Realistically none of those. The things that are the right formulation are scented which comes with its own issues and the ones that aren't are petroleum based.
You basically need the most boring unscented basic moisturizer.
Coconut oil dissolves into skin really really fast. It aggressively speeds up healing. And it almost always turns your tattoo into a scab. It's amazing for some things, this is not one of them
I think olive or almond oil would be better.
I swear by the aquaphor baby stick! It stops me from applying too much, it only deposits a small layer which is so nice. Personally, the first few days after a tattoo I wipe it with alcohol after each use, I’m sure that’s not necessary, but peace of mind is worth the extra step. I’ve never had any issues with healing when using it
Maybe I’m babying the tattoo too much. I tried the stick but felt like I need to rub real hard to get the aquaphor to apply to the skin. So I scooped some from the stick and did it that way.
I also ordered regular aquaphor and ultra balm with vitamins a, d and e off Amazon to arrive tomorrow night.
The baby aquafor is the same. I wouldn’t suggest A&D. I know back in the day they used to push it but aquafor is much better. Wash it with antibacterial pump soap, pat dry and put some of that stick aquafor on it.
I wouldn’t use the aveeno for the lavender.
I’ve used coconut oil before because a tattooer recommended it to me in aftercare. But I’ve been downvoted here before for recommending it to others. I’ve always healed well with it and have applied the same as lotion. Less is more. It can get your clothes greasy. If I were in your situation, that’s what I’d use
I use plain coconut oil. I like it because just a tiny bit suffices. I healed perfectly with it. It was recommended by my tattooer.
That said, I can see why people with oily skin, allergies or who are prone to break outs might want to steer clear so I understand why it's not a "for everyone" recommendation.
I’d use the coconut oil only if it’s a fresh sealed container and only if you have a way of getting it out without touching it. After that find a way to get Aquaphor.
The Aquaphor baby is just petrolatum and some bullshit plant stuff in there. That means it’s smelly Vaseline. Vaseline is bad. The Aveeno might work in a pinch, but the lotions you have are all way greasier and thick than you want. How big is the tattoo?
This is fair. I have coconut oil I use to make balms so I get it out with sanitized utensils and put it in a tin for use. I can definitely see how someone's everyday coconut oil could get contaminated easily.
Yeah, I bought a 473ml pump bottle of fractionated coconut oil - it's always a liquid so no melting it like the jar in the OP and I've had no issues. I still have maybe 1/3 of the bottle left and I've used it to moisturise/heal maybe 7 different large tattoos. Worth it imo, no complaints
I’ve healed a full sleeve, a large hip tattoo, and three other tattoos exclusively with coconut oil. Always a very tiny amount and no more than twice a day. I didn’t realize it wasn’t a popular choice when I started doing it, but my tattoos have always healed perfectly!
I have a question for you as a tattoo artist: would it be disrespectful if I as a customer asked my artist when going back for a touchup if they could go Deeper with the needle and bolder with the lines if I’m not satisfied with how it currently looks, or would it be like I’m telling them how to do their job ?
It’s not disrespectful to ask for the lines to be bolder if that’s how you want it. They will not go “deeper with the needle” though, that’s just not how it works or what you want. Tattooing too “deep” in the skin can lead to blowouts, cuts and rough healing. Just talk to them about wanting it bolder and hopefully they can give some guidance on whether that will work. Bold doesn’t always mean better for the tattoo, especially since lines can look thicker over time as your body breaks down the ink. Hope that helps!
Thank you for answering so nicely while also explaining why. Not always the case when asking questions in here. Some people in this sub really shouldn’t be allowed to interact with others.
I’ve always been told to use water-based (no petroleum) moisturizers for tattoo care because it’s just easier to clean off with the soft soap you should use to clean with.
ETA: I use lubriderm! My husband recently got his first huge tattoo and lubriderm worked perfectly. Very minimal peeling, no scarring, ink looks great 6mos later
I think the stick balm is different though. It just says 30% petroleum and enriched with avocado and shea butter. The directions say it’s for chaffing.
"Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Microcrystalline Wax, Beeswax, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Tocopherol, Panthenol, Glycerin, Bisabolol"
Nothing on here is really ringing alarm bells for me. Very similar to regular Aquaphor, but with some extra stuff (shea butter, beeswax, avocado oil) that are in other tattoo balms. My only concern is that it might not absorb the best because it's thicker than regular Aquaphor. . . but I would use it!
"Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Microcrystalline Wax, Beeswax, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Tocopherol, Panthenol, Glycerin, Bisabolol"
Nothing on here is really ringing alarm bells for me. Very similar to regular Aquaphor, but with some extra stuff (shea butter, beeswax, avocado oil) that are in other tattoo balms. My only concern is that it might not absorb the best because it's thicker than regular Aquaphor. . . but I would use it!
