When To Apply Aquaphor To A Tattoo?

PROCESS FOR WASHING A FRESH TATTOO: –

Carefully remove bandage and tape
Make a lather in your hand with soap and warm water
Gently clean tattoo using a circular motion, until all ointment, blood, and lymphatic fluid is removed
Rinse the tattoo and wash once again, gently, until the skin is clean
a hairdryer on the ‘cool’ setting may be used; a clean paper towel may also be used to dab the tattoo dry

3. Only use CLEAN HANDS to wash your tattoo. NO washcloths, bath towels, bath sponges, or loofahs on a fresh tattoo. Once the tattoo is dry apply AQUAPHOR healing ointment, made by Eucerin. Apply a thin layer and rub it in, then dab excess off with a clean paper towel.

Use the Aquaphor for the first 2-3 days then switch to a regular FRAGRANCE-FREE lotion such as Lubriderm, or any other fragrance-free brand. Fresh tattoos sometimes “weep” during the first couple of days, meaning that plasma and ink form a thin moist coating on the skin.

This can be DABBED with a clean paper towel. Press the paper towel to the skin and remove. Do not wipe the tattoo or be rough with it. Do not panic when you see the colors of the tattoo on the paper towel, or on your hands as you clean it. This is simply excess ink being sloughed from the surface or the skin.

Once a day, in the shower, is usually enough cleaning for any new tattoo. Consult your artist if you plan to do any strenuous activity within the first ten-day of having your tattoo. Lotion may be applied to the tattoo as it dries out; however if your skin is extremely sensitive, lotion may cause acne-like breakouts.

This can be taken care of by reducing the number of lotion applications per day. Wear loose, preferably cotton clothing over the fresh tattoo. The tattoo need not be rebandaged except in certain, rare instances. A bra strap, tight waistband, sweaty gym shoe or itchy cotton sweater can potentially create healing problems.

Consult your tattoo artist for advice on what clothing to wear/avoid. If you choose to re-bandage your tattoo after washing be sure that only sterile bandages are used. After a few days, the tattoo will begin to form flaky scabs that will fall off on its own.

DO NOT PICK OR SCRATCH AT YOUR TATTOO. Keep it moisturized and the scabs will slough eventually. Once again, they will be the color of the tattoo. It normally takes 2-4 weeks for a tattoo to completely heal. If you have ANY questions about your healing, please contact one of our artists at (512) 392-0938.

Contents

- 0.0.1 Should I put Aquaphor on my tattoo the first night?
0.1 When should I start putting Aquaphor on my tattoo?
- 0.1.1 How often should I put Aquaphor on my new tattoo?
- 0.1.2 Does Aquaphor pull ink out of tattoos?

1 What do you do first 24 hours after a tattoo?
2 How do you shower with a new tattoo?
- 2.1 Is it okay to sleep with a new tattoo uncovered?
3 Should I wrap a new tattoo at night?
4 How do you sleep with a new tattoo?
5 Why does my tattoo burn when I put Aquaphor on it?

Should I put Aquaphor on my tattoo the first night?

When Should You Use Aquaphor Ointment? –

Once the tattoo healing has reached the final stage

We do not recommend anyone to apply petroleum-based products like Aquaphor or Vaseline onto a fresh tattoo. A new tattoo is basically an open wound. In order for it to start healing, you need to let it dry naturally. However, if you apply Aquaphor, you could prevent this process, which would keep the tattoo moist all the time, not being able to even start healing.

During showering

Petroleum-based products can be super useful in case you have to shower with a new tattoo. Because you want to protect the tattoo from water and moisture, you can apply a thin layer of Aquaphor ointment during the shower. After you’re done showering, clean the tattoo, wash it and tap it dry using a paper towel or a clean, soft cotton towel.

After the tattoo has healed

Many think that the tattoo aftercare stops once the tattoo is completely healed. However, that is not true. To keep your tattoo vibrant and prevent it from fading or reacting to weather and temperature changes, you still need to keep it hydrated and moisturized. The best way to do so is to continue using Aquaphor even after the tattoo is done healing.

