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.
"Moisturize your tattoo, but don't overdo it. A thin layer of cream is enough, and it's better to apply it more frequently in thin layers." Keep it clean: Ladna recommends washing a tattoo once or twice a day, in addition to the three to six applications of lotion or other tattoo-healing products.
Too much lotion can lead to irritation or clogged pores. Even if you use the best body lotion available, don't be surprised if the tattoo still feels itchy or slightly “stings” after you apply the lotion. Your skin is still extremely sensitive and is actively healing from this process.
If you use too much moisturizer, over time it makes your skin lazy, which can encourage your skin to produce less moisture on its own. Over moisturizing signals to your skin that it has enough water, lipids and protein (skin's building blocks) and that it can slow down the production of these important skin nutrients.
Signs of an over-moisturised tattoo include irritated, inflamed skin; scabs may appear on the tattoo, or the skin may look redder on and around the tattooed area. What's more, the ink could appear slightly blurred.
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.
More Texture, Bumps, or Tightness
Your skin can absorb only so much moisture, and once it takes all it needs, the extra moisturizer sits on your skin's surface until it clogs your pores. As a result, you may experience inflammation, unusual breakouts, tiny rash-like bumps, or a tight feeling.
The takeaway: Peeling is normal (to an extent) but that doesn't mean you should peel it yourself. Let your skin do its thing for the two-ish weeks and keep the tattoo clean and dry while it heals for the best results.
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.
Burning sensation can be a sign of a mild allergic reaction that can cause damages to your tattoo. Contact your tattooist for a suggestion of another healing cream. However it is common to experience slight burning of your tattoo os skin if your tattoo session lasted 1 hour or longer.
Signs of an Overworked Tattoo
A Change in Appearance - If the tattoo looks faded, pale, cloudy, blurry, or heavily distorted, this could be a sign of overworked skin. This may also appear as ink distortion and blurring. During a tattoo, ink needs to be deposited in your dermis so the pigment stays put.
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.
We too were surprised to learn that certain moisturizer formulas can actually have a negative effect on your tattoo. The AAD states that petroleum-based products, like petroleum jelly itself, can actually cause your tattoo ink to fade.
You'll want to keep the tattoo wrapped for at least the first night because it will take a while for it to settle down and stop leaking. You don't want an open wound like that touching your bed sheets, getting blood everywhere, or dirt and dust getting into the wound itself.
What Happens if your Tattoo Gets Too Dry? Letting a tattoo become too dry can introduce itchiness and irritation. This might increase your tendency to scratch the area, which is always something to avoid when healing a tattoo. When healing any wound, the area will eventually dry out and scab.
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!).
APPLY LOTION TWICE A DAY or whenever the tattoo is feeling stiff or dry. But DO NOT OVER MOISTURIZE! Continue applying lotion for the remainder of two weeks or until the tattoo is fully healed.
It will look wrinkly and shiny right after peeling but the lotion will speed up the healing process to blend the tattoo into normal skin. It may take up to a month to look finally healed. 4. As the tattoo is healing it will form a crust or scab that will start peeling and falling off in a few days.
It's very easy to overcare for your tattoo--applying too much ointment or lotion can actually damage your healing tattoo. The best method of healing a new tattoo is our tried and true "Dry Heal" technique. Follow our instructions below for an easy, quick heal. Keep the bandage on for at least one hour.
A damaged skin barrier can usually heal itself within two weeks, depending on the damage, but only if you stop all exfoliators (even acids and retinoids) and switch to gentle, soothing products instead, says Dr. Tomassian.
'It is very unlikely for your skin barrier to be permanently damaged, however due to genetics, ageing, and some environmental stressors, it is possible for your skin barrier to be more at risk of breaking down,' says Dr Soni.
Repairing Skin Barrier Damage
The skin barrier won't repair itself unless you take some steps to help it. Thankfully, the steps are usually easy. You may need some skin barrier repair products, but usually you can restore and heal your barrier with time, patience, and some changes to your routine.