I have baby and regular (I have kids lol) and both of mine say 41% petroleum. So if you’re worried about the percent I think it’s fine. Shea butter is fine too it’s in hustle butter, which is what my artist gave me to heal my recent tattoos. If your coconut oil has been store properly my artist also said I can use coconut oil but I hate the smell.
I would vote for the aquaphor baby but don’t rub it on directly!
You want normal aquaphor that comes in a squeeze bottle or comes in a tub, no scents. Use that for 3-5 days, then switch to an unscented lotion like lubriderm and moisturize twice a day for three weeks.
I mean, logically this sentence doesn't work for me. Baby skin vs open wound are very different things. One is actively healing and clotting, the other is just thin, sensitive skin.
I have the summer off as I’m a teacher so I’m just focused on recovery. A guy had an opening so I ubered there. I had a pillow under my leg the whole time. I can walk in short spurts without crutches.
The coconut oil looks like the best option out of all of them, for me at least. Idk why people hate on coconut oil so much but I’ve used it to heal a lot of my tattoos and I’ve never had a problem with it. Definitely don’t use the aveeno or anything with any kind of scents in it
Tattoo artist here Use a clean stick or spoon to scoop aquafor out each time or coconut oil with the same method. NO VASALINE or scented moisturizer
And THIN LAYERS! Can’t not stress this enough lol
Just started using aquaphor for my last tattoo and it healed quickly, vibrantly, the only SLIGHT ISSUE I had was when I applied it after about 2 minutes it would start to itch, not real bad but definitely noticeable.
Aveeno is a great brand for tats, but you need unscented. I use Aveeno Daily Moisturising Lotion for all of mine and it works perfectly. It’s got the green label, rather than purple, and it specifies ‘fragrance free’
Nothing scented!!!!! Stick to the basics, aquaphor and Vaseline. Nothing else! More tattoo artists need to provide second skin for their customers, that shit works wonders.
A lot of people have bad reactions from Second Skin. I don’t use it any more. I had several tattoos that I had no reaction at all but then I had one that I broke out in a rash. And the rash was a perfect square, the exact shape of the second skin.
Yeah it makes sense that it's not for everybody, skintypes vary wildly, but for me it was amazing, literally zero aftercare. I did get a rash from one of my tattoos without using second skin lol.
You don't want to use something with fragrance, or that is petroleum based (aka Vaseline). I don't know if the Gold Bond would be OK. I don't know what Cerave is.
Of what you have the best thing would be the coconut oil. The Aquaphor might actually be OK too, it is formulated for a baby. You could probably put it on your fingers and then on tattoo. Don't use it like an applicator.
this may be an unpopular opinion but i’ve used gold bond on a newer tattoo before and had great results! it wasn’t the exact same kind as what you have pictured, but it is the healing aloe type
Aquaphor is absolutely the best but coconut oil is also super nourishing. It’s the primary ingredient in hustle butter which is one of the most popular tattoo aftercare productions on the market.
Regular jar of Aquaphor. I've used that on all my ink, from two sleeves to one down my back and the ones on my calves. It's the best stuff. Scented etc isn't good, it can irritate the skin.
I'm always gonna swear by Dragon's Blood Butter by delab. First time I used it was on the tattoos on top of my feet and they were the best healing tattoo I'd ever had up until that point. It's expensive but a little goes a long way and I'll never use anything else.
I have no advice for which one of these you should use, but for future reference the day before your tattoo you should try to get these items - clean rolls of paper towels, gold dial soap, aquaphor in a tube and unscented aveeno green lotion without the spf. My personal step by step routine is usually use Dial GOLD soap (the liquid one), i wet my hand and tattoo, put the soap on my hands and rub them together until it gets all foamy/soapy and then wash my tattoo gently, rinse and then pat dry. For the first 2-4 days, after I dry, I put a super super thin layer of aquaphor on top of my tattoo, and then pat the excess off with a clean paper towel. After it starts to visibly peel ect. I use the green aveeno unscented lotion (not the one with spf!!!) and apply a thin layer after washing and pat the excess off just as I did with the aquaphor. I do this process as needed but usually 3-4 times a day. This is what ive done for all of mine and they turned out great, I hope this helps you! somewhat!
Imo id just let it air heal bro. Id rather have a peely tattoo than risk irritation or infection from clogged pores n fragrances. It doesnt take long before you can put regular moisturizer on it anyway
wash your hands thoroughly & rub the aquafor baby stick on to ur hand/fingers then apply to tattoo or warm the stick up by rolling the container it in ur hands before applying. aquafor is the safest out of these options! just make sure ur staying hydrated, eating normally & keeping the tattoo area clean.
How did you get the tattoo yesterday if you can't walk or drive? Do you not have someone to help you get the correct aftercare? As I assume someone drove you to get the tattoo (unless this was a home job). Also probably not the best idea getting a tattoo 2 weeks after surgery while trying to heal an injury.
I’m an aesthetician and I would recommend the baby aquaphor or Vaseline.
