Tattoos are an increasingly popular form of body art, with millions of people deciding to get a permanent design or image inked onto their skin. But after choosing the perfect design and getting your tattoo done, an important question arises – can you put Vaseline on a tattoo?
In this article, we will examine what Vaseline is, its impact on tattoos, and provide advice for proper healing and aftercare.
How Long Does A New Tattoo Take To Heal?
A new tattoo typically takes 4 weeks to heal; however, the exact healing process may vary depending on factors including your age, skin type and area of the body.
The first step is to consult a tattoo artist who can assess your individual needs and suggest aftercare measures best suited for you. It’s important to follow their advice for the best results.
Once you have received your tattoo, the first phase of healing will take about 1–2 days.
During this time, it is important that your new tattoo be kept covered with a bandage or plastic wrap for at least 1–2 hours after it has been completed by your artist.
This helps keep infections at bay and ensures that all of the coloring has filled in properly during application.
After 1–2 days, remove the bandage and wash gently with warm water and an antibacterial soap or specialized tattoo cleanser according to the directions given by your artist.
The second stage usually takes up to 2 weeks as this is when most people experience pain, redness and swelling, scabbing and itching around their freshly inked skin.
During these two weeks, it’s important to ensure you are keeping up with cleaning (at least twice daily).
As well as avoiding activities that could cause too much strain on the newly healed artwork such as swimming or exercise until it’s completely healed over approximately 4 weeks later.
So, how long a new tattoo may take to heal depends upon many different factors such as lifestyle habits, health conditions and age, but taking proper cautionary steps initially will employ a successful recovery from start to finish.
How Often Do You Need To Moisturize Fresh Tattoos?
Getting a tattoo is an art form that consists of not only the composition and design that makes up the piece of art, but also the aftercare process.
During the healing process, it is essential to keep your tattoo moisturized to promote quick healing.
A priority when caring for a fresh tattoo is to hydrate it regularly.
The appropriate amount of moisture will be beneficial in allowing your new skin to properly heal and regenerate quickly.
It’s best to use unscented lotions or any petroleum-based products with minimal ingredients for optimal healing results.
Moisturizing should be done at least twice a day, or more if your skin feels dry or tight around the tattoo area.
It’s also important to avoid direct sun exposure and swimming until your tattoo has fully healed, which can take 2 weeks up to 8 weeks depending on where it was placed and how big it is.
Whenever you wash or shower, always try washing gently with lukewarm water before adding moisturizer generously over the entire area; this will help prevent unnecessary fading while keeping your skin feeling healthy throughout its healing period.
In conclusion, proper moisturizing during a tattoo’s healing period is key in preventing infection and ensuring you get the desired longevity out of your ink work piece once it’s fully healed.
So, don’t forget to moisturize your tattoo area consistently. Doing so correctly can result in vibrant colors that last for years.
Can You Put Vaseline On A Tattoo?
Vaseline can be a tricky subject when it comes to tattoos. On the one hand, it is extremely effective at treating flaky, dry skin because of its occlusive abilities that lock in moisture and protect against external irritants.
But on the other hand, it’s sometimes not recommended to put Vaseline on your tattoo, particularly during the initial healing process or if you have a new ink job.
This is because an ointment like Vaseline could potentially clog your pores and trap bacteria inside the tattoo wound, which could cause an infection or impede healing.
During the normal tattoo healing process, we want our skin to breathe to help with cell regeneration, and moisturizing creams are best for this purpose.
Some people may opt for ointment like Vaseline, but this should be used very sparingly and ideally only after the first two weeks of their tattoo healing.
If you do decide to use something like Vaseline on your tattoo, make sure that you apply only a thin layer of product and let any excess air-dry off before applying clothing over your newly inked area.
Otherwise you risk smudging or stretching out your art work as it’s still fragile.
Try not to use any excessively greasy products such as those containing mineral oil around fresh ink, since these can interfere with color pigmentation during the healing process.
To keep things simple when caring for a new tattoo. Stick with an unscented tattoo lotion specifically designed for tattoos, such as those containing lanolin or aloe vera.
Rather than anything else like Vaseline unless instructed by a professional artist or doctor to do so due to special circumstances.
Always follow up with proper hygiene practices and common sense when taking care of your body art, since keeping away from harsh chemicals will minimize irritation caused by contact with foreign substances while allowing optimal conditions for your new ink’s recovery period.
Can You Use Vaseline On A New Tattoo?
So, can you use Vaseline on a new tattoo? The simple answer is yes, but it is not the best choice for tattoo care.
Vaseline isn’t a great option to use instead of an aftercare product specifically designed for tattoo ink.
A better choice would be to listen to your tattoo artist and what your tattoo artist may recommend for caring for your new tattoo.
Petrolatum, which is the main ingredient found in Vaseline as well as other petroleum jelly products like Aquaphor Healing Ointment, provide some relief from dryness because they help seal moisture in the skin.
However, Petroleum-based products could cause more harm than good if used over long periods of time.
They can clog up pores and prevent oxygen from reaching the skin’s surface, leading to infection and even scarring – which no one wants.
