What NOT to do? DON'T re-bandage your tattoo, rub, scratch or pick at your new tattoo. DON'T apply alcohol, Neosporin, Vaseline, or petroleum jelly (they can trap dirt and germs and cause infection). DON'T apply a heavy coat of lotion (remember the skin must breathe in order to heal).
If you're not comfortable taking the risk, ask if they can recommend a water-based product. Ultimately, it's your skin and your call. When is it a good idea to use Vaseline on a tattoo? Only after it is completely healed (at least a few months) and if the area is extremely dry.
Some tattoo artists recommend waiting between 24-48 hours before applying moisturizer, though others recommend doing so as soon as the first wash. A person with a fresh tattoo should follow their tattoo artist's instructions on when to start using moisturizer.
As for what's fantastic, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Elliot Love, M.D., recommends using tattoo aftercare products with all-natural ingredients. Think the usual moisturizing suspects: vitamin E, beeswax, and hydrating olive, sunflower, and coconut oil.
Should I moisturize my tattoo the first night? You should only concern yourself with keeping your tattoo clean and protected with a bandage during the first night. Wait until your skin becomes dry to start moisturizing.
A lot of tattoo artists recommend sleeping with the wrap that was put on. Others recommend re-wrapping, or just applying healing ointment and keeping the tattoo clean. The important thing is avoiding infection.
What's The Problem with Over-Moisturising Tattoos? Over-moisturising can lead to inflamed tattoos and potentially infection. Excess moisture can clog your skin's pores which prevents it from breathing, something that's important for your skin to heal. This can lead to breakouts on the skin that can damage the tattoo.
You should start moisturizing your new tattoo right away and not stop for some time. Love says there's an immediate need to keep a new tattoo moisturized: Moisturizing helps to prevent scabbing and promote healing. "During the healing process, you should moisturize your tattoo three to six times a day," Ladna says.
Allow It to Breathe
Clothing can get in the way and actually prohibit the healing process. Give the tattoo some time to come into contact with the air rather than spend all of its time under cover.
So what product should you use? You may have heard some rumours that Bepanthen shouldn't be used on new tattoos, but this absolutely isn't the case. Bepanthen is by far one of the most highly recommended tattoo aftercare products and is the go-to ointment for most tattoo artists and studios.
Without moisturiser, there's a risk that healing skin will get very dry, tight and itchy, and itchy skin that you can't scratch - that in fact you shouldn't touch at all - is not much fun! If you do itch then you risk damaging the new tattoo.
In lieu of applying a tattoo lotion after your tattoo is completed, try a thin layer of Vaseline® Healing Jelly. The triple-purified white petrolatum can protect skin by creating a sealing barrier, locking in moisture which can help your skin's natural recovery process.
During the Tattooing Process
Tattoo artists use Vaseline when tattooing because the needle and ink are creating a wound. The wound needs something to help heal, and Vaseline can act as a protector for your skin. While it may not prevent scarring and other changes, it can help keep your skin healthy.
Drunken behaviour could ruin your new tattoo
You need to be aware of keeping your tattoo clean and dry while it is fresh, so a night out might not be the best option. It's generally recommended that you wait at least 48 hours after your new tattoo before you start drinking alcohol again.
Although the tattoo shouldn't be overly scabbed or too dry (the less peeling and scabbing, the better), a little bit is just part of the healing process.
Let your tattoo air dry. You can pat the tattoo gently with a clean paper towel, but you must let the tattoo dry, uncovered, for 15 to 20 minutes after each cleaning. Any extra moisture trapped by immediately covering the tattoo is an invitation for bacteria to multiply.
It'll cover everything you need to know about what will happen if you decide not to moisturize your tattoo. By not using a moisturizing lotion on your tattoo and letting it dry out, you could cause your skin to dehydrate, causing it to crack, bleed and potentially become infected.
As soon as the film is off, it's time to moisturize. I recommend unscented moisturizers like QV-Cream or Cetaphil. Cream your tattoo about three times a day for at least week or until you think it's fully healed.
Don't Moisturize Too Soon
During these first few days, you should not be putting any lotion on your tattoo. It needs time to breathe and weep in order to heal effectively. Moisturization should only start around the three day mark, when you find that you are washing your tattoo and nothing washes out with it.
DON'T apply alcohol, Neosporin, Vaseline, or petroleum jelly (they can trap dirt and germs and cause infection).
Yes! Moisturizing your tattoo regularly is extremely important. You should moisturize your clean tattoo 3 – 6 times per day, for roughly two weeks (though proper skincare is always important, and most tattoo enthusiasts moisturize their tattoos daily for life!).
Keeping the tattoo hydrated is important to reduce the risk of scabbing and scarring, and to promote optimal healing. Apply a thin layer of aftercare ointment or lotion to the tattoo before bed to help maintain hydration.