As a result, a fresh tattoo can become a perfect breeding ground for pathogens, which could lead to serious inflammation and infection. Instead, utilize Aquaphor once the tattoo has closed completely, to keep it hydrated and smooth.

Some tend to use this ointment for years to keep the tattoo looking brand new.

When should I start putting Aquaphor on my tattoo?

AFTER 3 – 4 DAYS – After 3 or 4 days of using the Aquaphor ointment, you may notice small specks of color come off as you rub the ointment in. This is healing skin, and an indicator that you should stop using the Aquaphor as often.

How often should I put Aquaphor on my new tattoo?

– You’ll repeat the process of washing, drying, and applying Aquaphor two to three times a day for several days after getting inked.

Does Aquaphor pull ink out of tattoos?

Inked Ritual and Aquaphor are very different tattoo care products. – Aquaphor and Inked Ritual Tattoo Care are two completely different products with a very different purpose and function for your tattoo aftercare. Aquaphor is a multi-purpose healing ‘ointment’ used for treating diaper rash, chapped lips, dry skin, etc.

It can also be used to sooth minor skin wounds, cuts and scrapes. And for some reason people choose to use Aquaphor to heal their new tattoos. Aquaphor is not a tattoo aftercare product , and if you’ve ever used it on a fresh tattoo, or even considering using it, then you’ll want to read the following first.

INGREDIENTS Aquaphor contains Petrolatum (petroleum) and Mineral oil which is a liquid form of petroleum jelly. These are waste by-products that come from the petroleum oil distillation process during gasoline production. Petrolatum and mineral oil are super cheap and toxic ingredients that should never be used on a large open wound like a tattoo.

Aquaphor also contains Lanolin Alcohol , which is an oily material from sheep’s wool. Lanolin Alcohol can cause contact dermatitis rash or other skin reactions. Even worse. some people have noticed their skin appears lighter from lanolin alcohol use.

FUNCTION Aquaphor seals and suffocates the skin’s surface due to the thick petrolatum and mineral ingredients. Suffocating your fresh tattoo impairs the tattoo recovery and skin healing process, by blocking the skin’s natural respiration. By sealing the surface of your tattooed skin, Aquaphor stops moisture from leaving the skin, which can negatively affect a fresh tattoo during recovery and healing.

During post tattoo recovery, y our fresh tattooed skin needs to breathe;
Using a petroleum based product like Aquaphor can cause premature skin aging and tattoo fading;
Using Aquaphor for tattoo aftercare, poses a risk of damaging your tattoo by causing premature fading;

It has also been found that petrolatum and mineral oil can pull fresh tattoo ink from the skin. Again, another reason to avoid products that contain petrolatum and or mineral oil ingredients. They can make your tattoos heal less vibrant than they could have.

Now I know that many people have used Aquaphor over the years and will disagree, claiming that it has worked fine. Sure, it may have worked fine, however they are risks, both short term (premature tattoo fading) and long term, such as cancer or other endocrine disorders from the toxins.

You might be interested: How Much Are Nose Piercings At Tattoo Shops?

So why take the chance of prematurely fading your fresh new tattoo? Advancements in the skincare industry have greatly evolved over the past few years. There are several excellent all-natural tattoo aftercare products, formulated specifically for tattoo post-recovery and healing.

Consider choosing one instead of the baby’s diaper rash ointment. INKED RITUAL Tattoo Care Ok, now let’s discuss Inked Ritual. We’ve had people ask us if Inked Ritual and Aquaphor are the same type of skincare product.

And the answer is no, not at all. Inked Ritual is a Tattoo Care product formulated exclusively to enhance, restore and protect healed tattoos from fading. This intensive skin rejuvenating serum, uses transdermal technology that penetrates and transports potent active ingredients deep into your tattooed skin.

The purpose and function of Inked Ritual is to keep your skin healthy, by boosting collagen production while slowing skin aging. Healthy skin = bold vibrant tattoos. Being a serum, Inked Ritual’s molecular structure is lightweight, non-greasy and will not seal, suffocate or clog your skin’s pores like Aquaphor.

