Tattoo Aftercare advice

Frank Bullitt

Hi all,

This is probably the millionth thread on this, but hear me out.

I got my sleeve done(started) on saturday, its up in the images thread here.

For my first tattoo, the advice i got in taking care of it was cover it with bepanthan and cling film for 3 days then just use E45.

This is much bigger than mine, and unfortunately my tattoo artist didn't have great English, so it was a bit hard to understand.

From reading on here and the general internet, some say that to not cover for more than a day and then use tattoo goo or the equivalent ointment for a number of days after that and then E45.

I was tattooed on saturday, kept it covered Sunday and Monday, and today I just have the bepanthan on it, does that sound about right?

Thanks for the help.

SolvableKnave

Yeah that should be alright. If you haven't discovered it already, before applying the Bepanthen, sit it upside down in some hot water for a few mins. This REALLY helps with application as it is a very sticky cream. The hot water helps soften the cream to allow a more even and better application. Do that 3 times a day, for a week or 2, depending on how well your body heals, then move onto the E45.

Also, even after the tattoo heals, from personal experience, I continue to use the E45. It helps to keep the skin from drying out and helps to keep the tattoo looking fresh.

Frank Bullitt

I discovered the heating of the tube of cream yesterday, its a revelation, it really helps so much.

Thanks for the help.

Frank Bullitt

Is it normal for little bits of black to come off when you are putting the bepanthan? Even if you have warmed it up a bit?

Just Like Heaven

Wish I knew about that bepanthen trick. Healing is a always hard work for me.

Frank Bullitt

fewtinsoffroth wrote: »

Wish I knew about that bepanthen trick. Healing is a always hard work for me.

Its really great, works so much better now.

Adiboo

Gintonious wrote: »

Is it normal for little bits of black to come off when you are putting the bepanthan? Even if you have warmed it up a bit?

That's normal yeah.

I found out about the Bepanthen trick by having it in my pocket. It warms up enough in there to go on smoothly too.

dodderangler

Luke warm water for 15 mins does the trick for me man
Also I wouldn't bother with the cling film for that long I do keep mine on for 2 hour max and then use bepantan twice a day after shower in morning and after shower at night and does the job

Frank Bullitt

Yeah its healing quite well, lots of peeling but it is a big tattoo.

I'm also taking 400mg of Vitamin E along with it, have noticed my skin is not itchy at all and is healing very quickly, could be something to look at in the future for some people?

Mansized Wreath

Leave it wrapped for a few hours (overnight if needs be), next day wash with anti bacterial soap and apply small amount of bepatham. Wash it twice daily,bepatham 3 times daily for first 4 days. Then e45 for a week x 4 times daily. Easy peasy ;-)

bodice ripper

not a massive fan of bepanthen personally.

it is wonderful for the vast majority of people, but some people (also me...) get a horrendous heat rash and severely blocked pores with it, particularly in combination with keeping it wrapped.


the best way to heal a tattoo is to get a lot of them and work out what works with your skin. Bepanthen is a good default.

I have a painfully hot shower for as long as I can stand, let it air dry and then do absolutely nothing else for the healing - bar avoiding obviously stupid things like swimming, tanning, or going to a festival.

My tattoos take forever to heal, I get a huge scab than can take a month to clear, but I keep all the ink.



edit - if in doubt, do exactly what your tattoo artist recommends

Frank Bullitt

Yeah my tattoo healed very quick with bepanthan and E45, had it covered for the first few days, more so out of convenience as bepanthan is a horrible thing to get everywhere. Has healed very well so far but a few spots here and there.

Frank Bullitt

Just to bump this thread, what soaps do people generally use to clean the tattoo? I am using dove soap bar but its a bit of a pain to use to clean my arm, I think a liquid soap would be better for it, but I'm not sure what one to get.

Any suggestions?

maximoose

Gintonious wrote: »

Just to bump this thread, what soaps do people generally use to clean the tattoo? I am using dove soap bar but its a bit of a pain to use to clean my arm, I think a liquid soap would be better for it, but I'm not sure what one to get.

