How Long To Put Ointment On Tattoo?
Julia
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LA Bruket tattoo cleanser – 2. Healing Ointment “The first stage of caring for your tattoo is applying a general healing ointment or tattoo-specific ointment or butter, for about five days,” Kuo says. He and Bhanusali both recommend Aquaphor for this. “Aquaphor has the added benefit of anti-inflammatory effects, which can make the tattoo healing process more speedy and less itchy,” Kuo says.
Contents
- 1 How long do you put ointment on a tattoo before switching to lotion?
- 2 Should I keep ointment on my tattoo?
- 3 How long should I use A&D ointment on my new tattoo?
- 4 Do I still put ointment on a peeling tattoo?
- 5 Should I let my tattoo dry out?
- 6 When should I stop moisturizing my tattoo?
- 7 How do you tell if your tattoo is too dry?
- 8 Can you wash tattoo too much?
- 9 When should I stop using Aquaphor on my tattoo?
- 10 When should I switch from Tattoo Goo balm to lotion?
How long do you put ointment on a tattoo before switching to lotion?
Here’s What You Need to Buy: – There are tons of fancy tattoo care products on the market, but most tattoo artists will recommend three things: Aquaphor healing ointment, unscented Lubriderm lotion, and Dial antibacterial liquid soap. There’s plenty of debate about whether Aquaphor or A&D Ointment are better for the first few days.
Honestly, it doesn’t matter, because they both work perfectly fine. I have used both, but Aquaphor is definitely my first choice. It spreads on easier and it doesn’t clog the pores as much. I like to buy the miniature multipacks so I can keep one at work and one at home.
It’s also recommended that you switch to an unscented lotion after three days or so. Lubriderm is most artists’ lotion of choice because it’s gentle but effective at moisturizing. When it comes to soap, some people swear by H20cean’s green soap , and some love to use Dr.
Should I keep ointment on my tattoo?
Scarring and fading – Scarring and fading can happen if you don’t take good care of your tattoo as it heals. These side effects are why Green emphasizes applying sunscreen to tattoos — and why you should keep them moisturized as they heal. Fading and scarring are also common reasons some people decide to have tattoos removed, a procedure that dermatologists like Green can perform..
How long should you apply aftercare to tattoo?
However, the healing process can take upward of 6 months. Aftercare, which includes daily cleaning, ointment, or moisturizer, should continue for at least this long to reduce the risk of infection or other complications.
How long should I use A&D ointment on my new tattoo?
GENERAL TATTOO AFTERCARE INSTRUCTIONS: – When you get home: Remove your bandage after 1-3 hours. Wash all ointment and bodily fluids off of your tattoo with warm water and antibacterial soap. Pat dry with a clean paper towel. Apply a thin layer of A&D ointment.
- Always wash your hands before touching your new tattoo;
- Your artist may recommend re-bandaging your tattoo for the first night;
- Immediately before bandaging, wash your tattoo with warm water and antibacterial soap, pat dry, and apply a thin layer of A&D ointment;
Apply the bandage before bedtime, and remove the bandage in the morning. For the first 2 days after getting your tattoo, repeat this process 3 times a day: Wash your tattoo with warm water and antibacterial soap. Pat dry with a clean paper towel. Apply a thin layer of A&D ointment.
- It is not necessary to rub the ointment in;
- After 2 days , stop using A&D ointment and switch to a fragrance-free lotion;
- Wash your tattoo twice a day with warm water and antibacterial soap;
- Pat dry with a clean paper towel;
Apply lotion as often as needed throughout the day. Continue until your tattoo is no longer peeling, flaking, or shiny. Your tattoo will take about two weeks to heal. Your tattoo will weep some initially, and start to peel after a few days. Do not scratch, rub, or pick at your tattoo.
Wear loose clothing that does not scratch or rub your tattoo. Showering is fine, but avoid soaking your tattoo in a bath or pool. Limit sun exposure until the tattoo is fully healed and you are able to wear sunblock.
KEEP YOUR TATTOO CLEAN. Remember that it is an open wound initially. Always wash your hands before touching your tattoo. Avoid contact with anything that may contain bacteria, such as dirty hands, gym equipment, pools, etc. These aftercare instructions are recommendations only.