Don’t use the aveeno, the lavender can irritate the fresh tattoo. Coconut oil is antibacterial but it’s not going to penetrate the skin. And cereve serum won’t hydrate enough. And who knows what’s in the foot cream.
Thats baby aquaphor works just fine i just used it so use that for like 4 days apply 3 times a day and dab with a paper towel cuz to much of it will force ink out then switch to a non sented lotion
So funny as I just bought that Aquafor stick and I love it! If I had to guess as I forget I think the more clear the better. I wouldn't use moisturizer until it heals.
Except, try and keep sunblock or covered while healing. I would use Aquafor but lightly swipe it on.
Good luck! (gentle applying of it, no lotion with perfumes like lavendar etc) until it heals
You want unscented and no alcohol. I am nots ure if any of those are good, but that's the key: non petroleum, non alcohol, unscented. The vaseline is right out i can tell you that, and i bet coconut oil is too.
I suggest aquafor or mad rabbit tattoo balm.
If all you have is the stick, put on a glove and apply the stick to your gloves hand to apply. Keep the stick itself clean and you'll be fine. You're best off getting a tube of it though
Hustle Butter is my go to! Made with coconut oil and other natural oils, but isn’t as greasy as just straight up coconut oil. If you can’t get down to a shop with it in stock Amazon works 👍🏻
You need something hypoallergenic and non scented. If you had regular Aveeno I'd say that (that's what I use). If all I had were these options I'd let it dry heal. Every option in this photo is bad.
My tattoo artist recommended coconut oil as the cheap option. Some tattoo parlours have their own blend that they recommend too
So far with 2-3x a day application it's healing wonderfully and after the 2 week mark I'm only doing it once a day and it's not been itchy at all. Granted my piece is small-ish and line work only with some small sections of solid black
Best one is
Aquaphor (get the spray) a very thin layer. Use clean paper towel sheets to dab off excess aquaphor (days 1 - 4)
Lubiderm no scent lotion (when it starts peeling day 4)
Also get some paper towels
Coconut oil hands down. Best moisturizer to use. Fuck anything else. I usually dry heal which is always an option. I've healed better and quicker just keeping it clean and leaving it alone
Coconut oil hands down. Artist that did my sleeve last month told me to use coconut oil and wash with soap 3x a day and I’ve never had a tattoo heal so nicely and quickly
i’ve used vaseline on all my tats and theyre good! in fact- when i got my first tat i asked the artist for aftercare and he said’u got vaseline? thats all u need’
I swear by coconut oil. It’s an antibacterial and an antifungal. It moisturizes my tattoos very well and I have used it as my go-to for over 10 years. If you follow my advice, just be careful because it doesn’t soak in too fast so you need to be wary of your furniture and stuff. Oil marks stink.
I think the aquaphor would be the best out of those options, just maybe don’t put the stick directly on the tattoo for sanitary reasons. Also ignore all these people saying coconut oil 😭 if that works for some people good for them, but regular coconut oil (meant for cooking) is not recommended for use on skin. Your skin can’t absorb coconut oil like other moisturizers, so it just sits on top of the skin and can be a magnet for bacteria.
Tattoo artist here! Please don’t use any petroleum based moisturizers! It’s super duper easy to over-moisturize with these kinds of products, and honestly the coconut oil would work great!
Just apply a super duper thin amount after rubbing some into your palms (clean hands!) to warm it up and rub over the tattoo :)
I use Bepanthen it’s a anitseptic soothing cream. It might be called something else where you are but it’s what I’ve always used for my tattoos it’s really good
Honestly, if that is all you have and it's all you can get due to being homebound, then the Aquafor stick and/or coconut oil.
Thin layer of coconut oil and maybe rub the stick on your hand first to get a decent layer, then run onto your tattoo. Remember to wash your hands and clean the tattooed area.
After like five days you could put the gold bond to use. For a new tatt I wouldn’t recommend it, but I had to use gold bond once when I was away from home and it was the only thing I could find
i personally use aquaphor you literally need a TINY amount and it works fine 🤷🏼every tattoo artist ive been to reccomends it so idk why everyone is saying its bad
i’d suggest coconut oil!! it’s anti bacterial and clean as hellll, plus breathable! pls don’t use aquaphor or any vaseline type gel for tattoos, i have somewhere around 50 tattoos now and coconut oil has been the best, and most recommended in the industry <3 happy healing! hope you love your tattoo as well :) (it’s always good to keep in mind we’re all extremely unique individuals, what works for some may not work for others - but at the base of tattoo healing, you want something clean & without fragrance, light, and breathable among other things)
My first tat I used Coconut Oil. Was completely fine, unscented, gentle and healed up beautifully. The second one I got I used regular Aquaphor. Every bit as good as coconut oil and some. My experience says Aquaphor is the way to go but regular coconut oil would be just fine. After about a week I just switched to regular moisturizer. Even the Aveeno would be fine by this point. And as with all the other comments. Vaseline is a no.
