Tattoo Goo VS. Bepanthen

ene

just wondering what peoples opinions are on this. On previous tattoos i used bephanthen and after the first sitting on my toy story one i used tattoo goo. Just wondering what other peoples regimes after getting a tattoo done?

For mine i leave cling film on for about 4 hours then shower/wash with warm water and soap then leave to air dry then put tattoo goo or bephanthen on and i wouldn't put any more cling film on.

So boards what do you do?

Please Kill Me

Most people have their own thing, based on their own experience of what does/doesn't work. Personally, I take off the clingfilm as soon as I get home (usually about 2 hours after I'm done) I wash it with just warm water, pat dry and then apply Bepanthen.

The next day I'll wash it 3 or 4 times over the course of the day and apply either Bepanthen or Johnstons baby lotion. After about 4 days, I'll just do it once or twice in the day. I'm usually healed by day 6 or 7 at the most. I got a tattoo last Tuesday and it's completely healed already.

Esoteric_

I don't personally like Tattoo Goo, but that's because I came out in a rash when I used it. :pac: No idea why.

I take my cling film off after about 3 hours, wash with warm water only, pat dry and use Bepanthen a few times a day on it. Mine take a while to heal because my skin isn't great for healing anything, but they usually heal up after a week or so.

Marty McFly

Please Kill Me wrote: »

Most people have their own thing, based on their own experience of what does/doesn't work. Personally, I take off the clingfilm as soon as I get home (usually about 2 hours after I'm done) I wash it with just warm water, pat dry and then apply Bepanthen.

The next day I'll wash it 3 or 4 times over the course of the day and apply either Bepanthen or Johnstons baby lotion. After about 4 days, I'll just do it once or twice in the day. I'm usually healed by day 6 or 7 at the most. I got a tattoo last Tuesday and it's completely healed already.

I'm pretty much the exact same cling film normally soon I get home wash with warm water then apply bepanthen, the next few days anytime it's starting to feel a bit dry wash with warm water and apply bepanthen how many times a day can vary.

And like wise all my tattoo's have been healed basically by about days.

I've never used tattoo goo but I get the impression it's a bit of a unnecessary gimmicky product.

Chikablam

For my most recent, got home, washed it, but on some bepanthen, then cling film after about 20 minutes. Repeat every 4 hours or so for 2 days, then just bepanthen. Worked pretty well, healed up nicely with no scabs, will try that again next time.

Marty McFly

Chikablam wrote: »

For my most recent, got home, washed it, but on some bepanthen, then cling film after about 20 minutes. Repeat every 4 hours or so for 2 days, then just bepanthen. Worked pretty well, healed up nicely with no scabs, will try that again next time.

Wait so you pretty much kept clingfilm on it for two days solid? Jut you wait till Hellrazer sees that :P.

But in all seriousness that's a big no no for me, its effectively an open wound and putting clingfilm on it is asking for trouble it's becomes a breathing ground for bacteria.

Esoteric_

Marty McFly wrote: »

Wait so you pretty much kept clingfilm on it for two days solid? Jut you wait till Hellrazer sees that :P.

But in all seriousness that's a big no no for me, its effectively an open wound and putting clingfilm on it is asking for trouble it's becomes a breathing ground for bacteria.

Was just about to say this.

You're adding warmth to the wound, and enclosing any bacteria that are on the skin, giving them no place to go but into the open wound. Breeding ground for them, and could do more harm than good.

hdowney

I am the same as most. The cling film is off after 2hours. Wash it with warm water, pat dry, apply the bepanthen. Then I wash it about 3 times a day and apply the cream, lessening the amount of washing as the healing continues

jenizzle

I took the wrapping off of mine about 2 hours after I got it done. I'm now just washing it with some warm water twice a day, letting it air dry for a while and applying Tattoo Goo afterwards - moreso cos I happened to have a tub of that, and I didn't have bepanthen. I don't have a preference of one over the other. Plus Tattoo Goo smells lovely and it's slightly easier to apply.

With my previous ones, I did the same. Only covering if needs be for a short time, but letting it air-dry after a wash, and keeping it well moisturised.

I'm heading to a gig tonight though, so I will be wrapping it up before I go as the tattoo is on my foot and I don't fancy getting beer soaked into it :pac:

Frank Bullitt

Would you still use Tattoo Goo in the same way as E45? I mean after it has healed, you would use Tattoo Goo to keep is looking fresh etc.

