How Often Should I Put Tattoo Ointment On My Tattoo?

TATTOO AFTERCARE: my advice for Best Healing: Finally, you have got your favorite tattoo. But after this, your most important task begins. That is taking care of the tattoo.

It is essential to take care of a new tattoo so that it remains like a fresh tattoo for a long time.
Aftercare of the tattoo is critical. This is to keep it going for a long time and protect the tattoo from infection. So Tattoo aftercare is a must. You can read more on tattoo-after here.

There are different types of tattoo ointments available on the market. In Tattoo aftercare, tattoo artists will tell you to protect your tattoo from direct sunlight and dust. They also give you tattoo ointment to apply to your tattoo regularly.

Tattoo ointment is important for a tattoo artist and tattoo wearer. Every tattoo artist uses different types of ointments according to their preference. Every ointment has a different use case. But you must follow the tattoo artist’s recommendations. There is no need to do separate experiments from your side. Here we will tell you how to use tattoo ointment properly.

Should I put ointment on my Tattoo every day?

Always use a thin layer of ointment to rub on your tattoo. To help it heal correctly, you should continue applying the ointment each time you wash the tattoo and only after it has completely dried. You must apply tattoo ointment at least twice a day, for three to five days or until the tattoo starts to peel.

How often should I put healing ointment on my Fresh tattoo?

In starting- The first 3 – 4 days, We recommend Aquaphor as the healing ointment for your tattoo. Apply a small amount to the tattoo, and rub it in thoroughly, as if you were applying lotion. It should not shine or feel sticky.  If it does, you are using too much ointment.  Wait five minutes after applying the ointment, if you can still feel the ointment, blot the excess off with a tissue.

1. Apply the ointment once or twice a day for the first 3 to 4 days, especially if the tattoo feels dry or “tight”;
2. Keeping a light protective layer of moisture will ensure the least amount of scabbing and peeling, thereby reducing any color fade;

Make sure your hands are freshly washed before applying ointment.

How long should I put ointment on my tattoo?

You have to apply a thin layer of tattoo ointment on your fresh tattoo. You have to rub it gently with two fingers in a round motion approx 2 to 5 minutes. The quantity should be much less in amount. You have to spread ointment all over your tattoo. Your tattoo must be fully covered with ointment. There is no time limit for tattoo ointment. When you feel that your tattoo is dried, then apply ointment. You should apply tattoo ointment 2 to 5 times a day until your tattoo is fully healed.

What happens if you put too much ointment on the tattoo?

There are lots of theories and different ideas for tattoo aftercare for your tattoo. I believe that not one particular method will work best for everyone after all everyone’s biology is different. I believe it takes time and experience to figure out what particular method works for you. Here is a set of instructions that I believe works well for many people, and have used this method on myself successfully:

• No more than a few hours after the finish of your tattoo, you should remove the bandage and wash the tattoo. I recommend you wash the tattoo with an anti-bacterial hand soap, such as Dial antibacterial hand soap, to reduce your risk of infection. Also, use lukewarm water as opposed to hot water, which would burn the tattoo. It is important to wash the tattoo lightly, but be sure to remove all ointment, blood, and any other residue.
• After washing the tattoo, apply an ointment. Some commonly recommended ointments would be Bacitracin, A+D Ointment, and Aquaphor. I would recommend staying away from Vaseline and petroleum jelly. It is VERY IMPORTANT to only use a very tiny amount of ointment and that you lightly rub it on in a thin, shiny, “barely there” layer over the tattoo. ”  
• I would recommend use of the ointment for around 3–5 days. During these days, wash your tattoo every morning right when you wake, and right before bed. It is also important to wash the tattoo several times throughout the day. The more you wash your tattoo, the easier and faster your tattoo will heal. If your tattoo is in a hard-to-reach area, have a friend assist you, just make sure they wash their hands thoroughly before they do so.
  The tattoo should just have a slight sheen after rubbing in the ointment. Using too much ointment can oversaturate the tattoo and cause excess scabbing, or cause scabs to come off prematurely. It is NOT “the more, the better. If you do not keep your tattoo clean, you run the risk of both infection and excess scabbing which could result in poor healing. During these first few days, depending on where your tattoo is located, the tattoo may be prone to swelling. Using a bag of ice, elevating the tattooed area, and taking ibuprofen can help reduce the swelling.
• Around the third to fifth day, you should notice your tattoo has formed a thin, hard layer, which will begin to peel. The peeling is similar to that of a sunburn peeling — only the skin will come off in the colors of the tattoo. This is normal. At this stage in the healing process, you can switch from using the ointment to a non-scented hand lotion. Aveeno, Curel, and Lubriderm non-scented are some common recommendations.
  For the next two weeks, keep washing the tattoo and use the lotion as needed. Keep the skin moisturized to prevent cracking and bleeding. There may be a couple of scabs on your tattoo that take longer to come off than others — some taking up to a few weeks to come off. If this is the case, just let the scabs fall off on their own and be mindful not to pull them off prematurely, as this could result in loss of ink. The majority of your tattoo’s healing should be over in 2 weeks, but it does take up to 4 weeks for a tattoo to be fully healed.

