Why is there so many tattoo after care options?

Question

I have heard lubriderm, A and D, dont put A and D on it, anitbiotic ointment, no anitbiotic ointment, no lotion or cream, etc... Anyone have any input on this? And what do u think is right or works for you?

Answer 1

I used to tattoo, so here are my personal feelings...

Antibiotic ointments tend to lose their effectiveness after a day or two (it tends to be recommended for 2 reasons; tradition and the word antibiotic). Vitamins A & D are both good for the skin, and are used to help treat certain skin irritations, like diaper rash. Use a thin layer of A&D for about a week in order to keep the tattoo from scabbing up (and yes, an untreated tattoo will scab up badly). Antibiotic creams tend to absorb in quickly, and don't give your skin the moisture it needs to prevent the scabbing, and allow it to heal.

Once you pass that stage, you can cause skin irritation, and even pimples, by continuing to use the ointment (trust me, a pimple on a fresh tat sucks). If you switch over to a moisturizing lotion (water based) you'll get thru the second part of healing (the flaking) with minimal fuss.

The reason for the variety of opinions on this is varied. Some of it is a lack of knowledge ('my buddy said that his was ok doing this, so I can do it too'). Some, like I said about antibiotic is just tradition (and a lack of knowledge concerning the benefits/drawbacks of this type). Even more comes from persoanl experience by the tattoo artist.

Regardless of what you're told, any reputable artist can give you good advice to keep the tattoo clean, and looking good once its healed.

Answer 2

Keep a light coat of A & D on it for 4 or 5 days. Too much will draw out the ink and you'll have to be retouched. This is VERY important!

You DON'T want it to scab!!! If it scabs, you lose color when the scabs fall off. After it's dry, and not scabbing, apply Lubriderm. (Use unscented, the fragrance in lotion is known to cause rashes in wounds.)

Answer 3

Well A and D ointment works very well. Keep it smothered in it and it won't itch so badly as the scabs fall off. Another thing: don't scratch it! You'll end up infecting it from the dirt and germs from under your fingernails and that's not fun at all. If your shop sells it, try Tattoo Goo. It works just as well as the A and D and it has menthol in it to keep it feeling cool instead of stinging.

Answer 4

If you have used a certain product to prevent infection before and it works well for you I see no reason not to stick with what you know best. Just use something so you can enjoy your body art to the fullest. Tattoos are not exactly cheap art these days. Keep your health along with your prized possession. The biggest problem if you don't use something to prevent it from scabbing too heavily is that you will lose the color very fast, sometimes within the healing period even.

Answer 5

My tattoo (2 months old) turned out great by using A & D until the scabs fell off, then Eucerin unscented. It is what the artist suggested, I followed his directions exactly and it worked.

Answer 6

lubriderm deff. the tattoo parlor gave that to me when i got mine and it worked like a charm. they also have this stuff called tattoo goo. its just a fancy name for the moisturizer.

Answer 7

oh well when my friend got a tattoo she used Dr. Brommer's tattoo creme it was great I think you can get it at whole foods she liked it so much she got me turned on to it it is like a skin balm so I us it as chap stick which works great also

Answer 8

theres so many because its damaging of skin your personal body its like an open wound