Is This Normal? Signs of a Broken Tattoo and How to Fix It

Getting new ink should be a fun and exciting experience, but when something feels off, you may not know what to do. How can you tell if your tattoo is healing properly or if you have a tattoo issue that should be addressed? Below, we profile some of the most common tattoo issues and signs to look out for so you can understand the difference between proper healing and a broken tattoo.

Tattoo Blowout

Tattoo blowout happens when tattoo ink spreads outside the tattoo’s original design, creating a blurred, smudged, or fuzzy appearance. Blowouts look hazy or have a blurry blue-green halo around the design. It's caused by injecting tattoo ink too deeply into the skin, which makes the ink spread and diffuse into the surrounding tissue. While tattoo blowouts are rare, they are more likely to occur in areas with thin skin or excessive soft tissue, like your ankles, inner arm, neck, and wrists.

You may notice a tattoo blowout immediately, or it could take several days or weeks to appear. Unlike healing smudges (which are a normal part of the healing process), tattoo blowout is permanent and won’t go away, even after your tattoo is healed.

How to Fix: Tattoo blowouts are permanent and require a permanent solution. The most common fix is to get a cover-up tattoo. A skilled artist from a professional studio, like Fine Ink Studios, one of the top-rated tattoo shops in Orlando, can help incorporate the blurred design into a new masterpiece. Some find improvement for tattoo blowouts after laser removal, though there is no guarantee they can completely remove the tattoo.

Infection

It’s normal for the tattooed area to bleed lightly, appear swollen, feel tender, or even ooze plasma. However, if you experience excessive bleeding, swelling, or skin that’s hot to the touch, your tattoo may be infected. You may also have an infection if you have a fever within 24 hours of getting your tattoo.

How to Fix: Seek medical attention immediately. Several things can cause an infection, but the best way to prevent it is to follow your tattoo artist’s aftercare instructions and treat your new tattoo like an open wound that needs time to heal.

Low-Quality Tattoo

One of the most common tattoo issues is dealing with the aftermath of a low-quality tattoo. Maybe you didn’t research the studio, or perhaps the artist was inexperienced in the style you wanted. Visual signs of a bad tattoo include crooked or shaky lines, poor placement, blurry figures, or uneven ink.

Low-quality tattoo issues can result from:

• Low-quality ink: Cheap or unregulated ink can trigger allergic reactions, fade quickly, or lead to long-term skin issues. This can impact the overall quality of the tattoo and make it more prone to spreading, blowouts, or allergic reactions.

• Lack of safety and hygienic processes: A professional tattoo studio must prioritize safety and cleanliness. Body art is a minor medical procedure, and you should choose a studio that treats it as such.

• Non-professional equipment: Your tattoo artist should utilize a variety of clean, well-maintained tools for different techniques when crafting your design. Look to ensure there are various safety measures around the studio, like artists wearing gloves, sanitation equipment, handwash sinks, and single-use ink.

• Inexperienced artists: New or inexperienced artists are eager for more professional experience, so they may work outside their specialty to achieve it. View your artist's portfolio and see samples of their work on social media before getting your tattoo to understand their styles and specialties.

How to fix a low-quality tattoo issue: Prevention is key! Research your desired studio and ensure your tattoo artist is familiar with the design you want.

Improper Aftercare

The key to preventing the most common tattoo issues is following your artist’s aftercare instructions and developing a solid routine. Regularly moisturize the tattoo area using products specifically designed for tattoo care that will hydrate your tattoo throughout the healing process. Stick to fragrance-free, natural products and avoid harsh chemicals like Vaseline, hydrogen peroxide, iodine, and other alcohol-based products. There are also a few activities you should avoid until your tattoo heals, such as swimming, soaking in a hot tub, or overly exposing the tattoo to the sun. You’ll also want to avoid irritating the area by wearing tight or uncomfortable clothing. By following these instructions, you'll ensure your tattoo stays vibrant for years to come.

How to Fix: Follow your artist’s aftercare instructions and develop an aftercare routine.

Avoid Tattoo Issues with Our Top-Rated Tattoo Shop in Orlando

Choosing the right studio is the most vital part of reducing the risk of having tattoo issues after getting inked. Our tattoo artists at Fine Ink Studios are expertly trained and licensed to provide a safe and healthy experience. We’re one of the top-rated tattoo shops in Orlando, dedicated to beautiful body art in a comfortable, clean, and personable atmosphere. Book an appointment with us today!