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When to Switch from Aquaphor to Lotion on Your Tattoo

When to Switch from Aquaphor to Lotion on Your Tattoo

Aquaphor is one of the recommended ointments in tattoo aftercare. This product helps moisturize your skin, keeping it away from infections and dryness. It also contains anti-inflammatory properties that help speed up your tattoo healing process. 

When to Switch from Aquaphor to Lotion on Your Tattoo

Tattoos take between 3 to 4 weeks to heal. Experts recommend that you wash, dry, and apply Aquaphor 2 to 3 times a day after getting inked to help in the healing process. After like 3 to 6 days of applying Aquaphor, you will need to switch to lotion as your tattoo starts to scab and peel. 

The peeling is an indication of healing which requires that you cease using Aquaphor on the inked area. So, what do you switch to after abandoning this ointment? Below we provide some of the best lotions to use in your tattoo healing journey. 

Best Lotions to Use on a New Tattoo

After abandoning Aquaphor, you should switch to gentle, unscented lotions to help keep your tattoo shiny and moisturized. Below are some of the best lotions to go for;

Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion

Aveeno Daily moisturizing body lotion is gentle on the skin and fragrance-free and thus able to give your inked area the hydration it needs to heal peacefully. Packed with colloidal oatmeal, this lotion soothes your skin, preventing irritation and itchiness. 

Aveeno daily moisturizing body lotion is also non-comedogenic and will not clog your pores. Always ensure to cleanse the tattooed area and pat dry before applying the lotion. You can use it two times a day till your tattoo is completely healed. 

When to Switch from Aquaphor to Lotion on Your Tattoo

Billy Jealousy Tattoo Lotion

Billy Jealousy tattoo lotion is packed with essential ingredients such as water, grape seed oil, jojoba oil, and green tea leaf extract to help moisturize the skin, protect against damaging environmental factors and enhance your tattoo color. It’s best suited for all skin types. 

This lotion is also non-comedogenic, vegan, paraben, and cruelty-free. It has a slight rosemary scent that’s not irritating to the skin. For best results, ensure to clean the inked area and pat it dry with a clean cloth before applying the lotion. Also, ensure to maintain consistency and, if possible, apply this lotion 2 to 3 times a day. 

When to Switch from Aquaphor to Lotion on Your Tattoo

Tattoo Goo Balm – The Original Aftercare Salve 

Tattoo Goo lotion is packed with oils, vitamins, and herbs that help soothe the tattoo during the healing process. This lotion is non-comedogenic, petroleum-free, and contains a non-irritating natural smell. It’s also free of mineral oils and lanolin. 

Tattoo Goo lotion helps speed up the healing process, makes your tattooed area more vivid, and prevents scabbing. It’s also dermatologist tested and petroleum-free. It’s safe to use on all skin types and contains olive oil and cocoa butter as its main active ingredients.   

When to Switch from Aquaphor to Lotion on Your Tattoo

Stories & Ink Tattoo Care Aftercare Cream

Stories & Ink Tattoo Care Aftercare cream contains a soothing fatty acid-rich combination of Vitamin E, bisabolol, and panthenol that helps in moisturizing the skin and preventing inflammation. This lotion is also fragrance-free, vegan, hypoallergenic, cruelty-free, and paraben-free. 

Stories & Ink tattoo lotion is best suited for all skin types and contains glycerin, linolenic, and oleic polyglycerides as its active ingredients. 

When to Switch from Aquaphor to Lotion on Your Tattoo

H20cean Aquatat Moisturizer

If you are looking for a water-based lotion to use in your recently inked area, this is the product to go for. H20cean Aquatat moisturizer is suitable for all skin types. It contains petrolatum as its main active ingredient and is fragrance-free and non-comedogenic. 

This lotion works best in refreshing your tattoo and leaving it looking as pretty as a newly-inked one. 

When to Switch from Aquaphor to Lotion on Your Tattoo

After Inked Moisturizer and Tattoo Aftercare Lotion

After Inked moisturizer is one of the best tattoo aftercare lotions on the market today. This lotion is light in weight and easily dissolves into your skin after application without leaving any residue. After Inked moisturizer also carries the day as a non-fragrance, paraben-free, and petroleum-free lotion. 

It contains useful ingredients such as jojoba, Shea butter, beeswax, orange oil, and grape seed to help in the tattoo healing process. 

When to Switch from Aquaphor to Lotion on Your Tattoo

Gold Bond Ultimate Healing Skin Therapy Lotion

This once-a-day usage tattoo healing lotion contains essential ingredients such as vitamin a, c, and e, and Aloe Vera that help in healing and moisturizing the skin. This lotion sinks into your skin seamlessly without leaving any residue. 

Gold Bond Ultimate healing skin therapy lotion is a non-greasy, fragrance-free, and hypoallergenic product that does not clog your pores. Besides working on your tattoo, you can use it for other body parts such as on your face, feet, and entire body. 

This lotion has seven moisturizers to help prevent dryness and keep the inked area moisturized and refreshed. Gold Bond Ultimate lotion is also dermatologist tested and packed with a fresh, clean scent to keep you refreshed all day. 

When to Switch from Aquaphor to Lotion on Your Tattoo

Cetaphil Advanced Relief Lotion with Shea Butter

If you suffer from overly dry and sensitive skin, this is the best lotion for you. Cetaphil advanced relief lotion contains essential ingredients such as Niacinamide, Vitamin e, B3, and B5, hydrating glycerin, and panthenol to help keep your skin moisturized for over 48 hours. 

This lotion is non-comedogenic, fragrance-free, non-greasy, lightweight, and dermatologist tested. Cetaphil Advanced Relief Lotion works magic in soothing the skin and enhancing water retention. Like with Aquaphor, ensure to use the moisture 2 to 3 times a day to keep your inked area moisturized. 

When to Switch from Aquaphor to Lotion on Your Tattoo

Additional Tips to Help Speed up Your Tattoo Healing Process

In addition to getting the right lotion and using it correctly on your inked area, these tips will help speed up the healing process. 

Avoid Exposing Your Tattoo to Sunlight before it’s Completely Healed

A newly inked tattoo is highly sensitive to UV rays. Exposing your tattoo to sunlight before it’s completely healed may result in it fading. To avoid this, always ensure to minimize too much contact with sunlight until your inked area is completely healed. 

You can decide to run your outdoor errands during the early morning or late in the afternoon when the sun is not too hot for best results. 

Drink a Lot of Water

Keeping hydrated is one of the best ways to speed up your tattoo healing process. In addition to applying the recommended lotions, you need to drink a lot of water to keep your body hydrated and speed up the healing. 

Keep the Tattooed Area Clean

Keeping the tattooed area clean during the healing process works magic in preventing bacteria and infection. Therefore, always ensure to cleanse the area with mild cleansers before applying the lotion. For best results, you can make the cleaning and lotion application 2 to 3 times a day. 

Conclusion

Healing your inked area doesn’t have to be difficult as long as you follow the above tips. Therefore, go ahead and get the right lotion from the list above to use on your tattoo and ensure to use it correctly and consistently.