When you get a tattoo on your skin it leaves open wounds on it. This is because of the trauma that your skin goes through while the needles from the tattoo gun are inserted more than a thousand times during the process. In this state, a fresh tattoo is very vulnerable for the first few days. A proper aftercare routine is required to keep the tattooed skin protected and make it heal properly. You might think of using a regular ointment, Neosporin which is used for basic cuts or burns on skin, to make the wounded tattooed skin heal faster.
Neosporin consists of base elements such as neomycin, polymyxin, and bacitracin. This mixture of antibiotics is quite effective in killing potential bacteria in the open wound. As soon as it is applied, a layer is formed on the skin for protection. Neosporin is a quick first-aid ointment that is easily available in most households. Without proper medical advice, Neosporin cannot be used on a fresh tattoo. There are various reasons to use Neosporin on a tattoo or not and in this article, we will find out in detail.
Key Takeaways
- Neosporin is not an ideal ointment to use on a tattoo.
- There are a few precautions you need to have before using Neosporin.
- If you are using Neosporin on your tattoo, then you should know how to apply it.
- There are aftereffects of using Neosporin on a tattoo such as rashes, red bumps, less moisturized skin, increase chance of infection, and scarring.
- Alternate products or ways can be used instead of Neosporin which will help the healing process to be much smoother.
Usage of Neosporin on a Tattoo
After getting a fresh tattoo done on your skin the first concern that comes to your mind is the healing process of tattooed skin. You are well aware that your skin is wounded and it requires proper treatment so that no infection is caused on it. Neosporin, being one of the household names, is one of the first things you would want to use on your tattooed skin. There are many tattoo artists that recommend applying a small amount of Neosporin to a tattoo. Also, there are others that advise against using it.
You need to know that healing of your skin is important where you got your tattoo. As Neosporin is an antibacterial ointment your skin gets less exposure to air. This is something that is not helpful for healing your skin. Neosporin is not made with the thought of using it on a tattoo rather it is used initially for small cuts or burns on your skin. Fresh tattoos are open wounds rather than minor ones and need to be treated with care.
Neosporin is a skin barrier like Vaseline. This is fatal for your skin to get healed. Skin barriers trap the moisture in the layer that it creates not allowing the skin to breathe. Making the tattoo area to be extremely dehydrated. This helps bacteria and germs to buildup which eventually will cause infection and skin inflammation. You have to bear any sort of pain and irritation for longer than normal healing time.
When a new tattoo is done it requires time to settle on the skin. Your body, especially your skin treats the ink of the tattoo as a foreign element, and using Neosporin makes it fight them which eventually causes a good amount of ink loss.
Before using the Neosporin ointment, please take a consultation with your tattoo artist or a doctor. It will help you get the right guidance on using the perfect product to use for healing your tattooed skin. If Neosporin is suggested, you will have guidance on the limited use of it.
Precautions on Using Neosporin on a Tattoo
There are a few precautions that you can take for using Neosporin on a tattoo:
- The ointment should not be used for more than a week after getting a tattoo. Overuse of it will decrease its effectiveness and your body will form an immunity to it.
- There is an expiry date for the ointment so the best use is before that period.
- Neosporin can have reactions to your skin upon use so if you are a new user then do a 48-hour skin test on the side of your elbow.
- Use the ointment only after 72 hours of getting the fresh tattoo.
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Proper Application of Neosporin on a Tattoo
If it is advised or you decide on using Neosporin, then you should do it with proper care and caution. When you’re done getting your tattoo it will be wrapped in a bandage for safety. The cover should be removed after a certain period of time. Then clean the tattoo with fresh water running on your skin with your sanitized hand. Using a fresh paper towel pat dry the tattoo. Do not rub it against your skin. After that when your tattooed skin is dry, squeeze a tiny portion of Neosporin pea-sized on your fingertip and gently rub.
It is advisable to apply less Neosporin ointment so that more oxygen is able to reach the tattooed area which is absolutely necessary during the healing process. For normal cuts or burn, it may be instructed to use the ointment one to three times a day but for a tattoo, you can use it maybe once or twice a day. Neosporin can only be used for the first few days of getting the tattoo. Also, keep an eye on the tattooed area after application if there are any sort of reactions or not.