Any suggestions?

I always thought it was best to avoid all soaps during the first healing stages?

Just hot water, as hot as you can stand

Getting ink on saturday, think I'm gonna try the baby lotion method this time around

Adiboo

Gintonious wrote: »

Just to bump this thread, what soaps do people generally use to clean the tattoo? I am using dove soap bar but its a bit of a pain to use to clean my arm, I think a liquid soap would be better for it, but I'm not sure what one to get.

Any suggestions?

Any un-fragranced anti-bacterial liquid soap is normally what's recommended.

I always use the soap pictured here

Frank Bullitt

Adiboo wrote: »

Any un-fragranced anti-bacterial liquid soap is normally what's recommended.

I always use the soap pictured here

Thanks, would this be along the lines of dove but in liquid form?

Adiboo

Gintonious wrote: »

Thanks, would this be along the lines of dove but in liquid form?

Bar soaps wouldn't be recommended for healing tattoos.

Frank Bullitt

Adiboo wrote: »

Bar soaps wouldn't be recommended for healing tattoos.

I was told to use the Dove soap bar for cleaning, as there is nothing added to it at all?

I might try the liquid soap though, would be easier to use and to get the tattoo clean.

Hellrazer

bodice ripper wrote: »

not a massive fan of bepanthen personally.


I have a painfully hot shower for as long as I can stand, let it air dry and then do absolutely nothing else for the healing - bar avoiding obviously stupid things like swimming, tanning, or going to a festival.

My tattoos take forever to heal, I get a huge scab than can take a month to clear, but I keep all the ink.



edit - if in doubt, do exactly what your tattoo artist recommends

This^^^^

Bepanthen is also a complete no no in my book.It contains lanolin which can cause a reaction in a lot of people.It clogs pores and anytime Ive used it Ive gotten heat rash--like small pimples where the pores are blocked.

Wash with the hottest water you can stand,rinse with cold water.Air dry.

Nothing else.I personally use Johnsons baby lotion and nothing else.Never loose any ink and like Bodice Ripper I usualy scab a fair bit but dont loose any ink.

The whole cling film thing is wrong aswell.Youre basically making an environment in which anerobic bacteria grow ie a hot,humid,oxygenless area with plenty of organic compunds for them to feed on-your skin,lymph,blood etc.

It just doesnt make any sense to cover any wound in cling film.If you want to cover it use a breathable bandage/dressing.

maximoose

Question to the baby lotion champions here - how often do you find yourself needing to apply it?

Just started using it this morning (5th day, used bepanthen up until now) and find it doesn't seem to last too long before feeling a bit dry again.. is it just me?

IamMetaldave

Just reading some of the methods people use here.. Some of them have made me wince! It just shows how different everyone's reactions are.

Generally, I heal fast! Within 7 -9 days, the tattoo is completely healed.

I have always stuck to what my artist told me to.

I usually get tattooed in the evening time, so once he wraps it I leave it until I get home and wash with the detol antibacterial soap and dry with a towel I only ever use for tattoos (obviously washed regularly). Then bapanthon it and wrap it. Then for the following 3 days, I wash/bapanthon/fresh wrap 3 times a day. And following that, I use bapanthon for 4 days and then with E45 lotion for a week or so.

Frank Bullitt

Mine is taking a while to heal, but then I did sit for a long time for the color.

Only the odd part is still peeling but the colors are now looking more settled and natural.

Keeping it clean with anti-bac soap and using E45, I'd say this time next week it will be all done.

murfinho

IamMetaldave wrote: »

...I usually get tattooed in the evening time, so once he wraps it I leave it until I get home and wash with the detol antibacterial soap and dry with a towel I only ever use for tattoos (obviously washed regularly). Then bapanthon it and wrap it. Then for the following 3 days, I wash/bapanthon/fresh wrap 3 times a day. And following that, I use bapanthon for 4 days and then with E45 lotion for a week or so.