Healthy youthful skin = bold vibrant tattoos for life. Another major difference between Inked Ritual and Aquaphor, is not just the advanced serum technology, but also the bio-active ingredients that Inked Ritual contains. This includes 7 anti-aging Peptides, Amino Acids, Hyaluronic Acid, Plant Stem Cells, Antioxidants, Vitamins, and Phospholipids.

Inked Ritual is toxin free. There’s no petrolatum, mineral oil, lanolin, parabens, or alcohol ingredients. Inked Ritual is cruelty- free and vegan-friendly. When it comes to keeping your tattoos looking their best, Inked Ritual is your tattoos first line of defense.

You will see the bold vibrancy of your tattoos change after using it. It works on new and old tattoos, and all skin types. Disclaimer: Inked Ritual was not developed for tattoo recovery, and we do not promote it for tattoo healing. But many customers have used Inked Ritual on their fresh ink, and love the results.

What do you do first 24 hours after a tattoo?

Aftercare for Your Tattoo – So, how can you make sure that new tattoo is something you don’t end up regretting? Follow these steps while your new tattoo heals.

Be sure your artist covers your new tattoo in a thin layer of petroleum jelly and a bandage.
Remove the bandage after 24 hours. Gently wash the tattoo with antimicrobial soap and water and be sure to pat dry.
Apply a layer of antibacterial/Vaseline ointment twice a day, but don’t put on another bandage.
Gently wash your tattoo area twice a day with soap and water and gently pat dry before reapplying the antibacterial/Vaseline ointment.
Keep applying a moisturizer or ointment after you clean it to keep it moist.

You should repeat this process for 2 to 4 weeks. Also try not to wear clothes that will stick to your tattoo, and avoid swimming and the sun for about 2 weeks. And take cool showers. Scalding hot water will not only hurt, but it can also fade the ink. Wear a physical blocker sunscreen with at least 7% zinc oxide sunscreen during the daylight hours and/or cover it up (with clothing, a bandage).

How long do you moisturize a new tattoo?

Should I apply lotion to my tattoo? What kind of tattoo care products do you recommend? – Yes! Moisturizing your tattoo regularly is extremely important. You should moisturize your clean tattoo 3 – 6 times per day, for roughly two weeks (though proper skincare is always important, and most tattoo enthusiasts moisturize their tattoos daily for life!). A white cream lotion or moisturizer, preferably unscented, should be used! We recommend these fragrance-free, white cream lotions: Aveeno , Curel , and Eucerin . Be warned: your favorite fragranced lotion is not a good option for moisturizing your tattoo – this can cause an excruciating burning sensation when applied to the tattoo, which is essentially an open wound. The fewer chemicals in the product, the better! Pure cocoa butter or shea butter is also popular for darker skin tones and is a fine option. There are some manufacturers who design products specifically for tattoo aftercare that work well for long-term care (such as Tattoo Goo , H2Ocean , and Hustle Butter ). Do NOT use aloe vera gel to moisturize, and we don’t recommend A&D ointment either, as the oil in these products can extract some of the ink from your tattoo.

How do I take care of my tattoo the first night?

This info should guide you through the care of healing your tattoo, but if you have any other questions while it is healing, do not hesitate to contact your artist directly or call the shop for immediate reply. There are no stupid questions about healing.

– After your tattoo is completed, your artist will bandage your tattoo for your trip home. Leave the bandage on for one to three hours. When you take the bandage off, wash it with very warm water (as hot as is comfortable) and mild liquid hand soap (like Dr.

Bronner’s, Dial or Softsoap, just no perfumed or exfoliating body washes). Pat it dry gently with a paper towel, and let it air dry the rest of the way (never scrub the tattoo with a towel or sponge). Then you will apply a very small amount of Aquaphor Ointment or plain, unscented skin lotion (we recommend Aveeno, Lubriderm, Curel, or any of their generics) to the tattoo, just enough to lightly moisturize.

