can you use lotions on your new tattoo if they have petroleum in them?

Question

what kinds of lotions should i use?

Answer 1

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 (many 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, cornstarch 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. Also, with plastic wrap, fluids leak out around it and it is a disgusting source of cross contamination. 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 don't prefer these, but I have no big issues with them.
The international folk seem to like Bepathen, however this product also contains lanolin and petrolatum among other products that some could be sensitive to. It is widely used for diaper rash, as is A&D in the US. It also contains alcohol.

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 - (again, not preferred.)

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 get 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!

Answer 2

Just got my newest tat last night, and was told NOT to use any petroleum based lotion at all

Answer 3

When I got my tattoo he told me to use a and d ointment on it when it started to get dry. Don't use too much though, just add a thin layer over the whole thing and don't let it be in the sun too much. It should turn out perfect.

Answer 4

No cocoa butter, no petroleum jelly, no scented lotion! Use the cheap, unscented lotion (like Lubriderm).

Answer 5

my b/f who does tattoos said it's not good it clogs your pours, try aquaphor you can buy it at wal mart in the lotion department, he tells everyone to use it. Vaseline is the worse stuff to use, you don't want your pour to clog.

Answer 6

either use petroleum jelly or baby oil and your tattoo would be just fine.

Answer 7

yes, but its not really the best thing for them
try H2ocean

Answer 8

we were always told to use bepanthen cream only and to wash it with sopay water

Answer 9

yes it is ok. vaseline works a treat