Wouldnt cocoa butter/cocoa butter lotion hurt a new tattoo?

Question

I recently got a new tattoo. ( I already have several) I had never previously had a problem with the ointment I always used but this time around the tattoo extends over the inside of my elbow and I seemed to break out horribly, gettin little pimples all over the area of the tattoo. Now I was worried it was infected and when I showed it to my artist he said it appears to have been irratated by the A&D I used. I never had this happen before . He suggested that I switch to cocoa butter lotion and it is getting much better. Now My question is this- I am planning on gettin this piece finished up in a few weeks. Would using cocoa butter from the start in this area be bad? I dont know why but it just seems that using a white lotion on a fresh tattoo would screw up the ink wouldnt it?

Answer 1

FIRST, know that everyone here always has different opinions. If you do a search on tattoo after care you will see how crazy it gets.

If your artist is comfortable with the cocoa butter and lotion and if it works for you, then go with it. Many artists recommend its use. The idea is to keep it clean and keep it from excessively drying out without piling on something that will allow accumulation of bacteria, etc. MOST artists feel petrolatum-based ointments screw up tattoos more than the lotions.

Answer 2

Use the original formula of Curel lotion. It's non-greasy and doesn't irritate..actually has more of a cooling effect, which is nice if you have residual burning/redness. Don't ever use cocoa butter or products with lanolin - I'd second guess an artist who told you to.

Answer 3

Don't use A&D for one. Don't listen to him.

Take bandage off in 2 hours
Wash tattoo carefully with warm soapy water
DO NOT SCRUB
Lightly pat the tattoo until dry…
DO NOT RUB
Apply a very thin coat of bacitracin or aquaphor ointment 3 times a day for 3 to 5 days
Although re-bandaging a tattoo is not recommended, if covering the tattoo is necessary a sterile bandage or dressing should be used.
Be sure and wash the tattoo every night and morning…
DO NOT SOAK
Avoid tattoo exposure to direct sunlight and refrain from swimming in fresh, salt or chlorinated water for at least 2 weeks.
After External Healing

Tattoos heal quickly BUT fading can still be a problem
Apply hand lotion once a day until dryness stops
Vaseline Intensive Care, Lubriderm, Nivea, etc...
Tanning fades tattoos
Always cover fully healed tattoo with sun block
DO NOT RUIN YOUR INVESTMENT!!!

Answer 4

I have four tattoos, and it seems like every place I have gone to, they have told me something different.
Kinda of sucks because you wish there was just one standard thing to use.....

Anyways, on my last tattoo, which was about 2 weeks ago, the guy told me to use cocoa butter....from day one. I did. My tattoo looks fine, and now it is at the "itching like crazy" phase. Just don't use too much, and be gentle with it.

Answer 5

I've always used cocoa butter, nothing else, and my tattoos healed beautiful. I've heard alot of people say not to use A&D lotion or any lotion or cream that has "...sporin" in it.

Answer 6

Oooh... NO Cocoa Butter! On my first tattoo, I was told to use it, but I then went to another artist for advice, and he said that Cocoa butter can lead to rash and FADING of the tattoo if used throughout the whole healing process. Instead, use A&D ointment found in the baby isle (it's a diaper rash cream). You will still have the minor shedding of skin (its normal) but no rash, and your tattoo will heal.

I hope that helps! :]

Answer 7

no,and i know this cause my cousin is a fan of cocoa butter when it comes to his tattoos and he has som beautiful ink so no it won't hurt it

Answer 8

My artist said if I couldn't use A&D to use Lubriderm. It is pretty gentle and I never had a problem.

Answer 9

Use bacitracin or neosporin ointments.

Answer 10

no