Things to avoid during the tattoo healing process:

• Try not to sleep on your tattoo: For example, if the tattoo is on your back, sleep on your stomach. Not only will the tattoo become stuck to your clothing and linens, but it will also leave a lovely imprint on your sheets. Should you wake up and your clothes are stuck to your tattoo, do not rip them off, for this could result in the ripping off of scabs.
• Avoid submerging the tattoo: Soaking in water could cause scabs to come off prematurely. Also, avoid swimming due to possible bacteria and irritants in the water. So no ocean, lake, pool, jacuzzi, or bathtub for two weeks! Showers are okay … and encouraged.
• Avoid the sun: Getting a sunburn on your tattoo can cause some serious problems. Think of your tattoo as like a bad sunburn. You wouldn’t want to get more sun on it. If you’re going to be in the sun for an extended period, wear loose cotton clothing over the tattoo.
• Avoid wearing tight clothing that will rub on the tattoo, as excessive rubbing can lead to scabbing and loss of ink. Some key areas where this is common is around the pants line and the bra line. Try to wear loose-fitting cotton clothing over the tattooed area so that it’s breathable, or if you’re not in public, go without! If you had your foot tattooed, try to stick to a more open type of shoe such as a flip-flop. Also, for the first couple days of healing, the tattoo will tend to “ooze” colors that tend to stain fabric, so don’t wear your Sunday best!  
• Avoid over-working the tattooed area: For example, if you are an avid gym-goer, lay off the arm exercises for two weeks if you just had your arm tattooed. Or, if you just got your foot tattooed, don’t plan a hiking or a five-hour mall trip. Overworking the tattooed area can result in scabbing and poor healing.

When should I stop moisturizing my tattoo?

The tattooed area might still look dry and dull. Keep moisturizing until the skin looks hydrated again. By the second or third week, the outer layers of skin should’ve healed. It may take 3 to 4 months for the lower layers to completely heal.

What kind of tattoo care products are available in the Market?

Some manufacturers design products specifically for tattoo aftercare that work well for long-term care (such as Tattoo Goo, H2Ocean, and Hustle Butter ). Do NOT use aloe vera gel to moisturize, and we don’t recommend A&D ointment either, as the oil in these products can extract some of the ink from your tattoo.

Should I moisturize my tattoo while it’s peeling?

Moisturizing is Essential During the peeling process, unless you’ve decided to take on the dry healing method it’s essential that you keep your tattoo moisturized. For the first three days after you get your tattoo, you should be cleaning your tattoo and washing, drying, and putting ointment on it regularly.

What happens if I don’t use ointment on my tattoo?

It’s a tricky line to tread, looking after your new tattoo and making sure it doesn’t get infected, while also leaving it alone to do its healing without being fiddled with! Too much balm can be problematic, as skin needs to breathe while healing, but what happens if you don’t put any on at all?

• Itchiness Without moisturizer, there’s a risk that healing skin will get very dry, tight, and itchy, and itchy skin that you can’t scratch – that you shouldn’t touch at all – is not much fun! If you do itch then you risk damaging the new tattoo.
• Tightness and Scabbing Dry skin can also cause very tight scabs to form; these can flake and fall off easily, pulling the ink away with them, which you also really want to avoid.
• Infection Lastly, uncovered skin can be more open to infection, damaging the design; a fine layer of breathable balm works like a sticking plaster to protect against irritants and microbes.

Your skin needs to be looked after whether it’s been tattooed or not; it goes through the same natural cycle of repair and regeneration every 3-4 weeks, rebuilding its outer layer so that it can provide a robust barrier to the outside world.

Should I let my tattoo breathe?

Your tattoo needs to breathe, so once you remove the original bandage — usually it’ll be bandaged in clear plastic or surgical wrap by the artist — it’s best not to cover it. Wrapping it may result in extra moisture and a lack of oxygen, which can cause scabbing and slow healing.

How long will the tattoo be sore?

