What is the best ointment for new tattoos?

Question

I've heard of so many different things to put on a new tattoo, everything from hand lotion to triple antibiotic. Plus there are also tattoo aftercare products available too. Do any of those work?

Answer 1

Alright, I'm not gonna go into the full aftercare, but I will answer about what to use...

Okay, for the first few days, here's what you should use/but not limited to:

A&D, Bactrin, tattoo goo, ink fixx, (Pretty much anything actually DESIGNED for tattoo aftercare), aquaphor...etc Those are really good to use. These all work very well. We use A&D in the shop I work in, it works very, very well, and is very cheap at store (ie. wal-mart, walgreens...etc) and they even come in generic, and still work the same, but is very effective and affordable nonetheless..

Do NOT use: Vaseline, neosporin, polysporin, triple antibiotic...anything with alcohol or anything petroleum based...etc, those are NOT good for tattoos..Some do pull the color out, drink your skin out, could draw more bacteria in and raise your chances of you tattoo healing poorly, or risk the chance of infection. Some people may use it, and they're fine, but they shouldn't, and why take the risk? Everyone's different, so no one can tell.

Also, you wash your tattoo 2-3 times a DAY. Do not overwash tattoos. If you everwash tattoos and piercings it will irritate them, and disturb the healing process. Do NOT over wash, 2-3 times a day, or what the artist tells you should do.. (some day every 6-4 hours, that's good, also)

After the first few days, you can start using lotion: You need to use a white, water based, unscented lotion with no alcohol or petroleum. Most people choose lubriderm or Jergins, or a lotion made FOR tattoo aftercare, but ALWAYS check the label for alcohol and petroluem....Both petroluem and alcohol are big "no-no's" in the tattoo world,they're very bad for Tattoos!

NOTE: you hsould not scab unless you d not baby your tattoo. If you leave your tattoo dry, hit it, poke it, touch it when you're not cleaning it, rub clothing on it, move that body part a LOT (if that applies)...or just put any kind of stress on your new tattoo, it will form scabs. Your skin should 'flake' or 'peel off' similar to that of a sunburn.But do not pell it off!
See Mine, that is healing perfectly.(and did):
http://iampix.bmezine.com/4/p/1mjgp4/ukrtiu1e.jpg
Yes, they intch, do NOT srtch or pick your tattoo... Scabs do take color out, and then picking can even create scars on your tattoo, and that is never good.

Answer 2

I don't know about the tattoo aftercare products but here is what I was told when I got mine and it worked well for me:

After the tattoo wash with baby soap w/o fragrance then cover with unscented moisturizing lotion (lubderm makes a really good one)

For 2-3 weeks wash twice a day w/ antibiotic soap and then cover with the unscented moisturizing lotion.

The big thing I was told not to use was vaseline as it can strip away the new color.

Answer 3

For my tattoo's i used triple antibiotic ointment 2-3 times a day but only use a little bit just that it covers the tattoo, If you use too much ointmen it will pull the color out. Once your scab has fallen off, start using baby lotion on it. And with a new tattoo stay out of water and sun for long periods of time, alot of contact with them will fade the tat and pull the color out of your skin. Hope this helps!

Answer 4

The shop I used hands out written aftercare instructions. They say to use A&D ointment for the first day or two (and they include a little sample tube with the instructions.) After that they say to use any water-based, fragrance-free lotion (I usually have Lubriderm for sensitive skin on hand, which fits the bill nicely.) They do sell an aftercare lotion, but it's really no different than any other water-based, fragrance-free lotion so it's just a matter of convenience.

Answer 5

A&D Ointment is in the area of baby care. HOWEVER, it clogs the pores of your skin and I would not recommend it. I have tryed it before on my first tatt and will say I learned my lesson. Try Curel (non-fragrance) Lotion. It keeps your skin and tattoo moist and does not clog your pores. When you bathe, clean you tattoo with Dial Liquid Soap (or any other antibacterial soap without dyes and fragrances). Warm to Hot water will open the pores of your skin to help it breathe. Then use the Curel and just keep it moist. (Or any lotion with minimum alcohol and without any dyes or fragrances). A&D is really gunkie and if you develop a zit from clogged pores on or near your tattoo, you will find it can be uncomfortable. Either way, everyone's experience will be different its best to talk to you tattoo artist and follow their directions. Good Luck & Congrads!

Answer 6

A and D ointment. Do not use neosporin, as you want the scabs to stay on, Neosporin will prevent it from healing.

A little flaking is fine, but loss of scabbing is not good, you can lose color.

PS: the itching only lasts about a week. Don't scratch, just pat on the ointment.

ALSO: to bring out the color later when the tattoo is healed: a little petroleum jelly or baby oil over it will make the colors vivid.

Answer 7

Use H2Ocean tattoo foam. It helps it to heal quicker and helps with the itching afterward. I've used it on my last 2 tattoos. It worked better for me than the A&D ointment and lotion.

Answer 8

antibiotic ointment will pull the ink from your skin! Take plenty of vitamins and use some a&d ointment protects against those hard scabs and itching! Get that from your local drug store! use that for a couple days until the excess ink has come out! It's ok for it to come out a bit, Tattoo after care products are mostly people trying to make money!

Answer 9

I have both arms sleeved the whole left side of my stomach and rib cage plus two tattoos on my back use polysporin for the first three days and then use lotion for the rest of the time.

Answer 10

Absolutley nothing. Tattoo artist put vaseline on the tattoo afterwards to keep bleeding down, but it also suffocates the skin. The best thing to do is let it air out.