Ointment or lotion?

Question

My tattoo artist told me to use aquaphor ointment on my new tattoo but then everyone else is say lotion. A coworker told me that aquaphor would make it scab over and the idea is to not let it scab by keeping it moist. I'm so confused!!! HELP!

Answer 1

It should not scab off too much thats why there are moisturizers in the creme. It will have to scab pretty dramatically but don't worry its normal it goes away in a week or so. Keep the area covered with cream to avoid infections.
http://tattoo.about.com/cs/beginners/a/blaftercare.htm

Answer 2

I just my lastest tattoo on sunday and I'm using aquaphor.. always listen to the tattoo artist, they are the experts.

I always use A&D ointment or Aquaphor (basically the same thing but aquaphor doesn't smell like a diaper) and after the scab comes off I just use a scentless lotion.
Works great everytime with no problems or irratations.

Answer 3

Hum, I have found that every tattoo artist will tell you something different. I have been told to use bacterium, non scented lotion and am presently using aquaphor for my latest. All tattoo's will scab, but they heal anyway just fine as long as you do not pick at the scab. When or if you pick or lose part of the scab you may lose part of the ink. In all cases they have turned out just fine no matter what I used.

Answer 4

I've used both. For my first tattoo I used aquaphor, and it was just fine. The only problem with this was it left oily spots on all my shirts from the ointment. But I think the moisture lasted longer than the lotion so i didn't have to apply it as often.

The lotion worked just fine though too. I didn't have any problems with either.

Answer 5

I have watched people healing who just use lotion and the whole tattoo scabs up like a big scratch (after all thats what a tattoo is). And they usually take a week or more to clear up.

I have seen people try to use just ointment and they are itching like mad after 5 days and covered in tiny little pimples because the skin cant breathe.

The best solution I have come up with is the one i use on my own tattoos. I clean my tattoo with anti bacterial soap and then take a little bit of A&D ointiment on my fingers. Mix a little bit of water in and then rub the ointment slowly into the tattoo. Make sure its not so slimy that it tries to stick to things. I keep up this procedure until the tattoo peels, which for me is about 4 and a half days. The peeling on mine is just a thin little layer of skin like what comes off of a sunburn. Once that is over I keep the tattoo rubbed down with unscented lotion for another few days until it goes back to behaving like the rest of my skin.
Tattoo healing is all about trying different methods to find the one that works with your skin. Everyone responds to products differently, but as long as you keep your tattoo lubricated and keep any scabbing from being pulled off, youre on the right track.

Answer 6

I would definitely take the advise from your tattoo artist over your co-worker. A lot of tattoo artists recommend aquaphor. I would recommend using aquaphor for the first week and then change to a lotion.

Answer 7

i've used aquaphor on all 4 of my tattoos and have had great results. the trick is to put it on as thin as possible. rub it in really well...if a kleenex sticks to it you have on too much. and of course, wash with dial anti bacterial before putting it on!

Answer 8

well all tattoos scab over. its part of the healing process. but on all of mine I used A&D ointment. and they came out great.

Answer 9

I heard Vaseline fades tattoos, I used to use Neosporin, till I switched to Lubriderm & it works good-(that's what the shops told me)

Answer 10

I always use an antibiotic ointment