– Your tattoo will be somewhat painful after your appointment. Here’s what you can expect:

• Days 1 to 6. Your tattoo will be sore and swollen. It might feel like a moderate-to-severe bruise or sunburn.
• Days 7 to 14. You’ll feel less soreness and more itchiness. Your tattoo may feel like it’s burning, which is irritating but normal.
• Days 15 to 30. Your tattoo will be significantly less painful and itchy.

After your session, your tattoo might keep oozing blood for up to two days. It’s best to avoid nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) during this time. NSAIDs can thin your blood, which may increase bleeding and slow healing. Typically, the outer layer of your skin will heal in two to three weeks. The deeper layers can take up to six months.

How do you tell if your tattoo is too dry?

Why Does Tattoo Cracking Happen? – When your tattoo begins to scab over in the healing process, the area around the tattoo generally becomes scaly, extremely dry, and also very itchy. Some tattoos will scab very lightly where the scabs are hardly visible, and some will scab heavily, with thick prominent crusts. A tattoo beginning to crack When the scabs lose moisture within them, they will become so dry that they begin to split, break apart, and often bleed. This is what is known as tattoo cracking. Below are the main reasons why your new ink may begin to crack.

How do I know if my tattoo is healing properly?

How do I know if I’m over-moisturizing my tattoo?

What Are The Risks of Over Moisturizing a Tattoo? – By applying thicker layers of lotion or ointment, several times a day (or every hour or two as some people do), you’re risking over-moisturizing a tattoo. By over-moisturizing a tattoo, you can cause the following problems;

• Due to excess moisture, the tattoo won’t be able to dry and heal
• Excess moisture can create a perfect environment for bacteria and germ growth
• Over-moisturizing can lead to tattoo inflammation and infection
• Excess moisture can cause clogged pores since the moisturizer prevents the skin from breathing
• Excess moisture can cause the tattooed skin to break out

To avoid these issues, make sure to follow the moisturizing rules we mentioned before. However, make sure to not moisturize your tattoo as well. Some people are afraid they might over-moisturize their tattoo, so they leave it dehydrated, which results in heavy scabbing and tattoo dryness. So, make sure to stay in the middle and simply apply a thin layer of lotion/ointment twice a day.

What happens to a tattoo if you don’t moisturize it?

It’s a tricky line to tread, looking after your new tattoo and making sure it doesn’t get infected, while also leaving it alone to do its healing without being fiddled with! Too much balm can be problematic, as skin needs to breathe while healing, but what happens if you don’t put any on at all?

• Itchiness Without moisturizer, 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.
• Tightness and Scabbing Dry skin can also cause very tight scabs to form; these can flake and fall off easily, pulling the ink away with them, which you also want to avoid.
• Infection Lastly, uncovered skin can be more open to infection, damaging the design; a fine layer of breathable balm works like a sticking plaster to protect against irritants and microbes.

Your skin needs to be looked after whether it’s been tattooed or not; it goes through the same natural cycle of repair and regeneration every 3-4 weeks, rebuilding its outer layer so that it can provide a robust barrier to the outside world.

Is dry healing a tattoo better?

Are There Any Disadvantages to Dry Healing a Tattoo? – For every argument in favor of dry healing, you’ll find a counter-argument. Critics of dry healing will point out, for instance, that it does nothing to relieve the itchiness that comes when your skin is healing after a tattoo.

That would be bad enough if it simply means you’ll spend a few weeks being more uncomfortable, but it’s worse than that. If you have a hard time putting up with the itchiness and you give in to the urge to scratch your tattoo, you can damage your skin before it has fully recovered.

If that’s the case, using an ointment that relieves the itchiness is likely a better alternative. The best tattoo lotion I’ve ever personally used is a vegan aftercare product called  After Inked Tattoo Aftercare Lotion. This stuff works amazingly well during the healing process; not only by keeping your tattoo really well hydrated but also by soothing any annoying itching and irritation.

When using it from the very start of the healing process, this lotion will help to decrease tattoo healing times and work towards eliminating any lingering dryness and scabbing. Some people allege that those in favor of dry healing may have simply used the wrong types of ointments.

It’s true that some lotions have harsh chemicals or don’t contain enough of the ingredients that are friendly to your skin. However, if you do a bit of research you should be able to find creams that will deliver the vitamins your skin needs without any unnecessary additives.A tattoo that is so dry that the scabs have cracked and are now bleeding While proponents of dry healing profess that it speeds up the healing process, it could also tighten the skin, which makes it more likely that scabs will break. This, of course, will extend the amount of time it takes for your tattoo to heal, and could cause minor blemishes.