Why would a sensible prepper want to answer this question? While researching the many uses of Neosporin this question kept popping up. Can you put Neosporin on a new Tattoo? I don’t have ANY tattoos although I often romanticize about them. Why not answer this question and include in my Everything You Need to Know About Neosporin guide which would make perfectly good sense for a prepper to read and know.
Can you put Neosporin on a new Tattoo?
NO! Why? Neosporin suffocates your skin. Your skin needs oxygen to heal. This is why it is also a bad idea to use Vaseline as part of a new tattoo aftercare program. These products create a barrier between your skin and air. This slows and prevents your freshly tattooed skin from healing properly and in same cases may even have negative side effects.
Side effects of Neosporin on a new Tattoo
Rash or bumping
Neosporin can cause a negative reaction when you have allergies, which can result in hives and red rashes. This can cause discomfort and itchiness during the healing process – it may even distort the actual ink in the tattoo.
Skin infection
This may not make sense, but over time your body could build up resistance to common antibiotics. Growing up we put Neosporin on every little cut and playground scrape. But over time, you can build a resistance to this, which can lead to an infection when your wound doesn’t heal.
Scarring
Neosporin does negatively impact the skin and it’s natural healing process. When skin does not completely heal it may cause a scar which is not good.
What about Neosporin alternatives?
Neosporin is a trademarked brand name. Generic versions will affect your new tattoo in the same manner.
Under what circumstance can you put Neosporin on a tattoo?
The only circumstance to use Neosporin is on a small cut on an older tattoo. To be clear – NEVER use Neosporin or similar products on a fresh or new Tattoo.
What to use instead of Neosporin?
I know very little about tattoos. My objective with this article was to answer the question. Can you put Neosporin on a tattoo?
I discovered in my research there are three main products to use on a tattoo instead of Neosporin. They include Aquaphor, a product I have used for my dry skin. Initially many content creators and artists recommended Aquaphor. Recently more and more are recommending cocoa butter.
Best Aftercare Products
Aquaphor
How do I know about Aquaphor? I have dry skin, I would say chronically dry skin. I just know that stuff works. It keeps my skin soft and not dry.
I had no idea before researching this topic that it was a go to for new tatto after care. What is in Aquaphor that makes this a go to product? The ingredient list includes petrolatum, lanolin, and glycerin. These items provide the foundation for keeping your tattoo moist. They combine to draw moisture from the air and onto your skin.
Finally Aquaphor has some key other ingredients with anti-inflammatory properties. Bisabolol is naturally occurring with anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
What is Bisabolol?
Bisabolol is naturally present in German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla or Matricaria recutita), as well as the bark of the Candeia (Vanillosmopsis erythropappa) tree of Brazil, which is the primary global source of this ingredient. Recently, manufacturers have also begun crafting it in a lab as a nature-identical ingredient to prevent deforestation of the rainforests in Brazil.
Inkeeze
Another alternative is many tattoo artists’ preferred tattoo aftercare solution. I choose to list Inkeeze because it appears to be more well known. Below Tattoo Artist Daniel Yuck demonstrates how to apply Inkeeze tattoo ointment. In a way he also answers the question “Can you put Neosporin on a New Tattoo?” by using his preferred brand.
COCOA BUTTER
Influencer and Tattoo artist Romeo Lacoste also recommends Cocoa Butter. He also answers the question “Can you put Neosporin on a new Tattoo?” I have included a copy of his explanation below.
Conclusion
Neosporin is not a good choice for a New Tattoo after care product. The main reason appears to be it is petroleum based. The other three primary ingredients appear to suffocate your skin and prevent rehydration of the area. Overall that is not good for your new tattoo and your skin.
Cocoa butter is becoming the best alternative to Neosporin while Aquaphor and other petroleum based products are becoming less favorable.
Most importantly, talk to your tattoo artist about aftercare, including their product recommendations. Your risk for complications is higher if you don’t follow their instructions carefully.
Sources:
- Liszewski W, et al. (2016). The need for greater regulation, guidelines, and a consensus statement for tattoo aftercare.
jamanetwork.com/journals/jamadermatology/article-abstract/2467991 - Mayo Clinic Staff. (2019). Puncture wounds: First aid.
mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-puncture-wounds/basics/ART-20056665 - Mayo Clinic Staff. (2020). Tattoos: Understand risks and precautions.
mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/tattoos-and-piercings/art-20045067 - Neomycin, polymyxin, and bacitracin topical. (2015).
medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a601098.html - Tattoo aftercare A and D—lanolin and petrolatum ointment. (2018).
dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/fda/fdaDrugXsl.cfm?setid=e12667d7-31a4-4a15-a7de-8f46191f80e3&type=display - Tattoo safety. (n.d.).
atg.wa.gov/tattoo-safety - Tong QJ, et al. (2018). A systematic review and meta-analysis on the use of prophylactic topical antibiotics for the prevention of uncomplicated wound infections. DOI:
10.2147/IDR.S151293