Potential Aftereffects of Using Neosporin on a Tattoo
The work of Neosporin is to prevent any wounds from getting infected but as it is an antibiotic ointment there can be some aftereffects on using it. It takes time for your skin to heal and get settled after getting a tattoo. It can heal in two to three weeks but a full recovery might even take as long as six months. As mentioned above, Neosporin is not a recommended ointment to use on your tattoo but if you do so there are chances of the following aftereffects:
- Rashes and Red Bumps – Some people have allergic reactions to using Neosporin on their skin causing rashes and red bumps on their tattooed skin. This affected area becomes very itchy which can cause infection if scratched by mistake. Rash or red bumps starts to appear when the use of the ointment is more than required the skin will start to reject the antibiotics. This seriously affects the design of the tattoo.
- Increased Moisture – Using Neosporin ointment is more likely to dampen your skin. The layer that it forms, on the inside, remains moisture which is not good for a fresh tattoo. This will directly affect the tattoo as keeps it dry on the outside attracting germs and bacteria for infection and hampers the healing process.
- Risk of infection – The use of Neosporin builds a layer on the applied area resulting in less ventilation. The healing process of a tattoo requires enough oxygen and moisture but Neosporin blocks the ventilation needed. Even though used for different minor injuries but has adverse effects on a tattoo. The jelly-like layer on the tattoo blocks the proper ventilation for the skin to heal better. The infection can also cause pain in your tattoo area.
- Scarring – Neosporin may cause your tattoo to form scabs that can pull out the ink from your tattoo. This will cause scars in your tattoo and loss of ink in the tattoo messing up the overall design.
Alternate To Neosporin For New Tattoo
Neosporin ointment is not necessary to use on a tattoo rather it breaks the natural healing process. There are different ways for proper aftercare and they are mentioned below:
- Washing – Thorough washing of the tattoo twice a day is one of the proper solutions to keep it bacteria-free and has less chance of infection. Use running water on the tattoo and gently rub it. If you want, you can use organic soap which will also help to keep the tattoo germ free. After washing use a fresh towel to pat on the tattoo keeping the tattoo fresh and intact. Never use the towel to rub against the tattoo which will cause the ink to leak or even cause irritation on your skin.
- Tattoo-Friendly Ointment – Instead of using Neosporin, which is not made specifically for tattoos, get a recommendation from your tattoo artist or doctor for the right ointment. This will help you to get ease the pain and inflammation caused by your new tattoo.
- Moisturizing – Try to use moisturizers that will help you to keep your new tattoo hydrated. The moisturizer should be petroleum free making the wound in the skin breathe easily. It will also help you to fight the scabbing and protect your tattoo from getting messed up.
FAQs
How long does Neosporin stay on a tattoo?
Neosporin stays on your tattoo for 5 days. So, before applying the ointment make sure you clean the tattoo with water and pat dry with a paper towel.
How does Neosporin work?
Neosporin has a mixture of three antibiotics: neomycin, polymyxin, and bacitracin. This combination works together to protect the wound by killing bacteria and protecting it from any developing infection.
Is Neosporin or Vaseline better for tattoos?
It is advisable to not use any products that have petroleum jelly in their ingredients list. Both Neosporin and Vaseline have it and affects the healing process of the tattooed skin.
Is Neosporin good for infected tattoos?
No, Neosporin is totally ineffective on an infected tattoo. The ointment itself slows down the healing process while the layer of it makes the place more attractive to bacteria and germs.
Is Neosporin safe to use?
Generally, it is safe to use Neosporin but not required most of the time. It is only used initially for small cuts or burns on the skin. Never use the ointment on injuries that cover large areas or deep cuts or burns.
Final Thoughts
Overall, it can be said for adverse effect that it is not wise to use Neosporin on a tattoo. The ointment is used for the initial healing of small cuts or burns. A tattoo artist or doctor consultation is required before use. Precautions are required before using Neosporin such as usage in the first week, within the expiration period, a skin test can be done, and only be used after 72 hours of getting a tattoo. There are also aftereffects that cause rash, red bumps, risk of infection, and scarring. Alternate ways or products can be applied or a better healing process for the tattoo.
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