A black-and-white photo of a person mid-air in a Superman-style body suspension pose, supported by multiple hooks in their back and legs, smiling joyfully toward the camera. They are suspended horizontally in a large indoor space with high ceilings and visible rigging. A group of onlookers—some seated, some standing—watch with expressions of admiration, amusement, and support. The atmosphere is lively and communal, capturing a moment of shared experience and transformation.

BME/Risks: Extreme Tattoo Ink Bleeding

It’s not unusual for some people to get a slight “halo” of color around their tattoos, as the ink moves out via capilliary action and permeates and stains subcutateous tissue. Sometimes this is because of a mistake make by the artist (for example, tattooing too deep), but because anatomy is so variable from person to person, even the best artists have it happen at times. Typically this halo extends not much more than 1/4″ and is subtle enough that most people won’t even notice it, but a friend just sent me this example which is one of the most extreme examples of tattoo ink bleeding out into surrounding tissue that I’ve seen to date.

In the pictures below, the left one (which also shows a rash that developed after the tattoo, which may or may not be related — I suspect not — and was treated successfully with Sibicort, a Chlorhexidine/Hydrocortisone cream) is two weeks after the tattoo was done, and the right one was taken four months afterward, showing what looks almost like a bruise all the way around the arm. Over a year and a half later and the discoloration still looks the same. The woman with the tattoo has very light, thin skin which is generally sensitive and prone to allergic responses. The ink that was used is the same ink the tattooist normally uses and hasn’t caused problems for other clients as far as anyone knows.

These pictures shows the extremes to which ink is capable of spreading. It should be noted that because of the likely depth and diffuse nature of the discolouration, it is unlikely that this can be treated short of simply tattooing over all affected skin. If any professionals have comments or feedback on this — theories on what caused it or how to minimize it, or whether this is just an unavoidable risk in a certain percentage of clients — I’d love to hear it.

megableed

Comments

111 responses to “BME/Risks: Extreme Tattoo Ink Bleeding”

  1. LP Avatar
    LP

    I have had my sleeve done in stages… First 2 were fine. Now at 1/2 sleeve & I have ink migration on the inner arm & I had planned to get the last of the sleeve done in a few weeks time!
    Artist didn’t grip my arm tight…. Or I didn’t think so at the time. She’s an experienced artist.
    I am interested in the use of thicker inks to get this finished with confidence?

    http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b145/leopard_pagan/Tattoos/3b_zpsf005c937.jpg
    http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b145/leopard_pagan/Tattoos/3a_zps03083332.jpg

  2. LP Avatar
    LP

    I have had my sleeve done in stages… First 2 were fine. Now at 1/2 sleeve & I have ink migration on the inner arm & I had planned to get the last of the sleeve done in a few weeks time!
    Artist didn’t grip my arm tight…. Or I didn’t think so at the time. She’s an experienced artist.
    I am interested in the use of thicker inks to get this finished with confidence?

    http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b145/leopard_pagan/Tattoos/3b_zpsf005c937.jpg
    http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b145/leopard_pagan/Tattoos/3a_zps03083332.jpg

  3. Texas Ranger Avatar
    Texas Ranger

    Just today I saw a retail clerk with an extreme halo on her arm. She was very dark olive skinned and does not have sensitive skin. It appeared as if her tattoo was smeared and as if she outlined it with dirty charcoal, as the halo effect was mottled. Although the work was NOT done by a professional, I don’t believe it was too deep because there was no scarring. I just had to look this phenom up. I’ve never seen this. But I think it is so important to remember that with any tattoo, there are many inherent risks;this is one of them.

  4. Texas Ranger Avatar
    Texas Ranger

    Just today I saw a retail clerk with an extreme halo on her arm. She was very dark olive skinned and does not have sensitive skin. It appeared as if her tattoo was smeared and as if she outlined it with dirty charcoal, as the halo effect was mottled. Although the work was NOT done by a professional, I don’t believe it was too deep because there was no scarring. I just had to look this phenom up. I’ve never seen this. But I think it is so important to remember that with any tattoo, there are many inherent risks;this is one of them.