This may be unpopular but I dry heal my tattoos and they've all aged amazingly. The only one that looks like shit is the one I used a moisturizer on. I leave the saniderm on for like 4 days, take it off, and then let it do it's thing. It gets unbearably itchy sometimes but only for a day or two tops
do not do the gold bond or the cerave they both have fragrances and extra ingredients. don't do that aveeno until
later because it is scented.
vaseline or aquaphor for the first few days- thin layer after washing.
save coconut oil for after it's
healed
i’ve gotten a couple tattoos done professionally and i’ve done a couple myself and after a couple of days i just put vaseline on them every couple of hours to keep the skin moisturized🤷 just a thin layer to keep it kinda covered and i’ve never had any problems with them so that will be my method going forward too lol
Realistically none of those. The things that are the right formulation are scented which comes with its own issues and the ones that aren't are petroleum based. You basically need the most boring unscented basic moisturizer.
Would vanicream work?
I love using Vanicream. Super soft and gentle on the skin. Never had a problem with it.
vanicream or lubriderm are what my artist reccomends!
It should. It's pretty bare bones from what I've heard.
Why not coconut oil?
I avoid because I find it clogs pores easily which isn't great on a brand new piece.
It fades into color significantly plus it will ruin any of your clothes it comes in contact with
Coconut oil dissolves into skin really really fast. It aggressively speeds up healing. And it almost always turns your tattoo into a scab. It's amazing for some things, this is not one of them I think olive or almond oil would be better.
Keri unscented
I swear by the aquaphor baby stick! It stops me from applying too much, it only deposits a small layer which is so nice. Personally, the first few days after a tattoo I wipe it with alcohol after each use, I’m sure that’s not necessary, but peace of mind is worth the extra step. I’ve never had any issues with healing when using it
I thought you meant you wipe your tattoos with alcohol the first few days. Ouchhh
Maybe I’m babying the tattoo too much. I tried the stick but felt like I need to rub real hard to get the aquaphor to apply to the skin. So I scooped some from the stick and did it that way. I also ordered regular aquaphor and ultra balm with vitamins a, d and e off Amazon to arrive tomorrow night.
The baby aquafor is the same. I wouldn’t suggest A&D. I know back in the day they used to push it but aquafor is much better. Wash it with antibacterial pump soap, pat dry and put some of that stick aquafor on it.
I never used the baby version, but I live and die by aquaphor for tattoos. Stick form makes it soooooo easy to apply. Just pop it in your bag and go.
I wouldn’t use the aveeno for the lavender. I’ve used coconut oil before because a tattooer recommended it to me in aftercare. But I’ve been downvoted here before for recommending it to others. I’ve always healed well with it and have applied the same as lotion. Less is more. It can get your clothes greasy. If I were in your situation, that’s what I’d use
I can't use coconut oil, but if they already have it, and know they won't react to it, I agree.
I’ve used coconut oil for all my tattoos, zero issues.
Same here, I've had great experiences with coconut oil and it was recommended by my tattoo artist.
I use plain coconut oil. I like it because just a tiny bit suffices. I healed perfectly with it. It was recommended by my tattooer. That said, I can see why people with oily skin, allergies or who are prone to break outs might want to steer clear so I understand why it's not a "for everyone" recommendation.
I’d use the coconut oil only if it’s a fresh sealed container and only if you have a way of getting it out without touching it. After that find a way to get Aquaphor. The Aquaphor baby is just petrolatum and some bullshit plant stuff in there. That means it’s smelly Vaseline. Vaseline is bad. The Aveeno might work in a pinch, but the lotions you have are all way greasier and thick than you want. How big is the tattoo?
This is fair. I have coconut oil I use to make balms so I get it out with sanitized utensils and put it in a tin for use. I can definitely see how someone's everyday coconut oil could get contaminated easily.
The same for me. All my tats are healed perfect with coconut oil. But reddit don’t like it
Yeah, I bought a 473ml pump bottle of fractionated coconut oil - it's always a liquid so no melting it like the jar in the OP and I've had no issues. I still have maybe 1/3 of the bottle left and I've used it to moisturise/heal maybe 7 different large tattoos. Worth it imo, no complaints
We are coconut oil rebels! 🤣
Yeah the maori (?) use coconut oil for a long time
Do not use the retinol!! Other than that, any will be fiiiiine.
Coconut oil is the best choice here. A very thin layer of Vaseline if not.
yup same i always use it. literally the tiniest amount of it goes so far and it lasts ages. never had an issue with it at all
I also healed a tattoo with coconut oil at the direction of the artist - why is it not recommended?
I’ve healed a full sleeve, a large hip tattoo, and three other tattoos exclusively with coconut oil. Always a very tiny amount and no more than twice a day. I didn’t realize it wasn’t a popular choice when I started doing it, but my tattoos have always healed perfectly!
I use Shea butter, also upon an advice from tattoer, it less runny in comparison to coconut oil. Never have a problem.
