Line splitting.

I got a tattoo 5 days ago, and some of the longer lines are starting to split, so it looks like sliced skin with thin black lines on each side. I've been washing with dial antibacterial unscented soap, and using A&D ointment, and unscented Vaseline Intensive Care lotion sparingly. Most of the tattoo is perfectly fine and already looks healed, but these longer straight lines, and only on my breast, (maybe because it's more fatty?) not any on my chest or ribs, are looking like they might not turn out very well. Does anyone know if this is normal, or what can be done to help it? Should I even be worrying?

You have a photo?

No, I don't, sorry. It looks like someone cut down the middle of my tattoo with a straight blade. I realize that the needle goes deep when you get a tattoo, but I thought the ink would be inside the cut, not on the edges of it.

sounds like the tattoist had a hard time getting the line in and maybe overworked it, sounds like a "trench"

The guy has been doing tattoos for 13 years, and I'd seen his work before. I don't think he would have had a hard time with anything, unless that is something you can't help no matter what your experience level. Nonetheless, what is a trench, and how do I treat it? Thank you.

You should talk to your artist about your concerns. Also Dial antibacterial soap should not be used...use only mild true soaps for a fresh tattoo such as Ivory or Neutragena. We can tell you nothing unless we have a pic as reference.

Well, thanks for being so nice about it!

You are entirely welcome. Let us know how it comes out please.

whats wrong with dial antibacterial soap. I know that its not a soft soap. And the agent Triclosan is rather high. But if you break it down into a lather and wash your tattoo you should be fine. The point is not to put the soap directly on the tattoo from the bottle.

We see a lot of tattoos fucked up by the use of harsh soaps like Dial...its not necessary.

Now the part that was splitting is starting to scab and I'm losing a lot of the ink. I guess I'll have to have it touched up, and remember not to wash it with Dial. In fact, I probably won't wash it at all if it's going to cause so many problems, except when I first get home, aside from some shower water sprinkling over it. I don't want to have this problem again. Thanks everyone!