Do I still put ointment on a peeling tattoo?
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.
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.
When should I stop moisturizing my tattoo?
The tattooed area might still look dry and dull. Keep moisturizing until the skin looks hydrated again. By the second or third week, the outer layers of skin should’ve healed. It may take 3 to 4 months for the lower layers to completely heal.
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:.
What happens if you over moisturize a 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.
Can you wash tattoo too much?
Moisturize – Washing your skin often, especially with antibacterial soap, can cause excessive drying. We want to avoid drying out our skin too much because dry skin heals slower than moisturized skin. Each time you’ve washed your tattoo, put your choice of moisturizing, fragrance-free lotion on the area.
Don’t use a lotion that you share or have dipped your fingers into many times. 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. Ensure the area is completely dry before applying the lotion as you don’t want any water becoming trapped underneath it. A bubbling tattoo.
Do and don’ts after tattoo?
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.
Can you put too much ointment on a tattoo?
NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles! There are a lot of different ideas and theories as to what is the best method of aftercare for your tattoo. I honestly believe that not one particular method will work best for everyone, seeing as everyone’s biology is different. I believe it takes time and experience to figure out what particular method works for you. Here is a set of instructions that I believe works well for many people, and have used this method on myself successfully:
- No more than a few hours after the finish of your tattoo, you should remove the bandage and wash the tattoo. I personally recommend you wash the tattoo with an anti-bacterial hand soap, such as Dial antibacterial hand soap , to reduce your risk of infection. Also, use lukewarm water as opposed to hot water, which would burn the tattoo. It is important to wash the tattoo lightly, but be sure to remove all ointment, blood, and any other residue.
- After washing the tattoo, apply an ointment. Some commonly recommended ointments would be Bacitracin , A+D Ointment and Aquaphor ; I would recommend staying away from Vaseline and petroleum jelly. It is VERY IMPORTANT to only use a very tiny amount of ointment and that you lightly rub in on in a thin, shiny, “barely there” layer over the tattoo. ”
- I would recommend use of the ointment for around 3–5 days. During these days, wash your tattoo every morning right when you wake, and right before bed. It is also important to wash the tattoo several times throughout the day. The more you wash your tattoo, the easier and faster your tattoo will heal. If your tattoo is in a hard-to-reach area, have a friend assist you — just make sure they wash their hands thoroughly before they do so.
The tattoo should just have a slight sheen after rubbing in the ointment. Using too much ointment can oversaturate the tattoo and cause excess scabbing, or cause scabs to come off prematurely. It is NOT “the more, the better.
If you do not keep your tattoo clean, you run the risk of both infection and excess scabbing which could result in poor healing. During these first few days, depending on where your tattoo is located, the tattoo may be prone to swelling. Using a bag of ice, elevating the tattooed area, and taking ibuprofen can help reduce the swelling.
- Around the third to fifth day, you should notice your tattoo has formed a thin, hard layer, which will begin to peel. The peeling is similar to that of a sunburn peeling — only the skin will come off in the colors of the tattoo. This is normal. At this stage in the healing process, you can switch from using the ointment to a non-scented hand lotion. Aveeno , Curel , and Lubriderm non-scented are some common recommendations.
For the next two weeks, keep washing the tattoo and use the lotion as needed. Keep the skin moisturized to prevent cracking and bleeding. There may be a couple scabs on your tattoo that take longer to come off then others — some taking up to a few weeks to come off.
If this is the case, just let the scabs fall off on their own and be mindful not to pull them off prematurely, as this could result in loss of ink. The majority of your tattoo’s healing should be over in 2 weeks, but it does take up to 4 weeks for a tattoo to be fully healed.
Things to avoid during the tattoo healing process:
- Try not to sleep on your tattoo. For example, if the tattoo is on your back, sleep on your stomach. Not only will the tattoo become stuck to your clothing and linens, it will leave a lovely imprint on your sheets. Should you wake up and your clothes are stuck to your tattoo, do not rip them off, for this could result in the ripping off of scabs.