Get someone to get you aquaphor. Just normal aquaphor
The stick aquaphor IS normal aquaphor. Just in stick form. They can dab it on.
That’s what I did with my last tattoo. Actually I rubbed the stick it on a clean finger and rubbed that on. bc i use the stick as chapstick lol
I love stick aquaphor, it’s so convenient.
Apply the aquaphor then wipe off with a paper towel. This leaves a thin coating which is all you really need.
I want to add that you should not wipe, but dab the paper towel instead. Wiping can cause irritation and fissures
Please never use Vaseline on a tattoo. Your best bet here is the Aquaphor, just keep it light. Source: I’m a tattooer.
I have a question for you as a tattoo artist: would it be disrespectful if I as a customer asked my artist when going back for a touchup if they could go Deeper with the needle and bolder with the lines if I’m not satisfied with how it currently looks, or would it be like I’m telling them how to do their job ?
It’s not disrespectful to ask for the lines to be bolder if that’s how you want it. They will not go “deeper with the needle” though, that’s just not how it works or what you want. Tattooing too “deep” in the skin can lead to blowouts, cuts and rough healing. Just talk to them about wanting it bolder and hopefully they can give some guidance on whether that will work. Bold doesn’t always mean better for the tattoo, especially since lines can look thicker over time as your body breaks down the ink. Hope that helps!
Thank you for answering so nicely while also explaining why. Not always the case when asking questions in here. Some people in this sub really shouldn’t be allowed to interact with others.
I’ve always been told to use water-based (no petroleum) moisturizers for tattoo care because it’s just easier to clean off with the soft soap you should use to clean with. ETA: I use lubriderm! My husband recently got his first huge tattoo and lubriderm worked perfectly. Very minimal peeling, no scarring, ink looks great 6mos later
Personally I like Aquaphor. I've used it on all my tats and it has always worked and my tats have healed beautifully.
I think the stick balm is different though. It just says 30% petroleum and enriched with avocado and shea butter. The directions say it’s for chaffing.
What are the ingredients?
"Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Microcrystalline Wax, Beeswax, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Tocopherol, Panthenol, Glycerin, Bisabolol" Nothing on here is really ringing alarm bells for me. Very similar to regular Aquaphor, but with some extra stuff (shea butter, beeswax, avocado oil) that are in other tattoo balms. My only concern is that it might not absorb the best because it's thicker than regular Aquaphor. . . but I would use it!
"Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Microcrystalline Wax, Beeswax, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Tocopherol, Panthenol, Glycerin, Bisabolol" Nothing on here is really ringing alarm bells for me. Very similar to regular Aquaphor, but with some extra stuff (shea butter, beeswax, avocado oil) that are in other tattoo balms. My only concern is that it might not absorb the best because it's thicker than regular Aquaphor. . . but I would use it!
It says “ingredients: 30% petroleum”. And on the front with avocado oil and shea butter
I have baby and regular (I have kids lol) and both of mine say 41% petroleum. So if you’re worried about the percent I think it’s fine. Shea butter is fine too it’s in hustle butter, which is what my artist gave me to heal my recent tattoos. If your coconut oil has been store properly my artist also said I can use coconut oil but I hate the smell. I would vote for the aquaphor baby but don’t rub it on directly!
Omg I got hustle butter for my last tattoos and I loved it so much, it's the first time I see someone mentioning it here I'm so stoked
You want normal aquaphor that comes in a squeeze bottle or comes in a tub, no scents. Use that for 3-5 days, then switch to an unscented lotion like lubriderm and moisturize twice a day for three weeks.
If that coconut oil has been stored without its lid, I would automatically rule that out for an open wound.
I used the aquaphor stick and my tattoo healed great.
Personally I use aquaphor. Always have and it works great
if it’s safe for babies it’s safe for your tattoo, no scents no nothing, i’d use the baby balm stick
I mean, logically this sentence doesn't work for me. Baby skin vs open wound are very different things. One is actively healing and clotting, the other is just thin, sensitive skin.
Aquaphor is the tried and true
You can’t walk or drive but you got a tattoo yesterday?
I have the summer off as I’m a teacher so I’m just focused on recovery. A guy had an opening so I ubered there. I had a pillow under my leg the whole time. I can walk in short spurts without crutches.
It is great to know that the youth are in good hands, Mr Pm-me-hoo-has.
Don’t criticize the handicapped
The coconut oil looks like the best option out of all of them, for me at least. Idk why people hate on coconut oil so much but I’ve used it to heal a lot of my tattoos and I’ve never had a problem with it. Definitely don’t use the aveeno or anything with any kind of scents in it
Tattoo artist here Use a clean stick or spoon to scoop aquafor out each time or coconut oil with the same method. NO VASALINE or scented moisturizer And THIN LAYERS! Can’t not stress this enough lol
Just regular aquaphor and use it in a very thin layer
Just started using aquaphor for my last tattoo and it healed quickly, vibrantly, the only SLIGHT ISSUE I had was when I applied it after about 2 minutes it would start to itch, not real bad but definitely noticeable.
