So I got a tattoo, like about a week ago, and the spot is kinda more red and itchy than I was mentally prepared for at this point. I did the aftercare stuff as best as I could, kept to the instructions pretty closely, but now I’m honestly second guessing everything , maybe I messed up. Has anyone else had that slower healing vibe going on, where it feels like it’s taking longer than expected?

I went to a well-known tattoo shop bath and the artist seems solid, the studio has a lot of good stuff online, so I don’t really think the actual work is the problem. I’m more just wondering if this kind of redness plus itchiness is still within the normal healing range . I’d really like to hear from anyone who had a similar experience before I completely lose it and start messaging the shop, because I don’t want to panic over nothing , but also I don’t want to ignore something either.