What can i put on my new tatto that i got on friday.?

Question

It is so so darn itchy.... help

Answer 1

Here is a cut and paste of a similar answer I gave when I saw about 25 different opinions on aftercare:


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

Additional information: If you do not find relief from after care products, you can try ice in a baggie and lightly tapping at it, or if on your back, bouncing against the back of a chair.

Answer 2

Fragrance free lubriderm or eucerin are both good. Avon as an intense moisture with a light frangrance that is good too. It is healing, that is why it itches, so that is good. Never use bacitracin or things like that, though. Also, you can use A &D ointment after a few days. Some people like it. I don't.

one or two days and the itchiness should let up. Remember, moisturize at least 4-5 times a day. Heals faster and color stays better.

Answer 3

The best thing for new ( or old) tattoos is a product called Aquaphor. You can find it with hand lotions. It was originally designed for treating burns, which is very close to what you suffer when you get a new tattoo. Put a THIN layer on every 4 to 6 hours. it will heal in half the time and won't itch as bad.
PS-- the itch is a good sign though. it means you are almost healed. soon you will start to peel( just like a burn).JUST DON'T SCRATCH IT !!!
PSS-- Never use anything like healing hand lotions, it can make your body treat the ink as bacteria and cause it to be pushed out of your skin. Just keep it moist.

Answer 4

When I first had mine done the artist told me to put A & D ointment on it for the first week 3-4 times a day. The ointment is in a white and yellow tube (it comes in a box) with brown writing. Then after the first week start putting lubriderm lotion on it for about another week or so. I still put lotion on it even though it's completely healed and I have had it for awhile. Also don't take any baths or go swimming or soak in any hot tubs for the first two weeks, it can cause infection to set in. You also want to remember to keep your tat out of the sun or put sun lotion on it to protect it. This will help to keep it from fading. I hope it heals well for you! Mine healed great! Also DO NOT SCRATCH IT! When it starts to scab over and itch, slap at it in a last resort, but never scratch. Scratching will cause some of the ink to come off and make your tat blotchy. You don't want to have to go have it touched up that soon. It can be tempting to scratch resist the urge!

Answer 5

I just got mine on Friday too, and I'm using Lubriderm for sensitive skin. It's 100% lanolin and fragrance free. Mine is really itchy too, but if I keep using the lotion, and keep my tattoo moist, the itching isn't as bad.

Answer 6

Denise, I don't know where your tattoo is located buy my daughter is having a backpiece done and when the itching became unbearable, instead of scratching it she had her little sister lightly slap it (through her shirt). She said this helped relieve the itching.

I hope this helps.

Answer 7

Well, at least you are healing. :)
I know the feeling, I have two tattoos. They used to get us to put polysporin but DON'T ...it's not used anymore due to its ability to make the ink fade.
Your best bet is lubriderm, or any other scent-free, sensitive skin lotion, to keep it moist. Do this often, and it won't dry out and itch. :)

Answer 8

your artist didn't tell you what to do for aftercare?!

use lubriderm or another unscented white lotion

NEVER use neosporin or ointments because it will pull some of the color out, and your tattoo won't look as good.

Answer 9

Neosporin

Answer 10

My artist told me to use aquaphor 3x a day for 3 weeks....your artist didn't tell you what to put on it or how to care for it?

don't scratch your tattoo...slap it if it itches.

Don't use neosporin - it will pull the color.

When it scabs...don't scratch or pick at the scabs, just let everything heal on it's own.