Thanks.

*also, is it available in Dublin anywhere?

gregers85

Has anyone tried Hellrazer's method of using lotion instead of bepanthen? im thinkin of giving it a go for my next one!

jenizzle

Gintonious wrote: »

Would you still use Tattoo Goo in the same way as E45? I mean after it has healed, you would use Tattoo Goo to keep is looking fresh etc.

Thanks.

*also, is it available in Dublin anywhere?

I have done, yes. I know some tattoo studios stock it (the shop in Lucan does anyway), but I couldn't tell you which ones in town would. They also do a Tattoo Goo lotion which I think is aimed at keeping your tattoo fresh looking. I have a tube of that, but I haven't used it in aaaages! I usually just lash on a bit of my usual body moisturiser after the tattoo is well healed.

Just looking at the ingredients in it, there's no reason why you can't use it as a standard moisturiser on any part of your body really - it has olive oil, lavender oil and rosemary for example.

maximoose

gregers85 wrote: »

Has anyone tried Hellrazer's method of using lotion instead of bepanthen? im thinkin of giving it a go for my next one!

I tried it and hated it.

Found that it seemed to dry up far too quickly and become itchy, and had to reapply far too often. Smelt nicer than bepanthen though :pac:

tfak85

Fairly similar to most, take the cling off after a couple of hours, give it a gentle wash, a pat dry and apply Bepanthen. Though I do put cling back on for the first night, because the one time I didn't I stuck to the bed - most unpleasant.

Please Kill Me

gregers85 wrote: »

Has anyone tried Hellrazer's method of using lotion instead of bepanthen? im thinkin of giving it a go for my next one!

Yeah, I tried it and it didn't work at all. Broke out in pimples all over the tattoo. I'll use it once a day for a few days AFTER using Bepanthen only for the first 3 or 4 days.

Hellrazer

Marty McFly wrote: »

Wait so you pretty much kept clingfilm on it for two days solid? Jut you wait till Hellrazer sees that :P.

But in all seriousness that's a big no no for me, its effectively an open wound and putting clingfilm on it is asking for trouble it's becomes a breathing ground for bacteria.

Esoteric_ wrote: »

Was just about to say this.

You're adding warmth to the wound, and enclosing any bacteria that are on the skin, giving them no place to go but into the open wound. Breeding ground for them, and could do more harm than good.

Yep-Bacteria need certain conditions to thrive.Heat..from your body.Food-all the blood products from the tattoo and no oxygen.The cling wrap makes it the ideal breeding ground for anerobis bacteria including staph,mrsa etc.


Its actually great to hear people give this advice.Its common sense nit to wrap a wound in plastic!!

maximoose wrote: »

I tried it and hated it.

Found that it seemed to dry up far too quickly and become itchy, and had to reapply far too often. Smelt nicer than bepanthen though :pac:

Your not using enough or applying often enough.Johnsons doesn't sit on top of the tattoo like bep does.Its goes into your skin making it soft as a babys bum!!!

Personally--My method

1.Get the cling film off as soon as possible.
2.Dont put anymore on.
3.If you need to protect it from rubbing on clothes a clean sterile dressing that you can buy in the chemist is best.
4.Wash 2-3 times a day with anti bacterial soap in as hot a water you can stand (to open the pores)
5.Rinse in as cold a water as you can (to close the pores)
6.Pat dry
7.Johnsons baby lotion 5+ times a day.

Voila!!!

niallam

jenizzle wrote: »

Tattoo Goo smells lovely and it's slightly easier to apply.

Put the bepanthan on a radiator for a bit before you use it goes on real easy then.

Chikablam

Marty McFly wrote: »

Wait so you pretty much kept clingfilm on it for two days solid? Jut you wait till Hellrazer sees that :P.

But in all seriousness that's a big no no for me, its effectively an open wound and putting clingfilm on it is asking for trouble it's becomes a breathing ground for bacteria.

Yeah I've heard that, and probably should have mentioned that I washed it regularly with warm antibacterial soap

ene

its actualy really interesting to hear what other people do, i have used tattoo goo all day and i know it sounds wierd but the finger i am using to rub it in is really really dry now, like only that finger. it has really confused me.

i might go back to bephanthen tomorrow

Esoteric_

I actually tried hellrazer's suggestion of sterile wraps from the chemist when I got my last one last month, after Marty mentioned doing it, 'cause I have to wear skinny jeans in work, and the dressings helped a lot more than when I had to wrap one in clingfilm for work. Never gonna use clingfilm in work again

tread_softly

I use Bepanthen, even though it can be a bitch to rub in.

