Vaseline is a petroleum jelly-based treatment used to treat dry skin during the winter months. Nonetheless, many people worry if they may put vaseline on their tattoos. Vaseline is commonly thought to be utilized for treating and repairing wounds, which has piqued my interest. As a result, the answer to the above question is a resounding “NO.”
Vaseline, like all petroleum jelly products, is thick and nonporous. Its application draws moisture into the skin and keeps it there. When Vaseline is applied on freshly-inked tattoos, it causes an airlock to form around the skin, which is undesired. As a result, you’re not only preventing much-needed oxygen from accessing the tattoo wound, but you’re also causing counterproductive healing.
The presence of air above the wound is critical for its healing. Petroleum jelly, on the other hand, does just that. Vaseline can cause infections on fresh tattoos because it contains anti-tattoo-healing ingredients.
As a result, the infections would need to be treated right away with medicines, as directed by your dermatologist. Swelling, redness, scar tissue development, and pus are all common indications of an infected region.
So, if Vaseline isn’t a good choice for tattoos, what is? Fortunately, several fantastic items may help with tattoo healing by enabling adequate air to enter the site and keeping it from infection.
Table of Contents
Why Is It Not a Good Idea to Use Vaseline on Tattoos?
The following is a list of reasons why you shouldn’t use Vaseline on fresh tattoos:
Applying a thick substance on your tattoo, such as Vaseline (petroleum jelly), traps moisture and produces an airlock over the application area. This generates ideal circumstances for bacteria and germs to flourish in the area. It also causes infections that require rapid treatment.
Vaseline used in excess or for an extended period on tattoos can also harm the ink. The ink is dragged out of the bottom layers of your skin before it has settled, which causes this. As a result, the tattoo seems to be fading and spotty.
If the tattoo artist uses rubber (nitrile) or latex gloves during the treatment and subsequently applies Vaseline to your skin, tiny quantities of germs or other pathogens may be transmitted and cause illness. Petroleum jelly takes roughly 20 minutes to break down nitrile, latex, and other similar compounds. Artists should change gloves more frequently in general as a matter of good hygiene and safety.
Is It Possible to Use Vaseline on My New Tattoo?
The only time Vaseline should be used throughout the healing process is if you plan on taking a long shower. If your shower duration is less than 10 minutes, it is not required to use Vaseline on fresh tattoos.
If you’re going to be in the shower for longer than that, apply a small coating of Vaseline first. Vaseline’s non-porous properties aids in keeping water out of the wound. In any event, make sure no water is sprayed directly over the tattoo wound.
Aside from protecting your tattoo wound during long showers, Vaseline should only be used to a fresh tattoo once it has healed.
The Rules For Showering With A Brand New Tattoo
Only until your tattoo has completely scabbed and peeled is it suggested that you begin appropriate bathing. This implies that 2 to 3 weeks after having tattooed, you can shower with your tattoo region wet. That is the amount of time it takes for the healing process to be completed.
Bathing or swimming with a fresh tattoo can cause it to fade and become infected.
If you need to shower during the healing period, but a very small coating of Vaseline on your tattoo first. Even so, you’d have to make sure the water didn’t hit the tattoo directly and that the Vaseline was removed afterward.
After your shower, remove the Vaseline by gently cleaning the applied layer with tepid water and unscented antibacterial soap.
The tattoo wound should then be patted dry with a fresh piece of paper towel. Finally, use one of the best moisturizing lotions (extremely breathable ones) to ensure that the tattooed area is well hydrated and oxygenated.
Can I Put Vaseline On My Tattoo If My Skin Gets Too Dry?
Putting Vaseline on a new, healing tattoo is never a good idea! That said, it’s a scary condition when your skin becomes overly dry, itchy, and scaly throughout the healing process, and you don’t know what to do about it.
That might be a period of extreme discomfort, depending on your tolerance threshold. Naturally, you will feel compelled to take action.
You might be tempted to add a coating of Vaseline to avoid more irritation at that point. You may only put a very small coating of Vaseline “around” the tattooed region in this scenario.
Keep in mind that the focus is on “around” rather than “straight onto” the tattoo, which is crucial.
Can I Put Vaseline On My Tattoo Once It’s Completely Healed?
“Yes!” is the plain and simple response. Because the tattoo is no longer an open wound, a petroleum-based substance like Vaseline won’t harm the ink until it has entirely healed.
It takes one to two months for a fresh tattoo to heal fully. The overall healing time is determined by factors such as the tattoo’s size, placement, and kind, as well as the artist’s experience.
Finally, the length of time it takes for a tattoo to heal and how smooth it is depends on the tattoo aftercare regimen used.
What If Vaseline Isn’t an Option?
Before going on to the following part, keep in mind that a new tattoo should not be touched for the first 24 to 48 hours. The wound is sensitive to irritation and infection at this time. Allow the tattoo to heal on its own for the first several weeks. After that, you may start using tattoo moisturizers and other appropriate aftercare items.
We’ve heard that tattoo aftercare is crucial time and time again. Vaseline isn’t an option, as we’ve previously established. However, you must use appropriate alternatives to keep your skin healthy and vibrant. You’ll need to invest in a fantastic moisturizing lotion, cream, butter, or ointment that can help you heal faster.
The following are the characteristics of the best tattoo moisturizers:
- Fragrance-free
- There are no harsh ingredients in this recipe.
- Composed of high-quality components
- Free of colorants
- Effective moisturizers for proper hydration in the tattoo healing process
- Exceptionally breathable
The greatest aftercare products are designed to hasten and maximize recovery. Aftercare creams, lotions, and ointments are advised to maintain your tattoo moist, soothing, and free of itching, dryness, scabbing, and irritation.
It’s critical to utilize lotions that are fragrance-free and have no harsh chemicals. You won’t have any negative skin consequences if you do it this way. A 100% organic aftercare routine is also a good idea. This implies that among the options, you may choose coconut oil or cocoa butter.
Conclusion
Vaseline on a fresh tattoo is more harmful than most people believe. Petroleum jelly-based treatments block pores, inhibit healthy healing, and harm ink before it has a chance to settle.
Anyone who proposes that you apply Vaseline to your new tattoo is not a skilled or experienced tattoo artist or enthusiast. You may get a new tattoo with more confidence now that you know the truth and have some advice on choosing fantastic alternative items.