  5. Hazel Avatar
    Hazel

    A month ago I had my husbands name tattooed on my wedding finger. I went to a professional recommended by a friend who had had her work done by him with no problems at all. The tattoo bled very little although and having very tiny fingers the artist said it was quite diddly to do however I was thrilled with the result. I followed instructions about not immersing it in water and used salvon until it had healed but noticed the bruising didn’t appear to be going away. After about three weeks I began to realise there was something not quite right and that this bruising was in fact ink spread. I hope it fades over time as it does look like I have a big bruise permanently on my finger but I don’t blame the artist. It appears this is just an unfortunate incident that he could not foresee happening. And, as I do have thin fingers and the skin is thin, perhaps that is the reason this happened.

  6. Hazel Avatar
    Hazel

    A month ago I had my husbands name tattooed on my wedding finger. I went to a professional recommended by a friend who had had her work done by him with no problems at all. The tattoo bled very little although and having very tiny fingers the artist said it was quite diddly to do however I was thrilled with the result. I followed instructions about not immersing it in water and used salvon until it had healed but noticed the bruising didn’t appear to be going away. After about three weeks I began to realise there was something not quite right and that this bruising was in fact ink spread. I hope it fades over time as it does look like I have a big bruise permanently on my finger but I don’t blame the artist. It appears this is just an unfortunate incident that he could not foresee happening. And, as I do have thin fingers and the skin is thin, perhaps that is the reason this happened.

  7. Kae Avatar
    Kae

    I have a very extreme case of this blow out situation. However it is followed by extreme loss of coordination in my forearm and pain. My tattoo is several years old yet I had it touched up a year and a half ago. The blow out didn’t start until 8 months ago followed by pain that has gotten worse. I no longer can play my guitar and some days have trouble brushing my hair. Before I knew of a “blow out” I was seen by a Dr. Who performed an ultrasound which came back fine. My life is greatly altered by this and I wish I could take the tattoo back 🙁

  8. Kae Avatar
    Kae

    I have a very extreme case of this blow out situation. However it is followed by extreme loss of coordination in my forearm and pain. My tattoo is several years old yet I had it touched up a year and a half ago. The blow out didn’t start until 8 months ago followed by pain that has gotten worse. I no longer can play my guitar and some days have trouble brushing my hair. Before I knew of a “blow out” I was seen by a Dr. Who performed an ultrasound which came back fine. My life is greatly altered by this and I wish I could take the tattoo back 🙁

  9. Bianca Avatar
    Bianca

    I have recently had the same experience and when I went back to the tattoo artist they claimed they had never seen this before. My his is my second tattoo and it’s on my inner forearm.
    I went to another tattoo artist and he said it was bleeding under my skin because I have such fine skin. He said it’s not possible to remove with laser! Has anyone else tried to remove it with laser and what was the outcome?

  10. Bianca Avatar
    Bianca

    I have recently had the same experience and when I went back to the tattoo artist they claimed they had never seen this before. My his is my second tattoo and it’s on my inner forearm.
    I went to another tattoo artist and he said it was bleeding under my skin because I have such fine skin. He said it’s not possible to remove with laser! Has anyone else tried to remove it with laser and what was the outcome?

  11. Stephanie Avatar
    Stephanie

    I had this happen on two tattoos pretty badly. The one leaked green about two inches outside the tattoo. The other one was done two weeks ago and is leaking blue 2-3 inches outside the tattoo. I linked a picture of the more recent one. Both were done by the same artist. Both also got infected, which has never happened to any other tattoo I’ve gotten done. Both tattoos are on my arm. I also have pretty pale skin, but again I have many other tattoos with no problem like this.

    http://i890.photobucket.com/albums/ac110/smpolowczuk/074DAE43-D275-42A9-90C2-874F7D6AB331_zpseeqisyad.jpg

  12. Stephanie Avatar
    Stephanie

    I had this happen on two tattoos pretty badly. The one leaked green about two inches outside the tattoo. The other one was done two weeks ago and is leaking blue 2-3 inches outside the tattoo. I linked a picture of the more recent one. Both were done by the same artist. Both also got infected, which has never happened to any other tattoo I’ve gotten done. Both tattoos are on my arm. I also have pretty pale skin, but again I have many other tattoos with no problem like this.

    http://i890.photobucket.com/albums/ac110/smpolowczuk/074DAE43-D275-42A9-90C2-874F7D6AB331_zpseeqisyad.jpg

