Getting a new tattoo can be an arduous task. A lot goes behind tattoos. First, you spend time thinking about what design and color of the tattoo, and placement of the tattoo, then comes the painful tattooing procedure. Finally, there is the aftercare that you would have to worry about. There are many brands that people will suggest but one that might be repeated more than others is a brand called CeraVe.
So is CeraVe good for tattoos? Tattoo aftercare is the most important part of the tattoo as it will determine how the tattoo will look for the next decade or so it will be on your skin. CeraVe is a very good and reputable brand that can really help with the initial aftercare. So with all that said, let’s dive further in and see exactly how good CeraVe is on tattoos!
Key Takeaways
- CeraVe is good for tattoos because its products are fragrance-free and do not contain any chemicals that can be harmful to your tattoos.
- Uses MVE technology that keeps the tattoo moist for a longer period of time.
- Contains 3 ceramides that create a protective skin barrier that keeps the tattooed skin healthy, and helps the skin to keep cells together.
- CeraVe products are formulated with the help of dermatologists and tested by dermatologists.
- The 4 most recommend CeraVe products are CeraVe Hydrating Body Wash, CeraVe Healing Ointment, CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion, and CeraVe Moisturizing Cream.
CeraVe For Tattoo: Good or Bad
During the healing process tattoo requires proper moisturization and cleaning. CeraVe not only cleans and moisturizes your tattoo but also more. CeraVe can help speed up the recovery of your tattoo, get rid of itchiness altogether, reduce scabbing, speed up the healing process, etc. So yes, CeraVe is good for tattoos.
4 Reasons Why CeraVe Is Good for Tattoos
There can be many reasons for choosing CeraVe over other cosmetic products. Here am listing 4 exceptional reasons why it is good for tattoos.
- Fragrance-free
All 70 products of CeraVe are free of any sort of fragrance. And fragrance can be really bad for your tattoo as it can irritate or burn the tattoo. Being fragrance-free makes CeraVe a good choice for tattoos.
- Ceramides
Their products contain 3 essential ceramides which are: ceramide 1, ceramide 2, and ceramide 6 II. These are crucial to keeping your skin connected and it helps premature peeling of tattooed skin.
- MVE
MVE is a revolutionary technology and the full form of the term is Multivesicular Emulsion. What it does is keep providing moisture to your skin layer after layer, so your skin can stay hydrated all day long. Which is exactly what you need for your tattoo. A moist tattoo not only avoids issues such as dryness, and itchiness but also heals at a faster pace. It also creates a protective barrier for your tattooed skin that helps the skin retains its natural moisture.
- Hyaluronic Acid
Their products contain hyaluronic acid that helps your tattooed skin stay tension free and to maintain the natural stretch of the skin. It will also fasten the healing of your tattoo and help keep your skin to keep its natural moisture.
If you somehow get a scar on your tattoo then hyaluronic acid can reduce it.
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CeraVe: History & More
The brand CeraVe was founded in America in the year 2005. They began developing beauty products with the idea of creating a protective skin barrier. A barrier that will protect skin from dryness, and loss of moisture, and create a natural barrier. The company began with three core products, which are moisturizing lotion, cream, and hydrating cleanser. Now they have a huge range of beauty products that still follow the motto of creating a natural protective barrier for the skin, such as moisturizers, cleansers, sunscreens, ointment, facial serums, etc.
A few amazing qualities of CeraVe products are:
- Gentle on the skin
- Dermatology tested
- No harmful chemicals used
- Fragrance-free
- Created with the help of a dermatologist
These qualities make their products safe and effective for tattoos and regular use.
CeraVe brand is recommended by dermatologists because their products have 3 crucial ceramides. Ceramides are like the glue that helps your skin stay connected.
These 3 ceramides are:
- Ceramide 1
- Ceramide 2
- Ceramide 6 II
The brand also uses an amazing delivery system MVE that keeps delivering moisture to your skin over time. So it can really help keep your tattoo moist all day long.