Seán from Snakebite gave me the best description ever, it's like trying to kick concrete into your skin

FoxyVixen

I also had a negative review on Johnsons baby lotion. Similar to others, it seemed to dry the skin much quicker.

However Hellrazer pointed out in another thread that when applying Johnsons, it's best to lather it on. Don't be afraid to use too much in comparison to bepanthen where you only apply a minute amount (due to it chemical make-up right?) . Unfortunately my memory isn't that great to recall exactly how much baby lotion I was applying, but if I had started using after the bepanthen I assume I was applying too little of it.

Just my two cents on the bepanthen vs. Johnsons baby lotion debate that springs up the odd time on here

SarahC91

I take my cling film off the minute I get home, I wipe it down with kitchen towel,I dont wash it with water until later that night because I find it too sore, I apply bepanthen straight away, then about 3/4 times a day for about a week, then while its scabbing I put a moisturiser on it

Marty McFly

SarahC91 wrote: »

I take my cling film off the minute I get home, I wipe it down with kitchen towel,I dont wash it with water until later that night because I find it too sore, I apply bepanthen straight away, then about 3/4 times a day for about a week, then while its scabbing I put a moisturiser on it

While it's scabbing? If your looking after your tattoo properly it shouldn't scab at all to be honest, scabbing can lead to a loss of ink. Generally my aim is for light skin peeling as if it has been sun burnt with no scabbing at all.

Dermighty

E45 is a barrier cream, meaning that it provides a barrier between your skin and the surroundings, as does Bepanthen. I fail to see the difference between clingfilm+antiseptic and a barrier cream.

Papillon!

When I get a new one I leave the cling film on for abut 3 hours, then wash with warm soapy water really gently and pat dry.

Then I apply a thin layer of Palmers Coco Butter and let the air at it.

Like other people have said, cling film just breeds bacteria and I'd only cover it in the first week if I really need to. Then wash once or twice a day to remove the excess gloop.

Palmers is a godsend. Bepanthen has a gross texture and Tattoo Goo is just a weird fad to me. Once my tattoos are healed I use tattoo goo from time to time as it makes the colours pop and look nice for a while.

Hellrazer

Dermighty wrote: »

E45 is a barrier cream, meaning that it provides a barrier between your skin and the surroundings, as does Bepanthen. I fail to see the difference between clingfilm+antiseptic and a barrier cream.

In my opinion e45 is also out.
Bepanthen is out.
Savlon is out
Vaseline is out.
Any any other type of "barrier" cream or antiseptic ointment.


Barrier cream doesn't creat an environment for bacteria to bred in but clingwrap does.

Id prefer to use nothing rather than any of these products but then again Im stubborn that way!!!

ene

hellrazer do you just leave a fresh tattoo to fend for itself then?

Hellrazer

ene wrote: »

hellrazer do you just leave a fresh tattoo to fend for itself then?

I have done as a kind of experiment bar using anti bacterial soap which I always use.

My latest one--Ive used half johnsons and half of it with nothing on it.

So far theres been absolutely no difference in healing.

ene

thats actually pretty interesting!

so in your opinion the likes of tattoo goo and bephanthen are gimmicks then?

raze_them_all_

I am terrible when it comes to bep...literally gets maybe 3 days of looking after with 3 applications at most. NEver makes much of a diff to the old tatts i used to baby

Hellrazer

ene wrote: »

thats actually pretty interesting!

so in your opinion the likes of tattoo goo and bephanthen are gimmicks then?

In my opinion absolutely.

Over the years tattooists have used everything to heal tattoos.

For example the very first tattoo I ever got I was told to use Vaseline and Savlon.

Now Vaseline and savlon are a big no no.

Now the big thing is "Tattoo Goo" and Bepanthen.

Whats next?
Used engine oil to bring out those blacks in your tattoo?


Here are the contents in "Tattoo Goo"

http://www.tattoogoo.com/info_theblueprint.php

Look at the absolute tripe on that link.All marketing speak.