Your first night sleeping, your artist might recommend you re-wrap the tattoo with plastic wrap (like Saran Wrap) to sleep without the tattoo sticking to your sheets. This is generally for larger or solid-color tattoos. If your artist did not recommend re-wrapping, just let the tattoo stay exposed to air overnight.
Every day from then on, you will wash the tattoo in the morning and at night, and apply lotion 3 times a day or so, or whenever the tattoo feels dry or tight.
Always wash your hands before touching the tattoo.
DO NOT apply Vaseline, Neosporin, Bacitracin or any other medicated or perfumed product to your tattoo.
After a few days, the tattoo will form a thin scab over it, and in about a week the scab will begin to flake off in the shower. DO NOT pick or scratch at the scab, just keep it clean and moist and the scabs will all fall off by themselves in about two weeks. Picking any of the scabs off will cause faded color and damage to the skin.

During healing do NOT:

Wrap the tattoo after the first night (wearing breathable clothes over it is fine as long as they are not causing friction. (Keeping tattoos wrapped in plastic or bandages will stop air from getting to the tattoo, slow healing, and make gross stuff grow in there. )
Submerge the tattoo in water. This means baths, pools and oceans. Regular showering is fine.
Expose it to strong sunlight (Like outdoor activities or beach days. Walking to your car is fine)
Shave over the tattoo (ouch!)

When all the scabs fall off and the skin feels smooth again to the touch, it is all healed and you can shave over it again, and swim and everything else. Sometimes after the scab falls off there is a secondary shiny, raised or waxy coat over the tattoo. This is just another healing layer of skin. Continue to moisturize it and it will smooth out by itself over time. If you have any questions about your tattoo while its healing you are always welcome to come by the shop and have us check it out, or email the artist who did the tattoo with “AFTERCARE” in the subject line for an immediate response.

Do not slather a big, thick coat of product over it; just enough for it to stay moist and flexible;
If you are using Aquaphor, you can switch to a plain lotion after the first few days;
Lotion is generally fine for everyone, your artist will recommend if you would benefit from ointment;

You might be interested: How Often Should I Put Aquaphor On My New Tattoo?

If something doesn’t look perfect After your tattoo is finished healing, we’ll do our best to make it right. Sometimes with excessive scabbing, or other unpredictable reactions during healing, your skin can reject some ink, leaving a “light spot” that is closer to your skin color in the tattoo (or a line might get thinner or lighter in one spot).

This is common as its unlikely your body will accept every spot of pigment uniformly, so just contact your artist via email after your tattoo is finished healing with a photo to see if a small touch up is in order;

Unless you were negligent during the care of your tattoo, touch-ups are very minor and quick, and guaranteed by our artists if you contact them about it within 3 months of getting the tattoo. Because older tattoos that have settled in fully and aged require more work to make uniform, we suggest coming in as soon as possible when it’s healed, as touch ups are performed for a fee at the artist’s discretion after 3 months.

How do you know your tattoo is healed?

– It’s important to know the signs that your tattoo isn’t healing properly or has become infected. Symptoms of improper healing include:

Fever or chills. A fever may indicate that your tattoo has become infected, and you should see a doctor right away.
Prolonged redness. All tattoos will be somewhat red for a few days after the procedure, but if the redness doesn’t subside , it’s a sign that your tattoo isn’t healing well.
Oozing fluid. If fluid or pus is still coming out from your tattoo after 2 or 3 days, it may be infected. See a doctor.
Swollen, puffy skin. It’s normal for the tattoo to be raised for a few days, but the surrounding skin shouldn’t be puffy. This may indicate that you’re allergic to the ink.
Severe itching or hives. Itchy tattoos can also be a sign that your body is allergic to the ink. The allergic reaction to a tattoo can happen right after, or as much as several years after getting the tattoo.
Scarring. Your tattoo will scab over because it’s a wound, but a properly healed tattoo shouldn’t scar. Signs of scarring include raised, puffy skin, redness that doesn’t fade, distorted colors within the tattoo, or pitted skin.

Should I wipe the plasma off my tattoo?