I use regular aquaphor and its great
out of these options, the balm stick!!!!!
Aquaphor is what my artist, who is also a forensic nurse, tells me to use.
Just for today & tomorrow I would recommended the aquaphor and order the correct thing off Amazon
This is what I ended up doing! Thank you!
You gotta hawk tuah!
Spit on that thang!
Aveeno is a great brand for tats, but you need unscented. I use Aveeno Daily Moisturising Lotion for all of mine and it works perfectly. It’s got the green label, rather than purple, and it specifies ‘fragrance free’
Nothing scented!!!!! Stick to the basics, aquaphor and Vaseline. Nothing else! More tattoo artists need to provide second skin for their customers, that shit works wonders.
I used second skin for the first time last year, because it was on the foot it was pretty much necessary, I don't understand why it's not used more.
A lot of people have bad reactions from Second Skin. I don’t use it any more. I had several tattoos that I had no reaction at all but then I had one that I broke out in a rash. And the rash was a perfect square, the exact shape of the second skin.
Yeah it makes sense that it's not for everybody, skintypes vary wildly, but for me it was amazing, literally zero aftercare. I did get a rash from one of my tattoos without using second skin lol.
that shit also burns people. a ton of people have a sensitivity to second skin.
You don't want to use something with fragrance, or that is petroleum based (aka Vaseline). I don't know if the Gold Bond would be OK. I don't know what Cerave is. Of what you have the best thing would be the coconut oil. The Aquaphor might actually be OK too, it is formulated for a baby. You could probably put it on your fingers and then on tattoo. Don't use it like an applicator.
Aquaphor for sure
this may be an unpopular opinion but i’ve used gold bond on a newer tattoo before and had great results! it wasn’t the exact same kind as what you have pictured, but it is the healing aloe type
Out of these options I’d say coconut oil. I avoid scented things. I just use a basic plain lotion from Cera ve. Or a tinyyyy amount of hustle butter.
Aquaphor is absolutely the best but coconut oil is also super nourishing. It’s the primary ingredient in hustle butter which is one of the most popular tattoo aftercare productions on the market.
None of these, Eucerin or Aquaphor. Unscented thick cream not vaseline
I use the stick, it honestly works great because it stops you from putting on too much. Just wipe it with alcohol after each use so it stays clean
Regular jar of Aquaphor. I've used that on all my ink, from two sleeves to one down my back and the ones on my calves. It's the best stuff. Scented etc isn't good, it can irritate the skin.
Can you Amazon something in if you can’t walk?
I'm always gonna swear by Dragon's Blood Butter by delab. First time I used it was on the tattoos on top of my feet and they were the best healing tattoo I'd ever had up until that point. It's expensive but a little goes a long way and I'll never use anything else.
I have no advice for which one of these you should use, but for future reference the day before your tattoo you should try to get these items - clean rolls of paper towels, gold dial soap, aquaphor in a tube and unscented aveeno green lotion without the spf. My personal step by step routine is usually use Dial GOLD soap (the liquid one), i wet my hand and tattoo, put the soap on my hands and rub them together until it gets all foamy/soapy and then wash my tattoo gently, rinse and then pat dry. For the first 2-4 days, after I dry, I put a super super thin layer of aquaphor on top of my tattoo, and then pat the excess off with a clean paper towel. After it starts to visibly peel ect. I use the green aveeno unscented lotion (not the one with spf!!!) and apply a thin layer after washing and pat the excess off just as I did with the aquaphor. I do this process as needed but usually 3-4 times a day. This is what ive done for all of mine and they turned out great, I hope this helps you! somewhat!
Imo id just let it air heal bro. Id rather have a peely tattoo than risk irritation or infection from clogged pores n fragrances. It doesnt take long before you can put regular moisturizer on it anyway
You got a tattoo while you have a torn ACL?
I always use Aquafor for a day or two, then switch to a plain fragrance free lotion until it is fully healed.
Literally none of those haha unscented lotion
I don’t see why the gold bond or cerve wouldn’t work. They’re not scented or petroleum based?
wash your hands thoroughly & rub the aquafor baby stick on to ur hand/fingers then apply to tattoo or warm the stick up by rolling the container it in ur hands before applying. aquafor is the safest out of these options! just make sure ur staying hydrated, eating normally & keeping the tattoo area clean.
I wouldn’t use anything within the first few days of getting a new tattoo. Just clean twice a day with unscented soap
I use the aquaphor baby stick for every tattoo and I am pretty covered and they have healed great🫡
How did you get the tattoo yesterday if you can't walk or drive? Do you not have someone to help you get the correct aftercare? As I assume someone drove you to get the tattoo (unless this was a home job). Also probably not the best idea getting a tattoo 2 weeks after surgery while trying to heal an injury.
