Is it ok to use Bacitracin Ointment on a new Tattoo that is still scabbing?

Question

If not - what is best to use?

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 and my stock answer:

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. People like Curel which is good - so is Aveeno - I like Cetaphil. We always give the Ink Fixx to the client to use because it is not always easy for them to go right to the store to buy things.

Truth be told, the skin heals pretty well no matter the abuse and certainly even if you use nothing at all. I have even seen people use just plain old Crisco in a very thin layer. Nothing wrong with that either.

In my studio 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!

Answer 2

all the tattoo shops ive EVER been to say to use A&D vitamin ointment. they say its the best one to use because most other ointments have a worse fading effect. they say A&D works the best to limit the fading. also, they said to NEVER use neosporin or vaseline. they said those make it fade the most.

but good luck with ur new tattoo!!!

Answer 3

My sister used that and it ruined her tattoo. The color started coming off in chunks like an hour after she put it on.

Answer 4

Don't use Bacitracin any more. Stick with a scent free lotion. Lubriderm is great. The peeling is normal.

Answer 5

it is all I use on my tattoos form the time they are done for several weeks until healed and I do keep them out of the pool and sun for the first few months too. this prevents fading.

Answer 6

cocoa butter lotion is amazing it's all you need