What Lubricant to Use While Tattooing?

What Lubricant to Use While Tattooing?

The tattoo industry is steadily growing. With that comes the need for more products and ingredients to help protect tattoos from fading, peeling, and breaking.

One product that’s becoming increasingly popular with tattoo artists and those with inking ambitions is the tattoo lubricant.

The main lubricants to use include: Saniglide, A+D Ointment, Hustle Butter,Aloe Vera Gel, Hydrogel and Vaseline. Use a hydrating gel that absorbs moisture into the skin, relieving discomfort and itching. Also go for options if you have sensitive skin due to sensitivity to the ingredients in some tattooing lubricants

1. Saniglide

This is a water-based lubricant that you infuse with vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps prevent scarring and slows the rate of aging.

It’s a great lubricant for tattooing and doesn’t leave a sticky residue on the skin or cause irritation like other silicone-based or oil-based lubricants.

2. A+D Ointment

A+D Ointment boasts petrolatum and lanolin, both known for their moisturizing qualities. It is an excellent choice for tattooing and won’t leave much residue on the skin.

3. Hustle Butter

This is ideal for vegans looking for a solid, silicone-based lubricant that will not irritate. It’s a high-quality moisturizer that is completely vegan and animal-friendly.

4. Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe Vera Gel is a fantastic alternative to the more expensive lubricants on the market.

It comes in packets you can squeeze into body creams and lotions, so it has no smell, staining effect, or sticky residue. It’s a safe option for all skin types.

5. Vaseline

Vaseline is a petroleum jelly that is sticky and stain-prone. While it has a lot of uses, its best qualities are its serving as a moisturizer and providing relief to itching.

6. Hydrogel

A hydrating gel that absorbs moisture into the skin, relieving discomfort and itching. It’s also an excellent option for sensitive skin due to sensitivity to the ingredients in some tattooing lubricants.

What Can I Use Other Than Vaseline While Tattooing? -5 Alternatives

Alternatives	Description
Coconut oil	People often used coconut oil as tattoo ink in the past because it’s not as likely to damage your skin as other oils.
Beeswax	Beeswax doesn’t harden, making it easier to apply smoothly and evenly. It also has a protective effect that could help minimize the healing time and avoid infection.
“Liquid bandage” like Neosporin or Betadine.	These are popular for many reasons, not just those tattooed with Vaseline. Their inclusion as a tattoo ink alternative should not surprise you because it is a water-soluble ointments.
” Beeswax” like coconut oil or any other oil	Remember that your skin is still covered in the oils of your own body, and you will continue to use them when using any ointment. These oils are not clean but rather greasy and can clog the pores. Use something else besides Vaseline if you intend to keep tattooing.
Suntan lotion	Typical suntan lotions are greasy, but scented varieties are easily found. When you use this as a tattoo ink alternative, you may also look into tanning oils.

Can I Use Coconut Oil Instead of Vaseline When Tattooing?

Alternatives	Description
Natural	– For centuries, people have used coconut oil as a topical remedy for all sorts of skin ailments, including burns, cuts, and scars. – Vaseline is a petroleum by-product, which you can extract and refine from crude oil It can damage tattooed skin, while coconut oil is safe and natural
Effectiveness	– Vaseline is an effective barrier to protect the skin, but it’s very greasy and can cause itching. – Coconut oil comprises medium-chain fatty acids, which makes it a very effective moisturizer. It’s not as greasy and will not cause itching.
Moisturizing	– Vaseline contains mineral oil and lanolin, which doesn’t allow the skin to breathe and will disrupt the tattooing process. – Coconut oil contains lauric acid, which is a natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agent
Healing Properties	– Vaseline seals the outside air from entering your tattoo, slowing down the healing process. – Coconut oil boasts anti-inflammatory properties and can speed up healing time.
Anti-Ageing	– Coconut oil is one of the best natural moisturizers for the skin and is most effective against aging. – Vaseline contains mineral oil, which increases inflammation in the skin.

Can I Use Aquaphor Instead of Vaseline While Tattooing?

