Creams For Tattoo Aftercare
Much like getting a new house or vehicle, tattoos require adequate maintenance to prevent them from decaying into oblivion or causing harm to the skin. Regardless of the proficiency of the tattoo shop, in the end, getting a tattoo is an invasive procedure. You not only introduce a foreign substance into your body but also damage the upper epidermal layers in doing so
Part of that maintenance is applying specialized cosmetic products that help your skin heal while keeping the ink shine consistent. As creams and ointments are a significant part of that collection, let’s look at a few unique types of creams you can utilize for the job. At the end of this guide, we’ll also tell you how to choose the ones that suit you best, whether you’re a consumer or a business entity.
Tattoo Salves
A subset of ointments, salves are sourced from highly concentrated natural ingredients that are quickly absorbed by the skin. While available only in small-volume tin cans, you don’t need to apply them intensively. Just a few swabs per session are enough to heal your skin from underneath while supplying some necessary luster to the tattoo.
Since tattoo salves come with varying ingredients, it is best to consult a dermatologist before receiving the ink. You need to ensure that no components create an allergic reaction. Furthermore, using salves doesn’t affect your daily routine as you can wear your desired attire over the tats.
Skin Repair Body Lotions
After getting a new tattoo, the artist might advise you not to wash the inked area for at least a few days. Over that period, you might feel some discomfort as the skin dries up, especially during winter. That’s why a touch of lotion can help moisturize your skin.
However, you can’t just use regular body lotions as they can ruin the tattoo ink. It’s best to use specific skin repair lotions made from grapeseed oil and glycerin. They moisturize the skin and prevent common side effects such as inflammation and rashes. You can get a great deal on purely vegan variants that usually don’t contain toxic preservatives.
Tattoo Balms
The purpose of tattoo balm is to support the skin around your tattoo. It has undergone trauma that it’s trying to repair now, and it doesn’t yet understand that what you’ve done to it was voluntary. Therefore, it works toward recovery, assigning the immune system to fight it.
On top of that, tattoo balm nourishes your skin for an extended time, so your tattoo gets the support it needs while healing and the nutrients that can help it look vibrant and bold. That effect persists for years after you’ve removed the gauze and bandages.
Sunscreens
Once you get a new tattoo, you can’t apply sunscreen until it’s fully healed. Instead, cover your tattoo with sleeves or loose clothing to avoid exposure to direct sunlight. Sunscreens contain chemicals and minerals that can irritate your skin. They’re safe to apply after the skin under the tattoo is fully healed.
A cream-type sunscreen is often an excellent choice since you can see where you’re applying it. Other sunscreen types, such as sprays, powders, and oils, are often not as easy to observe on your skin. You should know that missing a spot when applying them to your tattoo can lead to burns and other skin damage types.
You can use any sunscreen with a rating of SPF 30 or above. Opt for a water-resistant variant if you plan on swimming while you’re outdoors.
Tattoo Wax
Getting their first tattoo can be a painful experience for those with sensitive skin. You must think of the procedure as a wound penetrating the upper layers and creating a gap to fill the ink. It can be quite painful in the first few days as the tattoo dries and settles within the skin.
Tattoo wax can help take the edge off. It creates a protective layer that keeps the ink free from water and prevents it from penetrating deeper into the skin. Additionally, the layer opens up pores for the skin to breathe through and absorb water, which is valuable as the tattoo dries up in the following weeks.
Shiner/Anti-Chafing Gel
While other creams cater to the skin, this is the one you need to maximize the luster of your tats. The ink-drying process slows down after the first few months, but the design gets duller due to repeated cleansing and skin aging.
That’s why you might want to use a shiner or anti-chafing gel. Experts recommend only applying it over the inked area. So, using a clean swab and a steady hand is best.
How To Select The Best Cream For Your Stock
With so many manufacturers around, choosing the best creams for tattoo aftercare can be challenging. It helps to focus on a few essential criteria, whether you’re a customer or a business owner.
- Take a close look at the ingredients for the cream. Ensure they’re free of toxic chemicals such as artificial fragrances and parabens. Even if the cream is made from 100% organic products, check whether you’re allergic to any of them.
- It may sound counter-productive, but you should prefer a cream with a low expiry date. Often, companies can add preservatives to extend the shelf life, resulting in the solution losing its effectiveness and increasing toxicity.
- Instead of going for larger containers, try to store more small-volume ones. As a customer, it helps in switching your dosage without wasting too many finances. Furthermore, it allows businesses to store multiple types of creams within the same storage space.
- Store owners should go for suppliers who allow white labeling of the products. That allows your brand to grow by improving the trust the community has in you.
