What happens if I put too much Aquaphor on my tattoo?

Author: Prof. Chance Corwin IV  |  Last update: Saturday, July 26, 2025

A thin layer is strongly suggested, too much aquaphor can pull out the ink and damage the quality of the tattoo, which results in a higher chance the tattoo will need a touch-up.

How do I know if I put too much Aquaphor on my tattoo?

Using too much wont let the tattoo breathe and will cause more scabbing. A little scabbing is normal though, just dont pick or scratch!

Is it possible to put too much Aquaphor on?

Irritation: Though rare, petrolatum can cause skin irritation in some individuals. Discontinue use if irritation occurs. Clogged pores: The thick ointment can lead to clogged pores and acne in acne-prone skin. Maceration: Applying too much Aquaphor can make skin overly moist, causing tissue damage.

What happens if you put too much ointment on a tattoo?

What's The Problem with Over-Moisturising Tattoos? Over-moisturising can lead to inflamed tattoos and potentially infection. Excess moisture can clog your skin's pores which prevents it from breathing, something that's important for your skin to heal. This can lead to breakouts on the skin that can damage the tattoo.

Can Aquaphor damage tattoos?

Aquaphor is heavy and petroleum based, can clog your pores and make healing a tattoo worse or cause ink loss.

The Risks of Over-Moisturizing Your Tattoo

Why do tattoo artists not like Aquaphor?

Conclusion: While Vaseline and Aquaphor are commonly used for tattoo aftercare, they may not be the best choice for the healing process of your tattoo. Their occlusive nature can lead to clogged pores and hinder oxygenation, which can slow down healing and potentially lead to complications.

How do you know if your tattoo is over moisturized?

During normal healing, your tattoo will start to form scabs that flake off over the next few weeks. If you notice that your tattoo isn't healing (scabs aren't forming, or the scabs aren't flaking off even after several weeks), it could be a sign you're over-moisturizing.

How to tell if a new tattoo is too dry?

If you aren't sure whether or not the tattoo is dry, remove the bandage and gently pull at your skin. Your skin will still be sensitive, but you should feel a slight sensation of tightness. Some people describe it as parched skin that feels like it is on the verge of slightly cracking.

What happens if you put too much Vaseline on a new tattoo?

Tattoos need to breathe during the healing process, and Vaseline can clog pores, potentially leading to infection and delayed healing. Risk of allergic reaction: Some people may be sensitive or allergic to petroleum-based products like Vaseline.

How do you remove excess Aquaphor?

You may remove the excess Aquaphor with a tongue blade. Do not attempt to scrub it off! Apply a thin coat of Aquaphor ointment to entire area, – several times throughout the day to keep skin moist, but not too thick • Continue to sleep on propped up pillows. BE SURE to avoid any direct sun exposure!

What are the negative side effects of Aquaphor?

Stinging, burning, irritation, dryness, or redness at the application site may occur. Acne, unusual hair growth, small red bumps on the skin (folliculitis), skin thinning/discoloration, or stretch marks may also occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

How to sleep with Aquaphor on a tattoo?

Sleeping. For the first three nights before bed, wash the tattoo and apply a very thin coat of Aquaphor ointment. Wrap the tattoo in plastic wrap and secure with paper tape. Remove the wrap in the morning and wash thoroughly.

Should I let my tattoo dry out?

You can pat the tattoo gently with a clean paper towel, but you must let the tattoo dry, uncovered, for 15 to 20 minutes after each cleaning. Any extra moisture trapped by immediately covering the tattoo is an invitation for bacteria to multiply.

What does scarring on a tattoo look like?

When the tattoo doesn't heal properly, two types of scars can occur: Raised line scars: A raised line scar is a hypertrophic scar that looks like the typical raised scar you may see if you have experienced an injury. Growing bulbous scars: Growing bulbous scars, or keloid scars, can form from any skin wound.

How to unclog pores on a tattoo?

Over-the-Counter Treatments. Over-the-counter (OTC) treatments such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid-based creams can help reduce inflammation and kill bacteria. However, it's crucial to select products specifically formulated for tattooed skin to avoid any adverse effects.

When to stop using Aquaphor on a tattoo?

Use the Aquaphor for the first 2-3 days then switch to a regular FRAGRANCE-FREE lotion such as Lubriderm, or any other fragrance-free brand. 5. Fresh tattoos sometimes “weep” during the first couple of days, meaning that plasma and ink form a thin moist coating on the skin. This can be DABBED with a clean paper towel.

How do I know if my tattoo isn't healing properly?

Persistent redness: Skin shouldn't stay red for weeks or start to darken or spread. Green or yellow fluid: Pus oozing from your tattoo is a sign of infection. Persistent swollen skin: Skin on or around the tattoo shouldn't look puffy for weeks, which indicates an allergy to tattoo ink.

What does a too dry tattoo look like?

Tattoo cracking is when your whole tattoo gets dry, and the top layer begins to crack. It can look like the parched ground in the desert heat, the pattern of a turtle shell, or alligator skin.

Do tattoo blowouts fix themselves?

In some cases, a tattoo blowout may resolve itself as the tattoo heals. But if, after your new tattoo healing, it is still looking funky, you may need to have it removed by a specialist. It's often the best way to get rid of a tattoo blowout.

Is it normal for a tattoo to look smudged when healing?

However, bruising from a new tattoo can make it look a little blurred or smudged as it goes through the healing process. As the bruising fades, your tattoo should soon begin to look better and cleaner. If it's a tattoo blowout, on the other hand, it will begin to look worse.

Does over moisturizing a tattoo cause blowout?

Applying too much moisturizer restricts the skin's ability to breath, thus causing the pores to clog and can lead to consequent break outs. To avoid these symptoms, follow the aftercare instructions of your tattoo artist and apply the best tattoo aftercare moisturizer: your trusty Ink Nurse cream.

What happens if you moisturize a new tattoo too much?

It is possible to over-moisturize your tattoos, especially your new ones. Over-moisturization is caused by using too much of a product or a product with suffocating ingredients. If you over-moisturize a healing tattoo, it can impede the healing process leading to longer healing times and possible infection.

What does normal tattoo healing look like?

Stage One (Days 1-6) – Oozing, swelling and redness that gets better gradually over each day. Scabbing begins to form over the area. 2. Stage Two (Days 7-14) – Itching and flaking begins, and this continues until layers of dead skin and scabs have fallen off.

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