ANy tattoo knowledgeable people around?

[Tattooissues]

I had 5 hours done on my arm yesterday, not my first tattoo but I’ve never sat for longer than 3 hours before.

I feel so bloody unwell today, shakes, headache, really worn down. My arm is KILLING me, hurts more than it did during the sitting. Literally feels like it’s on fire if I even brush against it. The thought of applying cream is horrible.

Any tips advice?

I’d phone NHS 24 it sounds like you have an infection.

Yeah, that's normal I'm afraid.

Take some ibuprofen, wash and wrap the tattoo (cling film) as usual then ice it well. That'll really, really help.

Er doesn't sound normal to me! I've sat for longer and never felt like that

I've heard of this happening before. It's always after sessions that are far too long.

It hurting sounds normal to me, 5 hours of a needle going into your arm over and over again is not going to be pain free I'm afraid. The longest I've done in one sitting was 6 hours and it was hard, the next day my whole arm was swollen, extremely sore and even putting it down by my side made it feel like the blood was rushing to it and was agony. The headaches and shakes don't sound right though so I'd probably get some medical advice just to be sure. Make sure you're keeping it clean and just put the cream on gently, I find bepanthen the best.

Yes, always seek medical attention if you're in doubt. I'd be amazed at an infection so soon though. It's pretty much always a lack of hygiene in aftercare that causes infections (unless we're talking about seriously dodgy kitchen tattooers).

5 hours work it is massive wound. If it were a graze of that size and as deep as a tattoo is it'd burn too.

It’s definitely not infected.

Could just be coming down with something and it’s a coincidence? I felt shaky the last 30 mins of the sitting but I wasn’t going to tap out! That last wipe with the paper felt like sandpaper

I haven’t put any cream on yet. Unwrapped it last night and washed really gently with warm water and soap and I could have wept

Def not a kitchen job 😂

I agree with @interchangableemma. When I had my thigh done it was a 5 hour session, next day it was swollen, sore and fire to touch, I couldn't actually walk without hobbling.
I'd rinse it with warm water, pat it dry with kitchen towel, rewrap in clingfilm and cold compress on top, and take pain killers.

As for the headache, shakes and feeling generally worn down, you've just had needles stab you repeatedly for 5 hours, your skin is covered in puncture wounds so all of your energy and strength is being pulled into healing your arm. Rest, just spend the day vegging.

The longest I ever sat was 8 hours and I never felt like you do afterwards.
Have you eaten/drank enough?
Could be some kind of adrenaline overload "come down" from resisting the fight or flight for so long during the session maybe.
Is it black? There is a warning doing the rounds of the tattoo sites/boards about a dodgy batch of black ink being contaminated just now... might be worth a quick Google or call to the artist.

After a 4 hour session I went like that once; just your body has taken a bit of a pounding.

Just chill for a while and you’ll perk up

I think whilst normal is not the term I’d go far-I believe it isn’t unusual for people to feel poorly day after a long tattoo. It’s a 5 hour wounding and your body is trying to recover.
This is why you should always stop when your body tells you too. Mine stops me at around 2 and half hours....it’s at that point I start to fidget and shake and the pain starts to become too much. My very experienced tattooist knows my limits better than me and she tells me it’s time to stop.

My dh is covered in tattoos - literally- and one time he had 5 hours spent on his stomach and he passed out a few hours later! He was feeling just as you described and we were meant to be going out for dinner and he just felt so unwell. He’s never had another like that, he said his stomach was just a super sensitive spot.

He now makes sure he drinks lucozade during a session and makes sure he eats well a few hours beforehand. I think a lot of it is low blood sugar.

Where abouts on your arm? I did a prolonged amount of time on my forearm and felt quite poorly afterwards, and my arm swelled up. I think it takes a toll on your body

It sounds like you've pushed yourself too hard, call your artist/studio and ask for advice. A reputable studio will know the signs if infection so you can roll that out.
Tattoos are trauma and they affect everyone differently, people can sit for different amounts of time before they've reached their limit. My sister maxes out around 3.30, I've done 5.30 and felt fine.
It's not a competition and now you know that 5 hours is too long and you won't do it again.

Studio is closed today but if I still feel rotten tomorrow I’ll call them.

Underside of upper arm, crook of elbow, inside forearm! It’s the inside of my elbow which is the worst, feels like it’s on fire. I’ve washed and put cream on now.

I get that after ever tattoo I get, I call it tattoo flu,

Drink lots of water and take some painkillers and rest, if it doesn’t pass or ease up I’d then it get checked

Hope you feel better xx