  13. Liz Avatar
    Liz

    Same here! I am sort of a hypochondriac so of course I am thinking the worse. I got my tattoo about 3 weeks ago and it did bruise really bad so I thought that’s what the the discoloration was. Well it doesn’t hurt anymore so I am worried. The discoloration is only on one side of my tattoo (the side with thinner skin). I have 20+ tattoos and this has never happened to me before :/

  14. Liz Avatar
    Liz

    Same here! I am sort of a hypochondriac so of course I am thinking the worse. I got my tattoo about 3 weeks ago and it did bruise really bad so I thought that’s what the the discoloration was. Well it doesn’t hurt anymore so I am worried. The discoloration is only on one side of my tattoo (the side with thinner skin). I have 20+ tattoos and this has never happened to me before :/

  15. Alie Avatar
    Alie

    Has anyone here ever heard of a tattooist thinning out their ink with rubbing alcohol? I found out that the guy who did one of mine which had s bleed-out did this. Also, he used a teal-blue ink (which I’ve noticed a couple times in the above comments). He was not really heavy handed, however the areas that bled out DID hurt worse than the rest. I must also say though that he was not the greatest- I’m quite disappointed because many of my lines are sloppy/shaky and even jagged in a couple areas (near the bleedout). I have 20+ tattoos and this has NEVER happened, even with homemade guns and low quality ink, and he has supposedly been tattooing for 27 years. He WAS rushing towards the end, which is coincidentally also the side that the ink bled on. He blamed it on subdural (?) bleeding and said it was probably because of me drinking a lot of alcohol the night before but if that were the case the other one he did at the same time would have don’t the same thing- it was basically a mirror image on the other shoulder/neckline. From a distance it looks pretty cool, but when you are a couple feet away or closer you can see the flaws which is extremely depressing. I guess ya get what ya pay for, but at the same time If he felt he was doing too much for the price he shouldn’t have done it. It doesn’t excuse rushing through something and doing a crappy job! Now I’m stuck with it!

  16. Alie Avatar
    Alie

    Has anyone here ever heard of a tattooist thinning out their ink with rubbing alcohol? I found out that the guy who did one of mine which had s bleed-out did this. Also, he used a teal-blue ink (which I’ve noticed a couple times in the above comments). He was not really heavy handed, however the areas that bled out DID hurt worse than the rest. I must also say though that he was not the greatest- I’m quite disappointed because many of my lines are sloppy/shaky and even jagged in a couple areas (near the bleedout). I have 20+ tattoos and this has NEVER happened, even with homemade guns and low quality ink, and he has supposedly been tattooing for 27 years. He WAS rushing towards the end, which is coincidentally also the side that the ink bled on. He blamed it on subdural (?) bleeding and said it was probably because of me drinking a lot of alcohol the night before but if that were the case the other one he did at the same time would have don’t the same thing- it was basically a mirror image on the other shoulder/neckline. From a distance it looks pretty cool, but when you are a couple feet away or closer you can see the flaws which is extremely depressing. I guess ya get what ya pay for, but at the same time If he felt he was doing too much for the price he shouldn’t have done it. It doesn’t excuse rushing through something and doing a crappy job! Now I’m stuck with it!

  17. Danielle Avatar
    Danielle

    I have had the same thing happen to a cross on my inner wrist where it now has a blue halo around it. I had it done 4 years ago and the blue halo still looks the same. The cross was done in black ink.

  18. Danielle Avatar
    Danielle

    I have had the same thing happen to a cross on my inner wrist where it now has a blue halo around it. I had it done 4 years ago and the blue halo still looks the same. The cross was done in black ink.

  19. Soraya Avatar
    Soraya

    A lack of collagen in the skin is absolutely one of the reasons for these bruise like effects. I know little about tattooing, but unfortunately I know a lot about collagen disorders since I have a pretty severe one. Very soft, stretchy ‘dough’ like skins are very good indicators to be very careful.
    I have just gotten my second tattoo with the artist who also did my first one. He knows about my disease and he took things very slow both times. The first one went great! Although one line has a tiny little bleed, I guess you’d call it, the lines are otherwise perfectly straight.
    The second one however has been placed on thinner skin and is beginning to show a pretty bright ‘bruise’. I knew the risks. But I think the tip to watch out for certain kinds of skin on people would be a great tip for tattoo artists.
    Another great indicator is that these people are often very flexible.

