Why Vaseline and petroleum-based jelly aren't great for a new tattoo. Petroleum-based products can cause ink to fade and may trap moisture and bacteria on top of the tattoo, increasing your risk of developing an infection. Use water-based moisturizers on new tattoos instead.
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).
Salt and Lemon Juice Cream
The coarse salt acts as an exfoliator - to scrub off layers of skin and those with tattoo ink.
Vaseline allows the tattoo to heal properly while also effectively moisturising it. It's also essential for helping your skin restructure. Our artists recommend applying at the end of the tattoo session. Because it applies thickly, it won't let the new tattoo get dirty or exposed for the first couple of hours.
Apply a layer of antibacterial/Vaseline ointment twice a day, but don't put on another bandage. Gently wash your tattoo area twice a day with soap and water and gently pat dry before reapplying the antibacterial/Vaseline ointment. Keep applying a moisturizer or ointment after you clean it to keep it moist.
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.
Yes, lemon and lime juices are natural brighteners that can help fade tattoos. Apply freshly squeezed juice to the tattoo 2-3 times a day. This method works well for black tattoos (they will turn light brown) and does not work well with colored inks — green, blue, etc.
Is It Possible to Lighten a Dark Tattoo? You can absolutely lighten a tattoo that is too dark. If you still like your design, but it's just too dark or bold, laser removal can help you achieve the results you want.
Your best bet is to begin daily applications of a mild skin-lightening agent like hydrogen peroxide or lemon juice. If you're looking for a faster, more direct approach, you could also try exfoliating the tattoo thoroughly 2-3 times a day with a homemade salt scrub or similar abrasive mixture.
If your artist did not recommend re-wrapping, just let the tattoo stay exposed to air overnight. Every day from then on, you will wash the tattoo in the morning and at night, and apply lotion 3 times a day or so, or whenever the tattoo feels dry or tight.
After cleaning your tattoo, using a moisturizer is a crucial step in tattoo aftercare. Keeping the area moist will protect it from cracking, drying, and bleeding. Use a moisture-sealing product two to three times daily (every 8 to 10 hours) until the scabs have fully healed.
Scratching, scrubbing, or picking will irritate the tattoo and can prolong the healing process or cause scarring and loss of ink. It is also important to WEAR SOFT AND LOOSE FITTING CLOTHING that will not rub against your tattoo.
After getting a tattoo, you should moisturize it daily for at least 10 to 14 days. Respecting these timeframes is absolutely crucial because, if your skin dries out, you are likely to get very disappointing results.
Aloe vera is great for tattoo care. Finding tattoo care products that include aloe vera as an ingredient like ours can be key to the health of your art. Aloe vera can help ensure the area is soothed and protected, ease discomfort and irritation, and keep your tattoo moisturized while letting it breathe.
Tat B Gone is a two-step system meant to lighten tats. The first step, referred to as the “Activator” cream, primes the inked area to accept the second cream. This second cream the “Infusion,” promises re-color your tattoo and make it less visible.
Ink Density: Shading in a tattoo is easily removed. Some tattoos with letters use shading to fill in the outlines of the letters. Some tattoos with certain designs use shading for clouds or other visual effects. Shading will be removed in only a few sessions in most cases.
You can opt for surgical removal if your tattoo is small enough, or you can go for dermabrasion and scrape off the top layer of your skin. Apart from this, you can consult a specialist, and they can prescribe a topical cream that will slowly fade the tattoo away.
Why Vaseline and petroleum-based jelly aren't great for a new tattoo. Petroleum-based products can cause ink to fade and may trap moisture and bacteria on top of the tattoo, increasing your risk of developing an infection. Use water-based moisturizers on new tattoos instead.
Laser Surgery
This is by far the most common, fastest, safest, as well as a most effective way of removing your tattoos. The disadvantage – this method is painful and expensive. Through this method, the ink's pigment colors are broken-up, due to high-intensity light beam exposure.
Petroleum-based ointments
A&D ointment (yes, the kind used for diaper rash) is a cheap and popular choice for new tattoo aftercare. This ointment is also called Bepanthen. Aquaphor Advanced Healing Ointment is another hydrating and anti-inflammatory option. Good old petroleum jelly (aka Vaseline) also works well.
We would not recommend using creams such as Bepanthen or Sudocrem. These are really only suitable for surface treatments – they're for nappy rash, not tattoos!
Is Bepanthen the best antiseptic ointment to use? Bepathen is a popular antiseptic ointment choice. However, other antiseptic ointments include Savlon and Soov. Any of the three can be used on new ink once gently cleaned with a combination of antimicrobial soap and lukewarm water.