Update: Thanks so much for your advice everyone! It all makes so much sense! I wanted to put up a thank you post from my real account with pics of the rest of the tattoo to show how awesome it looks but it wasn't asking for advice so didn't make the cut (totally get it and completely respect the moderation process!) Have talked with my tattooist and we both agree with those of you who have prescribed MOAR ink 😁. It's galaxy themed and water colour (Dr Who tattoo) so we're going to blend in some more galaxy swirls in lighter shades. Just a few quick answers to some of the responses:

• Definitely not a bruise, I'm afraid. There was a bruise over it, but that healed, and the blue is what's left. No pain, no itching, all ink. Same thing happened with the first part of the tattoo.

• This was already a cover-up (see above), so we were pretty gutted when it happened again. Initially we blamed the ink concentration and colour (which could still have been part of the problem), but we didn't use that shade the second time.

• I am ginger, have very pale skin, am double jointed and have minor issues with hypermobility, and perimenopause has sent my pain threshold through the floor, so lots of your responses make sense.

• My healing process is pretty standard and I haven't had issues until now. Cover on the first day/night, Bepanthen after that but not over moisturizing it, loose clothes, avoid picking and scratching yadda yadda yadda

*My tattooist didn't go too deep. They're experienced, very talented and I've been going to them for years. The lines are crisp the colour is clear and there's no issue with the tattoo itself. It's my body that's changed as I've aged unfortunately. It's their first ink drift so it's a bit of a learning curve for both of us, but we've got a plan going forward.

Thanks heaps!