Can you use Vaseline on a tattoo?

What should you use on a new tattoo?

Use a simple moisturizer or an ointment recommended for your aftercare. Petroleum jelly can block pores, potentially encouraging bacterial overgrowth and inflammation while the tattoo heals.1

1. 1Follow your tattoo artist's instructions on how long to leave the bandage on.
2. 2Wash your hands before removing the bandage. Soften it with warm water, then gently peel it away.
3. 3Wash the tattoo twice daily with mild, fragrance free antibacterial soap without perfumes or dyes and warm water. Do not scrub. Pat dry with a clean paper towel.
4. 4Apply a simple moisturizer or recommended ointment twice daily. Continue washing and moisturizing during the first month.
5. 5Wear loose, breathable clothing to reduce sticking and rubbing. Leave scabs and flaky skin alone rather than picking or scratching.

Until the tattoo is fully healed, avoid petroleum jelly, exfoliation, sunscreen on the tattoo, and soaking in pools, baths or hot tubs. Keep the healing tattoo out of direct sunlight. Itching, flaking and scabs can occur during the first two weeks. The top layer typically heals by about two months, but deeper layers can take several more months.1

What about a healed tattoo?

A water based lotion or cream is the straightforward choice for dry tattooed skin, without recruiting a bathroom staple as an ink preservation system. Protect a healed tattoo outdoors with broad spectrum, water resistant SPF 30 or higher sunscreen. Apply it 15 minutes before going outside and reapply at least every two hours. Avoid tanning beds and sunlamps: ultraviolet light can fade tattoo inks, and those devices also increase skin cancer risk.2

Can you use Vaseline lotion on a tattoo?

For a healed tattoo, use the water based lotion or cream rule when choosing a lotion, rather than treating every Vaseline product as petroleum jelly. There is no specific Vaseline lotion formula to assess here, so no particular bottle gets a blanket yes. For a fresh tattoo, stick to a simple moisturizer or the ointment recommended for your aftercare.12

When does a tattoo need medical attention?

See a doctor promptly if redness spreads or darkens, pain worsens, or you develop pus, open sores, fever or chills. Contact your healthcare professional and tattoo artist if the area is not healing or a rash develops. Ask the artist for the ink's brand, color and batch number to help investigate a reaction. Ink allergies can appear immediately or years later. Get immediate medical care for a tattoo reaction accompanied by trouble breathing, chest tightness, dizziness or intense swelling.34