The tattoo artist said, “The Ditch is a B****, my friend.”

I recently got the ditch (inside elbow) on my left arm tattooed and it has become infected.

I've heard (and read) this area is hard to heal but I thought, “What the hell? Let's go for it!” I love the tattoo but the ditch has indeed become infected.

Here's a picture (ditch looks upset, eh?)

http://www.thefleshfarm.com/delete/geno….

I baby my tattoos like they are children, so negligent aftercare isn’t an issue here, but I'm wondering what others do to help this heal. The scab is one of the thickest scabs I've ever had. (I'm getting a Polynesian tribal sleeve so the tattooed areas are THICK black.) The pus in the cracks has dried.

Some people on here have mentioned using various creams, but every damn tattoo parlor tells you to NOT use these products on your tattoos! I've noticed the redness has began to receed… should I let it heal on it's own?

Touch ups won't be fun. Damn this area injured!

Thanks!!

Answer:
I’ve a tattoo on my wrist that did something similar. Right in the middle of the part of it that was solid black, it formed a super thick scab, and there was pus, and all kinds of fun stuff. It looked gross for a couple days, but like you said, it dried up. I was going to go back to the artist and ask him, but instead I just let it finish healing on its own. I moisturized a lot with Lubriderm. It's fine now, but there’s definitely a difference in color where the thickest part of the scab was. I'm actually going to get it retouched today.

So, after that long-winded tale, my advice would be to a) go back to your artist if you're worried, b) DO NOT use any products on it unless your artist suggests you do so, and c) face the fact that you'll probably have to get it touched up (and I know that sucks, 'cause the ditch hurts. A lot. I've got one there too).

Answer:
Ouch!!!!!!! I bet that hurts. My big bro knows how you feel. He decided he wanted his tattoo off, but instead of going to have it removed he did it himself. (Like the idiot he is). He got his shaver out and cut it off.
Answer:
wow it looks enjoy it hurtz but um you should let it heal on itz own or go to the physician to see if its infected
Answer:
First off, with that much black, you’ll most def have to have touch ups.

I had one on the top of my foot that looked like your ditch does. I talked to my tattoo artist and he stated to wash it with warm soapy water (anti-bacterial soap) and put a THIN coat of A & D ointment on it.

FYI the reason they say NOT to is because most people can be idiots and want to put tons of the goop on their fresh tattoo so they don't feel it healing and they wind up with a mushy scab which gets bumped and knocks not only the scab but lot s of the color out ….