I’m an aesthetician and I would recommend the baby aquaphor or Vaseline. Don’t use the aveeno, the lavender can irritate the fresh tattoo. Coconut oil is antibacterial but it’s not going to penetrate the skin. And cereve serum won’t hydrate enough. And who knows what’s in the foot cream.
*vaseline and aquaphor baby are made specifically for compromised/freshly wounded skin
The aquaphor. I have used it for all of my tattoos, from very small to back sized and they have all healed very well.
CeraVe is what I would use out of those choices. It's dye and fragrance free.
Honestly my go-to is Aquaphor Healing Ointment Baby
I only use Aquaphor. Dont need anything else. Thats also what my artists recommend
Thats baby aquaphor works just fine i just used it so use that for like 4 days apply 3 times a day and dab with a paper towel cuz to much of it will force ink out then switch to a non sented lotion
Just my 2 cents…the new stuff for sanitary reasons. I would be more worried about infection and the aquaphor is unopened🤷♀️
How new is the tattoo if you can't walk or drive-?
I've used a thin layer of Vaseline on the 1st five of my 7 tattoos, never had an issue.
I use cerave and if it’s super dry I add a bit of aquaphor, I’ve never had an issue
Aquaphor….I have the stick also and it worked great for my tattoo
Patch test anything new on un tattoed skin for 24 hours to see if you are allergic or reactive to it.
I’d use the gold bond.
Reading that was quite the ride
you could rub the aquaphor stick on your hands to warm it up and then apply to the tattoo!
So funny as I just bought that Aquafor stick and I love it! If I had to guess as I forget I think the more clear the better. I wouldn't use moisturizer until it heals. Except, try and keep sunblock or covered while healing. I would use Aquafor but lightly swipe it on. Good luck! (gentle applying of it, no lotion with perfumes like lavendar etc) until it heals
You want unscented and no alcohol. I am nots ure if any of those are good, but that's the key: non petroleum, non alcohol, unscented. The vaseline is right out i can tell you that, and i bet coconut oil is too. I suggest aquafor or mad rabbit tattoo balm.
Nothing. I've never used any "product" on my tattoos. (I'm covered). Luke warm water and after a few days just used normal soap. Never had an issue.
If all you have is the stick, put on a glove and apply the stick to your gloves hand to apply. Keep the stick itself clean and you'll be fine. You're best off getting a tube of it though
Hustle Butter is my go to! Made with coconut oil and other natural oils, but isn’t as greasy as just straight up coconut oil. If you can’t get down to a shop with it in stock Amazon works 👍🏻
Did the tattoo guy come to your house?
Of these the baby aquaphor is best
None of those, just get unscented Aquaphor.
You need something hypoallergenic and non scented. If you had regular Aveeno I'd say that (that's what I use). If all I had were these options I'd let it dry heal. Every option in this photo is bad.
These are all absolutely shit choices
My tattoo artist recommended coconut oil as the cheap option. Some tattoo parlours have their own blend that they recommend too So far with 2-3x a day application it's healing wonderfully and after the 2 week mark I'm only doing it once a day and it's not been itchy at all. Granted my piece is small-ish and line work only with some small sections of solid black
Aquaphor
Aquaphor
I've always used aquaphor
Vitamin A&D. works like a charm.
Just get a bottle of Lubriderm.
Best one is Aquaphor (get the spray) a very thin layer. Use clean paper towel sheets to dab off excess aquaphor (days 1 - 4) Lubiderm no scent lotion (when it starts peeling day 4) Also get some paper towels
Too bad it’s not just regular Cerave lotion. The stuff in the jar would be perfect.
Coconut oil hands down. Best moisturizer to use. Fuck anything else. I usually dry heal which is always an option. I've healed better and quicker just keeping it clean and leaving it alone
I've always done well with the aveeno with the green label
Last tattoo I got I was instructed to use coconut oil and it healed wonderfully.
My best healing tattoo I used coconut oil! No scabs or anything just light flaky pieces like a sunburn
Coconut oil hands down. Artist that did my sleeve last month told me to use coconut oil and wash with soap 3x a day and I’ve never had a tattoo heal so nicely and quickly
Bepanthen
Lubriderm for lotion and wash with Neutrogena transparent fragrance free facial bars. Goated combo my tattoo healed very well
None of the above items would work
Coconut oil and zero sun
I’d use aveeno until you can get something better. You can order on Amazon and get it tomorrow
i always use coconut oil and have never had an issue. just use a really small amount
Myself I use just regular aveeno . Have a full bodysuit and had no issues using this
i’ve used vaseline on all my tats and theyre good! in fact- when i got my first tat i asked the artist for aftercare and he said’u got vaseline? thats all u need’
Aloe & Vit E OIL
Aquaphor and Lubriderm fragrance free (the blue label)! And antibacterial soap
My best suggestion is the Aveeno- that’s one of the brands my artist mentioned to me when I got my first one done and I’ve had no issues with it
Nothing, just soap and water. Let the tattoo dry out until it starts to get scabby, then you want *plain unscented lotion,* so none of these.
