Aloe vera is one of the most popular ingredients in skin care products.
It’s no secret that certain versions of aloe vera can moisturize the skin, sooth skin conditions, alleviate acne, and more. It’s also found in most sunburn lotions as it can help ease the pain.
But is aloe vera safe to use on tattoos? Can it affect the way the tattoo looks? Is it a bad idea to use aloe vera lotion on your tattoo? Today, we’ll go over the uses of aloe vera when it comes to your tattoo - everything from aftercare to lifelong tattoos.
7 General Benefits of Aloe Vera on Skin
As most of us know, aloe vera has numerous benefits for the skin:
1- Moisturizing the skin
Aloe vera contains humectants, which pull moisture from the air or from deeper in the skin. It also contains compounds that bind moisture into the skin, helping to keep the skin moisturized.
2- Slowing down aging signs
Because it contains vitamins C and E, aloe vera is believed to impede the formation of free radicals, which can cause cell damage. Since most signs of aging are caused by skin damage, using vitamin-rich aloe vera lotion can help slow down those signs.
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3- Speeding up the healing process
Since aloe vera can help skin cells regenerate by eight times, it can be deeply effective for healing burns, cuts, and scrapes.
4- Calming skin conditions
Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it great for skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema. Because of its anti-fungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, aloe vera can help soothe the effects of numerous skin conditions.
5- Helping with sunburn
Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits that allow it to help with pain relief. It also helps the skin with the process of collagen synthesis. Using aloe vera-based lotions are a great way to help calm the pain from sunburn.
6- Helping stretch marks and dark spots
Aloe vera contains two compounds called aloesin and aloin, both of which help to fade stretch marks and dark spots in the skin. Aloesin has been shown to treat dark spots, also known as hyperpigmentation, caused by UV rays and acne.
7- Managing and reducing acne
Aloe vera contains numerous compounds -- such as phenols, urea nitrogen, salicylic acid, etc. -- that help to prevent the growth of viruses, bacteria, and fungi. As such, it can help keep the skin clean and clear, helping to manage the formation of acne.
Can You Use Aloe Vera On Tattoos?
Yes, you can use aloe vera lotion products on your tattoo.
However, it’s important to note that while using an aloe vera-based cream or lotion can be a great resource during your process of tattoo aftercare, we cannot recommend using straight aloe vera on your skin during the aftercare process.
It's good practice to be extremely careful with aftercare, especially when the tattoo is brand new. A dry environment is not good for a new tattoo, but an extremely moist environment can lead to unwanted bacterial and fungal growth.
Once your skin is fully healed, and your body has fully adjusted to your tattoo, it is perfectly fine to use aloe vera lotions and creams on the area, as well as the rest of your body.
Aloe has numerous benefits for the skin - including moisturizing and preventing cell damage - both of which are ideal for tattooed skin.
Benefits of Using Aloe Vera Ingredients For Tattoo Care
Using aloe vera for your tattoo aftercare can have numerous benefits. Firstly, it can help with the skin irritation and inflammation that is sure to come during the aftercare process.
After you get a tattoo, it’s not uncommon for the skin in the area to flake, itch, burn, and even form scabs. All of this is a completely normal part of the skin’s healing process. However, using aloe vera-based gels and creams on the tattoo can help the skin heal faster and prevent bacterial or fungal infections from forming.
As the skin around your tattoo is healing, it secretes a fluid called exudate. Exudate can dry on the skin after secretion, leading to crusting and scabs. Using aloe vera products on the skin can help prevent such scabbing and help keep the skin clear during the healing process.
Because of its healing and regenerative properties, aloe vera-based lotions can also help with the skin irritation and inflammation that can happen after you get a tattoo.
The skin often reddens and becomes irritated, but using aloe vera creams and lotions can help soothe the pain and keep you more comfortable during the healing process.
We highly recommend using an aloe vera-based lotion like ours throughout your tattoo aftercare process.
While we cannot recommend using straight aloe vera on your tattoo, our lotion contains aloe, almond oil, vitamin E, and panthenol, all which serve to help the skin heal, retain moisture, and prevent cell damage.
Does Aloe Vera Fade Tattoos?
Although you should remain careful about what you use on your skin in the tattoo aftercare process, most tattoo artists place the ink deep enough into the skin, so you can rest assured that using aloe vera-based creams and lotions will not detract from the look or the lifespan of your tattoo.
Bottom Line
Overall, aloe vera-based lotions and creams are great for the skin and have numerous health benefits. Aloe helps prevent the formation of free radicals, prevents bacterial and fungal growth, de-ages, and moisturizes the skin.
When it comes to the aftercare process, using a nice tattoo lotion with aloe vera is a great way to soothe irritation, prevent infection, and speed up the healing process.
However, even though most tattoo artists place the ink deep enough in the skin so that no creams or lotions can affect it, we cannot recommend using plain aloe vera on your new tattoo. Stick with lotions or creams to help your skin after getting a tattoo.
As always, feel free to consult with your tattoo artist and ask for their professional advice!