is it OK to just let a tattoo heal itself?

Question

My artist just told me to let it heal itself. Good advise or bad?

That also includes not using any creams or lotions.

Answer 1

As long as you don't pick at it, it should be fine. Stay away from bacitracin or neosporin because they can keep the wound too moist and then the scab pulls out in the shower. Try Tattoo Goo, and thorough cleanings. Make sure to let it dry completely before applying Tattoo Goo, or anything else. That's always worked for me.

Answer 2

Some artist suggest using a lotion or creme to keep the skin supple and help reduce the itch associated with healing. MY artist recommends using Noxema in the pump. If you do decide to use use a lotion or something, avoid petroleum based product. Use water based. Done smother the tat, just put a light coat on. People tend to lather themselves up for tat shows so the ink stands out and the skin looks healthy. your tat should not scab... it might feel like you scraped your skin, because a tat is a controlled abrasion. but if you get BIG scabs... he went to deep, was too hard etc. Scabs WILL pull the ink out, even if you didnt pick it. Try www.tattoos.net. I havent been there in awhile, but they have some good information. Also try the National tattoo association web site. (just type the name in your search engine)

Answer 3

the only thing you are supposed to do for a tattoo is to wash it with soap and water then put a little (not much at all) neosporin or antibacterial ointment on it for the first 3 days or so.....dont pick at it because it will ruin the tattoo and after the first three days of washing you can stop but start putting non-scented lotion or cream on it to keep it healthy. Do this until you can no longer feel any scabs on it and it is no longer peeling. I have two tattoos and this technique from my tattoo artist has worked wonderfully!

Answer 4

Every tattoo artist will tell you something different, I have 13 tattoos and the best trick for keeping color true has been, Tattoo Goo for the first 48 hours, then after that use Lubriderm lotion. Do not pick off any of the scab in the mean time, you will pigment loss and discoloration.

Answer 5

I usually use unscented lotion with aloe for the first few days, then let it dry out. I'll put lotion on every couple of days after that untill it's healed. Just don't pick at the scabs or get them knocked off too early, it will draw the ink out. Letting it heal on it's own is fine too, I know lots of people who don't do anything, and it works out fine

Answer 6

My tattoo artists both told me to use non-scented lotion... just plain everyday lotion.... to keep the scab soft. You don't want it to scab up and become a hard scab that can peel off... Because that could ruin your tattoo, especially if you have a lot of color in your tattoo.

I let my second tattoo scab up accidentally, and the scab peeled -- and now I can totally see where the scab that peeled was because there's a space in the color on my tattoo there...

Answer 7

Hes right, what else is there to do, they put cream on it first but then just let nature take its course.
Ive got lots and they all healed themselves, its not much more then a scratch, and they heal themselves right.
Hope you like your new live long art work.

Answer 8

I always use A&D ointment for a week and then lotion after that to keep it from cracking and scabbing up real bad, I would not want that.

Answer 9

is your artist an idiot
you need an anti bacterial cream for it to heel dead skin falls off and the new skin is shown it needs some help to survive
a tatto is kinda like a burn if you dont look after it it will scar and discolour
you need a new tattooist

Answer 10

Yes of course.