Without proper tattoo aftercare your risk of scarring, infections, and complications, including bloodborne illness and allergic reactions, is elevated. 

What you must remember is a tattoo is an open wound. Consequently, it requires care. In some states, including Alabama, Massachusetts, and Michigan, tattoo artists are required by law to provide aftercare instructions.

In general, what you must do is (1) cover the tattoo/wound with a band-aid or petroleum jelly. (2) keep the tattoo clean. Recommend using anti-microbial soap. (3) apply moisturizer to prevent drying. 

Why use CBD oil for tattoo aftercare?

CBD oil is an extract of hemp or cannabis that exhibits action against viruses and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The non-psychoactive cannabinoid also exhibits anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, meaning you may use it to prevent or manage pain and inflammation. 

If you have a new tattoo and are unsure how to care for it, below is everything you need to know. 

CBD oil for tattoo after care: Quick take. 

• Tattoos, on average, take one to two weeks to heal. But it may take up to 6 months to heal, depending on care. 
• You may use CBD oil and petroleum jelly to prevent scarring, as described below. 
• A layer of CBD oil and petroleum jelly can also keep the skin moisturized and prevent infection. CBD oil exhibits action against antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria. 

CBD oil for tattoo care: How do you take care of a new tattoo?

Being an open wound, a tattoo, no matter how large or small, creates the risk of several ailments of the skin and body. 

An open wound makes it easier for germs, bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms to enter. there is also the risk of scarring and keloids. 

Touching, rubbing, and scratching tattoos before they heal increases the risk. 

After getting a tattoo, you will experience soreness, pain, or a burning sensation for at least one week.  Lack of care can worsen the symptoms, cause complications, or lead to infection.

Remember, tattoo care begins before getting a tattoo. By that, I mean that you must:

• Test for tattoo allergies. Tattoo allergies can occur immediately or days, weeks, or even years after getting one. If you are prone to allergies, you should (1) express your concerns to a tattoo artist (state laws require tattoo artists to provide aftercare instructions in the majority of states). (2) get a smaller tattoo and check the reaction for a few weeks or months. (3) pick a clean studio and follow instructions. If you develop allergic reactions, consult an experienced dermatologist immediately to prevent escalation into complications. 
• Learn to identify allergic reactions to tattoos and what to do. You may be allergic to tattoo ink if you exhibit symptoms, including redness, rashes, bumps, flaking, or itching. You know that the issue requires immediate medical care if you exhibit severe reactions, including fever, chills, hot flashes, hard or bumpy tissues, or intense itching or burning around the tattoo. 
• Watch out for the signs of infection. Left unchecked, skin infections, depending on the cause, can lead to systemic anaphylaxis, meaning there is a risk of death. 

With awareness of the concerns above, what you must do after getting a tattoo, according to experts is:

Apply CBD oil or petroleum jelly and keep the tattoo covered.

Multiple medical studies and anecdotal evidence suggest that CBD oil hastens wound healing. Additionally, the cannabinoid interacts with endocannabinoid receptors distributed throughout the body to reduce pain and inflammation.

How to use CBD oil and petroleum jelly on a tattoo.

Some call it the “rub a dub.” You create it by heating petroleum jelly. You then mix CBD oil with the heated petroleum jelly and leave the mixture to cool.

You may gently apply or massage the mixture on a tattoo or wound for the following reasons.

• Petroleum jelly forms a later that keeps microorganisms out and the skin from drying.
• If the tattoo is located around an area that experiences friction, the combination can prevent irritation or chaffing. 
• CBD oil, as mentioned, protects the skin from infection, inflammation, and irritation. 

Apply CBD oil and petroleum jelly on the tattoo for at least two weeks to protect the skin from bacteria and other microorganisms.  

Wash the tattoo every 24 hours during the first week or month. 

A tattoo can get infected in at least two ways. (1) the use of non-sterile equipment, including contaminated ink or. (2) lack of proper care or exposure.

Because of that, you want to avoid unnecessary touching and exposure to another’s bodily fluids. According to the CDC, the risk of HIV from a tattoo is low to negligible, but there is a high risk of infections, including deep bacterial infections such as cellulitis, and superficial infections, including impetigo. 

To lower the risk, you should:

• Ensure that the artist uses sterile water to dilute the ink. Non-sterile water, including tap water, can cause infections. 
• Sterile needles.
• Clean the skin with sterile water and anti-microbial soap to remove microorganisms on the skin. 

After getting a tattoo, clean it with anti-microbial soap once daily and apply petroleum jelly or the mixture recommended above. 

Are CBD body butters good for tattoos?

Post or during healing, which could be between 1 to 6 months, you may also use CBD body butter to (1) promote healing. (2) rejuvenate skin. (3) make the tattoo shine. 

CBD cocoa butter, what to remember. 

If you are sensitive to petroleum jelly, CBD cocoa butter is a safe alternative. Applying the recommended product below promises benefits including:

• Dryness and inflammation prevention. 
• Discomfort, itching, and redness management.
• Prevention of free radical damage. 

Additionally, according to clinical evidence, using CBD butter after getting a tattoo promises:

• CBD oil has an excellent safety profile. Meaning, when applied directly to the skin, there is little to no risk of allergic reaction. 
• Coconut oil, sunflower seed oil, and vitamin E provide benefits, including protection from free radical damage, long-lasting hydration, and faster healing. 

Restorative Tattoo Shine

Why CBD and coconut oil?

The Samoans have used coconut oil for millennia to hasten healing and to make traditional tattoos shine. Added benefits of using CBD products that contain coconut oil include:

• You may use CBD oil and coconut oil at any stage in the healing process. 
• Coconut oil and CBD oil exhibit antimicrobial properties and thus may help prevent infections.
• CBD oil and coconut oil have anti-fungal properties. 
• CBD oil and coconut oil are natural anti-inflammatories. 

How do you prevent scarring and keloid after a tattoo using CBD oil?

If you are prone to keloids, a severe form of scarring that causes irregular tumors, it is generally recommended that you avoid tattoos or scars. 

Getting a tattoo requires the use of a needle that creates tiny injuries that have the potential to become keloids.

Keloid tumors may also result from cuts, insect bites, severe acne, surgery, and piercings. 

If you are prone to keloids -that is- you have one, or keloids run in the family, you should avoid getting a tattoo on the neck, upper chest, shoulders, and chest. 

You may prevent the tattoo from becoming keloids by doing the following:

• CBD oil and pressure. When a new keloid forms (thick irregular scarring), it is in your best interest to act fast. Experts may recommend steroid injections or pressure therapy. As an anti-inflammatory agent, applying CBD oil and pressure may prevent the development of keloids. 
• Practice wound care as recommended above. Make sure that you wash the tattoo at least once every 24 hours, protect the skin from further injuries – avoid touching, friction, trauma, or anything else that may cause further damage, and consult a dermatologist if a scar grows beyond the wound. 

To prevent tattoo scarring, you should:

• Avoid scratching or picking scabs. If the tattoo forms a scar, apply CBD oil religiously and give it time to heal. CBD oil will help manage discomfort and pain and may help stop the development of tumorous tissues (studies suggest that CBD triggers apoptosis in tumorous cells).
• Keep the affected area moisturized using CBD oil, aloe vera, or petroleum jelly. 

What lotions should not be used on tattoos?

According to experts, you should avoid putting harsh chemicals, irritants, and sunscreens on tattoos until they are healed. 

Instead, you may use: 

• CBD oil. It Soothes irritation, prevents scars, and protects the skin from infection and inflammation. 
• Coconut oil. Adds shine to tattoos and moisturizes the skin.
• Cocoa butter and shea butter.