When you say wrap it, what do you mean with?

Hellrazer

maximoose wrote: »

Question to the baby lotion champions here - how often do you find yourself needing to apply it?

Just started using it this morning (5th day, used bepanthen up until now) and find it doesn't seem to last too long before feeling a bit dry again.. is it just me?

Johnsons is super moisturising--ever wonder where the saying soft as a babys bum came from so dont worry if it feels dry--It is being moisturised.

Twice maybe 3 times a day should be enough.

dodderangler

I got me ribs done 2 weeks ago big enough piece
My tattooist covered it with tissue as cling film is just a place for bacteria as its been said
I took it off after an hour washed it and put bepathan on it
Next day put it on again and following day then left it and Havint lost any ink or anything and as usual like all my pieces on me it looks as it should
What you all seem to be forgetting is peoples body reacts different to tattoos
I myself heal very quick where as some of my family take ages to heal and scab bad
I don't scab
So some take to it different some good some bad but I wouldn't go round bath mouthin different lotions or creams as all take to it different

IamMetaldave

murfinho wrote: »

When you say wrap it, what do you mean with?

Fresh cling film each time.

obnicc

Bumping this.

Just home after getting a tattoo today, went somewhere different to where I normally go and the aftercare instructions are completely different so I'm very confused.

My old tattoo artist always told me to take the cling film off after two hours, wash and air dry and apply bepanthen, then repeat the wash and bepanthen 2 to 3 times a day.

The tattoo artist today told me to re-wrap it in fresh cling film after each wash....I always thought this was a no no?

Anyone got any advice for me?

FoxyVixen

Don't re-wrap, there's no need for that and won't allow your skin to breath. Instead sweat can get trapped under the film allowing a perfect environment for bacteria to grow. Just wash the tattoo 3 times a day and air dry or pat with a towel.

I put bepanthen on mine afterwards with no issues, though there does seem to be conflicting advice on its use

Edit: only used bepanthen for 2/3 washes and with that used the minimal amount required. Smaller than pea size

obnicc

FoxyVixen wrote: »

Don't re-wrap, there's no need for that and won't allow your skin to breath. Instead sweat can get trapped under the film allowing a perfect environment for bacteria to grow. Just wash the tattoo 3 times a day and air dry or pat with a towel.

I put bepanthen on mine afterwards with no issues, though there does seem to be conflicting advice on its use

Edit: only used bepanthen for 2/3 washes and with that used the minimal amount required. Smaller than pea size

Thanks for replying quick! I've never re-wrapped my tattoos before, I assumed the same about creating an environment for bacteria to grow, just needed reassurance lol, the tattoo artist looked at me like I had two heads when I said I had never wrapped my tattoos

Esoteric_

Like FoxyVixen said, don't keep it wrapped. It lets bacteria breed.

I was told to wrap on my first few tattoos, which I did, and while they healed fine, my other tattoos that I didn't wrap healed much easier and much faster.

obnicc

Esoteric_ wrote: »

Like FoxyVixen said, don't keep it wrapped. It lets bacteria breed.

I was told to wrap on my first few tattoos, which I did, and while they healed fine, my other tattoos that I didn't wrap healed much easier and much faster.

I'm regretting even leaving it on the 4 hours like she said. Don't know if it's just different than usual or what, but I've given it a good wash now and there's still ink smudged around the edges of the lines, haven't experienced this before.

Esoteric_

4 hours on the day you get it done isn't too terrible, I usually leave mine for three hours, but replace it each hour for those 3 hours 'cause I bleed like a motherfúcker.

Don't worry about smudges or anything just yet, could just be expelled ink. You'll know when it's healed if it's perfect or not.

obnicc

Esoteric_ wrote: »

4 hours on the day you get it done isn't too terrible, I usually leave mine for three hours, but replace it each hour for those 3 hours 'cause I bleed like a motherfúcker.

