Can you over ointment a tattoo

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It can take as long as 2 years for a belly button piercing to heal completely. During that time, you're at risk for infection. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph.

Why is it recommended after getting a tattoo? How much should you use? How long should you use it? When should you switch to lotion? This guide will provide detailed instructions on how to care for a new tattoo and tips for keeping tattooed skin looking young and healthy. Proper aftercare in the first few weeks after getting a tattoo can help prevent an infection and keep the tattoo looking good.

Tattoo aftercare starts in the tattoo shop. Once the tattoo is done, the artist will apply a thin layer of tattoo jelly or moisturizer over the entire tattooed area. They will then cover the area completely with plastic wrap or a bandage. As tempting as it can be to remove the protective cover to look at the tattoo, the bandage or plastic wrap should stay on for at least a few hours after the process. The length of time will depend on the size and location of the tattoo.

After thorough hand-washing, a person can gently wash the tattoo with hypoallergenic soap and warm water using their fingers. The moisturizer on the skin will come off, and the tattoo may appear as if it is oozing ink or a thick, sticky substance. This reaction is not usually a cause for concern, as it is just the excess fluid and ink from the tattoo process.

After washing, a person should pat the skin with a clean paper towel and allow it to air-dry for up to an hour. When the area is completely dry, they can apply a thin layer of moisturizer to the tattoo, but leave it uncovered to allow the skin to breathe. Some tattoo artists recommend waiting between hours before applying moisturizer, though others recommend doing so as soon as the first wash.

For the first couple of days, the tattooed skin may feel warm to the touch and have a reddish appearance. The colors may also appear very bright against the rest of the skin. The tattoo will become less vibrant as the healing process continues. A person should avoid submerging the tattoo in water or getting the tattoo wet during the first 3—6 weeks, except for when washing it. A person can continue using the washing technique above throughout the first week when needed. Someone who is sitting in an air-conditioned office all day may only need to wash the tattoo once a day.

However, someone who is working in a hot or dirty environment and sweating may need to wash the tattoo every few hours. It is best to wash the tattoo with clean fingers only and not a cloth or towel, which may irritate the skin and prematurely remove any scabs that may have formed. Scabs will often form in the first few days, and ink may still come up through the skin and need to be washed away. It is important not to pick the scabs or scratch the skin.

In general, Scabbing is not a sign of improper wound care. Scabs will form anytime the skin is injured, and can be a sign of healthy tissue forming underneath the wound. Keeping some form of antibiotic ointment or moisturizer under occlusion as long as there is no known allergy on the wound can help it heal better and the sooner this is done the better healing will happen with less chances of scarring.

Around the beginning of the second week, the scabs will start to flake off. It is important to be especially gentle with washing and moisturizing during this week, as it is easy to tear away scabs and damage the tattoo.

The skin is likely to feel very itchy during this week. However, it must not be scratched. Additional moisturizer may help relieve the itch.

Using a moisturizer that is kept in the refrigerator may also soothe itchy or irritated skin. If necessary, an over-the-counter product, such as Benadryl , may be taken by mouth to help relieve the itching. But healthy individuals need not worry—a clean tattoo is a healthy tattoo and infection-fighting ointments are really just more of a precaution than a necessity.

Almost all artists recommend using a moisturizing lotion after letting your tattoo heal for a few days. Some actually advise using nothing but lotion from day one. But this is where it gets tricky, as different brands of moisturizers contain different ingredients, some of which can harm your new tattoo or cause a reaction. Look at the ingredients list and stay away from lotions that contain lanolin a natural oil that comes from sheep's wool , if you're allergic to wool.

And dyes and fragrances are an all-around bad idea for putting on an open wound anyway. Key Ingredients. Lanolin is an oil produced by sheep and can be found in their shorn wool. It has been classified as an emollient, which means that it traps in moisture and reduces the skin's overall moisture loss. A generally safe bet for tattoo aftercare lotions are botanical-based creams and salves look for ones with healing comfrey root found at your local health food store.

Some artists highly recommend them while some say they're a waste of money. But these newfangled creams do more than just heal your tattoo—a few contain sunblock and pain reducers—so it's impossible to know what to choose. Check to see if your local artist carries a preferable product before purchasing something random online. When it comes right down to it, following the recommendations of your local studio is always best.

After all, they're the professionals. If you're susceptible to allergic reactions, have your tattoo artist provide a few alternatives for you. Discontinue use immediately if you experience problems with any skincare product.

And don't be stingy when it comes to buying an expensive cream. Your tattoo will last you a lifetime, especially if you take good care of it. Park K. Role of micronutrients in skin health and function. Biomol Ther Seoul. Bee products in dermatology and skin care.

Moisturizers: the slippery road. Indian J Dermatol.