- Avoid submerging the tattoo. Soaking in water could cause scabs to come off prematurely. Also, avoid swimming due to possible bacteria and irritants in the water. So no ocean, lake, pool, jacuzzi, or bath tub for two weeks! Showers are okay … and encouraged.
- Avoid the sun! Getting a sunburn on your tattoo can cause some serious problems. Think of your tattoo as like a bad sunburn; you wouldn’t want to get more sun on it. If you’re going to be in the sun for an extended period of time, wear loose cotton clothing over the tattoo.
- Avoid wearing tight clothing that will rub on the tattoo, as excessive rubbing can lead to scabbing and loss of ink. Some key areas where this is common is around the pants line and the bra line. Try to wear loose fitting cotton clothing over the tattooed area so that it’s breathable, or if you’re not in public, go without! If you had your foot tattooed, try to stick to a more open-type of shoe such as a flip-flop. Also, for the first couple days of healing, the tattoo will tend to “ooze” colors that tend to stain fabric, so don’t wear your Sunday best!
- Avoid over-working the tattooed area. For example, if you are an avid gym-goer, lay off the arm exercises for two weeks if you just had your arm tattooed. Or, if you just got your foot tattooed, don’t plan a hiking or a five-hour mall trip. Over-working the tattooed area can result in scabbing and poor healing.
Infection Infection is not super common, but let’s face it: With so many invisible bacteria floating around out there, it’s bound to happen at some point. Here are some tips on dealing with your tattoo should it become infected:
- First and foremost, find out if your tattoo is indeed infected. Some key signs of tattoo infection are a red haze surrounding the tattoo after it’s already past a week (or more) of the healing process, which could also be accompanied by: a white haze over sections of the tattoo; indentation of the tattoo; extreme scabbing which may turn green or yellowish; a bad smell; and puss.
Instead, wet the area of clothing that is stuck to the tattoo with water, and it will become unstuck. Working out will also cause you to sweat, which is also not good for the tattoo’s healing process. Contacting your tattoo artist so they may confirm whether or not your tattoo is infected (and suggest ways to combat the infection) is a good idea, although the best way to deal with an infection is by calling your physician.
He or she will know the absolute best way to combat your infection and may prescribe antibiotics.
- The best ways to avoid infections are by keeping your tattoo clean and by making your artist aware of any sensitivities or allergies you may have before getting tattooed. For example, many tattoo artists use latex gloves during the tattooing process, so if you have an allergy to latex, let your tattoo artist know so they can switch to nitrile gloves. Also, many people have a sensitivity to certain tattoo inks; red ink is a common color that people have a sensitivity to because of the nickel content in that particular color.
After your tattoo is healed
- In order to keep your tattoo looking good for as long as possible, it is important to keep your skin moisturized. And when you’re going to be exposed to sun for a prolonged period, use sunblock to help avoid fading.
Can I wear jeans 3 days after tattoo?
What Kind Of Clothes Should I Avoid After Getting Tattooed? – For the ladies out there; if the tattoo is placed in the chest/breast area, ladies should avoid wearing a bra, at least while at home. At work or outdoors, one can wear a looser-fitting bra, to avoid moisture build-up and putting pressure onto the tattoo.
- Tight-fitting bras can make the area sweaty, but also restrict the airflow, which can trap moisture and lead to infections;
- If loose-fitting bras don’t do the job, then we advise the ladies to simply go braless;
For both, ladies and gentlemen, avoid wearing jeans and pants (with tight waistband), for tattoos placed on hips, gluteus area, thighs, intimate area, lower abdomen, lower or middle back. To avoid putting pressure and restricting airflow, avoid tight-fitting jeans and pants.
- The same goes for leggings and skinny jeans;
- The best alternative is sweatpants, loose-fitting pants, or loose-fitting shorts;
- In the case of a foot tattoo, it is essential to go barefoot for as long as possible;
Socks are a no-go , since they’re tight-fitting, as well as boots, heels, strappy sandals, and tight-fitting footwear overall. If you do have to wear shoes, try to wear slides or flip-flops to avoid the shoes or socks rubbing against the tattoo. It is also important to avoid tight-fitting gym clothing, like leggings, tops, yoga pants, gymnastics clothing , etc.
How long after a tattoo can you shower?
