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How Does Aloe Vera on Tattoos Work?

New tattoos need special care and if you want yours to look good for the next years to come, you need to know the do’s and don’ts. It’s not a question of how easy the whole process is because it all boils down to doing the right thing.

One small mistake can make you regret it forever. There are many opposing views on whether or not Aloe on tattoos will make good aftercare. The most important thing is that your new tattoo stays dry and clean. You need enough moisture and air for your newly tattooed skin to stay soft and healthy-looking.

apply aloe vera on skin

Tattoo Aftercare with Aloe Vera

Tattoo aftercare is not difficult at all. You just have to listen to your tattoo artist.

Aloe Vera has been used as the main ingredient in so many skincare products and it is not really surprising when it comes to mind when it comes to caring for your tattoo properly. It is considered to be one of the most effective moisturizers we have around and it has enzymes that can fight infection.

Its anti-inflammatory properties can also help relieve swelling and pain. It contains healing and soothing properties so logically it will be good for your tattoo, right? Well… some tattoo artists would disagree! Yup, a lot of the list down Aloe as one of the things you need to definitely stay away from while caring for a new tattoo.

The main reason why some say it’s a big no-no to put Aloe gel, cream or lotion on your new tats is that it can make your skin heal too quickly and dry out fast. Some people say that Aloe can prevent fading while others say that it is a “must-have” to prevent fading.

Ironically, some products (Tattoo Magic Lotion, H2Ocean Foam Soap) in the market which are specifically made as tattoo aftercare contain Aloe.

Technically, a tattoo can be classified as a wound and we all know that Aloe is used to repairing damaged skin tissues. It is popularly used as a burn treatment. It helps promote healing and recovery after surgery as well. So if Aloe Vera works on wounds, why would some experts blacklist it? Well, I guess it has something to do with how tattoos are different from other wounds.

When your tattoo is new, the ink is concentrated on the upper layer of the skin and whatever superficial damage that is inflicted on it will definitely have a long-term effect, appearance-wise that is. There are some things that you cannot avoid though such as the way that the body gets rid of foreign matter and that includes ink. This will make your tattoo fade a little bit. This is normal of course.

As time goes by, ink bleeds into the deeper layers of the skin thus becoming more resilient and less affected with minor damages at the uppermost surface of the skin.

How to Care for a New Tattoo

It’s very important to follow a skincare routine to make sure that your tattoo heals properly. Your skin can be very sensitive to the touch for a couple of days but there are some ways on how you can alleviate the pain and discomfort associated with getting a new tattoo.

1. Leave the bandage for as long as your tattoo artist told you so (2 hours to 24 hours). The bandage is there for a reason and that is to keep bacteria from invading your wound. I know you can’t wait to show off your new tattoo but don’t worry because you’ve got the rest of your life to do that! Open flesh is a breeding ground for infection so leaving the bandage on is a must.

2. Remove the bandage and wash the tattoo initially with lukewarm water and liquid antibacterial soap. Tattoo Goo Deep Cleansing Antibacterial Aftercare Soap works pretty well. It removes all the leftover ink and leaves the skin clean without stripping it dry.

Note: Use antibacterial soap only for initial washing.

3. Pat the area dry using a paper towel. Do it gently please!

4. Apply ointment such as Tattoo Goo Aftercare Salve. Switch to lotion once your tattoo artist tells you to. I highly recommend Magic Tattoo Aftercare Lotion and Ink Fixx All Natural Tattoo Lotion.

*Note: Do not use petroleum-based products and Aloe on tattoos.

5. Continue washing and applying ointment or lotion until your tattoo completely heals. Full healing can take anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks.

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