  20. Soraya Avatar
    Soraya

    A lack of collagen in the skin is absolutely one of the reasons for these bruise like effects. I know little about tattooing, but unfortunately I know a lot about collagen disorders since I have a pretty severe one. Very soft, stretchy ‘dough’ like skins are very good indicators to be very careful.
    I have just gotten my second tattoo with the artist who also did my first one. He knows about my disease and he took things very slow both times. The first one went great! Although one line has a tiny little bleed, I guess you’d call it, the lines are otherwise perfectly straight.
    The second one however has been placed on thinner skin and is beginning to show a pretty bright ‘bruise’. I knew the risks. But I think the tip to watch out for certain kinds of skin on people would be a great tip for tattoo artists.
    Another great indicator is that these people are often very flexible.

  21. Katie Avatar

    I had an unprofessional, tattoo initials on my finger, January 2012, that bled into the knuckle of my hand. After 2 treatments of lasering, its very much faded, but used a colour removal laser – not a laser for purely black ink…and arnica cream to help heal…one more treatment and it should all be gone…tho it has faded over time, thankfully..and yes the guy drove the wrong size needle in too deep..Always better to stick to a professional artist!

  22. Katie Avatar

    I had an unprofessional, tattoo initials on my finger, January 2012, that bled into the knuckle of my hand. After 2 treatments of lasering, its very much faded, but used a colour removal laser – not a laser for purely black ink…and arnica cream to help heal…one more treatment and it should all be gone…tho it has faded over time, thankfully..and yes the guy drove the wrong size needle in too deep..Always better to stick to a professional artist!

  23. Freddie Avatar
    Freddie

    I had a tattoo done two days ago and the ink was bleeding out as soon as the tattoo was finished. I think it is a combination of my age, 72, and the tattoo artist’s lack of experience. I have five other tattoos applied over a span of 30 years and this is the first time this has happened. The previous tattoo was done about 15 years ago. I intend to see what the tattoo shop/artist can do to correct it. I’m satisfied with the line work and his artistic talent but not the bleed out.

  24. Freddie Avatar
    Freddie

    I had a tattoo done two days ago and the ink was bleeding out as soon as the tattoo was finished. I think it is a combination of my age, 72, and the tattoo artist’s lack of experience. I have five other tattoos applied over a span of 30 years and this is the first time this has happened. The previous tattoo was done about 15 years ago. I intend to see what the tattoo shop/artist can do to correct it. I’m satisfied with the line work and his artistic talent but not the bleed out.

  25. Catherine Samardza Avatar
    Catherine Samardza

    Recently got my 2nd tattoo, around my ankle. Warned the artist that I have “Fitzgerald” skin – very fair, sensitive and reactive skin, and to use a light hand. He did. Design is sharp, clear, beautiful. And in 4 small places, I have a “halo” around the design element. This is the section that is closest to my shin bone. I don’t believe the artist – who is not a beginner, and I have seen other work of his – did anything wrong. I think this has a lot to do with the type of skin, and age may have something to do with it too (I am 59). Not happy about it, but am hoping it will fade a little. And I’m lucky – it’s not easily noticed unless you are looking closely.

  26. Catherine Samardza Avatar
    Catherine Samardza

    Recently got my 2nd tattoo, around my ankle. Warned the artist that I have “Fitzgerald” skin – very fair, sensitive and reactive skin, and to use a light hand. He did. Design is sharp, clear, beautiful. And in 4 small places, I have a “halo” around the design element. This is the section that is closest to my shin bone. I don’t believe the artist – who is not a beginner, and I have seen other work of his – did anything wrong. I think this has a lot to do with the type of skin, and age may have something to do with it too (I am 59). Not happy about it, but am hoping it will fade a little. And I’m lucky – it’s not easily noticed unless you are looking closely.

