it should take two or three (edit > weeks!) to fully heal.
first night, plastic bag it. then in the mornin, shower is okay but be gentle.
pat dry it with towel and then wait for 20 or so so its FULLY dry before putting bepanthem on.
when you put it on, rub it in well. if its REAL hurty on first mornin you cna put hte plastic on it to stop rubbing on your shirt, but it needs to breathe as much as possible, so when you can wear no sleeves, like inside the house or whatever...
youll go through a few stages, it will feel tight and dry lots, keep the bepanthem in your bag and put it on whenever it gets dry.
dont buy the tatt stuff they sell at tattoists, only bepanthem (its not as good and more expensive)
eventually the top layer of coloured skin will peel off in bits. DONT peel it, let it fall off itself.it might peelk a couple times depending on the depth of the colour. bits like elbows and the soft skin on inner arm take longer to heal than tough outer skin like bicep.
biggest thing is DO NOT SCRATCH IT. no matter how itchy. just touch it lightly, and put more cream on.
the first night, take it real easy, youll be high as a fucking kite from adrenaline, a 3/4 sleeve is a big job. if you need to relax a drink or two is okay after its done, but alcohol thinks your blood and slows the healing process so i wouldnt go binge for the first week, but thats jsut me.
dont go swimming. (good thing its winter)
any worries, DONT SCRATCH IT, and pm me!
lizkins > post a pic of your current tatt and tell us what you would like it to become. maybe i can reccomend someone!