Possibly the most important piece to maintaining a quality tattoo upon receiving it, is the tattoo ointment you apply.
This will determine the quality of the tattoo over time while it recovers. I’ve heard some ridiculous recommendations for what some people put on their tattoos.
From lathering your tattoo with Vaseline to letting it air out and not applying anything on it at all, there is a lot of information pertaining to the tattoo healing process that can be very confusing.
In this article I will cover what I believe is the best tattoo healing ointment taking into consideration my experience with the products.
Tattoo healing ointment is applied after taking off the plastic bandaging and washing the tattoo for the first time.
Here are the ointments I have used for my tattoos:
1. A&D Ointment:
:
A&D ointment was what my tattoo artist recommended me and it is what he uses when bandaging my new tattoos. These products have been discussed in the same order I used them. A & D Ointment was one of the simplest and most effective products I have used because it is not as thick as Aquaphor and there is a good amount per tube that can be used over time. It is what I currently use for most of my tattoos.
2. Tattoo Goo Salve Aftercare Ointment
:
This is a company that has geared their products towards being a premium product for tattoo aftercare. With that being said, the price is higher for the amount you get. But I really liked using this product and found it really produced a nice thin layer on the tattoo.
The majority of products contain petroleum or lanolin which can cause a clogging of the skin pores. With this product there was 0 clogging or breakouts from having excess product on the tattoo. The only thing I did not like, especially for my larger tattoos is that there is not a lot of product as it comes In a 0.33 oz. can and for the amount you get the cost can be in the higher range.
3. Aquaphor
:
This is highly recommended by a lot of tattoo artists and enthusiasts. This is a thicker substance that I began using for most of my tattoos. It is important to use a thin layer of this to allow the tattoo to breathe. You will know you are using too much when you start getting a rash or small pimples start to show.
Pro Tip Common FAQ
How often should I apply tattoo ointment?
You will want to apply your tattoo ointment after you wash your tattoo, keep in mind after washing the tattoo it may be wet still. Be sure to dab (don’t rub) all the water off and let the area are dry. Only once it has air dried would I apply the tattoo ointment as a thin layer across the tattooed area.
If you apply the ointment while there is water on the skin It will make a slippery mess that will result in a thicker layer than what you would want.
I messed up and applied too much ointment!
You know you applied too much ointment when a small rash or a cluster of small pimples begin to form. This can result from the ointment you are using or the amount you are applying. Correct this by running the tattoo underwater and dabbing the ointment off with a luke warm towel.
From there what I would do is:
- Choose a different ointment that may have a thinner texture
- Use a smaller amount of product to not smother the tattoo.
But my buddy who has a couple tattoos said to use this?
To be honest, this all comes down to personal preference and what you have been exposed to. Every shop, artist, and person has their own philosophy on what is right or wrong. I speak from my experience because that is all I have to offer.
Most likely, if you are reading this right now it’s because you have doubts about the quality of information you received from your source. I know because I have been there. But I went through and tested a variety of different products and found what works very well. I hope that the information here provides you with a direction to go in while going through the tattoo healing process.