How Soon After a Tattoo Can I Shower? – Your first shower after a new tattoo can be the day after you got the tattoo. That could be between 12 and 48 hours. Sometimes, the tattoo becomes messy after a night of oozing blood and ink. In order for the tattoo to start healing properly, you need to give it a light wash with antibacterial soap and lukewarm water.
- After 48 hours, your tattoo should be good for water exposure, but only once or twice a day;
- During the first week, it is essential not to expose the tattoo to the water for longer periods;
- This will prevent the tattoo from drying and forming a new skin layer;
In such a case, your tattoo could get infected. Note : we also recommend you avoid sweat-inducing activities, like working out, jogging, etc. Sweat carries bacteria that can infect the tattoo. Furthermore, sweating prevents the tattoo from drying out, which could also lead to an infection.
When should I switch from Tattoo Goo balm to lotion?
If you’ve seen our Tattoo Goo Tattoo Aftercare Kit, you know it comes with four products that are all about taking the best care of your ink. Each product has a specific purpose in the healing process of a tattoo and most have a purpose for the life of your ink.
Here, we break down each product with our recommendations on when to use each one and why. The two stages of care for tattooed skin: Immediate and Everyday Care When you get a new tattoo, there are two important stages to consider: immediate care and everyday care.
Immediate care falls within the first two months after getting a tattoo — the typical time frame for skin to fully heal. Everyday care is every day after that two month window of helaing. With immediate care your focus is on quick healing by preventing infection and replacing moisture that’s lost during the tattooing process.
The focus of everyday care is keeping ink bright by moisturizing the skin and protecting skin from the sun. Our Tattoo Goo Tattoo Aaftercare Kit considers these two stages of care by including four products that addresses tattooed skin from healing to healed.
Keep reading to see how each product works. Immediate Care Focus: Quick healing by preventing infection and replacing lost moisture. Everyday Care Focus:l Protect ink from fading by retaining skin’s moisture and protecting it from the sun’s rays. Start with our Deep Cleansing Soap.
We recommend using it once in the morning and once in the evening during your normal skin care routines. If you’d like to be extra diligent, especially if you’re tattoo is in an area that often rubs against your clothes, an additional wash mid-day can also be done without over stressing the skin.
Make sure you pat the skin dry. Then, apply the Salve. During the first couple of weeks, we recommend applying the salve on dry skin after washing with our soap, or up to three times per day. It contains lavender oil that reduces pain and irritation associated with a fresh wound.
And the olive oil, cocoa butter and wheat germ oil put moisture back into the skin that was lost during the tattooing process. When your tattoo gets the itchy peelies, Tattoo Goo Lotion will be your best friend.
When this phase of healing begins, we recommend switching from the Salve to our Lotion. It has the same moisturizing capabilities as the Salve, but also contains a natural ingredient called Panthenol that soothes itching skin. This way, you’re less likely to scratch which could pull off scabs and pull out ink.
After all, you didn’t come this far just to come this far, right? Right. The last few weeks of healing Yes! You’ve passed the itchy, peely phase and your tattoo is looking pretty healed. Tattoos typically take two months to heal completely (even though it may look healed on the surface).
For good measure, continue to use our soap until you’ve reached that two month point. As for moisturizing – it’s always a must, but once you’re past the irritation and itching from a healing tattoo, how you moisturize comes down to personal preference. Both our salve and our lotion are equally perfect for adding moisture back into the skin and you can use one or other other or both! Yay, you’re fully healed! Whether or not it’s cloudy outside, if you’ll be out and about you need a moisturizer with SPF.
Not only is moisturized skin a must for bright ink, but protection from the sun’s rays is also. We recommend starting Tattoo Goo Renew with SPF 30 about eight weeks after getting your tattoo to ensure it’s fully healed as the SPF can cause irritation on healing skin.
Ok everyone, that’s the breakdown! The products mentioned here are all available in our Tattoo Aftercare Kit. Retail prices will vary, but in general it tends to be a decent savings vs. purchasing everything individually. Plus you can get the kit in-store which can be really convenient if you’re just walking out of the tattoo parlor.
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 moisturize your tattoo too soon?
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.