when to put lotion on a new tattoo

zeinert43519    April 20, 2023    Comment   

Every artist has had different experiences and therefore, a different opinion on what is best for their clients in caring for a fresh tattoo.

However, all can agree that good aftercare is crucial for the outcome of the ink long after the final tattoo session .

Each body is unique and reacts differently to the process of healing , creating further discrepancies in different tattoo aftercare product choices or the recommendation from each artist. In general, however, artists can agree on the steps required: leave the bandage on for a certain amount of time, gently wash the tattoo, pat it dry thoroughly and moisturize with a special moisturizer like Hustle Butter Deluxe .

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Though each step of the aftercare is important, the trickiest for tattoo artists to agree on is tattoo moisturizer. From when a client should start moisturizing to how many times a day a tattoo should be moisturized, you can get a different answer from every artist you visit.

Frustrating as this is, there is a reason for this. The discrepancy stems from the potential issues that could follow from over or under moisturizing.

If you under moisturize, the skin cracks and breaks, resulting in skin irritation, scabbing, and peeling. The skin then becomes itchy, tempting you to scratch it or pull off the peeling skin, which could potentially mess up your tattoo. If you peel the skin and don’t let it slough off naturally, you can pull ink out of your tattoo. Scratching can also achieve this.

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Though it is normal for tattoos to scab and the skin to break and peel, there is some more extensive scabbing that can be extremely painful.

Over moisturizing during tattoo care can lead to clogged pores break outs in the skin that can ruin your tattoo. Over moisturizing lotion can also cause oozing and discomfort. A tattoo is an open wound, and like any open wound drying out and minor scabbing is part of the healing process and should not lead you to over moisturize . Apply your aftercare product in a thin layer for best protection.

The key to moisturizing is balance. Put on a barely there thin layer of lotion or ointment after every time you wash your tattoo in warm water, and it should heal nicely and more comfortably.

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In general, the first time you wash your tattoo with a mild antibacterial soap will be right after you remove your bandage . Depending on what the tattoo artist used to bandage you (cling film or Dermalize balm ), you will either remove the bandage after the first two to six hours, or after a day.

The cleaning process -and any other aftercare steps you choose- should last through the entire healing and tattoo care process, for dry skin, hardy, and sensitive skin types.

A range of different soaps are good options to use in tattoo aftercare and it’s your choice to use a product or combination. Some are specific to tattoos, while others are versatile for everyday use.

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Whether it’s liquid, lotion, spray foam, bar, or ointment, it’s in your new tattoo’s best interest for you to actively utilize the products available and keep your healing tattoo in the best, most healthy shape possible.

There are a wide array of different lotions and ointments you can use to moisturize your tattoo. Your artist will likely recommend a specific lotion that they have found to be beneficial for most of their clients. If you don’t feel like shelling out a lot of cash for a fancy tattoo specific lotion, it is important that you at least get a non-scented lotion.

If you are interested in buying lotions specifically meant for healing tattoos, there are many well-reviewed products. Many people have found Hustle Butter Deluxe to have great outcomes in a comfortable healing process. There is also Ora’s Amazing Herbal Tattoo Salve and Tattoo Goo Aftercare Salve.

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If you are interested more in ointments than lotions, A&D Ointment has been comforting people with new tattoos for some time now. However, if you choose to use ointments, you must be careful to not over use it.

Too much can smother the tattoo and draw ink out. However, it does create a seal to protect the tattoo from germs and bacteria that can infect and ruin it. It may be best to use ointment the first few days, and switch to lotion afterwards.

Generally, a tattoo artist will tell you to wash your tattoo two to three times a day. You should moisturize after each washing. Though it may seem odd, timing when you wash and moisturize your tattoo can be very important.

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You should generally wash your tattoo in the morning. Sleeping dehydrates your body, so when you wake up the tattooed skin can feel particularly uncomfortable, so moisturizing early can be beneficial.

It is also important to clean and moisturize before you go to sleep at night. This can help counteract morning dryness, and in general it is important that you go to bed with a clean tattoo.

You can also moisturize midday. Your tattoo may dry out from the morning and to keep you comfortable it can help to throw in an extra bout of moisturizing. However, you have to clean your tattoo again before adding any more moisturizer. A second layer of moisturizer can clog pores, trap in dirt, and cause infection.

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If you are experiencing intense itching, there are a few things you can do to relieve it. Try gently slapping your tattoo. It sounds quite silly, but it often works. You can also take an antihistamine such as GoodSense All Day Allergy to relieve the itching.

As a last resort, apply some hydrocortisone cream like this 1% cream from Basic Care to your tattoo. Hydrocortisone shouldn’t be used frequently or on a long-term basis. Limit your use of it, only using it when the itchiness is unbearable. If your itchiness is mildly annoying, try one of the other suggestions mentioned above instead.

A tattoo  scab  does not necessarily mean you’ve done anything wrong. Some people’s tattoos will scab  no matter what is done for tattoo  aftercare .

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If there’s tattoo  scabbing , keep the scabs moisturized, and don’t pick at them. Within two weeks, your scabs will begin to fall off by themselves. If you try to rush the process by picking at your scabs, it can affect your tattoo  ink , leaving light spots on your healed  tattoo  where the scabs were. As tempting as it is to pick your tattoo  scab  off every time, leave them alone.

When your tattoo is done peeling, you won’t have to worry about flakes of skin falling off your body anymore. Your tattoo will look shiny. However, this does not mean that the healing process is over.By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.

Isabelle has been contributing to since 2020. She has worked in digital media for over five years and is an expert on a range of topics, including tattoos, piercings, and culture. Her work can be seen across the web on Backstage Magazine, Merry Jane, Vulture, and more.

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Kavita Mariwalla, MD is a board-certified dermatologist based in West Islip, NY. She has been practicing for 12 years. While growing up in New York, her family of physicians inspired her to go to medical school.

/ Chloe Jeong Tattoos deserve to be shown off, but before you can flash your new ink around, you have to diligently care for your tat to ensure proper healing. One of the most important steps in the aftercare process is choosing a lotion that will keep your fresh design moisturized, free of infection, and without irritation, according to tattoo artists. Because a tattoo is technically a wound, tattoo lotions are incredibly important to not only keeping your ink looking good but to aiding in the healing process as well. Finding your perfect lotion isn’t as easy as it sounds. “I think what lotion you use depends a lot on climate and skin type. Also how much you apply is important too, ” says the tattoo artist known as Olive, who is behind the Oregon-based Damn Zippy. “I prefer not to rep a certain brand because everyone is different and I want my clients to use what works for them, which might not necessarily be what works for me.” Still, there are certain things to look for in a formula. Knowing what you want (vegan? water-based? budget or splurge?) and what will work best for your skin and new tattoo is key. “I generally recommend that the person uses whatever they find most comfortable, ” says hand-poke artist Harper Rose of Melbourne’s Pocaharper. “After all, they have to wear it on their skin every day.” To help you narrow down your choices, we researched the best formulas, evaluating them on type, active ingredients, and skin-feel. We even tried a few formulas out—our product testers using a couple for weeks at a time and noting their insights. After considering dozens of options and consulting with two tattoo-artists, we landed on these picks. Ahead, find the best lotions for healing a tattoo and