It is no secret that getting a tattoo can be extremely painful, but the healing process doesn’t stop there. When it comes to the healing process, you might be wondering, when can I use scented lotion on my tattoo?
So I’m going to give you the answer to that question, as well as share some helpful information on how to keep your tattoo moisturized, to encourage healing, and keep your tattoo as vivid as it was when you first stepped out of the tattoo parlor.
How To Get Your New Tattoo To Heal Quickly?
Getting a new tattoo is an exciting and rewarding experience, but one that requires extra care and attention to ensure the ink stays put and your skin heals quickly. When your tattoo is brand new, it will be wrapped in a bandage, to keep it protected, and when you remove the bandage, you can begin with the aftercare process.
Here are some tips for getting your new tattoo to heal quickly:
- Keep it clean. Wash your hands before you touch the area, and wash it gently with an unscented soap, to the entire tattoo twice a day with lukewarm water and an antibacterial soap. Pat it dry afterward with a clean paper towel or cloth.
- Use a mild moisturizer like petroleum jelly, Aquaphor or vitamin E oil after each cleaning to help keep the area hydrated and promote healing. Avoid fragranced lotions as they can irritate sensitive skin around tattoos.
- Cover up during exposure to direct sunlight by wearing protective clothing or applying sunblock on top of your tattooed area, since intense UV rays will fade color over time.
- Avoid swimming in public pools or the ocean until fully healed, as this can expose the open wound to bacteria, which could lead to infection or fading of colors faster than the normal healing process would take place.
- Eat plenty of foods high in nutrients like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, omega-3 fatty acids and zinc—which are known for their ability to speed up recovery—to give your body all the energy it needs for a proper healing journey.
Why Is It Important To Keep A New Tattoo Moisturized?
It’s essential to keep a new tattoo moisturized for several reasons. First, tattoos are an open wound and need time to heal, during which keeping them moist will help the healing process by preventing scabbing, as part of the tattoo process.
Applying lotion on a tattoo can reduce itching, discomfort and potentially minimize scarring, long after a tattoo is done. Keeping a new tattoo hydrated also ensures the colors remain vibrant and don’t fade away too soon due to dryness.
When skin is dry, it can cause cracking and peeling that could lead to ink loss, so moisturizing helps maintain the full effect of your tattoo.
Proper moisturizing creates a barrier against potential infections as it locks in moisture on the skin surface while creating a buffer between bacteria and dirt particles that try to come in contact with your fresh ink.
This greatly reduces the chances of developing an infection or other skin inflammation due to foreign bodies infecting the open area around your tattooed skin.
Keeping your tattoo clean while also making sure it stays well-moisturized is essential when caring for your new tattoo, and your tattoo artist will give you some recommendations on how to keep your tattoo moist.
When Can You First Apply Moisturizer To Your New Ink?
When you first get a new tattoo, it’s essential to take care of it properly. You should wait at least three days before applying any moisturizer to your tattoo.
This will allow the ink to settle into your skin and give the area time to heal. During this time, you should clean the tattoo twice a day with antibiotic soap and warm water.
After three days, gently pat the tattoo dry and then apply a thin layer of moisturizing lotion or ointment.
Make sure that whatever product you use is free of fragrances, colorants, and other additives as these can irritate your skin or cause an allergic reaction.
Make sure that whichever product you choose is non-comedogenic, so it won’t clog your pores and create more problems down the line.
To ensure proper healing with minimal scabbing, be sure to re-apply the ointment several times throughout each day for several weeks after getting inked up.
It’s also vital not to pick or scratch at any scabs that form over your new tattoo, as these can affect how evenly colored the end result is going to be.
If itching persists despite using an appropriate moisturizer, try letting air get at the area by sleeping without clothing covering it during warmer months or wearing loose fitting clothing during colder months if possible.
How Often Should You Apply Lotion To A Fresh Tattoo?
You need to keep your tattoo moisturized and protected from the elements, so be sure to apply a light layer of fragrance-free lotion at least 3 times a day. During the healing process, you should be sure to use an unscented, hypoallergenic lotion specifically made for tattoos.
After the area has healed completely, you can switch over to a regular body lotion or another moisturizer. However, it is still recommended that you apply a thin layer of lotion at least once daily in order to maintain proper hydration and prevent any cracking or fading of your design.
For the best results, make sure to not over saturate your skin with too much moisture, as this could cause irritation and damage.
Be sure to consult with your tattoo artist for specific aftercare instructions, as they will have the best advice regarding proper care and maintenance of your fresh ink.
