What did you use on your new tattoo?

Question

What did your artist recommend to help heal and protect your new tat? I'm suprised at the research I have done, there are so many contradictions. My artist says to break the Vit E capsules and just use that. Just wondering what everyone else has used and what the results were. Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

I've tried a few different things on the several tattoos I have gotten.
A&D seemed to work okay, but it got my sheets and pillows covered in the white film (for lack of a better word) that it leaves on your skin.
I've used neosporin, but it's not recommended because it contains a chemical that may dull the colors on your tattoo.
What works the best for me, and sveral other people I've talked to, is AVEENO DAILY MOISTURIZING LOTION, it's the aveeno with the green cap. It's good stuff. I also ended up making it my body moisturizer after the tattoo was healed.
Whatever you end up using, make sure no matter what that it says FRANGRANCE FREE! Even a little fragrance will totally irratate your tattoo and will probably sting pretty bad.
For best results, I carry around a little bit of dial hand soap (the amber-colored kind) and the lotion, and whenever the tat gets dry put lotion on it, and clean it with lukewarm water and soap about every 4 hours or so.
ENJOY!
P.S. - sun exposure while healing is bad ;)

Answer 2

I am copying and posting a previous answer i gave regarding aftercare - it still applies here -


Best Answer - Chosen By Voters

OK I am amazed. You would think after all this time there would be some consensus on tattoo aftercare.
1. Antibiotic ointments are not a good idea - people are easily allergic to them and they think they are allergic to their tattoo.

2. Antibiotic ointments, Aquaphor, Vaseline, A &D ointment ALL contain petrolatum - we don't like that for healing tattoos (most also contain lanolin and many people are sensitive to these preparations because of that too)

3. Preparation H is for assholes not tattoos - get over it!

At least, thankfully, I did not see reference to plastic wrap a la Miami Ink!!! Plastic wrap is for left overs, not tattoos. It keeps the fluids on the surface of the tattoo that a nice dressing would absorb those first couple hours so there is NO SCABBING - that's right, NO scabbing. Scabbing is not normal in a well cared for tattoo. The slight peeling that should occur should be the top layer of skin that is mixed with the ink, similar to a sunburn peeling.

So your professional tattoo artist is going to tell you to take off the clean dressing and wash the area with an antibacterial soap and apply whatever healing agent they recommend SPARINGLY - this means barely covered. IF you apply too much, it will accumulate bacteria that gets stuck to it and the tattoo cannot get air. The tattoo healing agents may cost more but they are specially formulated for the healing tattoo so why not use them? You paid a lot of money for it, you went through pain for it, why not treat it the best way you can?

So yes, follow THEIR directions - not your friend's directions, not even MY directions - if a PROFESSIONAL artist did the work - respect his/her instructions.

Source(s):
I own a tattoo studio and tattoo since 1991
I have a medical background

Answer 3

10 years ago or so, my first artist told me to use Bacitracin (never Neosporin) on a fresh tat for about the first 4 - 5 days or so. Then Fragrance free lotion after that. Nowadays my artist says to use Lotion only. This makes sense because oily ointments tend to trap dirt, not allow the fresh wound to breathe, and cause it to "leak" ink and such. I only use Bacitracin now on a fresh tat for the fist two NIGHTS right before bed, and all lotion after that. They seem to heal faster, and itch less. I am sure that there will never be a text book way to care for a fresh tat, I think it is most important to keep it clean, washing it 2 or 3 times a day with a mild soap, and wash your grubby hands before you apply your lotion, or diaper rash cream, or bee's wax, or whatever crud you were told to put on it. Good luck.
You never want to cover it again after the initial wrap from the shop, and I've been told that Vitamin E actually breaks down and removes pigments from the skin. Everybody has there own way though.

Answer 4

When I got my first tattoo, the artist told me to go buy some Lubriderm lotion and when the skin got tight and itchy feeling to smooth a thin layer on the tattoo and gently rub it in. That has been three years ago and every time I get another tattoo, I do the same thing and I have gotten tons of compliments on how my tattoos look so new and the color is so vibrant.

Answer 5

I use bacitracin the day of the tattoo (after washing w/soap & water, pat dry then air drying), and the next day, then Nivea creme after that. It's what works for me. Tried a couple other products (tat wax, h2ocean). The tat wax made me break out in itchy bumps, the h2ocean didn't really seem to do anything for me.

Answer 6

You should use an antibiotic ointment it's just that some people are allergic to certain ones. If you have used one in the past with no problem that is what you need to use. The vit. E is fine but won't prevent infection which is the real worry with any broken skin. Good luck.

Answer 7

OKAY, this is straight from the top. Use h20cean do a search for it online or ask your local shop. NEOSPORIN and VASELINE, A&D will suck the ink right out of the tattoo and they are big NO NO's!!! it shortens the life of your tattoo. if you don't feel like spending cash on h20cean, buy a curel or liburederm moisturizer unscented. also, wash your tattoo with a dial soap 2-3 times a day, and moisturize 4. do that and your tat will look as good as the day you got it done. guranteed.

Answer 8

I used Ink Fixx Ointment for the 2 days ( it really kept my new tattoo moist and it wasn't flaky or itchy at all) Then I used Ink Fixx Lotion for the next following weeks until it was healed. I still use the lotion every now and then if that area gets dry..It was provided to me by my tattoo artist, it's so much better a&d ointment, and neosporin.

Answer 9

totally agree with Bratt, EXCEPT for the Prep H thing. (cream not ointment because the ointment contains alcohol). It is for your A hole, and it does everything that it does for your A hole on your Tattoo.Decrease the swelling, stop the itching and burning and heals up quick. However it doesnt work on black and grey pieces simply because they blend as they heal and if it heals too quick the blends and fades wont look right. We suggest a light cocoa butter cream (not lotion) to our customers.

It is also perfectly acceptable practice to put NOTHING on. Personally, I cant put anything on mine while healing because i break out so bad everytime, im not just talking a zit or two im talking big 1/2inch sized boils that pull the colour out. As long as i don't put anything on it it itches like a ***** but heals just fine.

Answer 10

I live in florida, and spend a lot of time on the beach.

I was told to keep it covered for about a day. Then put a clean lotion on it. (fragrance free, moisturizing) And not to let too much water pound on it in the shower. And Strong sunblock for the beach.