What Is Salve And Its Application For Tattoo Aftercare
When getting a tattoo, most people only pay attention to the accuracy and shade of the ink. They believe that if they get the job done by a reputable tattoo shop, they won’t have to worry too much after the procedure. However, the care after immediately getting a tattoo is what might decide whether you run into complications or keep your ink shining for the foreseeable future.
Unless they consult a trusted dermatologist, they miss a few essential items, including the ointments they need for relief and keeping up the tattoo’s luster. In this piece, you’ll learn about the less-known variant called the salve and its importance in your cosmetic upkeep.
What Is a Tattoo Salve?
A tattoo salve is a specialized skin ointment that helps your skin heal from the damage of the tattoo inking process. It also helps preserve the ink without leaving any long-term harm. While it has the appearance of a light balm, its effects are far stronger and require more care to store and apply.
Formulation
Similar to antiseptic creams, tattoo salves come with various formulations. Although, you should choose the one that doesn’t have any artificial chemicals or fragrant dyes. An ideal one should be formulated from natural ingredients. Extracts from coconut, thyme, and olives are popular, but you can also get variants with other components that fit specific skin types.
Packaging
As the essence of the salve is fully organic and extracted from fresh ingredients, it is pretty volatile. That is why you would likely find them in small, airtight tins that usually don’t weigh more than 56 grams (2 oz). Even though you only apply trace amounts each time, it is best to buy a few tins if you plan to use the salve for several months.
Shelf Life
With adequate packaging and storage, a tattoo salve can deliver effective results up to one year from the manufacturing date. While chemical additives can extend that period, it is best to use the ones with only natural ingredients because they are less toxic.
A tell-tale sign of expired shelf life is observing a pungent, foul stench as soon as you open the tin. You should also throw out the pack if you see a thin layer of transparent liquid over the rest of the ointment. It usually means that the glycerol has separated from the solution, leaving it no longer viable to be absorbed through the skin.
Difference Between a Salve and Other Ointments
While the term ‘salve’ is often used interchangeably with ‘ointment,’ given that it is a subset, several differences make the two of them stand out.
- Hardness: Salves are not as hard as ointments, as they are meant to be readily absorbed by the skin. They tend to have a softer texture, making them easier to store in a compact form. Other ointments typically have a more rigid texture, taking anywhere from a few minutes to several hours before completely assimilating with the skin.
- Composition: Good quality salves are manufactured as a mixture of multiple organic extracts, primarily sourced from plants. They are anhydrous solutions (containing little to no water) which makes them safer during absorption, as any dirt or other foreign particles are left at the surface. On the flip side, other ointments have a glycol or water solution, which makes them only suitable for specific ailments.
- Volume and Packaging: Due to their precious extracts and intense action, salves come in small packages that are typically less than 2 ounces in volume. Most companies prefer a tin box that protects the solution from sunlight and other contaminants. In the case of ointments, you can obtain packages of more than 5 ounces, should you require them for regular use.
- Applications: Salves are often applied in trace amounts using a swab or tips of the fingers at the desired area. Experts recommend you wait until the absorption concludes before adding another layer. You can apply ointments in multiple layers, sometimes even covering them with gauze or bandages.
Application
Now that you have a coherent idea about the nature of salves let’s take a look at their potential benefits and how to apply them for the most desirable effects.
Benefits of Using a Tattoo Salve
You can prefer salves for tattoo aftercare since the oils help the damaged skin beneath to heal. It is best to use the dose three days after the tattoo procedure. The plant oils also help in preserving the tattoo as well.
If you know anything about Samoan traditions, they are really good at creating beautiful tattoos. For ages, the tribes used coconut oil mixed with herb extracts to preserve their skin ink, which meant a lot to them religiously. Similarly, your ink can retain its shine for years to come.
Even for those who didn’t have a fresh tattoo done, there are several advantages of applying the salve regularly. You can use it to relieve yourself of the following perils to a great extent:
- Bed sores
- Burns
- Scars and cuts
- Diaper rash
- Eczema
- Psoriasis
- Acne
- Infection from poison oak and poison ivy
That is an added benefit for those who own or operate a tattoo shop, as they can white-label the products as cosmetics for regular use.
How to Apply
Firstly, you need to keep your tattooed surface stable and exposed. The best way is to use a swab to take a good wipe of the salve and gently apply it to the inked area. You can also use the tips of your fingers. Just remember to have a smooth motion. You don’t have to rub the salve in. Your skin absorbs it rather quickly.
Dermatologists advise using salves 3-4 times a day when the tattoo is fresh. You can taper it down to 2-3 times per week once you’re past the 1-month mark.
Choosing the Best Tattoo Salve for Aftercare
While salves are quite beneficial when it comes to tattoo aftercare, there are still a few essential criteria you need to take into account before choosing the best for yourself:
- Check the ingredients at the back of the tin. A good salve should be made from only natural extracts and no added preservatives.
- Avoid using salves with petroleum jelly or parabens.
- Since the excellent ones are all-natural, they decay pretty quickly. Therefore, tattoo salves with one year or less expiry are ideal.
- Due to the variety of ingredients, there might be salves that your skin may be allergic to. Consult with a trusted dermatologist before ordering one yourself.
