After enduring the pricking sensation of the thin needle piercing into your skin, you return home with a piece of art right on your body. The artist’s job is over, and here comes your part. You need to keep all the portions of the design healed correctly.
Whether you’re a fan of aloe vera or someone recommends it, you may want to use it on your tattoo. However, do not take the risk and get down to the business without making sure if it’s safe or not. So, can you put aloe on a tattoo?
Can You Put Aloe On A Tattoo?
Aloe vera is beneficial to the tattoo healing process. It keeps your skin healthy and moisturized and is a wonderful remedy for scarring. The anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory agents found in aloe help protect the skin and promote healing.
- Read more: How long does it take for a tattoo to heal?
5 Benefits Of Putting Aloe On A Tattoo
1. Moisturize the skin
Moisture and air are quintessential for a tattoo to heal correctly, and aloe can address these special needs. It also moisturizes the area deep beneath the surface of the skin. In addition, tattoos need to breathe so they don’t trap moisture. Aloe gives the circulation a boost to enable the skin to breathe better.
2. Protect against infection
During the healing stage, encountering a nasty infection is an absolute nightmare. Aloe contains antibacterial properties that help inhibit the growth of certain bacteria that can cause infections on the skin.
3. Combat inflammation
Skin wounds are the direct result of piercing the needle into the skin, and your skin responds to them by getting inflamed. Aloe vera is an effective anti-inflammatory and helps to speed up the healing process.
4. Soothe Irritation
Ink can make the skin more sensitive, especially when exposed to sunlight. Aloe helps to soothe the rashes, itchiness, and other irritation symptoms.
5. Reduces scarring
Scarring occurs when the artists are excessively heavy-handed to push the needle to deeper layers of skin. Sometimes, it’s not the artist’s execution to blame, though. Instead, the scarring might show up in insensitive or delicate skin areas that are more susceptible to scarring.
Most experts agree that aloe can minimize the look of a scar. It is because there are a bunch of biologically active substances found in aloe that give it the healing property.
Glycoproteins, which exist in the pulp and extract, assist in reducing pain and inflammation. This substance helps reduce inflammation and the severity of the scar. While antibacterial agents also prevent the scar from getting worse with the attack of bacteria.
It is recommended to apply aloe gel to the scarred spots about 2 to 3 times a day to level them with the rest of the skin.
- Read more: Can i tattoo over a scar?
Why Do Some Tattoo Artists Not Recommend Aloe For Tattoos?
There are mixed opinions about whether to use aloe gel for a new tattoo. Some artists do not favor aloe gel as an aftercare product for their clients. In the first few weeks, it’s best to avoid superficial damage on the uppermost layers of the skin as much as possible.
Thus, if you want to err on the cautious side, you can choose to use aloe gel after your tattoo is well healed. Doing so will allow the ink to penetrate further down the skin and become more resilient against skin damage.
How To Apply Aloe For A Tattoo
How a tattoo comes out does not solely depend on the artist’s work but also the skincare it gets afterward. You’re taking advantage of the many incredible benefits of aloe when using aloe on your tattoo.
Here’s how to apply aloe on a tattoo:
- Wash the skin
- Spread a layer of aloe on the tattoo
- Cover the skin with sterile gauze (to prevent it from coming into contact with clothes)
- Reapply 5 to 6 times a day within the first 3 days, then reduce to 3 times daily
Bonus Tips On Tattoo Aftercare
Tattooing is a medical procedure, and your skin is vulnerable after the artist uses the needle to put ink into your skin. The most common issues you might run into after getting a tattoo are infections and scarring.
Never overlook aftercare for your tattoo to make sure your tattoo will look well without any compilations. Follow these steps to care for your newly made tattoos in the first wash:
- The artist should cover the tattoo with a layer of antibiotic ointment and a plastic wrap (or a bandage). Keep it on according to your artist’s instructions (maybe 3-4 hours).
- After removing the bandage, wash your hand with soap and water. Then, wash your tattoo using warm water and unscented, hypoallergenic soap and pat dry with a paper towel. Do not use a towel or cloth since they might carry bacteria.
- Apply a moisturizer on the tattoo when it’s dry and leave it uncovered to let the skin breath
Frequently Asked Questions
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Conclusion
Hopefully, after reading this article, you have managed to answer “Can you put aloe on a tattoo” without any hesitation. Aloe vera is safe as an aftercare product. In addition, it can reduce the scarring resulting from compilations while your tattoo is healing.
Anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and moisturizing properties needed for the healing process are all present in aloe. Better safe than sorry, you can wait for the tattoo to fully heal to use aloe.
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