How Often Should You Lotion 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.
Contents
- 1 Should I moisturize my tattoo while its peeling?
- 2 Should I let my tattoo dry out?
- 3 How do I take care of my tattoo the first week?
- 4 Will lotion fade a tattoo?
- 5 How do you tell if you’re over-moisturizing?
Can you put too much lotion on a new tattoo?
What Are The Risks of Over Moisturizing a Tattoo? – By applying thicker layers of lotion or ointment, several times a day (or every hour or two as some people do), you’re risking over-moisturizing a tattoo. By over-moisturizing a tattoo, you can cause the following problems;
- Due to excess moisture, the tattoo won’t be able to dry and heal
- Excess moisture can create a perfect environment for bacteria and germ growth
- Over moisturizing can lead to tattoo inflammation and infection
- Excess moisture can cause clogged pores since the moisturizer prevents the skin from breathing
- Excess moisture can cause the tattooed skin to break out
To avoid these issues, make sure to follow the moisturizing rules we mentioned before. However, make sure to not under moisturizing your tattoo as well. Some people are afraid they might over-moisturize their tattoo, so they leave it dehydrated, which results in heavy scabbing and tattoo dryness. So, make sure to stay in the middle and simply apply a thin layer of lotion/ointment twice a day.
When should I start putting lotion on my tattoo?
You should start moisturizing your tattoo as soon as it starts to dry — not before. This can generally take about 1–3 days after you got your tattoo. Be sure to wash and dry your tattoo with antibacterial soap and choose the appropriate moisturizer as well.
If you’re new to tattoos, we recommend that you educate yourself on the complete healing process. We go into detail on the precautions you need to take, how to get the job done, and how often to moisturize.
If you’re a tattoo-head, it might be worth your while to get a refresher, as well.
How long can new tattoos go without lotion?
Putting on too thick of a layer won’t allow your skin to breathe. After about 2 days, you can switch to a regular moisturizer. Some products that you can buy online include: Lubriderm Daily Moisture Fragrance-Free Lotion.
Should I put lotion on my tattoos everyday?
Looking to Visit a Dermatologist? – Learning to care for your tattoo will help it look better longer, and the added bonus is that what’s good for your skin art is good for the rest of your skin, too. Contact U. Dermatology Partners to learn more about how to take great care of your skin.
How do you tell if your tattoo is too dry?
Why Does Tattoo Cracking Happen? – When your tattoo begins to scab over in the healing process, the area around the tattoo generally becomes scaly , extremely dry, and also very itchy. Some tattoos will scab very lightly where the scabs are hardly visible, and some will scab heavily, with thick prominent crusts. 
A tattoo beginning to crack When the scabs lose moisture within them, they will become so dry that they begin to split, break apart, and often bleed. This is what is known as tattoo cracking. Below are the main reasons why your new ink may begin to crack:.
Should I moisturize my tattoo while its peeling?
Moisturizing is Essential – 
During the peeling process, unless you’ve decided to take on the dry healing method it’s essential that you keep your tattoo moisturized. For the first three days after you get your tattoo, you should be cleaning your tattoo and washing, drying, and putting ointment on it regularly. On the fourth day, you can begin to use a recommended lotion for tattoos to keep your fresh ink moist and your healing skin hydrated while it continues to repair.
One of the most popular products for moisturizing tattoos is Hustle Butter Deluxe. It could be a good choice since it uses a gentle formula made from natural ingredients, doesn’t contain petroleum, and can be incorporated into your aftercare regimen from start to finish Putting lotion on your tattoo regularly will help relieve the itchiness you feel as well as improve your tattoo’s appearance.
Apply the lotion two to three times each day for the next 25 days or until it no longer peels or feels tight and taut on your skin. When you apply lotion to your tattoo, apply a thin layer over your skin. There is no need to put a thick coat of lotion on your tattoo, in fact it can be counter productive.
Should I let my tattoo dry out?
Are There Any Disadvantages to Dry Healing a Tattoo? – For every argument in favor of dry healing, you’ll find a counter-argument. Critics of dry healing will point out, for instance, that it does nothing to relieve the itchiness that comes when your skin is healing after a tattoo.
That would be bad enough if it simply means you’ll spend a few weeks being more uncomfortable, but it’s worse than that. If you have a hard time putting up with the itchiness and you give in to the urge to scratch your tattoo, you can damage your skin before it has fully recovered.
If that’s the case, using an ointment that relieves the itchiness is likely a better alternative. The best tattoo lotion I’ve ever personally used is a vegan aftercare product called After Inked Tattoo Aftercare Lotion. This stuff works amazingly well during the healing process; not only by keeping your tattoo really well hydrated but also by soothing any annoying itching and irritation.
When using it from the very start of the healing process, this lotion will help to decrease tattoo healing times and work towards eliminating any lingering dryness and scabbing. Some people allege that those in favor of dry healing may have simply used the wrong types of ointments.
It’s true that some lotions have harsh chemicals or don’t contain enough of the ingredients that are friendly to your skin. However, if you do a bit of research you should be able to find creams that will deliver the vitamins your skin needs without any unnecessary additives. 
A tattoo that is so dry that the scabs have cracked and are now bleeding While proponents of dry healing profess that it speeds up the healing process, it could also tighten the skin, which makes it more likely that scabs will break. This, of course, will extend the amount of time it takes for your tattoo to heal, and could cause minor blemishes.
How do I take care of my tattoo the first week?
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).
When should I stop using Aquaphor on my 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.
What happens if you don’t lotion a tattoo?