  27. Heather Summerlin Avatar
    Heather Summerlin

    I recently had 5 tattoos done in different places within the last few weeks, 3 fingers and both forearms. The left finger is the newest of the finger tattoos and it is beautiful and crisp, very thick and sfill sore but only 5 days old so im not concerned. The right finger is a pink bow with the usual black outline, and it has blown out some, mostly only noticeable by myself, but does look like a bleed. Also interesting to note I had an apparent blister under the skin that neither I or the artist knew about. Believe it or not no bleed in the blister pocket and its healed fine. The two forearm tattoos are crisp and awesome, the left arm swelled which I expected, it also bruised lightly but has sense gone away, the right forearm tattoo is a a matching to the left one. This one is different it is in the same spot as left but it hurt much worse, I NEVER have issues with tattoo pain so much so that I cant handle piercing pain but tattoos no problem. The tattoo on the left arm hurt so bad that I in flexed and tensed to get through the pain. The day after it was very swollen and dark purple bruised, it is also 5 days old, the bruising has since lighted, turned yellowish sonow I realize its definitely a bruise. I will also say my artist has done 8 of my tattoos and always does a wonderful job, I do have very light very thin skin that you can see and track my blood vessels all over. Im thinking my bleed and bruising was a result of my super thin skin, artist going a bit deep and the fact I tensed my harm. Any opinions are welcomed.

  28. Heather Summerlin Avatar
    Heather Summerlin

    I recently had 5 tattoos done in different places within the last few weeks, 3 fingers and both forearms. The left finger is the newest of the finger tattoos and it is beautiful and crisp, very thick and sfill sore but only 5 days old so im not concerned. The right finger is a pink bow with the usual black outline, and it has blown out some, mostly only noticeable by myself, but does look like a bleed. Also interesting to note I had an apparent blister under the skin that neither I or the artist knew about. Believe it or not no bleed in the blister pocket and its healed fine. The two forearm tattoos are crisp and awesome, the left arm swelled which I expected, it also bruised lightly but has sense gone away, the right forearm tattoo is a a matching to the left one. This one is different it is in the same spot as left but it hurt much worse, I NEVER have issues with tattoo pain so much so that I cant handle piercing pain but tattoos no problem. The tattoo on the left arm hurt so bad that I in flexed and tensed to get through the pain. The day after it was very swollen and dark purple bruised, it is also 5 days old, the bruising has since lighted, turned yellowish sonow I realize its definitely a bruise. I will also say my artist has done 8 of my tattoos and always does a wonderful job, I do have very light very thin skin that you can see and track my blood vessels all over. Im thinking my bleed and bruising was a result of my super thin skin, artist going a bit deep and the fact I tensed my harm. Any opinions are welcomed.

  29. Helga Avatar
    Helga

    I’ve got the same thing on my right forearm and right inner bicep – interestingly, although I’ve got similar tattoos by the same artists on the same areas of my left arm, there’s no dramatic halo there. My skin is very thin, and generally prone to blowouts. I’ve been to maybe 6 or 7 really great artists now, but I don’t have a single tattoo without some kind of blowout (some aren’t noticeable, and you have to spend a good few moments hunting for them, but they’re there all the same). Most of these artists are extremely gentle tattooers, and because this consistently happens to me, I’m reluctant to blame them. I’m do have very sensitive skin, and am prone to massive swelling – as soon as the needle touches my skin the whole area puffs up like a red balloon.

  30. Helga Avatar
    Helga

    I’ve got the same thing on my right forearm and right inner bicep – interestingly, although I’ve got similar tattoos by the same artists on the same areas of my left arm, there’s no dramatic halo there. My skin is very thin, and generally prone to blowouts. I’ve been to maybe 6 or 7 really great artists now, but I don’t have a single tattoo without some kind of blowout (some aren’t noticeable, and you have to spend a good few moments hunting for them, but they’re there all the same). Most of these artists are extremely gentle tattooers, and because this consistently happens to me, I’m reluctant to blame them. I’m do have very sensitive skin, and am prone to massive swelling – as soon as the needle touches my skin the whole area puffs up like a red balloon.

  31. Tina Boyer Avatar
    Tina Boyer

    I recently received a new tattoo from a different artist than I normally use. A very large Japanese Cherry tree that wraps around my entire torso and back. The trunk itself is done in a very dark black ink. It looks awesome with sharp line and great shading but as with the others I now have a 1 inch black halo around the entire tattoo. Its looks like very bad bruising. I have extremely pale skin and I am a natural redhead. Within the first week I had developed a pretty severe rash along the ink halo, now I’m not sure what can be done for it. I’m so pale that the halo really stands out. I hope this helps.

