Tattoo

Ryadic

What's the best ointment/lotion/substance to put on a new tattoo? I her that putting neosporin on it is good, but someone else said that's not so good. I also heard diaper rash ointment. What works best?

Six

I always used bacitracin. A&D ointment (which is used for diaper rash) is also fine, as I understand.

mugginns

The dude I got my tattoo from said this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bag_balm

Worked fine, get it at a pharmacy.

Drakenhawk

A&D, no neosporin or anything like that. Basically keep the area lightly covered, don't gob it on 3 inches thick. Neosporin could hurt the coloring (not a doc or tat artist) and all my tats were treated with A&D and are fine. Also, you didn't ask, but I will offer free advice of do not pick at it! Let it heal slowly on its own.

i n c u b u s

I usually just pick up whatever the guy at the shop suggests, in my case it was this stuff called "H2O." Apparently Kat Von D uses the stuff but I'm sure they all say that. In any case, if your washing a good, non scented, mild bar of soap is a cheap effective way to go.

HenriettaCollins

The H2Ocean stuff is okay but if you've got sensitive skin there's a good chance it's going to dry out your tattoo and make it itch worse once it starts healing.
Best method I've found is a very very thin layer of bacitracin or A & D (the orange kind, not the creme) for the first 4 days, then switch to a plain white hand lotion for 2 weeks after that. Make sure it stays moist but don't soffocate it with what you're rubbing on. Before you put a new layer on, make sure you're washing it well with warm water and anitbacterial soap.
There's also a group who advocate natural healing where you just keep cling wrap medical taped on top and change the "bandaging" once every 8 hours or so. Works pretty well but the white blood cells and stuff tend to form a running liquid that gathers in the side quite like a bit of meat you'd buy at the supermarket. Heals up hella fast tho, in about 1 week with little itching.

Before the economy went pear shaped I worked as a piercer in tattoo shops for the last 5 years and have 17 tattoos myself... Good luck.

Werewolf Gamer

My artist recommends Curel. That has worked best for me for my small tattoo's as well as the half backpiece I have.

Ryadic

Thanks guys.

mts

what did your tattoo artist recommend? that is what you should use

meeker

From what I have experienced, Neosporin absorbs a bit of ink but it heals it the fastest. So what you need to do is use just a tiny amount. Just so there is a sheen on the tattoo. There should be no excess at all. Once it is through the healing phase (whether it scabs or not) then use Curel. Slap when it itches, don't scratch.

NargorothRiP

A&D for like 3-4 days. Then use Tattoo Goo. stuff be the bomb.

ihmmy

I used vitamin E ointment for my second tattoo and I lurved the stuff. Plus it's an amazingly good lotion for dry hands after you're done using it on your tattoo

Rent

A & D ointment
That shit is amazing

RallyGirl76

I'm using Bepanthen Ointment and I did on the last one as well.

It has dexpanthenol, which helps the skin to repair its natural protective barrier.

keep it clean and avoid stuff like swimming pools etc.

Also show us your new tat!

Jokerman

Avoid anything that has Petroleum in it's ingredients. This is why vasoline is bad to keep your tatt moisturized. A&D ointment also has petroleum in it, so while it may work decent and increase healing (that's from the viatamins in it) it may sap some of the collor out of it.

My advice to you? Use tattoo goo or some good non scented lotion.
Keep it clean, but also keep it moisturized.