Tattoo aftercare product selection is the most common dilemma nowadays. As there are so many products of so many different types available, people get more confused while choosing the best-suited aftercare than tattoo design. The tattoo aftercare timeline is constantly changing and it’s been like this for decades. There are a variety of aftercare products available that are of different types and different formulas. The debate regarding aftercare products is never-ending in the tattoo industry. But if you want to know the basic principles of these skincare products you have come to the right spot. First, let’s see how the tattoo works.
Let’s See How Tattoo Works
Most of you know our skin has two layers; Epidermis and Dermis. The epidermis is the outermost layer and this layer protects the internal parts from possibly everything including sunlight, dust, etc. The dead skin cells shed from this upper layer and the next layer of epidermis comes up to take the place of their fallen soldiers. It is said we get new skin after every 120 days. So how does the tattoo last for a lifetime? Well, you can guess the answer. The tattoo ink is pushed inside the skin and in the Dermis layer which holds most of the glands and blood vessels. So the ink settles in the permanent layer of the skin. Now you know the science behind tattooing and why it bleeds and hurts that much.
Why We Need Aftercare Products After Finishing Up A Tattoo?
If we look closely, a tattoo is the scarring of the skin and inserting ink into that. So the skin is pierced repeatedly. Now this damage makes the skin vulnerable to infection. The wide-open pores can be easily infected with bacteria and germs if proper treatment or aftercare is not used. So the first approach for aftercare would be protecting the damaged skin from the outer environment. So we need to barrier the tattooed part from the pathogens. If you have read the article till this part you can easily understand how aftercare should be used and how to choose the products depending on the stage. Now let’s see the working principles of the aftercare products used for the recovery of the skin of the tattooed part of the body.
Initial Aftercare Products
Well if you look for the aftercare products of tattoos you will find Ointment as the most important one as well as the most controversial product. The ointment is mainly thick oil-based aftercare that is used right after removing the bandage on the tattooed area. There was a time when Petroleum jelly was the first choice for the initial aftercare. They are cheap, available almost everywhere, and can be used right away. But modern tattoo artists are against using petroleum-based ointments as they drain the color from the art piece done on the skin. Also, air cannot penetrate through this type of jelly. So the required oxygen for the skin to heal is obstructed. But this second claim is not that strong as medicated products also use petroleum-based ointment for small cuts and healing of the skin.
However, as the artists opposed the use of petroleum jelly, the next product that came into the market was a triple anti-biotic over-the-counter ointment ‘Neosporin’. This seemed a great alternative to petroleum jelly as it did not harm the color of the tattoo. Also, it contained anti-biotic and skin-healing components. Because of this people rushed for this one as the primary aftercare. Nevertheless, a different outcome was found. The allergic reaction was reported widely after using Neosporin. Little red bumps were seen on the skin that disappeared after a few days but with the color of the tattoo. In this situation, a better alternative had to be found.
Don’t We Need Something Better?
To save the tattoo industry and save people from getting infected ‘Bacitracin’ was launched. Promising people a better anti-biotic ointment than Neosporin and without the side effects, it was not accepted by the people. Though it does no harm to the color of the tattoo still a small portion using Bacitracin reported allergic reaction. Though it is one of the most suggested anti-biotic ointments, it does not have that much impact on the tattoo industry. The weeping tattoo was another concern for the tattoo artists as Bacitracin usage was linked to that. Weeping tattoo means leakage of ink from the tattoo after several weeks. That’s how ointments containing anti-biotic properties failed to gain people’s trust and control of the tattoo aftercare market.
A&D Ointment
After all the failed products the experts have found their ray of hope by using A&D ointment. Originally made for diaper rash, this ointment uses vitamins A and D as suggested by the name. This is prescribed for abrasions and skin wounds. It protects the wound from outside pathogens and naturally heals the skin. The only negative side of A&D is it does not have the anti-biotic property. Due to this reason, it was supposed that people would get infected more than before. On the contrary, it was observed that keeping the tattooed area clean alone can create a difference.
At The End
At the end of all the drama, some renowned tattoo artists came up with their own formula and created brands like INK EEZE and Tattoo Goo. Most tattoo artists recommend these products but some say they are a waste of money. Spending money would not be a bad choice if you consider these brands and their product range. They provide an aftercare kit that includes ointment for initial use, lotions or moisturizers, sun-blocking creams, and all anyone can imagine.
Sun blocking is one of the most important parts of the aftercare process of the tattoo. So integrating this property made them unique. Not only sun blocking but also pain-relieving is another criterion that makes these products so appealing. The best part of INK EEZE is, it is available in 100% botanical ingredients. It means the aftercare products you need are all-natural. Ink Goo also sources some ingredients from nature and thus these new products help people with the overall and best possible aftercare needed.
In conclusion, we can say these non-medicated brands have been the savior of the tattoo aftercare industry. If you want the overall best aftercare of the precious art piece on your body, you can bet on these brands without thinking twice.