Although sometimes Vaseline can be used in moderation while healing a new tattoo, it is important to consult your tattoo artist before you put it on.
So, that they can guide you with their experience and expertise regarding proper aftercare regimes specific for each individual’s lifestyle or skin type.
How To Apply Vaseline Petroleum Jelly To Your New Tattoos As Part Of Your Tattoo Aftercare Routine?
Vaseline petroleum jelly is an important part of a tattoo aftercare routine to ensure your ink heals properly and looks vibrant for years to come.
It is one of the best things you can do for your new tattoos as it helps them heal quickly and stay protected from dirt, dust, and other factors that could interfere with the healing process.
To apply Vaseline to your new tattoo, start by washing the area gently with a mild soap and warm water.
This prepares the skin for healing by cleansing it of any germs or bacteria that could prevent it from healing properly and ruin your tattoo design.
Make sure the area has dried completely before applying Vaseline, so there’s no need for extremely dry skin, which can prevent proper circulation around the open wound.
When applying Vaseline, use only enough to cover the entire area in an even layer — don’t overdo it.
This will help keep moisture sealed into your skin while protecting it against outside elements like environmental pollutants, dirt, and sweat that can affect how well your tattoo heals.
Don’t forget to check in regularly with a professional artist who can offer advice on how long you should be using Vaseline on your tattoos before healing, as this may vary depending on individual circumstances.
By following these simple steps every time you get a new piece done, you will be helping ensure that everything runs smoothly when it comes time for your tattoo to heal properly.
Using Vaseline petroleum jelly is one of the most effective ways of keeping infections at bay while also allowing plenty of oxygen flow so that colors keep true over time without fading prematurely due to lack of proper care.
What Can You Use Instead Of Vaseline For New Tattoos?
Many people use Vaseline when they get a new tattoo; however, it is best to keep Vaseline away from the tattoo instead, due to moisture and bacteria, as Vaseline is 100 percent petroleum jelly.
It is important to clean the tattoo properly and follow all specially given instructions by your artist regarding aftercare.
Though Vaseline contains petroleum, which helps protect and heal the skin, it can interfere with and delay the healing process of a fresh tattoo, due to the mineral oils and waxes.
Which would deny you getting any enjoyment and satisfaction from your newly done work. Therefore, for optimal care of your new ink, there are other fragrance-free products on the market you should use instead.
A suitable alternative that many people have found to be successful for taking care of tattoos, and tattoo artists recommend is an all-natural product like witch hazel, olive oil, Lubriderm, Eucerin, Curel or aloe vera gel.
These products contain natural antiseptic properties that help guard against potential infection while also aiding in the healing process, according to your aftercare instructions.
Removing scabs or flakes in the area, as well as providing moisture needed by the skin, so it won’t dry out too much until it is healed.
Using a small amount on clean hands regularly to wash the tattoo, while avoiding over washing, will not only help you avoid any stinging sensations but also reduce the chances of irritation to your new art work caused by fabric rubbing against it during clothing changes frequently.
All these may help you take proper care of your fresh look, at least until your tattoo is healed, while also avoiding any risks involved with exposing it to the petroleum found in Vaseline.
Will Using Vaseline On My New Tattoo Help With Ink Retention?
No, using Vaseline on a new tattoo won’t help with ink retention. In fact, tattoos need to be allowed to breathe and heal without any Vaseline or other ointment on them.
This is because occlusive products like Vaseline prevent oxygen from getting to the wound, which can actually slow down the healing process.
Using a jar of Vaseline, you can mix with your own natural oils and bacteria to form an environment that encourages infection and inflammation.
It is best practice to keep a fresh tattoo dry and clean until it fully heals by washing with antibacterial soap as instructed by your artist. After healing has occurred, you can keep your skin moisturized with a fragrance free lotion, cream or oil if necessary, to assist with wound healing.
Summary
While Vaseline can be used on a new tattoo in moderation under special circumstances that your artist may suggest, it is not the best choice for tattoo care.
A better option would be following the instructions of your artist and using an aftercare product specifically designed for tattoos, to help with the healing process, and to relieve any itchy sensations, and moisturize any tattoo scab formation.
Make sure you’re using only a thin layer of products and letting any excess air-dry off before applying clothing over your newly inked area.
Other suitable alternatives which are recommended include witch hazel, olive oil, Lubriderm, Eucerin and aloe vera gel as these options contain antiseptic properties that help guard against potential infection and aid in the healing process.
Finally, Vaseline will not help with ink retention since it blocks oxygen from getting to the wound and slows down the healing process.
It is best practice to keep a fresh tattoo dry and clean until it fully heals by washing with antibacterial soap as instructed by your artist.
Hi, my name is Gemma, and I’m the owner of MakeupMuddle.com. I’m a true beauty obsessive, and love writing about anything to do with beauty – I have been a beauty writer since 2012.
As well as owning Makeup Muddle, I also own GemmaEtc.com, and love sharing my thoughts and feelings about the greatest (and not so great) beauty products!