When I looked down at whatever gross thing I had just pulled from my body, I noticed it was BLUE. Then inspecting my shin, there was another little line that looked like it was scabbing over slightly, presumably from the irritation the other day.

Um, the thing is, I’ve had this work for over 6 years. I did lots of research into the artist, it was a reputable shop, I have no known allergies at all, and it heeled perfectly without issue. I put mega sunscreen when I go out into the sun, and under direct sunlight like at the beach, I almost always have a towel over it. The colors are extremely vibrant, and I’ve taken a lot of care to keep them that way. I also use an epilady to remove my leg hair in case that’s of any note, but I haven’t in over a month, because, well, it’s just hair.

From my understanding, tattoo ink is much deeper than the thin layer of skin that just casually peels off, right? This NEVER happens, and I will admit, I am a little bit of a picker, so I’ve seen my share of it. There was no blood, and the skin I peeled was very thin.

I’m freaked, thinking that the ink is suddenly rejecting from my skin. Have you ever seen this? Is it a bad sign of things to come? Am I paranoid for no reason?

A lot of people experience some lines and areas of their tattoos puffing up and even rashing under certain stresses (ie. Sunlight exposure/burns, environmental/pet allergies, sensitivity to soaps, etc)
In a healed tattoo it shouldn’t be a big concern if it happens and it should go back down in a day or so.

The part of your tattoo peeling is likely a result of you fussing with the swollen lines three days before… You may have rubbed off the first layer which would have been clear and somehow irritated the tattoo underneath to peel up a bit of pigment.
I, personally, have never heard of a tattoo rejecting after years of healed wear. I can’t see it being physically possible!

The next time you tattoo gets irritated - and it likely will for whatever reason - Just leave it alone. Try gently washing the irritated area and avoid picking at it!

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