4 CeraVe Products That Are Good for Tattoo
There can be many CeraVe products that you can use for your tattoo. Here I listed the 4 most popular, useful, and beneficial CeraVe products that you can use for your tattoo.
1. CeraVe Cleanser for Tattoos
CeraVe Hydrating Body Wash is a recommended cleanser for tattoos by many dermatologists such as Dr. Debra Jaliman. So, yes CeraVe cleanser is good for your tattoos.
CeraVe’s cleanser contains helpful components such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin. Hyaluronic acid helps to keep the natural moisture of your skin intact and glycerin moisturizes the skin. It is a perfect cleanser that not only cleans your tattoo but also moisturizes it. You won’t feel that itchiness or dryness after using this product on your tattoo.
This cleanser does not have harmful materials that can cause damage to your tattoo such as:
- Sulfate
- Paraben
- Fragrance
You don’t have to worry about having any allergic reactions to your tattoo as the cleanser is allergy-tested.
How to Apply
Follow these steps to correctly apply CeraVe Hydrating Body Wash on your tattoo:
- First, Wash your hand. Cleaning a tattoo with a dirty hand can cause infection, even if you use the best cleanse.
- Take off the bandage that your tattoo artist wrapped around your tattoo right after making the tattoo. You can take the bandage off after 3-12 hours of getting the tattoo.
- After taking off the bandage, wet the area with lukewarm water.
- Now, take a moderate amount of CeraVe cleanser on your fingers and gently rub it on the tattoo. Make sure not to use any washing cloth as it can be too abrasive.
- After rubbing the tattoo properly when you are sure you got all the ointment or petroleum jelly off the tattoo that your tattoo artist applied before the bandage, you can rinse the area.
- After rinsing the area, use a paper towel to pat the area dry. Do not use a regular towel as it may contain bacteria and cause an infection.
Caution: CeraVe’s hydrating body wash is very gentle and hydrating still you should not use it more than two-three times per day. Overuse of any cleanser will do you more harm than good. It can cause irritation and inflammation.
2. CeraVe Healing Ointment for Tattoos
Many people think healing ointment is not crucial and they can choose not to use one. They can’t be any further from the truth. Applying healing ointment or petroleum jelly right after getting a new tattoo is crucial. Your tattoo artist will bandage the area after applying any of these substances to keep the area moist.
Joshua Zeichner a well-known researcher in dermatology suggests applying CeraVe healing ointment right after getting a tattoo instead of petroleum jelly. Because this healing ointment not only keeps the area moist and speeds but the healing but also keeps the bacteria away. On the other hand, old-school petroleum jelly may moisturize the tattoo by trapping moisture but it will also trap bacteria which increases the chance of an infection. He suggests using ceramide-based ointment instead of other regular ointments as ceramide holds your skin together and you won’t face any cracked or chipped skin issues on the tattooed area.
Even though it is a petroleum-based ointment it is a non-comedogenic ointment so your pores won’t get clogged. It has hyaluronic acid that traps the natural moisture of your skin and keeps the tattoo moist without being greasy or sticky.
Does not matter if you have oily skin, dry skin, or overly sensitive skin, you can use the CeraVe healing ointment on your tattoo without any worry. The formula was made, approved, and tested by dermatologists. It has an NEA seal of approval.
How to Apply
You can follow these steps to properly apply CeraVe healing ointment:
- Clean the area first with a quality cleanser such as CeraVe’s cleanser.
- Pat the area dry with a paper towel.
- Apply a small amount of CeraVe healing ointment on your tattoo.
Caution: Make sure to apply a thin layer of ointment over your tattoo. Even though it is one of the best healing ointments for tattoos, applying too much of it can over-saturate the area and can cause issues such as bubbling and increase the chance of an infection.