  32. Tina Boyer Avatar
    Tina Boyer

    I recently received a new tattoo from a different artist than I normally use. A very large Japanese Cherry tree that wraps around my entire torso and back. The trunk itself is done in a very dark black ink. It looks awesome with sharp line and great shading but as with the others I now have a 1 inch black halo around the entire tattoo. Its looks like very bad bruising. I have extremely pale skin and I am a natural redhead. Within the first week I had developed a pretty severe rash along the ink halo, now I’m not sure what can be done for it. I’m so pale that the halo really stands out. I hope this helps.

  33. Elora Avatar
    Elora

    I got a tattoo of a rose with green shading around it on the front of my shoulder right above my armpit crease and I would say about two months after I got it I noticed that it started to “smudge”. Now two years later and the green keeps on migrating down into my armpit. I guess it’s just the type of skin that’s there. I also workout everyday so maybe that has been making it travel even further. I got another tattoo on my back by the same artist afterward and it’s perfectly crisp! It has to be the thin skin… It honestly bothers me! I want to get laser removal but I don’t even know if that will work. I can’t even add onto it to fix it unless I plan on tattooing my entire chest/boob/armpit area . Not happening! Guess I’ll just deal with it for now until I get a consult with a laser removal doctor. Maybe they’ve seen it before and dealt with it.

  34. Elora Avatar
    Elora

    I got a tattoo of a rose with green shading around it on the front of my shoulder right above my armpit crease and I would say about two months after I got it I noticed that it started to “smudge”. Now two years later and the green keeps on migrating down into my armpit. I guess it’s just the type of skin that’s there. I also workout everyday so maybe that has been making it travel even further. I got another tattoo on my back by the same artist afterward and it’s perfectly crisp! It has to be the thin skin… It honestly bothers me! I want to get laser removal but I don’t even know if that will work. I can’t even add onto it to fix it unless I plan on tattooing my entire chest/boob/armpit area . Not happening! Guess I’ll just deal with it for now until I get a consult with a laser removal doctor. Maybe they’ve seen it before and dealt with it.

  35. allayna Avatar
    allayna

    My husband has been tattooing for over 20 years and I sometimes let him tattoo myself and our friend’s at the house. I also have this ink bleeding thing going on. I am 30, thin skinned, no allergies, and I’m a rh negative blood type. Whenever he tattoos me, I get that bruised effect on certain areas around the tattoo. Not as bad as the pictures above, but I do get it and no, it does not go away. He’s tattooed his clients and also friends of ours at the house, and this has never happened to anyone else that he’s tatted. That leads me to believe that it just depends on the individual.

  36. allayna Avatar
    allayna

    My husband has been tattooing for over 20 years and I sometimes let him tattoo myself and our friend’s at the house. I also have this ink bleeding thing going on. I am 30, thin skinned, no allergies, and I’m a rh negative blood type. Whenever he tattoos me, I get that bruised effect on certain areas around the tattoo. Not as bad as the pictures above, but I do get it and no, it does not go away. He’s tattooed his clients and also friends of ours at the house, and this has never happened to anyone else that he’s tatted. That leads me to believe that it just depends on the individual.

  37. Carla Avatar
    Carla

    well it happened to me… and I guess it was the tattoer’s fault
    what am I supposed to do? complain? aks my money back? sue?

  38. Carla Avatar
    Carla

    well it happened to me… and I guess it was the tattoer’s fault
    what am I supposed to do? complain? aks my money back? sue?

  39. V Avatar
    V

    This happened to me on 2 fattier and sensitive areas of my body. Side of the calf, high up hear the knee and inner forearm where the skin is all ready thin! Generally I don’t have a problem with it because I thought maybe it’s just something that happens when you use certain size of needles and what not. Plus, I plan on getting the area around it covered with other pieces so it’s no skin off my nose. May I note that the artist that done my work is great, and as for blow-outs, I have none, all my tattoos have healed brilliant and I’m happy with everything that has been done for me. However, I have noticed it happen on a few other clients of his, and it seems like something he is doing, but what? Is it the needle size he is using? He tends to use a lot of 3′s, 7′s and 9′s. And on occasion the odd 14 but only for traditional stuff. What I’ve noticed from the tattoos is that they heal well, but the halo is quite prominent, no where near as bad as this but still a blue hue around the tattoo. I’m sort of just chalking it down to one of those things though, it doesn’t happen enough for it to be an issue. And what I noticed from the recent case is the customers are very, very prone to bruising, which may have had an impact on the “halo” forming in to the fat cells.

