Which is it, Vitamin A+D, Triple Antibiotics, or nothing?

Question

Every tattoo artist I talk to always says something different about Tattoo Aftercare. Most of the time I hear, "DO NOT USE VASOLINE!" because Petrolatum is "bad". . A lot of times those same artists will recommend another treatment like Vitamin A+D or Triple Antibiotic which ALSO contain Petrolatum. Is there really any one out there that knows the true secret? I want the best for my new tattoos.

Thank you for your time.

Answer 1

When I got my tats done, I was to use only a non-scented lotion. And every tat website that I have looked at has recommended the same thing.

Hope this helps....

=)

Answer 2

It is not good to use vaseline and triple antibiotic because it pulls out the color. trust me i know from experience. i mostly use Vitamin A+D and Tattoo Goo. The Tattoo Goo is the best it is made just for that but if you cant afford then Vitamin A+D is the next best answer.  

Answer 3

I always use Aquaphor, it's great because a little goes a long way so one tube can get you through a bunch of tattoos, it's great

Answer 4

The true secret is to follow what your own tattoo artist says at the moment.  Even we have changed what we instruct people to do because we try different things and we advise differently for the tattoo location, the type of work people do, etc.

Yes, all those products including Aquaphor have petrolatum.  I have written about this a lot.  The KEY is to apply whatever you are using very sparingly.  You should not really see it on your skin. Many people put it on and blot of the excess with a clean white paper towel.  I prefer people not put on too much to begin with.

Really right now, we aren't even using anything for the first couple of days for most of our clients and then go right to a mild lotion but as I said, some who are prone to infection based on what they do for a living would be using products like Barri care.

One practice I never supported and never will support is body lotion right after the tattoo was done.  It stings like h**l for a very good reason - it does NOT belong there.  Write to any manufacturer of these lotions and they will tell you it is not to be applied to broken skin.  This is why we wait to have our clients use it.  Our clients do not scab, either - they only peel. Scabbing is not normal - it almost always means the tattoo was over-worked in that area.

Answer 5

My tattoo artist suggests Curel - Ultra Healing lotion.