Don't worry about smudges or anything just yet, could just be expelled ink. You'll know when it's healed if it's perfect or not.

Phew, was worried I'd messed something up. I'll keep an eye on it, thank you!

FoxyVixen

Honestly I think the best policy with healing tattoos is to listen to your body!! Least that's what I did when it came to how often to wash it and what lotion to use. I left the cling film on as recommended after but took it off sooner than suggested because I felt the need to wash the tattoo.

Some people are ignorant in general with aftercare which is why I think there is such varied advice regarding healing tattoos

Please Kill Me

obnicc wrote: »

Bumping this.

Just home after getting a tattoo today, went somewhere different to where I normally go and the aftercare instructions are completely different so I'm very confused.

My old tattoo artist always told me to take the cling film off after two hours, wash and air dry and apply bepanthen, then repeat the wash and bepanthen 2 to 3 times a day.

The tattoo artist today told me to re-wrap it in fresh cling film after each wash....I always thought this was a no no?

Anyone got any advice for me?

Aye, don't wrap it! It really is a no-no.

FoxyVixen wrote: »

I put bepanthen on mine afterwards with no issues, though there does seem to be conflicting advice on its use

Edit: only used bepanthen for 2/3 washes and with that used the minimal amount required. Smaller than pea size

Yeah, always conflicting advice, but I just stick with what my guy tells me...it's wrapped straight after, take the wrap off after two hours and wash with warm water and pat dry. Then apply bepanthen twice a day after washing. I tried the Johnstons on the last tatt (as per advice here) and it reacted bad. I got pimples all over the tatt which never happened before. I went back to the bepanthen for the current one and it's fine.

Horses for courses I guess.

Hellrazer

Please Kill Me wrote: »

Aye, don't wrap it! It really is a no-no.



Yeah, always conflicting advice, but I just stick with what my guy tells me...it's wrapped straight after, take the wrap off after two hours and wash with warm water and pat dry. Then apply bepanthen twice a day after washing. I tried the Johnstons on the last tatt (as per advice here) and it reacted bad. I got pimples all over the tatt which never happened before. I went back to the bepanthen for the current one and it's fine.

Horses for courses I guess.

Have to say I've never heard Of a reaction to Johnson's before.But I have seen a lot if reactions to bepanthen.You have weird skin pkm!!!!!

obnicc

Hellrazer wrote: »

Have to say I've never heard Of a reaction to Johnson's before.But I have seen a lot if reactions to bepanthen.You have weird skin pkm!!!!!

What are the reactions people have to bepanthen?? I got a bit of reaction around my last two tattoos, red n bumpy around it, tattoo artist thought it might have been the red or yellow ink, but it's happened on my newest that's all black.

I switched to tattoo goo last night & the redness has gone down considerably this morning now.

Esoteric_

Hellrazer was saying earlier in the thread that Bepanthen has lanolin in it, which can cause reactions. that's why he recommends Johnson's baby lotion.

FoxyVixen

Hellrazer wrote: »

Have to say I've never heard Of a reaction to Johnson's before.But I have seen a lot if reactions to bepanthen.You have weird skin pkm!!!!!

PKM isn't the only one to react to Johnston's. I'd seen your recommendations when I got my tattoo last year and thought best to switch. Johnstons caused the tattoo to become very red, sensitive/tender and the skin felt very restricted with movement. Back on bepanthen I had no issues.

Star Lord

I gotta admit, when I was using Johnsons for my last tattoo, it seemed to take much longer to heal up than when I'd used Bepanthen! I had no reactions to either though.

P_1

Different methods work for different people I guess. I've always gone the bepanthen route letting the tattoo breath unless I have to wear long sleeves

Hellrazer

Sounds like you aren't using enough Johnsons.Its not like bepanthen where it leaves a layer on your skin.You need to use it more often and a good bit more of it.

You know the way it dries in and leaves your skin almost dry to the touch??That's why you need to use it more liberally!!!