Is it normal if you have a tattoo done with charcoal and a pin and a couple weeks later the area starts to look something like stretch marks?

Answer 1

This is a very risky way of doing a tattoo. It is obviously already too late for the "go to a professional" lecture.

Keep an eye on the skin around the tattoo; pain, inflammation, redness, swelling should be closely monitored, and if worsening occurs, you need to see a doctor- don't be ashamed, they've seen everything.

It sounds like you have begun to develop one of two things;

1) Keloid scarring. This scarring occurs most commonly when you have been tattooed too deeply. The result is a raised scar that is very hard to get rid of. To minimize scarring, rub unscented lotion containing vitamin E into the skin. Aloe helps soothe the skin, while vitamin E will reduce scarring. After the tattoo has healed, Bio Oil helps decrease discolouration associated with Keloids, but will not reduce the raised feeling of them much.

2) BLOOD POISONING- these lines could signify blood poisoning, from unclean materials and processes. See a doctor immediately- you could have a potentially fatal infection.