The Complication of Moisture
Throughout my limited years as a tattoo artist, I have always recommended the aftercare procedures and products that my coworkers told me to recommend. Saniderm stays on for five days, wash gently with an antibacterial soap, and apply a fragrance free lotion. While this works for many clients, questions often arise of other moisturizer options. Many artists recommend petroleum based products while others demonize it. Some would even recommend leaving the tattoo alone and letting the body “do its thing”.
It is first important to understand the process of healing both in general and in the realm of tattoos. It is equally important to acknowledge the factor of genetics, which causes the healing process to be different for each individual. While healing will depend mostly on genetics, there are some other factors which contribute as well. These include lifestyle, diet, medication, and location of the tattoo. Age will also be a factor in determining length of healing. Some people are genetically predisposed to forming keloids, or have genetic conditions which cause poor circulation or increased swelling. Alternatively, many lifestyle choices such as smoking or intaking alcohol will create issues with blood flow and circulation. Diet and exercise can also be a factor, and healthy healing will almost always favor a healthy lifestyle. Age, of course, will thin the skin as collagen depletes and the healing process may take longer. While all of these things are important to note, the aftercare solution being discussed will work for most situations. If a client has a condition or a situation which may have negative effects on healing, they should speak with their artist and their doctor about whether a tattoo is realistic for them.
Many artists recommend leaving the tattoo alone and “letting it do its thing”, but there is a lot of criticism for that specific technique. While leaving the tattoo alone for the first couple days may be beneficial, eventual moisturizing will promote healing, prevent scars and scabbing, and keep the ink vibrant. In the first initial days of healing, many clients leave Saniderm on and don’t have to worry about cleaning or moisturizing. Clients that are unlucky enough to have an allergy to Saniderm are required to put more effort into the healing process. During the first couple of days of healing it is not recommended to moisturize the tattoo. Ink, blood, and plasma are all leaking from the wound, and moisturizing can prevent the body from pushing out what needs to be expressed. Washing can often be harmful during this stage, too, but that is almost always based on lifestyle and profession.
Whether Saniderm was included in the healing process or not, moisturizing begins after the first couple of days. Many artists recommend petroleum products, antibacterial ointments, and lotions. While many of these methods have their benefits, I have always favored fragrance free lotions. While I personally use aquaphor for many daily tasks, I do not recommend it for tattoo healing. Petroleum products are very thick and tend to clog pores. This can lead to many unwanted side effects. Clogging pores can increase itchiness and irritation by trapping sweat and debris. Trapping foreign substances causes concern for infection as well. The biggest issue with Aquaphor is how it affects healing tattoos specifically, in that it has the potential to pull ink from the skin. This happens when petroleum traps fluids in the skin, which will in turn pull ink out. There is a lot of discourse on whether this is true, or if the effects are noticeable enough to demonize petroleum products, but the possibility is better to be avoided by using alternative aftercare products. If aquaphor is a client’s preferred method of healing, it is imperative that a very small amount is used and that it is rubbed into the skin completely. Antibacterial ointments, such as Neosporin, are also better to be avoided. Many artists still recommend using these types of products, but they may also have adverse side effects during tattoo healing. In the case of general healing, many surgeons and practitioners do not recommend using antibacterial products because they can contribute to antibiotic resistance. In the case of tattoos, though, they pose a risk to the skin’s natural microbiome. Antibacterial ointments tend to disrupt this natural microbiome, in addition to creating antibiotic resistance, which may limit the healing process and create a risk for infection. It is also very thick, which poses the same issues as petroleum products. Neither products are made for tattoos, and should generally be avoided.
While white lotion isn’t technically made for tattoos, it is the best option for healing in most cases. Lotions typically have the ingredients needed to condition skin, and tattoos generally heal better when moisturized. These lotions are also much thinner than petroleum and are easier to work into the skin. They provide a moisture barrier while also allowing oxygen to penetrate. White, fragrance free lotions often lack harmful ingredients that irritate the skin, and will not disrupt natural skin routines and systems. That being said, there are some lotions that can contain harmful ingredients, and it is important for clients to read and understand ingredient labels. There are other products which may be used for aftercare, such as jojoba oil or shea butter, but a basic lotion is typically easier to acquire at a lower price and often does a better job. That being said, the best aftercare to use will almost always be a balm or lotion made specifically for the healing of tattoos.
While there isn’t much of a general standard for tattoo aftercare, many artists have moved from petroleum products to gentle lotions and tattoo balms. While the complete tattoo community doesn’t unanimously agree, there are many sources and studies which provide reasoning for the recommended use of lotions and balms. Tattoo healing on a molecular level is a very fascinating study, and one source included below offers a descriptive process that is easy to understand. With any cosmetic procedure, it is recommended to fully understand what is happening with your body and how to properly care for it.
Below, I have included some reddit threads. These are not reliable peer-reviewed articles, but they offer insight into experiences other tattoo clients have had with various types of healing.
Bibliography
ABE Program Office. “Tattoos and the Immune System: More Than Skin Deep.” Amgen Biotech Experience, April 12, 2022. https://www.amgenbiotechexperience.com/tattoos-and-immune-system-more-skin-deep.
Cherney, Kristeen. “Should I Put Neosporin on My New Tattoo?” Healthline Media, November 25, 2020. https://www.healthline.com/health/neosporin-on-tattoo.
Cirino, Erica. “Is Aquaphor Recommended After Getting a Tattoo?” Healthline Media, April 17, 2020. https://www.healthline.com/health/body-modification/aquaphor-tattoo.
Doctors, Our. “How to Use Aquaphor Post Surgery.” Advanced Cosmetic Surgery (blog), October 10, 2024. https://advancedcosmeticsurgery-sc.com/advanced-cosmetic-surgery-blog/how-to-use-aquaphor-post-surgery.
Fauger, Aurélie, Säde Sonck, Nicolas Kluger, Marlène Chavagnac-Bonneville, and Michèle Sayag. “Tattoo Aftercare Management with a Dermo-Cosmetic Product: Improvement in Discomfort Sensation and Skin Repair Quality.” Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 21, no. 3 (March 2022): 1051–56. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.14157.
Jewell, Tim. “Can I Dry-Heal a Tattoo Instead of Keeping It Moisturized?” Healthline Media, May 15, 2020. https://www.healthline.com/health/dry-healing-tattoo.
Reed, Bridget. “5 Worst Lotions & Products for Tattoos.” Hush Anesthetic, June 12, 2023. https://hushanesthetic.com/blogs/community/worst-lotions-tattoos.
Sea-starr. “Dry Healing Tattoo, It Cracked What Now?” Reddit (blog), 2023. https://www.reddit.com/r/tattooadvice/comments/11s1uhs/dry_healing_tattoo_it_cracked_what_now/.
WonderfulPipe. “Why Wouldn’t You Moisturize a New Tattoo?” Reddit (blog), 2023. https://www.reddit.com/r/TattooApprentice/comments/11e78zy/why_wouldnt_you_moisturize_a_new_tattoo/.