We only recommend oil or oil-based ointment for first 3 days. Our personal favourite is El Gato Negro Balm, as this settles into the skin where your tattoo is situated. We would not recommend using creams such as Bepanthen or Sudocrem.
- DO NOT pick or scratch the tattoo as this can cause infection and/or result in the tattoo healing badly. - Antiseptics such as TCP, Dettol and perfumed lotions should not be used. - Sudocream, Bepanthen and Vaseline are not advised.
This may indicate that it'll be useful for treating sensitive skin, but it's not! Bepanthen isn't suitable for tattoos because it contains many harsh chemical additives: Petrolatum. Lanolin and lanolin alcohol.
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.
Aquaphor's all-purpose ointment won a top spot in the 2022 Good Housekeeping Beauty Awards for its nourishing glycerin and panthenol formula. It creates a protective barrier that allows skin to heal and prevents moisture loss, according to the GH Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab's data evaluation.
Here's what someone should avoid when it comes to tattoo aftercare: Soaps and moisturizers with any fragrances or harsh chemicals. Even if a product does not normally irritate the skin, it may irritate the tattooed area. Picking at scabs, as this can cause scar tissue to form.
We recommend these fragrance-free, white cream lotions: Aveeno , Curel , and Eucerin . Be warned: your favorite fragranced lotion is not a good option for moisturizing your tattoo – this can cause an excruciating burning sensation when applied to the tattoo, which is essentially an open wound.
As you can see, there are quite a few reasons why not to use A+D Ointment, Bepanthen, Aquaphor, Vaseline, Bacitracin, or Neosporin on your fresh ink. These products are not safe for tattoos. No matter who says it is ok to use these products for tattoo recovery, I would take it with a grain of salt.
Do not use Savlon, Sudacrem, Bepanthen or any other creams that contain Lanolin or (Liquid)Paraffin on your new tattoo. These creams are not suitable for use on tattoos as they are too thick and can block the pores in the skin, potentially causing an infection.
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.
Be sure your artist covers your new tattoo in a thin layer of petroleum jelly and a bandage. Remove the bandage after 24 hours. Gently wash the tattoo with antimicrobial soap and water and be sure to pat dry. Apply a layer of antibacterial/Vaseline ointment twice a day, but don't put on another bandage.
However, we also recommend coconut oil and certain brands of tattoo healing creams such as Hustle Butter, but please do not use Bepanthen, as the ingredients have changed and its no longer beneficial for the tattoo healing process.
Yes, once fully healed you can use Bio-Oil® to moisturise your tattoos as it helps to accelerate skin cell growth. Only use Bio-Oil® if your tattoo is fully healed, there should be no broken skin, scabs, wounds or peeling skin.
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.
DO NOT SCRUB. Once the tattoo is dry, apply a very small amount of Aquaphor or Bacitracin. Gently rub the ointment into your tattoo. Dab any excess off with a clean paper towel.
"During the healing process, you should moisturize your tattoo three to six times a day," Ladna says. "Keeping your tattoo hydrated during the initial days is especially critical. If your tattoo becomes too dry, the healing may actually take longer, and you may risk losing color saturation."
On the fourth day, wash it like normal, let it air dry and from that day stop wrapping it in cling film and stop using Bepanthen. Now start moisturising it. I use E45 moisturising lotion. It works for all different skin types.
*Based on the results of a study questionnaire, which was filled in by subjects during visits on Day 2, Day 7 and Day 14(n=56 subjects). Application of Bepanthen® Ointment 4–8 times daily for 14 days on newly tattooed skin.
Bepanthen has ingredients like petroleum jelly, lanolin, cetyl, and stearyl alcohol that may actually be doing more harm than good for tattoos. Petroleum jelly forms a thick layer on the skin that can be helpful for wound healing. Lanolin may also cause rashes and a burning sensation on the skin.
You may also see redness, swelling, and some mild bleeding. DAYS 3-14 (or until healed): After the first 2-3 days, your tattoo should begin to feel dry and tight.
Bepanthen and sudocrem are completely different beasts. Sudocrem can be very drying and make rashes worse sometimes. Bepanthen forms a barrier and is very softening. Different creams suit different bottoms!
Bepanthen Nappy Care Ointment, which is recommended by permanent make-up artists and used to help care for and heal the skin after PMU and micro-pigmentation procedures.. Clinically-proven, Bepanthen works by forming a breathable transparent layer over the skin, which helps protect it from irritants.