Have you recently gotten a new tattoo? If you answered yes, you must take action right away to begin the healing process. Now is because this is the best time to protect your new tattoo from illness and injury.
Aquaphor is a fantastic tattoo aftercare treatment that you shouldn’t overlook if you want to promote good healing. Aquaphor for tattoos is a tattoo ointment that comes highly recommended by tattoo artists. It helps to keep freshly tattooed skin moisturized and protected.
After all, keeping your new tattoo hydrated and well-protected is the key to proper tattoo aftercare.
The healing stage begins a few weeks after having been tattooed. The tattoo area should be maintained moisturized, and comforted throughout this time. Continue reading to see why Aquaphor is recognized for producing quicker, more pleasant tattoo healing outcomes.
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What Is the Purpose of Aquaphor?
What is Aquaphor, and how does it help with tattoos? If you’ve never heard of the brand’s relationship with successful tattoo aftercare, that question may arise.
It’s well recognized for being a baby and adult skincare line. Aquaphor, on the other hand, is well-known among tattoo fans as a skin-healing and mending remedy. Because of its long track record of efficacy, the ‘Aquaphor Healing Ointment’ for tattoos is popular worldwide.
So, what does this well-known ointment do? It provides excellent value for money by conducting a variety of repairs. It’s a multi-purpose ointment that treats small wounds and burns, hydrates cracked and dry skin, and guards against various skin irritations, including chapped lips.
Aquaphor is a product that has been around for a long time. It contains petrolatum (petroleum jelly), which is recognized for its amazing hydrophobic characteristics, which help tattoos heal faster.
In a word, your tattoo is protected by preventing it from evaporating through the skin. Furthermore, the ointment layer functions as a barrier, protecting the skin from microorganisms and illness. The composition moisturizes the skin by leaving a calming skin surface that is rich in oxygen and fluid.
Why Choose Aquaphor Over Petroleum Jelly?
The question posed above is a good one. The explanation is that the name ‘Aquaphor for Tattoos’ indicates that it contains various additional substances that make it unique.
These additional components enhance the fundamental moisturizing characteristics of standard, 100 percent petroleum jelly formulations. Pure petroleum jelly products, such as Vaseline, have the drawback of not allowing the skin to breathe at all. The petroleum jelly content of Aquaphor, on the other hand, is only 41%.
Mineral oil and cerasin are the two major active elements in Aquaphor that help to protect the skin and tattoos. The ointment also contains the natural chemical bisabolol (derived from the chamomile plant), anti-inflammatory, and relaxing qualities.
Lanolin alcohol, glycerine, and panthenol are also included in Aquaphor healing ointment. In hydrating and preserving the skin, these less active, stabilizing substances function with the primary, active elements. Overall, the unique mixture provides adaptability in terms of skin irritation and dry skin protection. The skin is protected in the safest possible way from both the inside and the outside.
When Should You Use Aquaphor On Your Tattoo?
The early healing period of your tattoo wound lasts from the time you remove your tattoo shop-issued bandage to the first few days afterward. Aquaphor should be used on such critical days. But first, properly clean the wound with a mild antibacterial soap.
Until the tattoo has completely healed, use the soap at least three times every day. On the first few days, Aquaphor should be administered after each of the three washing sessions. However, you can switch from Aquaphor to a thinner, water-based lotion for aftercare throughout the middle to late stages of the tattoo healing process.
The wound is most vulnerable to injury and bacterial infection during the first few days after the bandage of the fresh tattoo is removed. The healing process is accelerated and made more pleasant by washing the wound and then using Aquaphor.
How To Apply Aquaphor To Tattoos – Step-by-Step Instructions
- Wash your tattoo wound gently with mild water and unscented antibacterial soap.
- Using a soft paper towel, gently pat your tattoo dry.
- Apply a thin coating of Aquaphor to the affected area.
- Using a clean paper towel, wipe away any excess ointment.
- Steps 1–4 should be repeated three times a day for three days.
How Long Should Aquaphor Be Applied?
Let’s say you’ve followed all of the previous tattoo aftercare guidelines, and your tattoo appears to be healing nicely. Aquaphor should only be applied three times a day for the first three days. Your wound should have ceased leaking plasma after three days of Aquaphor use. You can use a thinner, water-based moisturizer starting on the fourth day.
Compared to the heavy-duty, oil-based Aquaphor cream, the lotion works significantly better at hydrating the skin throughout the middle to late stages of the healing process since water-based lotions enable the skin to breathe.
