One of the biggest mistakes people make is using too much ointment. It prolongs healing and can cause breakouts. The ointment does not actually heal the tattoo, it is only meant to keep the skin moist.
Wash it gently with warm, soapy water. Be very gentle. You don't want to tear those bubbles. Let it fully up. Wait till it doesn't look wet anymore. Then, teeny tiny bits of aquaphor to keep it moisturized. I think it's going to have some thick scabs because of its current condition. Be patient, no picking.
A good sign is if you start to see a rash, pimples, or the tattoo is bubbling from trapped moisture. Also, when putting lotion/moisturizer on, if your skin is looking shiny or wet, then you are over moisturizing. You only need a thin layer and you can pat, don't rub, away excess with a clean paper towel.
Even if you over-apply Tattoo Goo, it won't damage your tattoo because it does not contain lanolin or petroleum. Tattoo Goo Original (ointment) is a bit thick, which means you don't have to apply too much.
It's hard to tell through a photo, but generally I would apply sparingly. You want to allow the tattoo to breathe, too much aquaphor will suffocate the tattoo and delay healing. As long as you're following the recommended cleaning routine, you don't need to overdo it on ointment.
It should not shine or feel sticky! If it does, you are using too much ointment! Wait five minutes after applying ointment, if you can still feel ointment, blot the excess off with a tissue. Apply the ointment once or twice a day for the first 3 to 4 days, especially if the tattoo feel dry or “tight”.
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.
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.
Don't worry, this is completely natural. It happens because the old skin, damaged during the tattooing process, forms a thin layer over your tattoo and masks its true appearance. In time this old skin will naturally exfoliate itself, revealing your tattoo underneath in all its vibrant glory.
What happens if you over-moisturize your tattoo? It can delay healing. Although it's important to keep your new tattoo moisturized, tattoo artists recommend applying only a very thin layer of moisturizer. A tattoo is a healing wound, and it needs to breathe to heal properly.
In the event of over-moisturising your skin for a period of time, you could notice your skin becoming bumpy, clogged pores, breakouts, and even dry spots.
Wet Healing Is the Way To Go
It's just as effective for tattoos as it is for injuries. If you let your tattoo dry out during the healing process, you may end up doing more harm than good. Make sure you stay on top of the aftercare process for about six weeks after your session.
A thin layer means just enough to make sure the entire tattooed area is covered, but nothing more. If that moisturizer stays on the surface and is not absorbing, it's probably too thick. You don't need a deep layer of ointment. It's better to reapply more frequently than accidentally suffocate your 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.
If scabs develop, they can remove the color beneath them if prematurely removed. It's important that they're allowed to dry out completely, and not get waterlogged at any time. The scab will eventually fall off on its own, and the tattoo should be fine if no deep cracks have formed.
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.
When Can I Stop Washing My New Tattoo? You should continue washing your tattoo until it is fully healed. It is considered fully healed when all scabs have fallen off, and the skin has regenerated and closed up. This process generally takes between 2 to 4 weeks.
Black ink tends to outlast any other color because it is super pigmented. Other darker colors like dark blue, dark green, gray, and dark purple will have a similar lifespan to black ink. Lighter inks like yellows, reds, oranges, whites, and any pastel tones tend to fade a bit more quickly than darker inks.
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.
Signs of an over-moisturised tattoo include irritated, inflamed skin; scabs may appear on the tattoo, or the skin may look redder on and around the tattooed area. What's more, the ink could appear slightly blurred.
Too much lotion can lead to irritation or clogged pores. Even if you use the best body lotion available, don't be surprised if the tattoo still feels itchy or slightly “stings” after you apply the lotion. Your skin is still extremely sensitive and is actively healing from this process.
I find that Aquaphor is too thick for this stage of aftercare and may clog the pores of your skin, increasing the risk of irritation and slowing the healing process. If you like Aquaphor for aftercare, please only use a very thin layer and switch to a regular lotion after a few days.
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.
When used on your skin overnight, “Aquaphor prevents water from evaporating from your face, helping to improve your skin barrier function and keep your skin moisturized and healthy,” says Dr. Nazarian.