Aftercare is a big topic of debate in the tattoo world. How do you best take care of your fresh tattoo? Advice from one professional is disqualified by another professional's opinion. It can be hard to know who to trust.
We think the best people to trust are those who have been healing wounds, small and large, for years. Doctors!
One of the unanimous aftercare recommendations for a wound is to keep it protected and moisturized. There are several ways to do that, which is where the confusion gets started, but HUSH is here to straighten you out!
Today we are talking about keeping your wound protected and moisturized and what Aquaphor has to do with that.
What Is Aquaphor?
Aquaphor is a multi-purpose healing ointment — its packaging states that it can be used on minor wounds and dry skin. For the sake of tattoos being the topic of discussion, we are sticking with Aquaphor’s use on minor wounds, which is what your tattoo is! Aquaphor is made up of 41% petroleum jelly, which lets in some air to help heal the skin, while it also contains panthenol and glycerin, which protect and moisturize the skin. What are these ingredients?- Petroleum Jelly: Derived from crude oil, petroleum is made by refining the oil until it becomes a topical gel that softens and forms a water-repellant barrier on the skin. It protects bacteria from getting into a wound and keeps moisture from getting out of a wound.
- Panthenol: An alcohol derivative of an acid that is a component of the B complex vitamins. ¿Que? Okay, basically it’s an ingredient that is going to promote positive skin healing reactions on a topical level. Bonus points: It is also a protector, moisturizer, and has anti-inflammatory properties.
- Glycerin: Derived from a chemical reaction of fats, glycerin is that ingredient that you saw being made in Fight Club. You know, the scene where they steal the fat from the hospital and turn it into soap? Yep, glycerin. Glycerin’s magic is that it attracts moisture but doesn’t clog your pores.