How do you tell if you got a bad tattoo?

Author: Christian Mayert Sr.  |  Last update: Monday, June 2, 2025

The lines of a tattoo must be crisp, straight, and constant throughout the tattoo. 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.

How can you tell if a tattoo is poorly done?

  • Fading: Some fading is normal over time, but if the colors appear significantly duller or washed out, it may indicate damage.
  • Blurring: If the lines of the tattoo have become fuzzy or indistinct, this could be a sign of poor healing or aging.
  • Scarring: Look for raised areas or scars around the tattoo.

What are the red flags after getting a tattoo?

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.

How do I know if something is wrong with my tattoo?

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.

What defines a bad tattoo?

Bad tattoos might have patchy shading or poorly applied colors that look faded or uneven. Proportion and Placement: A well-designed tattoo considers body anatomy and size, ensuring it fits well on the skin. A bad tattoo may have awkward proportions or placement that looks out of place.

Why do people get tattoos? - Dr. Matt

What is a ruin tattoo?

The “mans ruin” tattoo is a classical interpretation of the awareness of vices and their potential to destroy us. Wether or not recognizing them prevents the wearer from falling into those traps is debatable. It can be a warning or a self for filling prophecy.

How to tell if a tattoo is high quality?

Vibrant colors that stay true to the intended shade are indicative of quality ink and a skilled artist. Fading or uneven coloring may be a sign of subpar work, as professional artists use high-quality pigments. Placement and Proportion: The placement of the tattoo on your body should complement its shape and form.

When should I be worried about my tattoo?

With basic care and good hygiene, most new tattoos heal within a few weeks, but some people may develop an infection that requires medical attention. Symptoms of a tattoo infection include: a rash, redness, or bumps in the tattoo area. a fever.

How do you know if your body is rejecting a tattoo?

You may notice one or more of the following:
  • Redness: It becomes darker or spreads instead of lightening and diminishing.
  • Pain: It continues or worsens instead of subsiding.
  • Rash of itchy, red, and painful bumps develop within the tattoo.
  • Fever.
  • Chills and shivering.
  • Pus in the tattoo.
  • Open sore(s) in the tattoo.

What is tattoo remorse?

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.

Why is there no ink under my tattoo scab?

Tattoos tend to peel without any ink underneath as they heal normally. In rare cases, they can have missing ink due to an artist's error. Peeling tattoos with missing ink aren't usually anything to worry about. It's normal for a tattoo to peel and lose a little bit of ink as your skin heals.

How can you tell if your tattoo artist went too deep?

In addition to excessive pain, bleeding, and scabbing, a tattoo that is too deep may also have a blurred or distorted appearance. When the needle goes too deep, it can cause the ink to spread beyond the intended area, leading to a smudged or blurry appearance.

Is Aquaphor good for tattoos?

Eucerin Aquaphor's gentle and non-irritating formula helps to alleviate discomfort, itchiness, and redness associated with brand new tattoos. By providing a soothing and calming effect, it allows the skin to heal undisturbed, promoting a smoother and more comfortable recovery.

What does a failed tattoo look like?

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.

What does a skin rejecting tattoo look like?

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).

How do you know if you re having a bad reaction to a tattoo?

An allergic reaction is defined as your immune system overreacting to something harmless or relatively harmless. Skin-related allergic reactions can include rashes, itching, flaky or scaly skin, small blisters, and swelling. A common allergic reaction to a tattoo is a red, bumpy, persistent rash that can be very itchy.

When should you seek medical attention for a tattoo?

If you notice changes in the look or feel of your tattooed skin, contact your healthcare provider. Tattoos can cause chronic skin diseases, such as: Lichen planus. Skin cancer.

How to tell if a tattoo is over moisturized?

Signs of an Over-Moisturized Tattoo
  1. The moisturizer you've applied isn't absorbed in the skin. ...
  2. Your skin looks or feels irritated. ...
  3. The tattoo isn't scabbing or the scabs don't fall off.

How to tell if a tattoo artist is bad?

One of the most important things to look for in a good tattoo artist is technique. A bad artist will simply scribble their design onto your skin with little regard for clean lines or symmetry. A good artist, on the other hand, will take their time to create a precise and beautifully executed design.

What should my tattoo look like when healing?

The tattoo healing process typically involves a week of redness and oozing, followed by two to three weeks of itchiness and peeling. After about a month, the skin still internally heals.

How do you tell if a tattoo will age well?

If tattoo longevity is important to you, consider color choice, scale, and contrast when selecting a design. All tattoo pigments have a lightfastness (how light exposure subjects colors to fade) associated with each color. A general rule of thumb is that lighter colors will fade faster than darker ones.

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