However this looks interesting and is exactly the same as baby lotions ingredients.

http://www.tattoogoo.com/product_TG-201-lotion.php



The only way a wound can heal is with the bodys natural process.No amount of creams will help that process except maybe vitamin E which Im yet to fully try out and am still on the fence with that.


The ancient Japanese use to jump in a natural hot spring to soak there tattoos clean, then after a few minutes they would get in the cold water to close the pores.Thats 2000 year old tattoo healing advice and its 100% natural.

I wouldn't mind trying the ancient japanese method

Same as my method..hot and cold water.

ene

sorry hellrazar, how often would you clean it with soap and water?

Do you leave clothes off it to let it breath?

Hellrazer

ene wrote: »

sorry hellrazar, how often would you clean it with soap and water?

2-3 times a day.

Do you leave clothes off it to let it breath?

As much as possible but if you have to cover it use sterile dressings from a pharmacy and not cling film.

Dermighty

I used this stuff and found it to be great.

Bought some recently and it gave me a deja vous effect because of the smell :P

Please Kill Me

Hellrazer wrote: »

Whats next?
Used engine oil to bring out those blacks in your tattoo?

Hmmm.....not a bad idea in fairness!! :pac:

jenizzle

Tbh, I think there is a lot to be said for leaving it the hell alone when it comes to healing. The body is quite wonderful at healing itself.

The aim though is to encourage longevity in the colour, but there is no definitive answer on how to do that.

Esoteric_

jenizzle wrote: »

Tbh, I think there is a lot to be said for leaving it the hell alone when it comes to healing. The body is quite wonderful at healing itself.

The aim though is to encourage longevity in the colour, but there is no definitive answer on how to do that.

I left my last one alone as much as possible tbh, didn't 'baby' it nearly as much as my other four. I was only putting Bepanthen on about once a day, and just using water to keep it moist most of the time. It flaked a lot, but retained all the ink and healed much faster and easier than my other tattoos tbh.

maximoose

Hellrazer wrote: »

Your not using enough or applying often enough.Johnsons doesn't sit on top of the tattoo like bep does.Its goes into your skin making it soft as a babys bum!!!
!!!

Honestly I did all of the points you listed. I was putting on plenty and rubbing in well, but needed to go back every 45 mins or so to reapply as it felt dry and itchy

Just not for me

SarahC91

Marty McFly wrote: »

While it's scabbing? If your looking after your tattoo properly it shouldn't scab at all to be honest, scabbing can lead to a loss of ink. Generally my aim is for light skin peeling as if it has been sun burnt with no scabbing at all.

Well it doesn't scab! Peeling is what I meant I just used the wrong word! My tattoos are all perfect so no loss of ink whatsoever! Well looked after!

murfinho

Hellrazer wrote: »

The only way a wound can heal is with the bodys natural process.No amount of creams will help that process except maybe vitamin E which Im yet to fully try out and am still on the fence with that.

I'd be off the fence on that one. I read that Vit E cream is nonsense, as it needs to be ingested or created from inside to have any kind of effect, rather than applied from the outside...

Like taking a shower when you are thirsty :P

I love the fact that you are doing a control experiment on your tattoo aftercare, can't wait for the results!! :cool:

Ms. Koi

Thought I would throw my two-cents in and ask a quick question at the same time!

I've used bepanthen and tatoo goo in the past, but I didn't find either massively fantastic. My third tattoo was very badly done, the colour faded really quickly and the skin rejected a piece and it just came off (I'm still baffled). I know bepanthen made no difference then, but it did slightly help my wrist piece, all black font. I've incredibly senstive skin and can't use a lot of products/need to do a trial run on un-inked skin first. I used bepanthen on my leg for a week before I got the tattoo to make sure!

I've had a reaction to Johnson's before, so I try and avoid it too. I'm getting my next piece done by the end of the summer but I was wondering if you could recommend any other lotions? I'm interested in the idea of using bandages instead of clingfilm, but I'm allergic to mepore bandages, what brand did you use?

Spanx in advance!

PS I'm a walking medical marvel, allergic to bandages??? Should just give up and hide under a rock!!!

Esoteric_

kellief wrote: »

Thought I would throw my two-cents in and ask a quick question at the same time!

I've used bepanthen and tatoo goo in the past, but I didn't find either massively fantastic. My third tattoo was very badly done, the colour faded really quickly and the skin rejected a piece and it just came off (I'm still baffled). I know bepanthen made no difference then, but it did slightly help my wrist piece, all black font. I've incredibly senstive skin and can't use a lot of products/need to do a trial run on un-inked skin first. I used bepanthen on my leg for a week before I got the tattoo to make sure!

