What Type of Ointment Do You Put on Tattoos?

Tattoos are an ancient form of body art. In some cultures, certain tattoos were marks of office or achievement. In Western culture, it is a medium through which an individual can express himself. However, getting a tattoo is an involved process that requires the individual to care for his new body art for a few days after he gets it. This requires using a form of antibiotic ointment.

Tatooing

• The process of tattooing is effectively that of wounding your skin, putting ink into it, and then having the pigmentation of the ink become part of the upper most levels of your skin. This is what gives the tattoo its permanence. This is done by using a needle, with ink on the end, that makes a series of shallow pricks in the skin that eventually compose the tattoo. How well the tattoo's recipient cares for the healing process of these pricks is important to the long-term health of the tattoo.

Only Heals Once

• It is important to properly care for the tattoo until it fully heals, because it will only heal once. Letting the tattoo area dry up will allow scabs to form, which will create areas in which the skin heals without fully integrating the tattoo ink. Such scabs, or further complications that can arise if the recipient allows the tattoo area to become infected before it is fully healed, can degrade the image quality of his fully healed tattoo.

Ointment

• One basic component in caring for the healing tattoo is an anti-bacterial ointment. These will keep the tattoo area moist, prevent scabs from forming, and keep infections away while the skin is healing. The particular brand of antibiotic ointment is not as important as the individual regularly applying it to his tattoo to keep it moist and uninfected. All the individual needs to keep in mind is to stay away from any ingredients he knows he is allergic to.

Further Care

• An individual with a tattoo that is in the process of healing should apply the ointment, then wrap it up with a non-adhesive bandage. This will help keep any foreign particles from floating into the ointment, as well as preventing any unintended skin to skin contact on the area of the healing tattoo. It is also important that the individual use ointment, but not water. While ointment will keep the area moist, water can wash ink away from the tattoo site. This will lead to a duller final piece of body art.