The change from ointment to lotion corresponds to the need to keep your tattoo hydrated for many weeks until it is entirely healed. It’s best to avoid using tattoo aftercare solutions with strong perfumes, colorants, or irritating substances.
The Benefits and Drawbacks of Using Aquaphor For Tattoos
Aquaphor aids wound healing by keeping the skin moisturized and hydrated. Its unique mixture is safe to use and reduces the risk of skin irritation. It’s devoid of parabens, fragrances and is hypoallergenic.
It also has anti-inflammatory qualities thanks to the natural component bisabolol, which is derived from chamomile extract.
Every product has its limitations, especially when used in big amounts or over extended periods. The primary benefits and drawbacks (pros and cons) of using Aquaphor for tattoo healing are explained in the following section.
Pros
- It protects the skin against microorganisms and possible irritants, reducing the risk of skin infections and irritations.
- Healing time is reduced without causing skin harm.
- Tattoo wounds require proper hydration, moisturization, and all-around care.
- Scabbing and immediate stage hard cruising are also reduced.
- During the healing process, there is minimal harm behind the tattoo scab.
- Value-for-money.
- Over-the-counter purchases are widely available.
Cons
- Excessive usage may block skin pores, resulting in acne outbreaks.
- If you’re allergic or hypersensitive to petroleum products or any of the other components, you could get a rash, albeit it’s unlikely. Before purchasing any product, it is recommended that you get medical counsel.
- If the Aquaphor base product is too harsh for your fragile skin, try the Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment instead.
- If used in thick layers or too frequently, a petroleum-based treatment might block skin pores.
- Aquaphor is not advertised as a tattoo-specific line of products. It is, nonetheless, widely acknowledged as a viable remedy for the same.
Aftercare Recommendations For Your New Tattoo
There’s a little more you can do to speed up the healing process once you’ve applied Aquaphor for the first three days or so and proceeded to the thinner, water-based moisturizer for the next several weeks.
Here are some advice:
- Reduce the likelihood of needing a touch-up or using the ointment or lotion more frequently than the suggested number of times.
- As a result, avoid submerging your tattoo in bodies of water to avoid over-applying the aftercare product.
- This care should be taken for the first two to three weeks after receiving new ink.
- Avoid exposing your fresh tattoo to the sun for lengthy periods. This preventative measure should be followed for at least 2 to 3 weeks. Keep your tattoo covered with protective clothing, or apply a high SPF sunscreen to protect it from the destructive effects of UV light.
- Using a scrubbing motion to clean your tattoo is not recommended. After gently washing it with antibacterial soap and lukewarm water, pat dry with a soft paper towel is the way to go during the healing process.
- Do not pick at any of the tattoo’s scabbed regions. This would harm the ultimate appearance of the healed wound.
Aquaphor For Tattoos: Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible for Aquaphor to irritate or burn my tattooed skin?
In most cases, it shouldn’t. However, putting it to a fresh tattoo may induce a stinging or burning sensation for a few minutes in certain cases. Assume the stinging or burning continues for a longer time.
In that event, wash the ointment off with antibacterial soap and warm water right away. As the following step, see your doctor discover whether you have a skin infection or if you’re allergic to the ointment.
What are some of the most prevalent Aquaphor for tattoos’ adverse effects?
Aquaphor comes in two versions, each with its own set of negative effects. The infant healing ointment, as well as the ordinary ointment, are both safe to use.
The former has pediatrician approval, while the latter comes highly recommended by dermatologists. As a result, small cuts and scrapes are treated, dry and cracked skin is treated, and other skin irritations are protected for people of all ages.
If you encounter negative effects like burning, stinging, irritation, or even redness, you should seek medical help immediately. This is the time to see your doctor immediately.
Conclusion
The following few days are critical if you’ve recently had a brand new tattoo whose bandage is ready to be removed by your tattoo artist. As a result, thousands of people all around the globe select Aquaphor for tattoo aftercare.
Aquaphor is becoming the cult status for immediate, new tattoo aftercare as one of the most widely publicized and accepted tattoo aftercare regimens. Its moisturizing and anti-inflammatory characteristics help to speed up the healing process while also making it more pleasant and pain-free.
If your skin is delicate, the baby version will be ideal. There’s also the standard version for those that prefer it. The ointment is packaged in a 14-ounce container.
Don’t worry if there’s a lot of stuff left in the box after you’ve used it. Aquaphor has a wide range of applications. Thus the unused ointment should always be kept on hand.