Just like the eternal debate over whether butter is good for you or not (it is, right?), the advice about what to put on your new tattoo has evolved over the years. Some of us remember a time when antibacterial ointment and/or petroleum jelly was the recommended aftercare goo. A few years later, however, those fell out of favor thanks to skin reactions and the fact that stuff like Vaseline doesn’t let your new ink breathe.
While you could go with just plain soap, water, air, and time to heal your tattoo, putting a little something on there can help ease itchiness, dryness, and the inevitable scabbing. Grave Before Shave has developed a balm that avoids all the stuff your tattoo artist warned you about — preservatives, artificial scents, synthetic ingredients — and instead adds in all natural stuff that helps you heal. Fisticuffs Tattoo Balm has stuff like coconut oil and jojoba oil to keep your skin moisturized, while ingredients like lavender and eucalyptus bring along their natural antiseptic properties to help keep away infection.
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