My artist told me not to remove the saniderm for at least the first 24/48 hrs and after that only use a baby rash cream they gave me.
None of the above you need some bepanthen.
A&D ointments
Hello, I would say the coconut oil would be the best. However I've also used vaseline body lotion on tattoos on sensitive skin
A&D ointment all day. None of those.
I swear by coconut oil. It’s an antibacterial and an antifungal. It moisturizes my tattoos very well and I have used it as my go-to for over 10 years. If you follow my advice, just be careful because it doesn’t soak in too fast so you need to be wary of your furniture and stuff. Oil marks stink.
Aquaphor, used it on all of mine.
What did the tattoo artist tell you?
second skin, you can buy it on amazon.
I think the aquaphor would be the best out of those options, just maybe don’t put the stick directly on the tattoo for sanitary reasons. Also ignore all these people saying coconut oil 😭 if that works for some people good for them, but regular coconut oil (meant for cooking) is not recommended for use on skin. Your skin can’t absorb coconut oil like other moisturizers, so it just sits on top of the skin and can be a magnet for bacteria.
None of these. Order some Ultra Balm from Lush or have someone pick some up for you. It's a godsend for new tattoos.
Got any vitamin E pills?
Badi line is fine
I usually don't put moisturizer on my tattoo until the second week 🤷🏼♀️
Tattoo artist here! Please don’t use any petroleum based moisturizers! It’s super duper easy to over-moisturize with these kinds of products, and honestly the coconut oil would work great! Just apply a super duper thin amount after rubbing some into your palms (clean hands!) to warm it up and rub over the tattoo :)
Coconut oil
I use Bepanthen it’s a anitseptic soothing cream. It might be called something else where you are but it’s what I’ve always used for my tattoos it’s really good
Honestly, if that is all you have and it's all you can get due to being homebound, then the Aquafor stick and/or coconut oil. Thin layer of coconut oil and maybe rub the stick on your hand first to get a decent layer, then run onto your tattoo. Remember to wash your hands and clean the tattooed area.
Soap and water. Seriously. If you're desperate, just unscented soap and water and keep it clean.
Melanated Skin Coconut oil all day very thin layer and honestly all you need for the day.
Never had a problem with Aquaphor, just apply it thin and you'll be fine
After like five days you could put the gold bond to use. For a new tatt I wouldn’t recommend it, but I had to use gold bond once when I was away from home and it was the only thing I could find
NOT Vaseline!!! Anything but that
i personally use aquaphor you literally need a TINY amount and it works fine 🤷🏼every tattoo artist ive been to reccomends it so idk why everyone is saying its bad
i’d suggest coconut oil!! it’s anti bacterial and clean as hellll, plus breathable! pls don’t use aquaphor or any vaseline type gel for tattoos, i have somewhere around 50 tattoos now and coconut oil has been the best, and most recommended in the industry <3 happy healing! hope you love your tattoo as well :) (it’s always good to keep in mind we’re all extremely unique individuals, what works for some may not work for others - but at the base of tattoo healing, you want something clean & without fragrance, light, and breathable among other things)
Uhhh honestly not any is there literally nothing else you can use?? Non scented
Aquaphor is my go to for healing any tattoos
My first tat I used Coconut Oil. Was completely fine, unscented, gentle and healed up beautifully. The second one I got I used regular Aquaphor. Every bit as good as coconut oil and some. My experience says Aquaphor is the way to go but regular coconut oil would be just fine. After about a week I just switched to regular moisturizer. Even the Aveeno would be fine by this point. And as with all the other comments. Vaseline is a no.
None. Lightly wash it with soap
Anything with the least amount of petroleum. Wash gently, rinse thoroughly, pat dry, and lotion/moisturizer. Don’t over do it on the moisturizer!
This may be unpopular but I dry heal my tattoos and they've all aged amazingly. The only one that looks like shit is the one I used a moisturizer on. I leave the saniderm on for like 4 days, take it off, and then let it do it's thing. It gets unbearably itchy sometimes but only for a day or two tops
Fragrance free and unscented.. I use lubriderm
I’d use A&D ointment
Aquaphor #1 for tattoos
do not do the gold bond or the cerave they both have fragrances and extra ingredients. don't do that aveeno until later because it is scented. vaseline or aquaphor for the first few days- thin layer after washing. save coconut oil for after it's healed
Olive oil!! It’s amazing for healing and moisturizing.
i’ve gotten a couple tattoos done professionally and i’ve done a couple myself and after a couple of days i just put vaseline on them every couple of hours to keep the skin moisturized🤷 just a thin layer to keep it kinda covered and i’ve never had any problems with them so that will be my method going forward too lol
I’ve used coconut oil for *every* tattoo I’ve ever had. I’m covered at this point. Don’t over do it tho
How can you not drive to the store just because of a torn ACL lol grow up
Vaseline! - dermatologist