What Do U Put On A New 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).
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What kind of ointment do you put on tattoos?
– Use a mild, fragrance-free soap or a specially formulated tattoo cleanser to clean the area. Your tattoo artist can recommend a tattoo-specific cleanser. Soap options include the following products, which you can buy online:
- Dove Sensitive Skin Beauty Bar
- Liquid Neutrogena
- Dial Gold Antibacterial Deodorant Bar Soap (although this soap isn’t fragrance-free, tattoo artists often recommend it)
For the first day or two, use an ointment like A+D Original Ointment or Aquaphor Healing Ointment or the product recommended by your tattoo artist to help the tattoo heal. It’s best to avoid products that are 100 percent petroleum-based, like Vaseline. The American Academy of Dermatology says that petroleum-based products can cause the ink to fade. However, there’s one exception: Authority Tattoo says that Vaseline may be helpful while showering.
- Because Vaseline is nonporous (watertight), you can apply it to your tattoo before you step into the shower so that it can protect the area from getting sprayed with water;
- It’s also been noted that Vaseline may be helpful on healed tattoos or the skin surrounding the tattoo if it’s exceptionally dry;
Just apply a thin layer. 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
- Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion for Dry Skin
- Curél Fragrance-Free Lotion
- Eucerin Intensive Repair Lotion
Whatever you choose, make sure it’s fragrance-free and alcohol-free. Also make sure it doesn’t contain additives, such as colored dye, that could dry out your skin. When properly cared for, your tattoo can be as brilliant as one of these inspiring breast cancer tattoos.
Can you put Vaseline on tattoos?
– Petroleum jelly products, such as brand-name Vaseline, work by trapping moisture into your skin. These are most useful for extremely dry skin problems, especially if seasonal. However, Vaseline isn’t a good option for tattoos. This is because the moisture-trapping effects also block your new tattoo wound from getting air.
Air moving over a wound helps the healing process. You may even be more prone to infections if you use Vaseline on fresh tattoo wounds. Signs of an infected tattoo include redness, swelling, and pus. An infected tattoo requires prompt treatment, usually with topical antibiotics, to prevent the infection from spreading.
Unfortunately, scar tissue can form and ruin your new tattoo. It’s best to prevent infections altogether. Making sure your tattoo gets enough air can help reduce such risks.
What should you not put on a tattoo?
What do you do first 24 hours after a tattoo?
When should I moisturize my new tattoo?
Week one – Some tattoo artists recommend waiting between 24-48 hours before applying moisturizer, though others recommend doing so as soon as the first wash. A person with a fresh tattoo should follow their tattoo artist’s instructions on when to start using moisturizer.
For the first couple of days, the tattooed skin may feel warm to the touch and have a reddish appearance. The colors may also appear very bright against the rest of the skin. The tattoo will become less vibrant as the healing process continues.
A person should avoid submerging the tattoo in water or getting the tattoo wet during the first 3–6 weeks, except for when washing it. A person can continue using the washing technique above throughout the first week when needed. How often washing is necessary will vary depending on a person’s activity levels and environment.
Someone who is sitting in an air-conditioned office all day may only need to wash the tattoo once a day. However, someone who is working in a hot or dirty environment and sweating may need to wash the tattoo every few hours.
It is best to wash the tattoo with clean fingers only and not a cloth or towel, which may irritate the skin and prematurely remove any scabs that may have formed. Scabs will often form in the first few days, and ink may still come up through the skin and need to be washed away.
- It is important not to pick the scabs or scratch the skin;
- In general, Scabbing is not a sign of improper wound care;
- Scabs will form anytime the skin is injured, and can be a sign of healthy tissue forming underneath the wound;
Keeping some form of antibiotic ointment or moisturizer under occlusion (as long as there is no known allergy) on the wound can help it heal better and the sooner this is done the better healing will happen with less chances of scarring. Any redness or mild swelling usually goes away near the end of the first week.
Can I use coconut oil on my tattoo?
– Coconut oil is gentle enough to use during any stage of the tattoo process. You can apply it to new tattoos, old ones, or even those that are undergoing removal or retouching. This can prove beneficial if you have more than one tattoo, or if you’re thinking about getting additional ink in the near future.
Should I cover my tattoo when I sleep?
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;
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.
Is coconut oil good for tattoo healing?
