Tattoo aftercare is the most important part of getting a tattoo. During this healing period, the tattoo ink is getting settled into the skin. A new tattoo is like an open wound that needs to be cared for very carefully. To reduce the pain and speed up the healing process, most tattoo artists recommend using Aquaphor ointment. It helps up to a certain period but there are signs you should be worried about when using it.
So when to stop using Aquaphor on tattoo? As with any aftercare product, you should be using it only up to a certain point. There are tell-tale signs that you should look out for when using Aquaphor. While it could be harmful, the benefits of Aquaphor are the main reason why tattoo artists like myself can recommend it!
Key Takeaways
- When tattoo artists mention Aquaphor, they are specifically talking about the Healing Ointment product. It is dermatologist recommended and good for new tattoos.
- The ingredients in the ointment are what cause the problems for tattoos. There are many signs you can see that will tell you to stop using it.
- Switching to a new moisturizer is important to keep the tattoo from drying out and keep the healing process smooth.
- A typical tattoo aftercare can be divided into the first 24 hours, the first week, weeks 2 and 3, and 4th week and onwards.
- Even though Aquaphor can cause problems for tattoos, in moderation it can provide great benefits for your tattoo in the first week!
Aquaphor Healing Ointment: What is it?
Before getting to the usage of Aquaphor and how long to use it, let’s first get to know about Aquaphor. Aquaphor is a German skincare brand but what tattoo artists recommend is the specific ointment called the Aquaphor Healing Ointment. It is one of the best dermatologist-recommended ointments for dry and cracked skin.
A new tattoo has the tendency to become dry during the healing stage. That is why many tattoo artists recommend using an ointment to help it from cracking and drying. If the new tattoo starts to crack, it could spell disaster for you! The crack would cause your new tattoo to become disfigured and hinder the healing of the tattoo. To avoid that, using this ointment from Aquaphor can help keep your new tattoo retaining moisture.
What Aquaphor is also good for is that it is tested to help heal cuts and burns too. As your new tattoo is an open wound, this makes the use of Aquaphor a no-brainer.
So now let’s look at the ingredients in this ointment:
- 41% petrolatum: also known as petroleum jelly; this helps to create a semi-protective barrier that protects it from infection while letting the skin breathe underneath.
- Glycerin: keeps your skin hydrated by pulling moisture from the air around the tattoo.
- Panthenol: provides vitamin B5 that works as an anti-inflammatory agent, soothing the skin.
- Lanolin alcohol: prevents moisture loss from the surrounding
A combination of these products is what makes the use of Aquaphor Healing Ointment beneficial for the skin. However, the side effects of these ingredients can prove to be bad for the tattoo in the long run.
Signs of Stopping Aquaphor Use
There are many signs that could tell you that you should stop using Aquaphor for your new tattoo. So let’s see them in more detail
Clogged pores
In new tattoos, your pores are open to allow excess ink to flow out of your body.
This is because the tattoo artists want the tattoo ink to be set properly. In order to do so, the artist tries to pack as much ink as possible in the dermis.
Ingredients responsible: Petrolatum
The petrolatum causes the blockage of pores. It creates a barrier between the tattoo and the outside air. Even though it creates a barrier that oxygen can pass through, it will still block the pores from where the ink can leak. When this happens, you should stop using Aquaphor immediately and clean off any area where the ointment was applied to the tattoo.
Infection
An infection on a tattoo is one of the worst things to get on a new tattoo. It has the potential to completely ruin the tattoo itself! It can lead to serious skin diseases that will ruin your tattoo and could be even worse for your overall health.An infection on a tattoo is one of the worst things to get on a new tattoo. It has the potential to completely ruin the tattoo itself! It can lead to serious skin diseases that will ruin your tattoo and could be even worse for your overall health.
Ingredients responsible: Lanolin and petrolatum
The barriers provided by lanolin and petrolatum protect anything from coming in contact with the tattoo. This will also include pathogens that get stuck on the ointment itself. If the pathogens can find one area to enter the tattoo, that is all it will take for the start of an infection! Be sure to completely wash off the ointment with lukewarm water and antibacterial soap after a few hours of keeping it on. That way you can try and prevent the infection from getting to your tattoo.
Breakouts
Breakouts often happen due to the usage of ointments and creams. The body will react to it in a way that the skin will be irritated. There are various ingredients that can cause this in skincare products, even Aquaphor ointments.
Ingredients responsible: Panthenol
While panthenol can provide a soothing effect on your skin due to the inflammation of the new tattoo, it can also cause it harm. This is especially the case for sensitive skin. As soon as irritation starts on the skin, it can cause breakouts. Some might be mild like blackheads and whiteheads to form. Others might have bacteria in the breakout which could again lead to the infection! So if you start noticing dead skin in and around the tattoo, you should stop using Aquaphor and clear the dead and peeling skin as much as you can with antibacterial soap.
Out of the 4 main ingredients in the ointment, only glycerin seems to be the one that provides benefits without any side effects! That is why glycerin in skincare products is considered to be the best, especially for tattoos. They provide a nice base for the tattoo to be able to retain moisture without irritating or causing infection.
