Nearly one in four people around the world today have tattoos, which is around 2 billion people worldwide, so you would have to say it is extremely popular practice.
With this being said it is very crucial to care and look after a fresh tattoo.
Here Is Why A Tattoo Balm Is Worth It:
To put it simply yes it is very important. There are a lot of factors to consider after you get a new tattoo:
Your skin type: Many people have sensitive skin (and don’t realise until after they get a tattoo)
The type of ink the artist is using: Find out the brand of tattoo ink your artist is using, some are better than others.
How your new tattoo will react in general: Colours in your tattoo ink can affect your skin. Colours including red and yellows are common in reactions.
So using a aftercare product is a “must” for healing up your new tattoo.
This is the short answer. In this article we are going to go over whether you should buy a after care product and how to use it.
is Tattoo Balm Worth It?
When you get a new tattoo or are considering getting one, there are many factors to consider that could affect the healing up of your tattoo (so using a tattoo balm/cream is definitely worth it 100%)
Tattoo Artist
There are all different types of tattoo artists, and it is best to do your research.
In some extreme cases, some tattoo artists can use dirty needles which can lead to infection on your tattoo. If you are looking at someone new always check that they have a five star rating in google.
Tattoo Ink
Most ink is fine for tattooing but there have been brands of tattoo ink that have caused bacteria (from cross contamination) and some brands including Scalpaink and Dynamic have been recalled by the FDA.
So it is always best to ask your tattoo artist the brand of ink they will use before your session.
Colour of the Ink
There are two colours of ink that normally cause reactions in tattoos this is Red and Yellow colours.
Yellow ink is normally makes your skin sensitive when exposed to the sun. While red ink is the biggest culprit for allergic reactions for people.
Your Skin
Depending on what part of the body you are tattooing can affect your skin.
As all human beings skin is different, different reactions can occur with different people, sometimes for no reason apart from you have sensitive skin in some areas.
Tattoo cream is worth it as you really never know how your next tattoo is going to turn out, or how your skin is going to react whilst healing, so it is better to be safe than sorry.
Should I Use A Tattoo Balm?
Any tattoo studio or shop is going to recommend that you use a aftercare cream or balm for healing up purposes. Below are three main reasons why you should use a tattoo cream:
Open Wound:
Any tattoo you are going to get is a open wound and takes time to heal.
Not only is it a wound but you are also dealing with different coloured ink within the skin. As this area is a wound there is the potential for a reaction within the healing stage.
Potential Allergic Reaction:
Different coloured ink and also the type of ink (brand type) does cause allergic reactions in some people (mostly in the red colour but some people have reported also blue and purple).
Scabbing Up Period:
Going through a scabbing up stage is normal for most people.
This can include bubbling or the skin going very soft, itching, and loss of skin. This starts 3-4 days after a fresh tattoo and lasts up to a week for the skin to fall off.
A tattoo cream if made with good natural ingredients will help sooth and smooth over your tattoo throughout the seven day scabbing up period.
Is Tattoo Balm Better Than Lotion?
With regards to any skincare product whether it is a balm or a cream, it is all about the ingredients!
Below is the difference between the two being a balm and a cream for you to decide:
Balm: Most balms are made using beeswax and some type of oils/essential oils
Cream: Creams are usually made with beeswax/or petroleum jelly with water and oils
It is best to avoid using any after care product that includes petroleum jelly as this is made from crude oil and is not a natural ingredient.
Please Note: Many people use Vaseline or Bepanthen for tattoos and both of these products both have petroleum jelly within the other ingredients, so they are both a mixture of natural and unnatural ingredients.
Mr Bees Manuka tattoo cream is a mixture between a cream and a balm (and doesn’t include water within the product), and includes ingredients like:
Zinc oxide, Manuka, Leatherwood, Sweet Almond Oil, Sunflower Oil, D/L Panthenol, Allanton . (See our shop for more details).
How Often Should I Put A Balm On My Tattoo?
When looking after a fresh tattoo we would suggest to:
- Make sure you keep your tattoo clean
- Place a tattoo cream/balm on every 3-4 hours this will stop your skin from cracking or splitting (stopping extreme itching also). The best time is in the
Morning (clean it first), midday, and evening. The evening is extremely important as you will be resting and the cream will go into your skin whilst you are asleep.