VASELINE ON TATTOOS: IS IT GOOD FOR TATTOO AFTERCARE ? 

Do you have a newly made tattoo on your body and want to know that you can put Vaseline on a tattoo? Don’t worry here we will provide you with the answer to this question with a brief knowledge.  

Prescription of Vaseline on tattoo 

Nowadays tattoos are becoming popular among people as permanent makeup to beautify themselves and attract more and more people towards them. It is often seen that after getting through these procedures, some tattooists suggest putting Vaseline on a tattoo while others ask you to avoid the use of Vaseline. This is the point of confusion for various people as there is no standard for tattoo aftercare. You can decide it by yourself after taking into consideration some points which we have mentioned below. 

Mechanism of action of Vaseline 

Vaseline is an ointment that is usually used at home as an over-the-counter drug. The application of Vaseline does not allow inside the water to perspire from the body. It locks the skin moisture which makes it suitable to use for dry skin, chapped lips, cracked heels, and other body parts. It provides a soothing effect to irritated skin. These wonderful effects make it widely used for various purposes on the skin.  

Effect of Vaseline on tattoo 

Although Vaseline can provide surprising effects to the dry and irritated skin on tattoos it is not very suitable. Some reasons are mentioned below 

• Skin breathing 

Vaseline is a petroleum jelly e which is thick and nonporous. Applying a very thin layer of Vaseline on the skin completely locks the skin pores and does not allow an exchange of gases from your skin to the outside. Vaseline stops the oxygen supply of the skin and does not allow it to breathe.  

• Damage to tattoo ink 

Putting Vaseline on a newly made tattoo can also damage your tattoo ink. This is because in fresh tattoos the ink has not penetrated to the deeper layer of the skin and thus some portion of it can be drawn out as you wash off the ointment. In this way, it can spoil your tattoo.  

• Chances of infections 

Putting Vaseline on a tattoo also increases the chance of infection because you put an ointment without cleaning the area. An occlusive layer of ointment harbor germs below it giving rise to infections further. 

Vaseline Alternatives for  tattoo aftercare

There are many other appointments that you can use after tattoo care rather than using Vaseline. In contrary to Vaseline which is 100% petroleum jelly, these alternative ointments are 53 to 0% petroleum jellies. They help you to keep your skin hydrated after tattoo treatment and also reduce the itching sensation.  

• A+ D healing ointment ( 50 3.4% petroleum jelly) 
• Aquaphor healing ointment ( 41% petroleum jelly) 
• Hustle butter (0% petroleum jelly) 

Conclusion 

In light of all the above pros and cons, it is suggested to avoid the use of Vaseline on tattoos right after the treatment. It is wiser to use other alternative appointments to give a soothing effect to the skin