Factors	Aquaphor	Vaseline
Anti-inflammatory	Aquaphor contains natural botanical extracts, which can aid the healing process by reducing the appearance of scarring and speeding up the recovery process.	Vaseline does not contain any anti-inflammatory ingredients.
Skin Moisture	Aquaphor moistens the skin and keeps it hydrated	Vaseline only coats the skin with a layer of petroleum, which can lead to cracking and irritation on tattooed skin.
Price	Aquaphor is much cheaper than Vaseline and any other generic brand of petroleum jelly.	Vaseline is quite expensive
Fragrance	Aquaphor does not.	Vaseline contains fragrance
Quantity	Comes in large quantities	Available in small quantities

How Do You Lubricate a Tattoo?

Start by washing your hands and the area of your skin where you apply lotion or oil with soap and water.

Next, prep the skin by removing any flaky, dead skin cells by gently rubbing it with a towel.

Finally, apply a small lotion or oil to the tattoo area. This helps keep colors from fading and creates a barrier between tattoos and clothing that might cause friction during normal wear.

Once you have applied lotion or oil, you can moisturize the skin by applying a layer of cream over the lotion or oil.

You can similarly do this to the foundation. Apply a tiny amount of cream to the skin and blend. If there are any wrinkles in the skin, fill them with a foundation-like product such as a ‘fountain blusher.’ 

Once the creams and foundations you have chosen blend, apply any remaining product quickly before it dries out.

You can use body lotions, which generally contain the same ingredient blends as face creams and foundations, or homemade lotions.

Homemade lotions are quicker to apply, are cheaper, and work just as well.

How Do I Make My Tattoo Ointment?

Making your tattoo ointment is easier than you think, but it requires a little know-how. Once you have the right ingredients, produce a fresh batch of this all-natural tattoo ointment for your next creative endeavor.

We will guide you through the process in 5 easy steps:

Ingredients: Beeswax, olive oil or shea butter or cocoa butter, essential oils (optional)

Step 1: Soften the beeswax by placing it in the water close to boiling.

Step 2: Measure the olive oil and heat it in a saucepan over medium heat.

Step 3: Add the beeswax to the heated olive oil and stir until it melts.

Step 4: Let it cool for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 5: Add essential oils if you’d like and transfer them to an air-tight container or tin.

Once your homemade tattoo ointment is cool, please put it in a clean jar or tin. 

Your homemade tattoo ointment is now ready to use. Please keep it in a cool, dry place and label it.

What Happens If You Over-Lubricate a Tattoo?

Over-lubricating a tattoo may cause infection and inflammation, as the tattoo ink will have difficulty penetrating your skin. Sometimes, this over-lubricant can get on the needle and contaminate future tattoos.

Your best bet is to use enough lube to ensure the needle slides smoothly across your skin.

This is especially important with larger tattoos that require a lot of area coverage or when you work on sensitive areas such as around the eyes or mouth.

Too much lube can trap dust and dirt particles under the tattoo and irritate it. You need just enough lube to make the needle slide smoothly. Any more than this can lead to infection and irritation.

Talk with your Tattoo Artist about the type of lube they use and how much to apply.

The best way to avoid complications is to tell your tattoo artist that you have a latex allergy or sensitivity before getting inked.

They can use a different lube or give you a special mixture that does not irritate or cause infection. The main thing is to keep an eye on how much lube goes on skin contact with the tattoo needle.

Use a new sterile, disposable needle for each customer. This makes sure you don’t spread infection from one person to another. Change needles with every tattoo or at least after each color change.

What Cream Do Tattoo Artists Use While Tattooing?

1. Aquaphor

Aquaphor is a moisturizing, healing skin ointment. As tattoo artists use needles to penetrate the skin and deposit ink onto the dermis layer, they need to avoid irritation.

In this case, they use Aquaphor before, during, or after tattooing to create a barrier between the artist’s tools and your sensitive skin.

2. Saniglide

Saniglide is a sterile water gel you use to help prevent infection due to needle puncture and ink introduction into the body.