The Final Takeaway – Because of its moisturizing properties and vitamins that are good for your skin, coconut oil is ultimately more than safe to apply to your tattoo. It’s a natural, inexpensive way to heal your tattoo and keep it looking healthy and vibrant for years to come..
Should I cover my tattoo or let it breathe?
#3. Removing the Wrapping Too Early – I know, I know. You just got a your tattoo and you want to look at it! That dang bandage that the artist puts on after your session can be annoying, but it’s there for a reason. Your fresh tattoo is basically one giant open wound.
The wrapping that they put over it keeps any bacteria or airborne particles from getting into it. How long should you keep it on? Well, listen to your artist. Some will tell you 2 hours, some will tell you overnight.
Your artist knows what he/she is talking about, so it’s best to just listen to what they advise and stick to that! Once you’ve removed the wrapping on your fresh tattoo, keep it off! It’s time to let the healing process begin and let your tattoo breathe.
Should I put anything on my 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 do you moisturize a tattoo?
For the first day or two, use an ointment like A+D Original Ointment or Aquaphor Healing Ointment or the product recommended by your tattoo artist to help the tattoo heal. It’s best to avoid products that are 100 percent petroleum-based, like Vaseline.
Can u use Neosporin on tattoos?
When it comes time to get a new tattoo, the right aftercare is as equally as important finding a reputable tattoo artist. A fresh tattoo is most vulnerable within the first few days: You are basically trying to heal wounded skin while also preventing ink distortion.
- This requires moisture while also allowing the tattoo to get air;
- You might have an arsenal of products for wounds lying around in your medicine cabinet, including Neosporin;
- While appropriate for minor cuts and burns, Neosporin is not a good choice for a new tattoo because it can interfere with the natural healing process;
Read on to learn what makes this common first aid product a poor choice for fresh body ink , and what you should use instead.
What’s the best cream to put on a new tattoo?
Aquaphor’s Advanced Therapy Healing Ointment is easily one of the most widely used treatments for tattoo aftercare, as myriad artists swear by it.
Is Aquaphor or A&D better for tattoo healing?
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.
Is A&D ointment good for a new tattoo?
How To Treat A New Tattoo: Healing Process/Aftercare DAY 0 ( FRESH )
Modern Healing Advice – A&D ointment ($14)—mostly prescribed for diaper rash—tops the list of recommended tattoo aftercare topicals. A&D contains both Vitamin A and D (hence the name) to treat abrasions and minor wounds. They also keep the skin supple and naturally protect it from outside organisms.
- A&D’s one downfall is that it will not prevent infection due to its lack of antibacterial properties;
- But healthy individuals need not worry—a clean tattoo is a healthy tattoo and infection-fighting ointments are really just more of a precaution than a necessity;
Almost all artists recommend using a moisturizing lotion after letting your tattoo heal for a few days. Some actually advise using nothing but lotion from day one. But this is where it gets tricky, as different brands of moisturizers contain different ingredients, some of which can harm your new tattoo or cause a reaction.
Look at the ingredients list and stay away from lotions that contain lanolin (a natural oil that comes from sheep’s wool), if you’re allergic to wool. Steer clear of unpurified beeswax, an emulsifying agent, which may clog pores and suffocate your healing skin.
And dyes and fragrances are an all-around bad idea for putting on an open wound anyway. Key Ingredients Lanolin is an oil produced by sheep and can be found in their shorn wool. It has been classified as an emollient, which means that it traps in moisture and reduces the skin’s overall moisture loss.
A generally safe bet for tattoo aftercare lotions are botanical-based creams and salves (look for ones with healing comfrey root) found at your local health food store. Lastly, specially made tattoo aftercare products, like Tattoo Goo ($8) are popping up like weeds.
Some artists highly recommend them while some say they’re a waste of money. But these newfangled creams do more than just heal your tattoo—a few contain sunblock and pain reducers—so it’s impossible to know what to choose. Check to see if your local artist carries a preferable product before purchasing something random online.
When it comes right down to it, following the recommendations of your local studio is always best. After all, they’re the professionals. If you’re susceptible to allergic reactions, have your tattoo artist provide a few alternatives for you.
Discontinue use immediately if you experience problems with any skincare product. And don’t be stingy when it comes to buying an expensive cream. Your tattoo will last you a lifetime, especially if you take good care of it..