3. CeraVe Lotion for Tattoos
Keeping the tattoo moist is one of the most crucial aftercare steps. An overly dry tattoo can face many issues such as:
- Cracking
- Premature peeling
- Itching
- Irritation
- Delayed healing
Dryness can cause itching and if you scratch your tattoo by mistake it can lead to more problems. To avoid such issues, it is important to keep the tattoo hydrated and moist. That is why it is so crucial to apply a quality lotion on your tattoo at least twice a day. And CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion can be a perfect choice for this task. As it can prevent the issues mentioned above altogether for your tattoos. And keeping the tattoo moist speeds up the healing.
It does not have any oil that can create a sticky texture on your tattoo and it has hyaluronic acid that retains the natural moisture of your skin and keeps the area moist for a long time. Not to mention it has 3 ceramides that help reduce scabbing, so you won’t face any excess scabbing issues. It is a fragrance-free lotion which is exactly what you need for your tattoo. Fragrance should be avoided as it may contain chemicals that can burn or irritate the tattooed area.
How to Apply
Applying CeraVe lotion on tattoos is easy. Follow the steps below to make sure you’re applying it the right way.
- First, wash the area and pat it dry. Make sure to wash your hand also. Applying lotion over an uncleaned tattoo or with a dirty hand may attract dirt, and bacteria and cause issues.
- Take a small amount of CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion and gently apply it to the tattoo.
Caution: Do not go overboard with applying lotion. Applying too much lotion can over-saturate the tattoo attract bacteria and cause multiple issues.
4. CeraVe Moisturizing Cream for Tattoo
If you have dry skin and using lotion does not feel enough then you can go for CeraVe Moisturizing Cream. As it has MVE technology that keeps the tattoo moist all day long does not how dry your skin type is. And it is fragrance-free.
If you face flakiness, itchiness, or too many scab issues on your tattoo then CeraVe moisturizing cream can fix it as it contains 3 essential ceramides. Ceramides not only help your skin stay connected and farm but also help reduce dryness. It has hyaluronic acid that helps to keep your natural moisture of skin intact. Keeping the tattooed area moist helps with the healing process too.
Dryness and too much scabbing can cause fading of your tattoo. Trust me, nobody wants their precious tattoo to look faded. You can avoid this by applying this moisturizing cream. The moisturizer not only prevents such issues but also makes the tattoo appear bright, shiny, and healthy.
How to apply
Follow the steps below to make the most out of your CeraVe Moisturizing Cream:
- Clean the tattoo and pat it dry. Creams are a bit thick substance so applying them on an uncleaned area is not recommended. As it can trap any dirt or germ left on the tattoo and cause infection.
- Apply a small amount of moisturizing cream, once in the morning before going out and in the evening after returning home. You can apply it a third time before sleeping if you feel your skin is very dry.
Caution: Avoid applying too much of CeraVe Moisturizing Cream as it is a bit thick and can prevent your tattoo from breathing. Remember your tattoo needs air to heal faster. And over using the cream can also cause overly moisturized skin which will delay the healing of your tattoo and cause other issues.
FAQs
CeraVe vs Lubriderm, which one is best for tattoos?
Both are popular cosmetic brands and are well known for being good for tattoos. You can use either one of them.
Can I use CeraVe Hydrating Body Wash as a cleanser for my tattoo?
Yes, you can. CeraVe Hydrating Body Wash not only cleanses your tattoo but also moisturizes it and helps the skin stay connected and not peel off.
Can I use CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion on my tattoo?
Yes, you can. The moisturizer does not have any chemicals that can be harmful to your tattoo and will keep it moisturized for a longer period of time.
Final Thoughts
Aftercare is very crucial for the longevity of your tattoo. If you see an old tattoo that is in good shape and looks vibrant, then be sure that person took good care of the tattoo. Choosing the right product for aftercare is also crucial. Choosing the wrong product that is harmful to your tattoo can do the opposite of what you intended. CeraVe is a well-known cosmetic brand that is formulated and tested by dermatologists. Many dermatologists and professional tattoo artists suggest CeraVe as a safe and beneficial brand of product as a part of the aftercare routine.
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