Properly injected ink can last for a lifetime, so there is no reason to worry about the tattoo fading away. Saniglide helps to relieve pain caused by skin piercing.

3. Vaseline

You apply Vaseline to the area before receiving a tattoo. It’s very effective barrier against the elements and helps keep moisture.

This will prevent your skin from drying out, becoming irritated, flaking, or losing its natural softness.

4. Coconut oil

Tattoo artists commonly use coconut oil because it’s good at creating a barrier against the elements. It keeps the skin moist while also acting as a natural antiseptic.

5. Aloe Vera gel

Tattoo artists often recommend aloe vera gel because it’s an excellent pain reliever and moisturizer for people who have experienced or are expecting a painful procedure.

It not only soothes the skin but will also help promote collagen growth in the area causing improved skin tone and elasticity.

6. Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion

For tattoo artists who recommend lotion, Aveeno is a great option. You can apply it after receiving a tattoo to help soothe your skin and restore its natural moisture.

Why Do Tattoo Artists Put Cling Film?

Cling film, also known as Saran Wrap, is just one of the many tricks a tattoo artist will use to improve your tattoo experience and reduce the healing time.

It’s put on before tattooing to protect all parts of the skin from debris, like dirt on a needle. This ultimately speeds up the healing process and reduces pain.

If the tattoo artist had not used cling film, dirt and debris would be on your skin. This can cause patchy spots in the healing process, leading to permanent scarring or plastic surgery.

What’s more, when you do a tattoo without cling film (or other protection), it hurts more because of the pain of every needle puncture.

It also increases the risk of infection due to bacteria that have accumulated on an unclean needle. Cling wrap prevents these issues from happening.

In addition to protecting the skin, it allows an artist to do his job better because he can see more clearly what he’s doing.

The tattoo gets done by hand with a needle, so he can’t work without being able to see. It also prevents accidental stabbing on your part because it covers everything and makes you feel safer.

Why Do Tattoo Artists Not Use Numbing Cream?

1. Some Numbing Creams Don’t Work

Some artists don’t use numbing cream because some don’t work or don’t work well.

Some creams are ineffective, so they can only use them sometimes, switch them up, use a product they feel more comfortable with, or don’t bother.

2. It Creates A Barrier Between The Needle And The Skin

With some numbing creams, tattoo artists cannot see where their needle is going when they are about to tattoo.

Some numbing creams create a layer of protection between the needle and the skin, which makes it hard for them to see through it.

3. The Product Could React Badly with The Ink

Some numbing creams they use for tattooing contain ingredients that react badly with the ink or the needle. This, therefore, makes it difficult for artists to use it on customers.

4. The Product Could Potentially Screw Up the Tattoo Entirely

Other products can cause damage to a tattoo when you don’t use them properly, which is why many professionals don’t bother using them at all.

5. It Could Be Ineffective

Many numbing creams can cause the skin to blister and swell when you use them for a tattoo. This means that it is ineffective and potentially dangerous for the customer’s skin.

6. There Are Safer Alternatives

Several manufacturers create safer products with tattoo ink, which means you can use them without fear of causing damage to the customer’s skin.

How Do Artists Prevent Tattoo Blowouts?

There are a few ways that tattoo artists can prevent their work from blowing out.

1. The first way is to clean their equipment regularly.

2. Artists must use a moderately saturated ink pad when tattooing a customer.

3. Tattoo artists should wear gloves to prevent the oils from their hands from going into the machine and creating clogs.

4. The use of distilled water is also suitable, as well as using antibacterial soap.

5. The artist should also match the size of the needle and tube to the person’s skin type.

6. They should also make sure to sterilize their equipment by using a proper autoclave.

7. After the tattoo procedure, use a spray-on product instead of applying something with your bare hands that could cause infection in your customer.

8. Finally, artists should check their work frequently to ensure the tattoo is not bleeding.

By using these tips, tattoo artists can prevent blowouts from occurring and keep their customers happy.

Conclusion

Tattoo lubricants and creams are great if you know where to get them.

Several products are available on the Internet, but just because they are available in a reputable store does not mean they will help you get the best possible results out of your tattoo.