Wash and Treat – After you remove the bandage, you should wash your tattoo. Use lukewarm water and mild, liquid antibacterial or antimicrobial soap to gently remove any ointment, blood, and plasma and to completely clean the area. Provon Antimicrobial Lotion Soap is a good choice; it’s a mild moisturizing cleanser specifically made for piercing and tattoo care.

Never use a washcloth; it’s too abrasive. Your hand is your best tool. If your tattoo feels slimy and slippery, you have probably been oozing plasma. Try to gently remove as much of this as possible; scabs may form if it is allowed to dry on the skin’s surface.

Then, pat—don’t rub—the area firmly with a clean towel or paper towel to get it completely dry. Follow with a very light application of A&D , Bacitracin, or a similar antibacterial ointment—but not Neosporin. This is a wonderful product for cuts and scrapes, but not for tattoos.

Many people have allergic reactions to Neosporin, which can cause little red bumps. When the bumps go away, so does the ink, and you can end up with a polka-dotted tattoo. If you prefer, you also can use a specialty product such as Tattoo Goo Aftercare Salve.

It’s petroleum-free and made with herbs and oils meant to soothe and heal your new tattoo. After that, continue to keep your tattoo clean. After some time has passed, you can use a dye- and fragrance-free lotion when needed instead of ointment to keep the skin soft.

Can you use too much Aquaphor?

Use Aquaphor (Topical Emollients) exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Clean the skin where you will apply the topical emollient;
It may help to apply this product when your skin is wet or damp;
Follow directions on the product label;
Shake the product container if recommended on the label;

Apply a small amount of topical emollient to the affected area and rub in gently. If you are using a stick, pad, or soap form of topical emollient, follow directions for use on the product label. Do not use this product over large area of skin. Do not apply a topical emollient to a deep puncture wound or severe burn without medical advice.

If your skin appears white or gray and feels soggy, you may be applying too much topical emollient or using it too often. Some forms of topical emollient may be flammable and should not be used near high heat or open flame, or applied while you are smoking.

Store as directed away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep the bottle, tube, or other container tightly closed when not in use..

Why does my tattoo burn when I put Aquaphor on it?

Why Does My Tattoo Feel Like It’s Burning – At the end of the day, a tattoo is just an open wound on one area of your skin. The burning sensation you’re feeling means that your immune system is working to make sure your new tattoo heals properly and efficiently.

When you sit in the chair to get a tattoo, you’re paying a tattoo artist to pierce your skin thousands of times with an electrified needle;
The needle is repeatedly piercing the first layer of skin called the epidermis;

The needle is injecting colored ink into the second layer of your skin, known as the dermis. Because of this, your body must heal the wound by repairing the damaged skin cells. This causes a sensation that many have likened to moderate sunburn throughout the area of the tattoo.

How do you shower with a new tattoo?

So, How Can I Shower Without Disrupting the Tattoo? – Here are few important tips to utilize when showering with a new tattoo;

Use a mild, antibacterial soap – it is essential you use a mild, antibacterial, fragrance-free soap when showering with a tattoo, or when washing the tattoo itself. Try to be gentle and do not press or rub the tattoo. Use lukewarm water and try not to lather the soap during the very first tattoo wash.
Apply a thin layer of Vaseline – if you want to take a longer shower, you can apply a very thin layer of Vaseline onto a healing tattoo. This should protect the tattoo from the water or a stronger soap. After you’re done with the shower, make sure to remove the Vaseline layer and gently wash the tattoo. Do not apply Vaseline otherwise, because it will clog the tattoo, prevent it from drying, and potentially cause an infection.
Avoid using a washcloth or loofah – now, even though we used them to get clean, a washcloth or loofah are filled with all sorts of bacteria and germs. Gross, right? So, to prevent the tattoo from getting infected, avoid showering using these items. Use your hands to shower until the tattoo has healed completely. And even then, make sure to use a new and clean washcloth or loofah.
Avoid spraying the tattoo directly – during showering, avoid direct water pressure on the tattoo. It is best to simply stand under the shower and let the water run over the tattooed area.
Do not shave the tattooed area – for obvious reasons, you should not shave an open wound, which your tattoo is in the beginning. Be patient and wait for the tattoo to heal, and only then try to carefully shave the area.

