Which is a better ointment for the tattoo? A&D or tripple antibiotic?

Question

ive been using triple anti..for the past wk...but i want it to heal rapidly for i have a beach party on saturday..which is 12 days after havin the tat done...and i want to jump in the sea for a bit....do you think dat will affect the tattoo?

Answer 1

Stop using the triple antibiotic ointment. That will dry out your skin and end up hurting your tattoo. Try using A&D ointment, aquaphor, or a non sented lotion. these will keep your tattoo moisturized keeping your tattoo lookin great. As far as jumping into the sea goes. With your tattoo being that fresh it will hurt your tattoo, so it really wouldnt be a great idea

Answer 2

Check out this article for aftercare instructions since your artist didn't give you any .Good artists will give you an aftercare sheet similar to this before you leave the shop.Hope it helps .

Instructions on Aftercare of Your New Tattoo
From Karen Hudson,
Your Guide to Tattoos / Body Piercings.
Now, you have your fresh new tattoo, and you want to take good care of it! From this point on, your artist is not responsible for any infection or problems you may have with your tattoo if you don't take proper care of it. It is very important that you follow these guidelines. A really beautiful tattoo can turn into a disaster if the proper aftercare is not taken.
Leave That Bandage Alone! Your artist took the care to cover up your new tattoo for a very good reason - to keep air-born bacteria from invading your wound. Yes, as pretty as your new tattoo is, it is still a wound. Open flesh is a breeding ground for bacteria and infection. Leave the bandage on for a minimum of three hours. It is even better if you can just keep the bandage on overnight. Excitement of having a new tattoo will make you want to remove the bandage so you can show your friends, but your friends will just have to wait until tomorrow morning. If you think you just absolutely cannot resist the temptation to show off your new possession, ask your artist if they can cover it with clear cellophane wrap, so the tattoo can be viewed without the protective layer being removed.

Wash and Treat After you remove the bandage, you will want to wash your tattoo. Use lukewarm water and antibacterial soap to gently wash away any ointment and to completely clean the area. Do not use a washcloth or anything abrasive. Your hand is your best tool in this case. Then pat (do not rub) the area firmly with a CLEAN towel or paper towel to get it completely dry. Follow with a very light application of ointment. Bacitracin would be the first choice in ointments, but if you don't have any, A&D vitamin enriched ointment (medical grade - not the kind used for diaper rash) is also acceptable. **Do not use Neosporin. This is a wonderful product for cuts and scrapes, but not for tattoos. Some can have an allergic reaction to the Neosporin, which causes little red bumps. When the bumps go away, so does the ink, and you end up with a polka-dotted tattoo.** Continue this procedure at least twice a day for two or three days. After that, continue to keep it clean, but you can use lotion when needed instead of ointment, to keep the skin soft. See also: Aftercare Contradictions: Why there are so many views on what ointment is best.

Scabbing and Peeling After a few days, you will notice some peeling and possibly a little scabbing. Excessive scabbing indicates a poorly-done tattoo, but a little is sometimes normal and no need to panic. You will also start to itch, just like a sunburn when it begins to heal. The advice here is, don't pick, and don't scratch! If the skin itches, slap it. If it is peeling, put lotion on it. And if it is scabbing, just leave it alone. Your tattoo is almost healed, and now is not the time to ruin it!

Protection from the sun After your tattoo is healed, from now on, you will always want to protect it from the sun's ultraviolet rays. These can fade and damage a brilliant tattoo very fast. Before spending a lot of time in excessive heat, protect your tattoo with a minimum 30SPF sunblock. This will keep your tattoo vibrant for many years, and it will continue to be a source of great pride.

Answer 3

Neither, actually. Use bag balm, you can get it nearly anywhere and it's the best wound-healing ointment on the market. Comes in a square green can. I'd avoid salt water swimming if possible, but if you find you absolutely must do it, find a non-water-soluable cream and apply it heavily just before you go into the water. Test it out on your skin *before* the beach party, make sure it's actually non-water-soluable. When you're back on the beach, wipe your tat dry and reapply the bag balm. Unless you're planning on soaking in the ocean, the tat should be OK.

Answer 4

I always used bag balm, but alot of people use A&D. I wouldn't be jumping in the ocean if I were you, you shouldn't swim for at least 2-3 weeks after a tat, and that's in a regular pool. I wouldn't chance screwing up your new artwork!

Answer 5

A&D, my husband used it on all his tattoos, and I did the same. They don't scab as bad, and the A&D feels kind of tingly and relives some of the pain and itch.
I would ask your artist before jumping in the water, but its been 12 days so? Maybe apply vaseline to it, it will form a water proof barrier.

Answer 6

Yes the first thing they tell you is not to go to the beach or to the pool! Yes this will affect your tattoo!And i have alot of tattoos i used to wash them with antibacterial soap then i would use lubriderm!!It's the best i think!!It's a secret that most tattoo parlors use in california!!!

Answer 7

get off the triple antibiotic.. just use a water based lotion ot keep your skin moist while it heals.

didnt your artist give you instruction? If he/she did.. follow them

Answer 8

Do NOT use Antibiotic (Neosporin and stuff like that)
I`ve always used A&D, or nothing at all.
You can`t rush it, let it do it`s thing!

Answer 9

yeah if you swim in the ocean itll mess your tatt all up

Answer 10

i actually use aquaphor... it's been working very nicely