If you don’t moisturize a new tattoo, there are chances it won’t heal properly. Moisturising keeps it safe from infections and allows the quality of the tattoo to be preserved. It’ll also prevent you from itching, which will stop the area from healing. After getting your tattoo done, the skin tries to rejuvenate and recover from the trauma it’s been through.
Will lotion fade a tattoo?
Healing Quality – The healing and aftercare stage of your tattoo is immensely important when it comes to tattoo fading. For the first couple of weeks, the tattoo ink will not be correctly set, and therefore you should care for the ink as best as you can.
- Not only this, but over the course of the first couple of weeks, your tattoo will go through stages where it scabs and peels;
- The scabbing and peeling skin will look like it’s ready to come off, but while it’s still attached, it still has the ability to affect the ink if it’s accidentally pulled at or ripped off;
For this reason, you should try the best you can to leave your healing tattoo alone, no matter how unsightly it may look with scabs and pieces of flaky skin hanging off. Pulling off any scabs or pieces of flaky skin will very possibly contribute to areas of patchiness and fading within the tattoo.
Another thing you must be careful of when the tattoo is healing is which lotions or ointments you decide to use on the area (and how much of it). Using lotions that are too harsh for the very delicate healing skin can draw ink out of the area and cause patchiness.
Likewise, using too much lotion can saturate the area and seep into the skin, diluting the ink and contributing to premature fading. The best tattoo lotion I’ve ever personally used is a vegan aftercare product called After Inked Tattoo Aftercare Lotion.
This stuff works amazingly well during the healing process; not only by keeping your tattoo really well hydrated but also by soothing any annoying itching and irritation. When using it from the very start of the healing process, this lotion will help to decrease tattoo healing times and work towards eliminating any lingering dryness and scabbing.
Finally, not keeping the tattoo clean and bacteria-free while it’s healing could cause an infection to take hold within the area. If not treated quickly enough, a tattoo infection can quite easily cause permanent fading and even scarring. If you notice that your tattoo has faded during the healing process through no fault of your own, most artists will generally offer a free touch-up to replenish areas where ink may have been lost.
- However, you must realize that most tattoos will fade at least somewhat once they’re done peeling , and your tattoo will likely never look quite as vibrant as it did the very second you left the tattoo studio after your sitting;
This is completely normal. 
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How do I keep my tattoo looking new?
What should I do if I over moisturize my tattoo?
How To Fix an Over Moisturized Tattoo? – So if you’ve been over moisturizing a tattoo, here’s how to fix it! Turn on a desk fan and bring the tattoo in its proximity. At the same time, pat the tattoo gently with a clean towel to dry it. We suggest that you wait about 15-20 minutes after a shower before you apply an ointment for tattoo aftercare.
This gives the skin and the tattoo enough time to thoroughly dry. If the tattoo is already over moisturized, stop applying lotion. Make sure to dry the tattoo under the fan for 15-30 minutes and don’t touch any scabs unless you absolutely need to.
It can take a lot of time to fix your tattoo if it’s already over moisturized, so again, it’s always recommended that you thoroughly dry the area carefully and only then apply a tattoo aftercare cream.
How do you tell if you’re over-moisturizing?
What happens if you over moisturize?
If you have a pulse, you probably already know that it’s essential to step up your moisturizing game in the winter. Dry winter air can sap the moisture from skin, which is why you probably can’t fall asleep at night without scratching your legs for a good 15 minutes first.
(The dry skin struggle is real. ) And beyond the itch, dry skin can get flaky and look ashy — which, even if you’re hiding it under tights or leggings, still isn’t ideal. So it’s tempting to go nuts with the hydration.
The more moisture, the merrier — right? Not so fast. Here’s how you could actually be sabotaging your skin in the winter. To be fair, I’m kind of a serial offender when it comes to moisturizing in the colder months. I have an elaborate, multistep routine that involves a creamy body wash, sometimes a shower oil, an in-shower body lotion, and then a thick body lotion to cap it all off.
Overkill? Maybe. But I have seriously dry, itchy legs in the winter, so I can’t help but see winter moisturizing as a challenge to be conquered. Despite my process, though, my legs occasionally still get itchy.
So I wondered where, exactly, I was screwing up. “It’s a common misunderstanding that the more moisturizer you use, the more effective it can be,” says Howard Sobel , M. , NYC derm and founder of DDF Skincare. “Excellent moisturizers are typically very concentrated and are meant to deliver small amounts for all skin types.
- ” Going overboard with your body lotion is more than just an unnecessary step;
- It can actually worsen your dry skin;
- “By over-moisturizing, you can cause the skin barrier function to weaken and risk clogging pores,” explains Sobel;
Add those together and you get both dry skin and body acne — the allover equivalent of combination skin. The good news: The fix is easy. Really, you only need one or two good ingredients to do the trick. Sobel’s a fan of heavyweight hydrators like glycerin, mineral oil, lanolin, and dimethicone, which deliver a ton of moisture without suffocating skin.
- Try a formula that combines a few, like Tatcha Soothing Silk Body Butter ; it pairs glycerin with dimethicone, and one tub will see you through to spring;
- Also, consider supplementing your moisturizing routine with a humidifier;
“Some water-friendly ingredients like glycerin, which is supposed to attract and retain moisture, can only do so at a certain level of humidity,” explains Sobel. So if your dorm or home is desert-dry, that could prevent hydrating ingredients from working as well as they should.
Color me convinced. From now on, I’m going to pair creamy body wash with either body butter or in-shower body lotion — but not both. I’ll reserve the shower oil for special occasions. Chances are, my skin will be ten times happier for it.
Related: 7 Easy Ways to Donate Your Unused Beauty Products This Season.