When it comes to lotioning up a new tattoo, remember that consistency is key. Make sure you’re properly taking care of your new artwork in order for it to stay looking vibrant and beautiful for years to come.
When Can I Use Scented Lotion On My Tattoo?
Scented lotion may not be the ideal choice for treating a fresh healing tattoo. While some people swear by fragranced lotions and creams, they can actually be quite damaging to a freshly inked tattoo.
They contain potent fragrances that can irritate the delicate skin and impair healing, and you could end up with contact dermatitis. The perfumes within scented lotion can even overwhelm the natural oils and antioxidants produced by your own body’s immune system, preventing it from doing its job properly.
When you put scented lotions, often contain drying ingredients such as alcohols or preservatives like parabens, can irritate freshly tattooed skin; these products tend to draw moisture away from your skin, leading to an uncomfortable degree of dryness that is difficult to manage once it has been established.
As tattoos are open wounds during their healing process, excessive dryness can increase the chances of infection and slow down the whole recovery time frame considerably.
The best time to apply scented lotion onto a new tattoo is only after it has healed completely (usually 3–4 weeks after the initial session).
This allows any redness or swelling caused during the healing process sufficient time to dissipate entirely before introducing an otherwise potentially irritating product into contact with it.
After this period of dedicated healing, you should conduct a patch test on another area of skin first if using a scented lotion for the first time on your tattoo – if there are no adverse reactions present, then you can go ahead and use them with confidence going forward.
Why Is It Important To Use Fragrance-Free Lotion On New Tattoos?
Fragrance-free lotion is essential to use on new tattoos for a few reasons. Firstly, fragrances can cause irritation and even allergic reactions in some individuals, which can cause you some skin damage or discomfort around a fresh tattoo.
Secondly, fragrances often contain chemicals that can be too harsh on sensitive skin that has recently been through the trauma of getting inked. Fragrance-free lotions are usually much gentler and won’t irritate your skin any more than is necessary.
Only using fragrance-free lotion helps keep your tattoo moisturized without competing with any added scents from the product you’re using. This allows the colors of your tattoo to remain vibrant and last longer.
Using a fragrance-free lotion on new tattoos helps to ensure the skin isn’t irritated by fragrances, that harsh chemicals aren’t used, and that the tattoo stays looking vibrant for longer.
Can You Use Scented Soap When You Get A Tattoo?
Scented soap should be avoided when you get a tattoo. This is because fragrances and dyes in the soap can interact with the ink and cause irritation or infection, when you use a scented soap on a tattoo, to clean your tattoo.
Fragrance-free soaps are best to use on tattoos, as they are much gentler on fresh tattoos and will not interfere with the healing process.
Unscented soaps may contain moisturizers that help keep skin hydrated while helping preserve the colors of your new tattoo.
As fragrances often contain alcohol that can dry out your skin, so, stay away from scented soaps during this period in order to ensure optimal results and a healthy tattoo.
How To Prevent Premature Fading Of The New Tattoo?
When it comes to ensuring that a new tattoo looks great for as long as possible, there are a few essential steps to take.
The importance of proper aftercare can’t be underestimated; clean the area with an antibacterial soap once or twice daily to ensure an optimal healing environment.
Sun protection is also key; keeping that area of skin out of direct sunlight and applying sunscreen when necessary will help preserve vividness and clarity.
As mentioned above, avoid using harsh scented soaps and bath oils in areas with newly ink; these products can react negatively with tattoo ink, causing it to fade faster than usual.
Moisturize your tattoo regularly, to keep the tattoo hydrated with creams and lotions, to keep it moist. Keep using lotion, preferably unscented, even when it’s fully healed. Follow your tattoo aftercare instructions, to ensure your tattoo heals evenly and thoroughly.
Summary
Now that you know the answer to the question “When can I use scented lotion on my tattoo?”, it’s important to remember some other key things regarding taking proper care of your new ink.
Make sure you wait until at least 3 days after getting a new tattoo before applying any moisturiser or lotion, and always make sure to use fragrance free products to avoid irritation.
Moisturizing should be done several times per day for a few weeks after initial inking session, and then at least once daily thereafter.
Scented soaps and bath oils should also be avoided for a couple of weeks after getting inked, as these can react negatively with tattoo ink, causing it to fade faster than usual. Sun protection is also essential; keeping that area of skin out of direct sunlight and applying sunscreen when necessary will help preserve vividness and clarity.
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!