What Brands of Hand cream are good to use to moisturize healing Tattoos

I have been learning that instead of petroleum based products such as vasaline one should use a non fragrance, non petroluem hand cream to get tattoos healed well and fast. Statement - Vasaline based products block the pores so the skin can't breathe so it takes longer to heal etc. How true is this? In Trini allot of people use Vitamin E capsules and A & D Ointment. So tell me if this is the correct procedure for healing a tattoo in 2006!! - 1) Wash once a day with antibacterial soap (Dial) 2) For Firts 2-3 days use Antibacterial cream (Neosporin/Bacatricin etc.) 3 -4 times daily 3) From 3rd day stop using antibacterial cream and use "fragrance free, petroleum free hand cream" So to sum up my long and probably "duh" post - 1) What brands of non fragrance, non petroleum based hand creams are out there. Please give detailed names 2) Why no Fragrance?? does it burn 3) Is my procedure laid out above cool 4) Are vitamin E or A & D ointment good replacements for a "non fragrance, non petroleum hand cream" It is my hope that responses to this post will be numerous and helpful to me as well as others, nothwithstanding that it has probably been discussed in the past, have Brand Names been discussed?

Or should we stick to Tattoo specific Products such as "Tattoo Goo"

im suprised more people havent posted on this one. everyones going to have a different aftercare instruction, just as everyones skin heals differently, but as a general guideline what i advise is as follows: -leave bandage on for about an hour then gently wash with clean hands, always air dry -no scrubbing with towels. -the following day apply thin layer of (a&d/ fragrance-free lubriderm/ h2 ocean-take your pick) approx. 2/3x a day for about a week. -when it starts flaking continue lightly using a fragrance-free lotion and no picking or scratching. your statement is true- petroleum products ,and neosporin can clog pores and some may "pull" color out. fragrance-free because it doesnt contain as many chemicals,and alcohol as fragranced (less chance of adverse reaction)and yes alcohol will burn. until i used h2 ocean tattoo cream foam (which worked awesome for me) i was using a combination of fragrance-free lubriderm and vitamin e oil. of course, if at any time you develop any reaction to product discontinue use. im not a doctor i just play one in my bedroom ..LOL

I expect the weather conditions there are pretty much warm & humid, so you probably don't wanna be lathering too much muck on a fresh wound and then perspiring into that eh? I tend to use Bepanthen antiseptic cream* for the first few days and then try to leave the immune system to do the rest, but occasionally I'll use Aloe Vera to speed things up. It's absorbed quickly, moisturises and doesn't leave any goo. I expect it grows where you are. *Dunno if it's sold under that name in T&T, it's BAYER's cream for nappy/diaper rash, so if it's safe for babies' botts, it's safe for just about everybody.

Thanks guys for the posts, i will be looking around for these products. We have one very good tattoo shop that sells tattoo goo but pharmacies and cosmetics stores do nnot carry a very wide range of hand creams, especially without fragrance. I was hoping for more posts but you see, it is not appearing one the home page thus there is less visability. It is warm here most days but we stay out of the freaking sun or at least our tattoos. We have allot of meiocre artists in trini and a few good ones. Has anyone heard of tattoo farm. they are supposedly the best as well as the most expensive. I saw one of their pieces recently and all i can say is that it was a decent tattoo. i would not kill for one though. Thanks again.

Weasel....its ANTIBIOTIC ointment not antibacterial,and its LOTION not CREAMS....there is a difference,creams are thick lotions absorb easier,the ointments are petroleum based but generally not as thick as Vaseline...A&D works well but only use Vitamin E after the tattoo has sealed up. Vitamin E can cause problems if used on a fresh tattoo. Hope this helps.

Sorry dude, you are very correct re the Antibiotic cream. I know this!! The lotion/cream i have now learned the difference. What about the Vitamin E oil is dangerous to a new Tatt?? Why did my post not go to the front page so I could have gotten more responses??

I use Aquaphor ointment 3x a day patting off the surface after 10-15 minutes, the skin will soak what it needs to heal the rest can clog pours. I also use Aveeno w/oatmeal skin lotion as often as needed for as long as you want, I still use it on healed tattoos to bring a little life to them and it helps during dry skin season linke winter. This is what I do but might not work for all, I have had great success with my clients and they seem to heal with little to no scabbing and peeling and in much less time but without the scar tissue build up that products like neo-sporin cause.

Neo sporin and the other antibiotic ointments as well as A&D are basically the same thing...a white petroleum base with additives...A&D has added of course the vitamins A plus D...Neosporin is ptroleum with neomycin sulphate ( in way to strong amounts for a fresh tattoo...hence problems with scarring) Bacitracin and/or triple antibiotic has 3 different antibiotic ointments in the white petroleum base.and if used sparingly and only for a few days just gives a bit of added protection from some germs.

Ive always used vaseline with the best results. Ive tried the other 'goos' and have had BAD results. About a year ago I found 'Ohm Ointment'. I found them off of Brandon Bonds links. It is all natural, has healing essential oils in it, and vitamin e. It comes in a stick too which is pretty handy. My tats heal in less than a week with NO scabbing. I am heavily tattooed and my husband is as well. The tats just peel which is awesome. You can order it online, and they give out free samples too. This stuff rocks. www.tattooointment.com Jessica

Ive always used vaseline with the best results. Ive tried the other 'goos' and have had BAD results. About a year ago I found 'Ohm Ointment'. I found them off of Brandon Bonds links. It is all natural, has healing essential oils in it, and vitamin e. It comes in a stick too which is pretty handy. My tats heal in less than a week with NO scabbing. I am heavily tattooed and my husband is as well. The tats just peel which is awesome. You can order it online, and they give out free samples too. This stuff rocks. www.tattooointment.com Jessica

Ive always used vaseline with the best results. Ive tried the other 'goos' and have had BAD results. About a year ago I found 'Ohm Ointment'. I found them off of Brandon Bonds links. It is all natural, has healing essential oils in it, and vitamin e. It comes in a stick too which is pretty handy. My tats heal in less than a week with NO scabbing. I am heavily tattooed and my husband is as well. The tats just peel which is awesome. You can order it online, and they give out free samples too. This stuff rocks. www.tattooointment.com Jessica