  40. V Avatar
    V

    This happened to me on 2 fattier and sensitive areas of my body. Side of the calf, high up hear the knee and inner forearm where the skin is all ready thin! Generally I don’t have a problem with it because I thought maybe it’s just something that happens when you use certain size of needles and what not. Plus, I plan on getting the area around it covered with other pieces so it’s no skin off my nose. May I note that the artist that done my work is great, and as for blow-outs, I have none, all my tattoos have healed brilliant and I’m happy with everything that has been done for me. However, I have noticed it happen on a few other clients of his, and it seems like something he is doing, but what? Is it the needle size he is using? He tends to use a lot of 3′s, 7′s and 9′s. And on occasion the odd 14 but only for traditional stuff. What I’ve noticed from the tattoos is that they heal well, but the halo is quite prominent, no where near as bad as this but still a blue hue around the tattoo. I’m sort of just chalking it down to one of those things though, it doesn’t happen enough for it to be an issue. And what I noticed from the recent case is the customers are very, very prone to bruising, which may have had an impact on the “halo” forming in to the fat cells.

  41. somechick Avatar
    somechick

    I got my Gemini symbol on my finger n all around it is blue but the ink I chosen was black. Soo, this kinda explains why my finger is that color now.

  42. somechick Avatar
    somechick

    I got my Gemini symbol on my finger n all around it is blue but the ink I chosen was black. Soo, this kinda explains why my finger is that color now.

  43. Emily Avatar
    Emily

    I have a rather large silhouette tattoo on Jim Morrisons far on the left side of my thigh that I had done in October 2014. I noticed a while ago it had a weird discoloration towards the bottom that looked like a light tinge of green. I don’t believe it’s noticeable by anyone but me unless pointed out. But anyway there is a lot of solid black ink in this tattoo so perhaps this is the reason it bled. But there’s another possibility, I did expose it to sunlight quite a bit. I let it heal for about a month and it seemed to be doing just fine, albeit VERY itchy, but fine. I moved to Florida and was spending a lot of time in the sun. The tattoo was exposed to a lot of sunlight but I always put strong sunblock on it and such. Is there any possibility that this caused the bleeding? Also does laser removal really work for this type of blowout? It doesn’t bother me too much but it does bother me because I love the tattoo.

  44. Emily Avatar
    Emily

    I have a rather large silhouette tattoo on Jim Morrisons far on the left side of my thigh that I had done in October 2014. I noticed a while ago it had a weird discoloration towards the bottom that looked like a light tinge of green. I don’t believe it’s noticeable by anyone but me unless pointed out. But anyway there is a lot of solid black ink in this tattoo so perhaps this is the reason it bled. But there’s another possibility, I did expose it to sunlight quite a bit. I let it heal for about a month and it seemed to be doing just fine, albeit VERY itchy, but fine. I moved to Florida and was spending a lot of time in the sun. The tattoo was exposed to a lot of sunlight but I always put strong sunblock on it and such. Is there any possibility that this caused the bleeding? Also does laser removal really work for this type of blowout? It doesn’t bother me too much but it does bother me because I love the tattoo.

  45. Emily Avatar
    Emily

    Sorry couple typos in my first comment lol I meant I have a tattoo of Jim morrisons face on my upper left thigh* also, here is a photo of it. The bleeding is not severe, but to me it’s noticeable and annoying.
    http://tinypic.com/r/280l9w6/8

  46. Emily Avatar
    Emily

    Sorry couple typos in my first comment lol I meant I have a tattoo of Jim morrisons face on my upper left thigh* also, here is a photo of it. The bleeding is not severe, but to me it’s noticeable and annoying.
    http://tinypic.com/r/280l9w6/8

  47. Jen Avatar
    Jen

    I have this as well. I have the Tardis tattooed on my upper left arm, top of the shoulder has a bit of the ink bleed through and the bottom of it has a long one. I thought it was bruising.

