How Often Should You Put Ointment On A New Tattoo?

‘Always rub only a thin layer of ointment. ‘ To help it heal correctly, ‘you should continue applying the ointment after each time you wash the tattoo and only after it has completely dried; at least twice a day, for three to five days or until the tattoo starts to peel.

Contents

0.1 Should I put ointment on my tattoo everyday?
0.2 Should I let my tattoo dry out?

1 When should I stop moisturizing my tattoo?
- - 1.0.1 Why is my tattoo fading after 3 days?
  - 1.0.2 How do you know if you put too much ointment on a tattoo?
2 What is an overworked tattoo?
- 2.1 How do you tell if your tattoo is too dry?
- 2.2 Can you over-moisturize a new tattoo?
3 What should you not do after a tattoo?

Should I put ointment on my tattoo everyday?

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 often should I put healing ointment on my tattoo?

The first 3 – 4 days – We recommend Aquaphor as the healing ointment for your tattoo. Apply a small amount to the tattoo, and rub it in thoroughly, as if you were applying lotion. It should not shine or feel sticky! If it does, you are using too much ointment! Wait five minutes after applying ointment, if you can still feel ointment, blot the excess off with a tissue.

Apply the ointment once or twice a day for the first 3 to 4 days, especially if the tattoo feel dry or “tight”. Keeping a light protective layer of moisture will ensure the least amount of scabbing and peeling, thereby reducing any color fade.

Make sure your hands are freshly washed before applying ointment.

How often should I put stuff on my tattoo?

How Often Should You Moisturize Your Tattoo? – Professional tattoo artists always recommended one moisturizes their tattoo(s) once or twice a day. The best way to moisturize a tattoo is by doing it in the morning and in the evening. It is also important to apply lotion or ointment after taking a shower, to protect the tattoo from drying out.

Note : Make sure to wait between 10 and 20 minutes to apply lotion/ointment onto the tattoo after a shower. In that time, the tattoo will dry naturally, so when you do apply a moisturizer, it will soak into the skin nicely.

By applying lotion onto a wet tattoo, you’re risking overdoing it.

What happens if you don’t put ointment on a new tattoo?

If you’ve just got some new ink, congrats! Now it’s crucial to take care of it, which includes many weeks of tattoo aftercare. Taking proper care of your new tattoo is essential, or else it can turn into a disaster in the coming weeks. One of the ideal ways of helping the tattoo heal in the coming months is by using a good quality tattoo ointment. Most tattoo artists will always suggest you to use high-quality tattoo aftercare cream every day to support the healing process.

Itchiness – one of the major reasons why you should use a tattoo ointment is to prevent severe itchiness. When you refrain from using a tattoo cream, your skin becomes very dry and tight with every passing day. That can lead to itchiness and in some cases, redness as well. But, you cannot scratch or pick your tattoo because it will damage it. So, the best way to get relief from the itching is by using a recommended tattoo cream.

Tightness and Scabbing – dry skin can lead to very hard and tight scabs. If you see scabs are coming out of the tattoo, there’s nothing to worry about. As the tattoo heals, scabs do come out as the dead cells are removed and new cells take their place. But, if the scabs are too hard and difficult to remove, then it is because your skin is far too dry.

Learn everything you need to know with this Tattoo Aftercare guide ! What Happens If You Don’t Use Tattoo Ointment? There are many reasons why using the an industry leading tattoo ointment like Inke-eze is essential.

Using a tattoo ointment cream will make sure that your skin remains soft and tender. Thus, the scabs fall off easily without hassles.

Infection – last but not least, since your tattoo is an open wound, it is always prone to infection if you don’t take proper care of it. Whenever you go out and do daily activities, your tattoo will come in contact with dirt, dust, sweat, and whatnot. All of these can harm the tattoo. That is why applying a tattoo cream will help you to keep it safe, moisturized, and boost the healing. It assists in keeping away any kind of infection that can potentially cause serious damage.

FAQ

How long to use tattoo ointment after a new tattoo?

