Do you HAVE to put lotion on a new tattoo?

Question

So I just got a new tattoo two days ago. It doesn't itch at all and honestly isn't really that sore. I was just wondering if I didn't put lotion on it would it be a bad idea? I don't want it to crack or anything but sinse it doesn't itch I don't see the point. My other 3 I had to use lotion but this one I don't really feel the need.

Answer 1

Yes, you do need to put lotion on it. The lotion keeps your skin moisturized and keeps it form peeling. If your tattoo peels too much during the first couple of months, it will gradually over time become more and more faded with more and more peeling. The lotion has nothing to do with itching, itching means that your skin and the nerves are healing. Your skin either wasn't as damaged with this tattoo as the others, or you just haven't gotten to that stage of healing yet, which is probably the case because it has only been a few days.

Answer 2

You need to give your skin moisture in order to help it heal. Even if you don't feel the need for it, you should follow aftercare instructions. I was always told to cover up for a few hours, then for a couple days give the tattoo air (after all it is an open wound) and then to use bepanthen 3-4 times per day for about 3 weeks, dependant on the size. Not using anything IS a bad idea. Remember this is with you for life, so take care of it.

Answer 3

Not having tried not doing it, I've nothing to compare it with.



But the usual advice is that you do need the lotion: partly as a barrier to keep dirt etc out, and partly to keep the scab flexible, so that it won't break away too early and take a chunk of the unhealed skin with it.



I just had my seventh, and the previous ones have all worked well going by that advice. Conceivably it might be just ritual, but I'm not going to experiment.

Answer 4

I didn't really feel the need to put lotion on mine, either...I guess because it's just so small. But my tattoo artist told me to make sure to do it at least three times a day, and everybody else I talked to with tattoos said that's what they did. Really, it's just one of those things where it's better to be safe than sorry, I think.

Answer 5

ur tattoo has to be lubricated to heal right to to keep the colors and shape fresh .. no lubration causes ur tattoo to look faded.. vaseline is good.. just a think light layer morning and night.. not too mcuh to ask for something that u will have permanantly on ur body