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Switching to a New Lotion After Using Aquaphor
Typically, a tattoo artist will recommend you to use Aquaphor for the first 3 to 4 days, maybe into the 5th day too! The main reason is that they want you to avoid using too much petrolatum on your tattoo. The best way that a tattoo can heal is by being able to breathe. The first 4 days are crucial to keep any infection off. Once partial healing and some of the wound closing start, you can start using moisturizing lotions or sunscreen instead.
Why is that the case? Even with partial wound closing, your tattoo will still start to dry and crack. In order to prevent that, you will need to keep the area nice and moisturized. That way, your tattoo can heal nicely while not being overly dry. Another thing would be to use sunscreen. The sun is your tattoo’s worst enemy so always make sure to use SPF 50 sunscreen if you are going outside. Even if you are not going outside, most sunscreen today has moisturizing effects! Just make sure to use a product that has no fragrance and no dyes to it, and is non-comedogenic.
I would always recommend non-fragrance, no-dye, moisturizers. When these are on the list of ingredients, they will definitely cause skin irritation. There is only a small step from irritation to infection so always be wary of that. That is why you should always wash your new tattoo with antibacterial soap and your hands (don’t use a washcloth or loofa to clean the tattoo). This is to protect the tattooed skin from being scratched or having any other harm done to it.
How a Typical Tattoo Aftercare Looks Like
Many of my clients ask what should a typical tattoo aftercare look like. So let’s break them down into different sections and what you will be dealing with in each of these sections.
Day 1
This is when you just got out of the tattoo shop with your new tattoo wrapped in derma wrap. You should leave it on for the next 4 to 24 hours, however much you prefer. Leaving it overnight can be a godsend for your clothes, carpets, and bedsheets because this is the time that you will be leaking tattoo ink. After you take it off, you should wash the area with lukewarm water and antibacterial green soap. After washing and cleaning, apply a thin layer of Aquaphor Healing Ointment on it.
Week 1
For the rest of the week, you should be washing the tattoo just like you did on day 1 every 6 to 8 hours. This will help remove any peeling skin. Until the 5th day, you should use Aquaphor. After that, you should switch to a new non-fragrance moisturizer. Make sure to not itch or scratch the tattoo. Don’t even slap to soothe the itching! Also, avoid direct sunlight.
Week 2 to 3
You will start to notice that your skin is peeling less and the scabbing has relatively slowed down. This means that your tattoo is healing up nicely. You should still continue the use of antibacterial or non-fragrance soap and moisturizer. Keep the tattoo clean and moisturized.
Week 4 onwards
By this time, you will notice that the scabbing, peeling, and redness are all slowly disappearing. Once they completely stop, you are free to use any product you want on your tattoo! Make sure to keep it moisturized and protected with sunscreen.
Benefits of Aquaphor on Tattoo
Even after bashing on Aquaphor and looking out for signs to stop using it, it is still one of the best products to use in the initial stages of healing. So let’s take a look at the reasons why tattoo artists like myself will recommend it!
- Reduces cracked and dry skin.
- Reduces scab formation on the tattoo.
- Prevents infection.
- Soothes itchy skin.
- Speeds up healing time.
When you combine all of these factors in the first 4 to 5 days of your new tattoo, they are pretty much the problems you will want to avoid! The Healing Ointment will help to get rid of any of these problems but again, it should be only used in the first 5 days. After that, you are to switch to a non-fragrance moisturizer to help your tattoo heal naturally without drying up.
FAQs
Can you sleep with Aquaphor on your tattoo?
Yes, you can sleep with Aquaphor on your tattoo. Just make sure that when you wake up you remove any remaining ointment on your tattoo as it will not be absorbed into the skin.
Can Aquaphor ruin my tattoo?
Aquaphor has petrolatum which has the possibility of ruining your tattoo because it is comedogenic. This means it can block the pores and prevent your tattoo from being able to breathe! Make sure to use it for the first 4 to 5 days and then switch to a non-fragrance, non-comedogenic moisturizer to keep your skin moisturized.
Can you put too much Aquaphor on your tattoo?
Yes, you can! Too much Aquaphor will block the tattoo and prevent it from being able to breathe. Oxygen won’t be able to get to the tattoo and as a result, your tattoo healing will be delayed.
Is Vaseline better than Aquaphor?
No! Vaseline is pure petroleum jelly that will clog your skin and not let the tattoo breathe. Aquaphor is only 41% petrolatum which creates a semi-barrier that allows the passage of oxygen to your tattoo through the ointment.
Final Thoughts
Aquaphor is a tattoo artist’s favorite thing to recommend for people getting a new tattoo. It soothes, protects, and even speeds up healing! These are exactly the things you should be looking for in the first week after getting the new tattoo. While Aquaphor might be good for your tattoo, you shouldn’t overuse it or apply too much of the product. It can be detrimental to your tattoo and should be avoided at all costs! Remember, a healthy tattoo is what you should be aiming for. Take care of it during the aftercare, and it remains healthy for at least the next 5 years of your life!
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