You can use a tattoo ointment for at least 2-3 weeks after getting a new tattoo. You must ensure that you apply tattoo cream for at least the initial weeks after getting a tattoo.

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How much tattoo ointment to use?

Take a small bit of tattoo ointment and not too much of it when applying it. Taking the cream in small quantities will ensure that you do not over apply the cream over the tattoo.

What does tattoo ointment do?

A tattoo ointment helps to boost the healing process. They are made of ingredients which help to prevent infections and keeps it safe from different external pollutants. It also moisturizes the tattoo at all times..

Should I let my tattoo dry out?

– Tattoo dry healing is an acceptable part of a tattoo aftercare routine as long as you follow all other aftercare instructions closely. Not taking extra care of your tattoo can lead to scabbing or scarring. And if you’re concerned that dry healing won’t work for you, feel free to use a safe, chemical-free moisturizer to prevent any reactions or interactions with your skin or the tattoo ink.

When should I stop moisturizing 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.

Why is my tattoo fading after 3 days?

This is a bit of a trick question. The reason being, is that a tattoo “fades” to the naked eye within days of application. This occurs because as the skin heals, the top layer dies and new skin forms to take its place. During this period the epidermis typically has a faded appearance. However, this is a natural part of the tattoo healing process and as the peeling subsides and the dead skin falls away the design will once again look crisp and fresh.

Still, it won’t have that same deep dark tone as it did when your tattooist put his/her gun away. Anyone who has received a tattoo already knows this. But what you want to know now, is when can you expect a tattoo to fade in the longer term.

Let’s have a look.

How do you know if 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.

What is an overworked tattoo?

Natalia Lebedinskaia/Shutterstock New tattoos usually take two to three weeks to fully heal, and with good aftercare, they should heal perfectly, per Glamour Magazine. However, there are times when the healing process of a new tattoo doesn’t go as smoothly as it should. This can be so in the case of overworked tattoos. Otherwise known as a tattoo blowout (via Healthline ), an overworked tattoo is what happens when a tattoo causes scarring or when the tattoo ink goes past the dermis layer and reaches the hypodermis, per Demi Ink.

An effect of this is that the tattoo begins to look blurry, per Byrdie. Overworked tattoos are more likely when you patronize beginner tattoo artists, and the problem with overworked skin is that it only becomes truly apparent to the client once the tattoo begins to heal, per Saved Tattoo.

The discolored skin that slowly forms is a big hallmark of a tattoo blowout. It can be the result of the high voltage on the machine affecting its speed, per Tattooing 101. A tattoo artist going over a patch of skin more than once can also result in a tattoo blowout.

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:.

Can you over-moisturize a new tattoo?

Can You Over Moisturize a Tattoo? – Moisturizing your tattoo is a great way to improve the healing process and give you a vibrant, long-lasting tattoo. However, if you use too much moisturizer on your tattoo or don’t dry it thoroughly after washing, it could hinder the healing process.

You can over-moisturize your tattoo, and this can lead to all kinds of issues;
It can prolong the healing process and could even cause an infection;
All of this can damage your tattoo and leave you with a less than perfect tattoo on your body that you have to live with for many years;

Your tattoo artist will discuss the tattoo aftercare regime with you before you leave the tattoo studio after getting your tattoo. They know what they’re talking about, so it’s best to listen and make sure that you understand what’s needed before leaving. This is FAR too much lotion and some should be blotted off with a paper towel.

What should you not do after a tattoo?

Can I just leave my tattoo alone?

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.

What happens if you over moisturize a tattoo?

You can over-moisturize your tattoo, and this can lead to all kinds of issues. It can prolong the healing process and could even cause an infection. All of this can damage your tattoo and leave you with a less than perfect tattoo on your body that you have to live with for many years.

Is dry healing a tattoo better?

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;

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.

Do I have to wash my tattoo every time I put lotion on it?

Generally, a tattoo artist will tell you to wash your tattoo two to three times a day. You should moisturize after each washing. Though it may seem odd, timing when you wash and moisturize your tattoo can be very important. You should generally wash your tattoo in the morning.

Julia