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Top 12 Best Oil For Tattoos In 2024

Brandon Forder
  Apr 20, 2024 5:35 AM

Getting a tattoo can be one of the most rewarding things you do for yourself. However, once the ink has healed, you will likely be left with a tattoo that fades and loses its luster over time. Luckily, you can prevent this with a little extra care. In this blog post, we'll take a look at some of the best oils for tattoos.


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What are the different oils used for tattoos?

Before a tattoo is inked, the artist will use an antibacterial ointment on the edges of the skin to minimize the risk of unsanitary infections. Once the skin is cleaned, the artist will oil the skin with a petroleum jelly or mineral oil. 

Petroleum Jelly: Petroleum jelly has many benefits and is frequently used on tattoo skin. It aids in the healing process, and it is also easy to remove from the skin, so it prevents infections or allergic reactions. 

Mineral Oil: Mineral oil is a white or yellow oil made from paraffin, which is mined from the earth. It does not cause allergic reactions, and it will keep the skin moisturized. The oil also makes the ink less likely to smudge.

Which oils are best for tattoos?

After you get a tattoo, you should keep it moisturized. One of the best options for this is oil. There are many different types of oils that you can use, from mineral oils to medicated oils.

However, which oil you should use depends on what type of tattoo you have. Here are a few things to keep in mind: 

New tattoos: New tattoos need moisture, but you don't want to use an oil that will create residue. Therefore, you should only use an oil that's free of additives.

Tattoo aftercare: If your tattoo artist recommended a specific type of oil, you should use that. However, in most cases, you shouldn't use medicated ointments because they can be ineffective and can also make the tattoo look dirty. 

Guns: If you use a gun for your tattoo, you should use the artist's brand. However, you can use them interchangeably, depending on which brand helps you feel more comfortable.

How long should you leave the oil on after applying it?

When you're applying oil to your tattoo, it's important to leave it on for the recommended time period. Leaving the oil on for too long will cause it to dry out and start to flake off. This can lead to irritation and even permanent damage to your tattoo. 

The recommended time period for applying oil to your tattoo is three to five minutes. However, you can leave the oil on for up to ten minutes if you experience any irritation or pain. Just be sure to check in on your tattoo every few minutes to make sure it's staying comfortable and in tact.

Which order should you apply the oils?

Applying the right oil to a tattoo is very important since the wrong oil can irritate the skin, cause an infection, or lead to permanent scarring. The tattoo oils listed below can be used individually or mixed together for a custom blend.

An essential oil is an oil that is derived from the seeds, bark, stems, roots, flowers, or other elements of a plant. One example of an essential oil is sweet almond oil. It is used in aromatherapy, natural cosmetics, and as a carrier oil in aromatherapy.

A carrier oil is an oil used to dilute essential oils. Carrier oils can also be used alone as a moisturizer. Examples include sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, and olive oil.

A luxury oil is an emollient or carrier oil that is added to skincare products for a luxurious feel. Examples include jojoba oil, coconut oil, and shea butter.

Other things to keep in mind when applying your tattoo oils.

When applying tattoo oil, remember to wipe it up before it dries. This will help prevent it from peeling off.

You should also use a clean paper towel, not a new bar of soap, or a dry paper towel. The oils from the bar of soap or paper will just transfer onto the tattoo.

After applying the oil, let it dry. Then apply more.

Do not wipe off the oil. Instead, let it dry.


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