6 Tattoo Healing Myths Debunked
MYTH 1. Petrolatum drains the colour from your tattoo and causes fading.
FALSE: If you are looking on the Internet for information about how to care for your tattoo, you will have come across this myth. Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation on the web.
Let's be clear: there is no scientific evidence that indicates tattoo ink may fade as a result of petrolatum or other oil-based ointments applied to the surface of your skin. None at all. Petrolatum sits on the very top layer of your skin and is not absorbed into the lower layers where the ink is deposited. Think about it - doctors have to use high-powered lasers just to fade and possibly remove tattoo ink from deep inside your skin.
But do you know what will cause your tattoo to fade? Sun and radiation exposure, ink pigment decomposition, ink deposited into the wrong layers of your skin and in some cases, your own genetic make-up may not tolerate the ink deposits well.
FALSE: If you are looking on the Internet for information about how to care for your tattoo, you will have come across this myth. Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation on the web.
Let's be clear: there is no scientific evidence that indicates tattoo ink may fade as a result of petrolatum or other oil-based ointments applied to the surface of your skin. None at all. Petrolatum sits on the very top layer of your skin and is not absorbed into the lower layers where the ink is deposited. Think about it - doctors have to use high-powered lasers just to fade and possibly remove tattoo ink from deep inside your skin.
But do you know what will cause your tattoo to fade? Sun and radiation exposure, ink pigment decomposition, ink deposited into the wrong layers of your skin and in some cases, your own genetic make-up may not tolerate the ink deposits well.
MYTH 2. Let your newly tattooed skin "dry out" or "breathe."
FALSE: Studies have shown that wounds healing under moist conditions healed 50% faster than wounds healing under dry conditions. Applying a non-water soluble ointment will help keep your wound moist and reduce the opportunity for dry scabbing, while also keeping dirt and bacteria out. Look for an ointment that contains petrolatum, white petrolatum, mineral oil, olive oil or zinc oxide.
FALSE: Studies have shown that wounds healing under moist conditions healed 50% faster than wounds healing under dry conditions. Applying a non-water soluble ointment will help keep your wound moist and reduce the opportunity for dry scabbing, while also keeping dirt and bacteria out. Look for an ointment that contains petrolatum, white petrolatum, mineral oil, olive oil or zinc oxide.
MYTH 3. Don't use wound care or first aid ointment on your freshly tattooed skin.
FALSE: A freshly applied tattoo is a wound to your skin. Thousands of tiny puncture wounds, to be exact. First aid ointments are designed to help relieve pain and itch, while soothing and protecting the wound. Protect your new tattoo with an ointment that will keep your wound moist, protect your skin as it heals and provide healing medicinal ingredients to help with pain and itch. BUT- before you apply any ointment to your freshly tattooed skin, make sure that it is designed to be used on open wounds, uses pharmaceutical grade ingredients, complies with good manufacturing processes and follows applicable laws and regulations concerning over-the-counter pharmaceuticals.
FALSE: A freshly applied tattoo is a wound to your skin. Thousands of tiny puncture wounds, to be exact. First aid ointments are designed to help relieve pain and itch, while soothing and protecting the wound. Protect your new tattoo with an ointment that will keep your wound moist, protect your skin as it heals and provide healing medicinal ingredients to help with pain and itch. BUT- before you apply any ointment to your freshly tattooed skin, make sure that it is designed to be used on open wounds, uses pharmaceutical grade ingredients, complies with good manufacturing processes and follows applicable laws and regulations concerning over-the-counter pharmaceuticals.
MYTH 4. Use antibiotic ointment on a fresh tattoo.
FALSE: Doctors are now routinely recommending that we not use topical antibiotics if there is no sign of infection. The risk of having a reaction to the specific antibiotic drug is greater than any healing benefit it provides. Gently wash your tattoo to keep it clean and apply a thin layer of a first aid ointment to the wound. If you notice any signs of infection, see your doctor.
FALSE: Doctors are now routinely recommending that we not use topical antibiotics if there is no sign of infection. The risk of having a reaction to the specific antibiotic drug is greater than any healing benefit it provides. Gently wash your tattoo to keep it clean and apply a thin layer of a first aid ointment to the wound. If you notice any signs of infection, see your doctor.
MYTH 5. Chlorine or salt water will cause your tattoo to leach colour.
FALSE: Swimming with open wounds cal let harmful bacteria and other germs into your skin, increasing the risk of infection. Remember that the skin where your tattoo was applied is a wound. There is no scientific evidence to show that water of any type - tap, chlorinated or salt - has any effect on your tattoo. Tattoo ink is deposited into your body's cells in a lower layer of your skin called the dermis. Water from a bath, pool or the ocean simply cannot penetrate that deeply into your skin.
FALSE: Swimming with open wounds cal let harmful bacteria and other germs into your skin, increasing the risk of infection. Remember that the skin where your tattoo was applied is a wound. There is no scientific evidence to show that water of any type - tap, chlorinated or salt - has any effect on your tattoo. Tattoo ink is deposited into your body's cells in a lower layer of your skin called the dermis. Water from a bath, pool or the ocean simply cannot penetrate that deeply into your skin.
MYTH 6: Use only unscented lotions on tattooed skin.
FALSE: Scents are in many of the products we use every day. In fact, medicinal ingredients may have a fragrance. If you have previously found that scents irritate your skin, then choose a fragrance-free product. If not, simply enjoy smelling good while you heal.
FALSE: Scents are in many of the products we use every day. In fact, medicinal ingredients may have a fragrance. If you have previously found that scents irritate your skin, then choose a fragrance-free product. If not, simply enjoy smelling good while you heal.
And if you need more proof...
We looked at the latest scientific and medical evidence to see if there was any fact to support these claims – turns out they are all myths. If you don’t want to take our word for it, why not go straight to the scientific literature yourself. Click here to see a list of some of the resources we found.
We looked at the latest scientific and medical evidence to see if there was any fact to support these claims – turns out they are all myths. If you don’t want to take our word for it, why not go straight to the scientific literature yourself. Click here to see a list of some of the resources we found.