I got my 5th tattoo yesterday and it's quite sore as it's very low down next to my pubes basically...there are reasons for it being there but anyway. My tattooist advised my to keep it covered with some cling film just to stop my clothes rubbing on it, although I have never done this with any of my other ones. I dabbed it this morning with a little piece of paper towel and noticed there was a black imprint on the towel as if some of the ink was coming out...i've never had this problem before and just wondered if it was due to the placement or not??

That's fairly common I think just keep it covered and use savlon I guess is the best advice. What did you get inked?

Thanks..was worried of the ink coming out. I just got some kanji...there's a photo in the tattoo photos thread

My friend is a tattoo artist *beams with pride* and I followed the instructions from her shop's website (well not her own shop but the one she works at) and it's perfect Original Skin, London.

Here's the link to their aftercare bit
Original Skin - Tattoo And Piercing Studio

I think if you're worried about it at all call the shop you went to and have a chat with whoever did it. I'm guessing they'd be able to give you more specific advice for that particular area.

ooh, i nearly had a tattoo done at that shop a few years ago. Thanks for the link..i'm having a look now....that really fat guy with the pin up on his beer belly is making me feel but the artwork is really decent!

haha. I went there in November for the first time. Cilla and Gem's art work is amazing. I've seen a lot of Gem's stuff because we went to art college together, but only what was up on the walls of cilla's... I love this Mark Ryden tatt though http://www.originalskin.info/osgalle...012_edited.jpg I wonder who did that one.

I just remembered Gem said Vaseline Intensive care Essential Moisture (yellow tube, blue lid) is the best cream to get. It's really cheap, not greasy at all and goes in easy.

I love that it's an all female shop. Female tattoo artists and female piercer, v cool. I'm going back for a sacred heart on my lower back, it's the first big tattoo I'll have had done so I'm a bit worried about the aftercare for that tbh. I got some vines and blue star-flowers on my ankle (for christmas) and was paranoid about knocking it. It must be tough on your pelvis. It's like baby sitting, I was constantly conscious of my ankle. It's all healed now, just a bit shiny. I can't wait for my sacred heart, it's been a long time in the planning

It's totally normal for a little bit of ink to come out for the first day or two. That happened with all my tattoos. I have also used plastic wrap on my tattoos when they were in a spot where clothing would rub against them. But try to take the plastic wrap off as much as possible. It's not good to keep it covered with plastic for too long. The tattoo needs to breathe.

I wouldn't use savlon on it, apparently it is far too strong. My tattooist generally advises me to use Bepathen and Bepathen only.
I agree with wrapping it, just when your at home make sure you allow it to be out as much as possible. I had to wear a skirt a day after getting my leg tattooed so I wrapped it up with film and tape to avoid stuck tights!
Try not to wear anything too tight in the area.

Same. Bepathen and Bepathen only!
I always leave the clingfilm on till I get home, take it off, wash the area and cream it up. I reapply cream every hour or so.
Washing the tattoo first thing in the morning and last thing at night.
For the first couple of nights I tend to wrap the tattoo in clingfilm during the night, to avoid it drying out and avoid staining my sheets!
When you come to wash it in the morning, you'll notice alot of watery ink is present. In my experience this is a good thing. Its getting rid of all that excess ink. My tattoos never scab and are very bright without fading. Scabs draw the ink up from under your skin. Just aim to keep it clean and creamed up!