Bad linework is characterized by inconsistency, wavering, and lack of precision. Picture lines that resemble jagged lightning bolts rather than smooth, flowing curves, as seen in the images above. They may appear shaky, uneven, or downright crooked.
Cohesiveness: Good tattoos have a clear concept and cohesive elements, while bad tattoos may look cluttered or lack a clear theme. Healing Process: Good tattoos heal well without excessive scabbing or fading. Bad tattoos might show signs of improper healing or care, leading to distortion or loss of detail.
Signs of Potential Problems: Excessive Redness: If the redness spreads beyond the tattoo or lasts longer than a few days. Severe Swelling: If swelling is significant and does not improve. Pus or Oozing: Any yellow or green discharge could indicate infection. Foul Odor: An unusual smell can be a sign of infection.
Skin Infections
If your tattoo artist doesn't properly clean their equipment or uses it on more than one person, you could get an infection. If your skin swells, turns red, or feels tender, or you notice a pus-like drainage from the tattoo, call the doctor. You may need antibiotics to clear it up.
If the needle is going too deep into the skin, it can cause more trauma and damage to the skin than necessary, which can lead to more pain and bleeding. Another sign that a tattoo is too deep is excessive scabbing and peeling during the healing process.
If you still like the design and it's just a little faded, you could get your tattoo touched up. You could also opt for laser removal. However, many people decide that the fastest, easiest, and most fun thing to do with a bad tattoo is to get it covered up.
Tattoo regret is a real feeling plenty of people have after going under the needle. Around a quarter of those who get a tat decide that they don't like it later. If you find yourself saying “I hate my tattoo”, you're not alone. All is not hopeless — read on to discover what you can do about ink you no longer want.
Ignorant tattoos use minimalist lines and shapes for a stripped back look. Black is used to colour in some of the designs, but linework creates more of a minimalist feel.
Infections, Allergies and Illnesses
The skin surrounding the tattoo may become damaged, or the tattooed area may turn septic, potentially leading to permanent scarring, as well as severe illness if the infection enters the bloodstream. A person may also suffer an allergic reaction to chemicals contained in tattoo dye.
A patchy tattoo could be the result of bad technique; if the artist hasn't made sure the ink is deep enough to stay put. It could also be due to them not 'packing' the ink enough; certain ink colours, or areas of concentrated black, often need to be packed in quite a lot in order to create a solid area of colour.
If the needle being used on your tattoo doesn't go deep enough into the dermis layer of your skin, that means the ink has been deposited in the epidermis layer. As we mentioned before, ink deposited here will quickly leave the skin when epidermal cells renew themselves, making for a not-so-permanent tattoo.
The History and Symbolism of Swallow Tattoos
In the past, sailors would get a swallow tattoo to signify that they had traveled a specific distance or had returned home safely after a long journey. Swallows, known for their migration habits, became a symbol of loyalty, hope, and the promise of return.
Wonky lines are a big indicator of an unskilled artist. How a tattoo heals is a huge sign of a good tattoo vs a bad tattoo. If a tattoo scars, blows out or straight up falls out of the skin, it's a bad tattoo.
The reaction usually appears as an inflamed red rash or may sometimes be scaly and flaky (exfoliative dermatitis). Red tattoo pigments cause the most reactions, particularly those made from mercury sulfide (cinnabar).
If you've recently gotten a tattoo, but it appears blurry and smudged during and after the healing process, you may be experiencing tattoo blowout. "A blowout is when a tattoo expands below the skin layer when it hits fat [and] veins or when scarring occurs," says Crys.
When the tattoo doesn't heal properly, two types of scars can occur: Raised line scars: A raised line scar is a hypertrophic scar that looks like the typical raised scar you may see if you have experienced an injury. Growing bulbous scars: Growing bulbous scars, or keloid scars, can form from any skin wound.