What is the best product to apply to a tattoo, i've heard A&D and fragrance free lotion like lubriderm?

Answer 1

This has been asked and answered hundreds and hundreds of times. You would be surprised how much info you can get by putting tattoo after care or tattoo pain or tattoo designs, etc. into the search box....

Here is a copy and paste from an aftercare question/answer the other day:

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 a**holes not tattoos - much has been written about this by many over the years and in some forms it contains live yeast cells...ewwww on open skin.

4. No baby powder, corn starch or any such "powdering." No Desitin or similar products that gunk up the skin with heavy zinc oxide.

5. No plastic wrap ever! 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.

Most tattoo artists seem to prefer unscented mild lotions - they are looking for products with a minimum of ingredients - some like H2Ocean products, some like Tattoo Goo (contrary to reports, there is nothing adverse in this product) Coco butter is often used as well as Olive oil body butter.

I happen to give out little pillow packs of Ink Fixx ointment for the first couple days - then they can switch to the mild lotions. We always give something to the client to use because it is not always easy for them to go right to the store to buy things.

I have even seen people use just plain old Crisco in a very thin layer. Nothing wrong with that either.

They are also given WRITTEN directions for after care. There is NO reason for a professional tattoo artist NOT to do this for their client.

Once you remove the bandages, wash with an antibacterial soap and warm water, pat dry with dye free paper towels and apply whatever healing agent you choose 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.

Overall, keep it clean and don't scratch it. It will go through some peeling and other changes over the next couple of weeks. Keep dirty hands and strangers off of it!

So in the end, take what you can from everyone's advice here as no one really has the magic answers in all cases. Most of us knows what worked for them, or works for our clients in general if we are artists. Good luck with your new tattoo!

Edit notes to Somebody;

Yup, Cetaphil is exactly what I use - glad to see you like it too!

Answer 2

I just got my 3rd tattoo on Friday. Use either Keri or Lubriderm unscented lotion..put on approx 4 times a day!!! Good luck!!

Answer 3

lubriderm is the best after a few days. try H2ocean...this stuff is amazing. a lot of tattoo parlors carry it and it knowcks a few days off of the healing process. ive used it on all of my tattoos and its just awesome. then use lubriderm on your tat after about a week or so, applying it a few times a day (esp before bed) and your tattoo will heal great.

Answer 4

I washed with antibacterial dial soap and used fragrance free lubriderm and my tattoo turned out great, healed perfectly.

Answer 5

I've had different artists tell me different things. But most of them say don't put anything on it at all. Not until the thick scabs come off. Once the snake skin scabs are there, then you can moisturise. But putting lube on it when the thick scabs are still there, will cause them to loosen up too soon, and possibly pull out your color. Wash it with a mild soap, rinse with water, pat it dry, and don't pick! When it starts to itch, just give it a little slap.

Answer 6

Like tatt_brat and Somebody I use cetaphil early on, but once I'm past the first few days I switch to unscented eucerin. cetaphil is nice & light, and I'm trying to be super gentle in that period (I tend to treat my tattoos like glass early on). Eucerin is rather thick and I worry that I might might not rub it thinly or smoothly enough in those first four days or so. Once the initial peeling is gone I seem to be able to work in the eucerin more easily & smoothly.

Regardless, I tend towards the light side and don't glop it on. My first tat I overdid the moisturizer and got a bit of a rash on the skin surrounding the rash (thankfully not on the tattoo itself).

Answer 7

most artists dont suggest A&D much anymore - its too thick and creates a barrier , I like curel lotion the best, my artist actually told me to do nothing to my tats except wash them with dial soap for the first three days then after that apply lotion 4-5 times a day after washing the tattoo.....that has worked out pretty well for me.

Answer 8

it all depends on the person telling you what to use. my artist recommends using A+D for three to four days and then switching to a fragrance free lotion. i use cetaphyl because i like the texture of it. i am very weird about textures. but different people will tell you different things.

Answer 9

CUREL lotion (fragrance free)
My tattoo artist only recommended that.
DON'T ever use neosporin or vaseline, even when you get the itchy red bumps, just keep using Curel.

Answer 10

they have this stuff called tattoo goo..it works wonders..comes in a little compact..its cool looking too, so it wont look like a giant bottle of stuff your toting in your bag. I have all black tats and this stuff works awesome to keep colour in..ive had some of mine for years and i keep applying after showers or if my skin is dry...no fading yet! means saving a lot of money on touch ups over the years.