I've had a reaction to Johnson's before, so I try and avoid it too. I'm getting my next piece done by the end of the summer but I was wondering if you could recommend any other lotions? I'm interested in the idea of using bandages instead of clingfilm, but I'm allergic to mepore bandages, what brand did you use?

Spanx in advance!

PS I'm a walking medical marvel, allergic to bandages??? Should just give up and hide under a rock!!!

If the Bepanthen worked on you, I'd keep using it. there are very few things suitable for tattoo healing tbh.

Why would you need bandages or clingfilm? You shouldn't be wrapping a tattoo after the first few hours unless clothing can irritate it!

Ms. Koi

Esoteric_ wrote: »

If the Bepanthen worked on you, I'd keep using it. there are very few things suitable for tattoo healing tbh.

Why would you need bandages or clingfilm? You shouldn't be wrapping a tattoo after the first few hours unless clothing can irritate it!

Yeah I think that's what I'll do, I was just wondering if anyone had a similar issue and could recommend anything different!

It was more as a back up, my next one will be on my ribs so I would imagine I will experience clothing rubbing it, so I wanted a back up plan in case!

jenizzle

Just to add, I've just found Tattoo Goo fairly useless after day 3 of my latest tattoo. My skin dried up quite a bit and it didn't help. I think I'll be going back to Bepanthen!

Peetrik

Hellrazer wrote: »

The only way a wound can heal is with the bodys natural process.No amount of creams will help that process except maybe vitamin E which Im yet to fully try out and am still on the fence with that.

I would have thought the point of using creams isn't to speed the healing process. I'd fully agree that the body is wonderful at healing itself, and part of that healing process is pushing foreign bacteria and substances (ink) out of the body.

I'd be more of the opinion that preventing scabbing would be the main goal of any aftercare process. For my own 2c, after having tried everything from hemorrhoid cream to Vaseline I've found Bepanthanol to be the best.

Everyones skin is different I suppose so whatever works for you

kitten_k

I am getting my second tattoo on Friday. On my first I used Bepanthen and it worked well.

I will be getting it on my foot and can leave it free over the weekend but I will need to wear socks on Monday for work, would it be ok in just the sock or will I still need a dressing?

Hellrazer

kitten_k wrote: »

I am getting my second tattoo on Friday. On my first I used Bepanthen and it worked well.

I will be getting it on my foot and can leave it free over the weekend but I will need to wear socks on Monday for work, would it be ok in just the sock or will I still need a dressing?

Id use a dressing if it was me.

Esoteric_

I used a dressing for about 5 days on my last one, put it on straight before work, took it off straight after, so basically kept it free from any coverage for as long as was possible. Healed up perfectly fine.

RuggieMuffin

I don't like bephanthen at all - my skin broke out with it within a coupe of hours. It feels like I could wash the tattoo five times in a row with shower gel and there would still be a greasy layer left on my skin.

I use tattoo goo and find it really good. It still leaves a greasy layer over the skin that's needed to protect and moisturise it but washes off better. My skin didn't react badly at all with it.

I wrap my tattoo in cling film at night or if I'm doing something where it could get really dirty (like playing with the dogs in a field)! Otherwise I let it air for ten minutes and then apply tattoo goo after it's been washed. I wash it two, maybe three times a day.

I've never had an issue with healing work, so far!

Esoteric_

RuggieMuffin wrote: »

I don't like bephanthen at all - my skin broke out with it within a coupe of hours. It feels like I could wash the tattoo five times in a row with shower gel and there would still be a greasy layer left on my skin.

I use tattoo goo and find it really good. It still leaves a greasy layer over the skin that's needed to protect and moisturise it but washes off better. My skin didn't react badly at all with it.

I wrap my tattoo in cling film at night or if I'm doing something where it could get really dirty (like playing with the dogs in a field)! Otherwise I let it air for ten minutes and then apply tattoo goo after it's been washed. I wash it two, maybe three times a day.

I've never had an issue with healing work, so far!

If you need to wrap it, use a crepe bandage, not cling film. Clingfilm provides the heat and food needed for bacteria to grow.

If you try it with a bandage, I bet it'll heal faster and easier!