Why did my second tattoo bleed so much?

Why would a new tattoo swell and bleed out the ink?

• Answer:

  Because that's our body's natural defense - to expel foreign objects - even ink. You just picked a bazillion holes in your body and the ink WILL come out until it begins to heal, 5-10 days initially...45 for complete healing. DO NOT rub it DO NOT I repeat DO NOT pick at scabs...let your body heal. it needs to be kept clean, PAT it dry after you wash it - every half hour - and apply some A + D ointment to it...DO NOT use neosporin. You may be allergic to the ointment if it's swelling. I would stop using it - you have a mainline into your blood stream with an open tattoo. There may be zinc in there and some people are allergic to it. Make sure you put a towel on your bed to lay on - it WILL stain your sheets too!!! I have a ying-yang on mine from my husbands arm after two days of healing!! Swelling and seeping is normal - you may have blood and plasma leaking out too. DON'T FREAK - all normal. If after 5-6 days it's not settled down - call a Dr. get his opinion. Good luck - hope it's a cool one.