You might be interested: How Long Will A Tattoo Peel?

Is it okay to sleep with a new tattoo uncovered?

Keep Your Tattoo Wrapped Through The Night – Some tattoo artists recommend that you can take off the film or adhesive wrapping after a few hours when you’re back home or after you take a shower. However, it’s better to keep the wrapping on through the night, so that the fresh wound can begin to heal itself.

It’d be good to ask your tattoo artist where to buy more wraps so that you can change them if necessary;
One of the best ways to change the wrapping is to clean your tattoo with antibacterial soap and then apply a new wrapping that will sit through the night allowing your wound to breathe and heal gradually;

Also Read: Tattoo Wrapping: Can I Wrap The Tattoo In Cling Film, and For How Long? Editor’s notes: Your adhesive wrapping should be breathable, waterproof, and made out of hypoallergenic materials. You don’t want to catch an allergic reaction that you didn’t know about over your freshly inked tattoo.

Should I wrap a new tattoo at night?

– After your tattoo is completed, your artist will bandage your tattoo for your trip home. Leave the bandage on for one to three hours. When you take the bandage off, wash it with very warm water (as hot as is comfortable) and mild liquid hand soap (like Dr.

Your first night sleeping, your artist might recommend you re-wrap the tattoo with plastic wrap (like Saran Wrap) to sleep without the tattoo sticking to your sheets. This is generally for larger or solid-color tattoos. If your artist did not recommend re-wrapping, just let the tattoo stay exposed to air overnight.
Every day from then on, you will wash the tattoo in the morning and at night, and apply lotion 3 times a day or so, or whenever the tattoo feels dry or tight.
Always wash your hands before touching the tattoo.
DO NOT apply Vaseline, Neosporin, Bacitracin or any other medicated or perfumed product to your tattoo.
After a few days, the tattoo will form a thin scab over it, and in about a week the scab will begin to flake off in the shower. DO NOT pick or scratch at the scab, just keep it clean and moist and the scabs will all fall off by themselves in about two weeks. Picking any of the scabs off will cause faded color and damage to the skin.

During healing do NOT:

Wrap the tattoo after the first night (wearing breathable clothes over it is fine as long as they are not causing friction. (Keeping tattoos wrapped in plastic or bandages will stop air from getting to the tattoo, slow healing, and make gross stuff grow in there. )
Submerge the tattoo in water. This means baths, pools and oceans. Regular showering is fine.
Expose it to strong sunlight (Like outdoor activities or beach days. Walking to your car is fine)
Shave over the tattoo (ouch!)

Do not slather a big, thick coat of product over it; just enough for it to stay moist and flexible;
If you are using Aquaphor, you can switch to a plain lotion after the first few days;
Lotion is generally fine for everyone, your artist will recommend if you would benefit from ointment;

This is common as its unlikely your body will accept every spot of pigment uniformly, so just contact your artist via email after your tattoo is finished healing with a photo to see if a small touch up is in order.

How do you sleep with a new tattoo?

Can you sleep on a new tattoo? – In an ideal world, you would be able to sleep and not have to worry about the tattoo. Actually, tattoos are effectively open wounds. This means that you need to take some precautions. Going days without sleep isn’t an option.

People have different techniques. If you can, you should try to avoid sleeping directly on the tattoo. For instance, if you have a tattoo on your back, try to sleep on your front and let the tattoo breathe.

A lot of tattoo artists recommend sleeping with the wrap that was put on. Others recommend re-wrapping, or just applying healing ointment and keeping the tattoo clean. The important thing is avoiding infection.

Why does my tattoo burn when I put Aquaphor on it?

When you sit in the chair to get a tattoo, you’re paying a tattoo artist to pierce your skin thousands of times with an electrified needle. The needle is repeatedly piercing the first layer of skin called the epidermis.

Julia