  48. Jen Avatar
    Jen

    I have this as well. I have the Tardis tattooed on my upper left arm, top of the shoulder has a bit of the ink bleed through and the bottom of it has a long one. I thought it was bruising.

  49. Tom Avatar
    Tom

    I’ve got my rib sides Tattooed recently and had several blow outs allong the lines. After the 6 hour session you could almost emediately see how the ink started to spread some 4-5 mm out. The Tattoo has been done to perfektion appart fom tat and the guy was doing this for 6 years. So not a total novice but not a legend either. He is doing some pretty amazing realistic stuff and mine is only letters son easy for him.
    When I went back after 3 days to show it the guy was in tears. Trouble was we still had to do the 2nd side.
    We got it down to some possible reasons:
    – Machine, he used a Cheyenne at the session. needed more pressure and adheres more ink immediately, was very painfull (Interestingly the parts where I am more sensitive also bleed more)
    – Ink, unlikely as he is using the same ink ever since though might not work on my skin.
    – Skin, I have very light and thin skin anyway, on e ribs even more so. I had Tattoo artist refuse to work me because of this ( well known guys internationally)

    We decided to run an experiment. He was doing the other side with a classic machine. The result are less blow outs but there are still some.

    What I like about the situation is that e shop immediately took the responsibility and offered a doctors visit to a specialist including what ever treatment will be needed for free. They where also very greatfull that Indecided to run the experiment as they could not explain what causes this. Since it is only visible to tose who knows it only gets on my nerves because I know about the blow outs. The Tatt designe is not hurt at all (actually adds to it in a twisted way).

    What did strice me odd is that it seems to slowly disapear at some points but not at others.

    I think that the industry has not done enough to educate itself as well as the customer about different skin types and the risk this means for both parties. Also since the side done with a classic machine is better (done by the same guy) there is an issue with new trendy machiens no one wants to talk about. The classic one did also not hurt any near as much as the cheyenne just to add as well.

    We are now waiting for some months to see how things progress befor we decide on final treatment to fix it.

    However since I plan several Tattoos I’d like to know what causes this.
    My 1st Tattoo done some 15 years ago had no probles at all (on arm).

  50. Tom Avatar
    Tom

    I’ve got my rib sides Tattooed recently and had several blow outs allong the lines. After the 6 hour session you could almost emediately see how the ink started to spread some 4-5 mm out. The Tattoo has been done to perfektion appart fom tat and the guy was doing this for 6 years. So not a total novice but not a legend either. He is doing some pretty amazing realistic stuff and mine is only letters son easy for him.
    When I went back after 3 days to show it the guy was in tears. Trouble was we still had to do the 2nd side.
    We got it down to some possible reasons:
    – Machine, he used a Cheyenne at the session. needed more pressure and adheres more ink immediately, was very painfull (Interestingly the parts where I am more sensitive also bleed more)
    – Ink, unlikely as he is using the same ink ever since though might not work on my skin.
    – Skin, I have very light and thin skin anyway, on e ribs even more so. I had Tattoo artist refuse to work me because of this ( well known guys internationally)

    We decided to run an experiment. He was doing the other side with a classic machine. The result are less blow outs but there are still some.

    What I like about the situation is that e shop immediately took the responsibility and offered a doctors visit to a specialist including what ever treatment will be needed for free. They where also very greatfull that Indecided to run the experiment as they could not explain what causes this. Since it is only visible to tose who knows it only gets on my nerves because I know about the blow outs. The Tatt designe is not hurt at all (actually adds to it in a twisted way).

    What did strice me odd is that it seems to slowly disapear at some points but not at others.

    I think that the industry has not done enough to educate itself as well as the customer about different skin types and the risk this means for both parties. Also since the side done with a classic machine is better (done by the same guy) there is an issue with new trendy machiens no one wants to talk about. The classic one did also not hurt any near as much as the cheyenne just to add as well.

    We are now waiting for some months to see how things progress befor we decide on final treatment to fix it.

    However since I plan several Tattoos I’d like to know what causes this.
    My 1st Tattoo done some 15 years ago had no probles at all (on arm).

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