Ointment

I am new to this board, but I had a question. I just got my third tattoo, a monarch butterfly between my shoulder blades. My first tattoo, I was told to just use unscented lotion on it. My second tattoo, I was given Tattoo Goo, which worked great! I am in a new city/state with a new tattoo artist, and with this one, they gave me a & d ointment. I used it sparingly for two days, and then found out that it actually pulls the color out of it! Why the hell would a professional tattoo artist recommend something like that? Its not like its some sleazy tattoo shop, its one of the best and most well known ones in the area. This just doesn't make any sense to me. I switched to unscented lotion, and it doesn't look like there's any damage, but I'm afraid its a little more faded than it should be. Now I may have to go back and get it touched up later on. Maybe someone who is a professional could give me some feedback on this.

Well, A&D when used SPARINGLY for the first day or so should do you no harm. I wouldn't worry about any colors falling out. A&D is basically a healing salve and that's why it's recommended for the first day or so. After that switching to unscented lotion is fine.

Actually, if you look at the packaging A&D Ointment is used to treat Diaper Rash (I've made a joke for years that if you're young enough to get diaper rash, you're too young to get a tattoo) Jokes aside, I know alot of artist suggest it and alot of folks swear by it. There are a multitude of products available which are suggested by various artist in their care instructions. I personally tried Tattoo Goo and it pulled more color out than anything else I've ever tried but I know people who swear by it. I personally recommend and give my clients Bacitracin and I know there are many who advice against that too. But, I've found that the majority of people who use ointments then complain it pulls color out USE TOO MUCH. I advice using only a small dab, rubbing it into the tattoo well, then blotting it until you can't see any ointment/shine and have had great results with it for over 20 years, better than any other product I've tried. But, I suspect different products work differently for different people and think that's probably the general concences (sp?) I think the best thing is to use whatever your artist suggest, then, if you do need a touch up, that person should do the touch up free (providing you DID follow their care instructions) Clue, don't pick at the scabs then come in complaining it wasn't done right-most of us can tell if you did and don't appreciate being blamed for your inability to follow instructions! (I'm NOT implying YOU did that, it's an example,okay?) You didn't say how recent the work is so bear in mind there is a stage where the colors aren't as bright as they will be when it is completely healed as the 'new skin' reforming over the top is not as translucent as it will be when completely healed, which can take up to a month or so depending on a number of variables (diet,age,skin condition,'life style',etc.,) I'd think if the work was done by a reputable studio and you did do as they instructed, they would redo it at no extra cost. Hope that helps...Doc

Have you considered that your tattoo may be fading not because of what you are using on it (a&d has been used with great results for many years) but the artist who did it?...just something to think about... Het Doc...did ya get a reply from Gabe about those kit and how to videos?...He is usually right on top if that stuf pal!!...TAz

Plenty of artists recommend using A&D and I doubt it pulls out color any more or less than other ointments. Personally I dont like anything petroleum based and prefer the ink fixx/black cat/ tattoo goo healing salves. In short, I would do exactly what your artist recommends, they know best how their tattoos heal. Whoever told you A&D pulls ink out isnt fully informed... There are a LOT of professionals who recommend A&D.

Oh, and where am I sending these instruction kits and videos? I have a bunch of old ones Im need to get rid of...

No Taz, still no responce and those ads are still up as of this morning. I realize he's undoubtedly a busy young man with all he's got going on, but, under the circumstances I'd expected this to be something he'd MAKE time for. Can't help but wonder how many wannabes have seen and responded to those ads...Doc

Here's my 2 cents~ I just had new work done Saturday and have been using a thin layer of Aquaphor. Only applying it twice a day with clean hands. I emulsify it first to warm it in my hands and soften it, then apply it by dabbing it in different spots on my tattoo and gently spreading it.I dab off the excess with a paper towel after a couple of minutes. I got the Aquaphor idea from this forum, and so far, it's healing beautifully. My artist reccomended Curel, but I am not even going to switch to lotion (yet) because the Aquaphor is working so well. Also, I am only getting it wet when I take a shower, and gently, not letting the water spray run directly on it, so actually there's always a layer of protection on it, the Aquaphor lasts like crazy. I love it. I've tried Tat.Goo and Lubriderm in the past, and this has worked the best by far. Good Luck~ and don't mess with it!!!!! Tima

I will once again recommend that you try a product called burts Badger Balm....scroll down and you will find my post on it....my clients love it and its NOT petroleum based...You CAn find it at Cracker Barrel restaraunts...TAz

To the person using only Aquaphor. I use aquaphor as well but ONLY for 2 days. Anymore than that and you can suffocate your skin and it will start to break out. I use the aquaphor for 2 days and then switch to Eucerin unscented lotion. I have had no problems and no color loss. Of course the best thing to do would be to...listen to your artist.

P8ntballgirl~ Yup, I think I am going to do the lotion-switch tommorow. It's just that the Aquaphor feels so good. :)

ditto on just about everything that everyone said before me (as they're the pros and i'm just a collector). but i will say, and shamelessly plug, that i LOVE black cat tattoo aftercare products. especially the soap. i have an overabundance of the stuff, as i saw a store going out of biz had it on sale 4/$1... but here's the website: http://www.blackcatsoap.com/ whether or not tattoo artists recommend this i don't know. i stumbled across it through an old job i had, when i asked a few artists about it, they had no clue what i was talking about. could be a scam, but my work came out ok. plus, made my skin & tattoo feel SUPER. ;) (whew. anyone want to give me a job doing infomercials?)