What are essential oils? Are they really ‘essential’?

Essential oils are extracts taken from plants. They’re usually made from plant leaves, flowers, fruits, twigs, seeds, etc. Now, the word ‘essential’ means extremely important or absolutely necessary. ‘Essential oils,’ however, are anything but essential.

The truth is that none of the oils classified as essential oils is necessary for your tattoo or your skin. They’re called ‘essential’ because the oil literally represents the essence of the plant it was derived from. So, lavender essential oil literally translates to lavender oil essence.

A few differences…

There are many different types of essential oils with their own health claims. Each come with their own unique scent as well. To date, there are literally hundreds of essential oils sold on the market.

However, take note that these oils aren’t created equal at all. They’ll obviously inherit properties from the plants they were extracted from. So, if you’re allergic or sensitive to any of the original source plants, then chances are, you may also be allergic to their essence, a.k.a. essential oil.

Should you dilute essential oils or not?

Some oils must be diluted first before topical application. These include strong oils like citronella, lemongrass, cumin, clove bud, oregano, and thyme. On the other hand, chamomile, eucalyptus, lavender, rose, and tea tree may be used without dilution and may be applied directly to skin.

The bad news is that not all ‘experts’ agree with this assumption. Some ‘experts’ categorically say all essential oils must be diluted first (usually with a carrier oil like olive oil or coconut oil) before application. This is truly one of the downsides of using essential oils – it’s hard to tell what’s right and what’s wrong when the industry is largely unregulated.

However, when it comes to tattooed skin, we recommend diluting the essential oil first with either a moisturising cream, lotion, or suitable carrier oil. This is because essential oils are highly concentrated and have no lipids in them, so they can evaporate rather quickly. By mixing the essential oil with a good carrier, it stays on the skin longer and thus moisturise for longer, too.

For tattoo use, the best carrier oils would be coconut oil and cocoa butter as these two are powerful skin moisturisers in their own right.

How essential oils are extracted

There are many different ways oils are extracted, such as steam distillation, cold pressing, solvent extraction, wax embedding, and resin tapping. Here’s a video showing the science behind two of the most popular extraction methods:

Essential oils ‘safe’ for use on tattoos and their benefits

The essential oils listed here are but a few oils that are supposedly ‘safe’ for use on tattoos. It’s by no means a comprehensive list. And due to the nature of essential oils (and the carrier oils mixed with them), we can’t guarantee you’re not going to get any sort of adverse reaction if applied topically to tattooed skin.  

Disclaimer: Before using any of these suggested essential oils on your tattoo, consult with a medical professional first.

• Myrrh

This essential oil has an earthy scent and is brownish in colour. Its potential health benefits include the ability to kill harmful bacteria, and heal skin wounds and sores. It also supposedly works to reduce pain and swelling.

If you’re wondering if this oil will protect you from the sun, here’s an interesting study. Apparently, when diluted with SPF15 sunscreen, this 2-in-1 myrrh & sunscreen combo was significantly more effective than either myrrh oil or sunscreen alone.

• Frankincense

Commonly used in aromatherapy, frankincense essential oil also has skin healing and strengthening properties. It supposedly helps tone and tighten skin, reduce the appearance of scars (and scabs), and heals superficial skin wounds (like tattoos). Note, however, that frankincense is best used on fully healed tattoos as some people say it may draw out some ink.

• Helichrysum

Extracted from the yellow blossoms of the ‘everlasting’ or ‘immortal’ sunflower, this essential oil is supposedly antibacterial. It’s also said to have skin regenerative properties that promote healthy skin growth – perfect for skin that just got punctured a few thousand times courtesy of tattoo needles.

• Lavender

Lavender is probably one of the most popular essential oils used in aromatherapy. It does not only smell heavenly, but it also has a host of surprising benefits when used on tattooed skin. For instance, this oil has antiseptic properties. So, you can use this to treat minor skin irritations, and give your inked skin a nice boost!

• Basil

Basil essential oil is a popular ingredient in many recipes, but it is also supposedly well-known for treating acne and other skin infections. But if you have an infected tattoo, I don’t recommend you put any essential oil on it. Instead, seek medical advice from your GP.

• Avocado

Avocado is one healthy fruit, but its oil is also beneficial for tattooed skin. Avocado essential oil retains moisture in the skin and is said to help produce collagen – two great characteristics that can benefit your inked skin!

• Rosehip

Easily absorbed by skin, rosehip essential oil has astringent properties that help brighten the skin and tighten pores. A few drops of rosehip oil mixed with coconut oil will help make your tattoo look vibrant and bright – even if it’s already a few years old!

• Grapeseed

Grapeseed is perfect for use on all skin types. It’s commonly used in skincare products because it’s rich in vitamin C and E. Just like avocado oil, it also locks in skin moisture which will make the tattoo ink stand out.  

• Thyme

Thyme oil is commonly said to be antiseptic and antimicrobial, which means it will kill bacteria on your skin. It also has superior antioxidant properties and is even touted as a natural eczema treatment.

Essential oils to avoid using on tattoos

Unfortunately, not a lot of research has been done on essential oils that shouldn’t be used on tattoos. However, according to herbalist Vivienne Campbell, calendula infused oil may be a bit too aggressive and can irritate and aggravate the skin.  

Also, if you are allergic to certain plants and its by-products, then it’s best to avoid its essential oils as well. For example, if you have nut allergies, then you should steer clear of essential oils that are derived or extracted from nuts.

How to know if you’re allergic to essential oils

Essential oils may be natural and pure, but it doesn’t mean no one will experience adverse reactions. Sometimes people use them incorrectly, and not surprisingly, they’ll develop sensitivities to the oil.

Do a patch test

A simple patch test is often all you need to determine if you’re allergic to a particular oil. Just apply a drop or two of the oil on a hidden part of your body. Then wait 24 hours and see if there’s a reaction.

Refrain from using if you’re pregnant or nursing

Essential oils do have certain benefits, but if you’re pregnant or nursing, steer clear as some of these oils may be bad for you and your baby. As with most medications, do speak with your doctor first before applying any oil on your skin (tattooed or not).

Do not ingest

You’ll find plenty of advice online telling you it’s okay to ingest essential oils. I strongly recommend you not follow these suggestions from random strangers on the web. Simply put, some oils can be toxic and poisonous if swallowed.

Can you put essential oils on healing tattoos?

As much as possible, you should only apply essential oils to healing tattoos that are at least 3-4 days old (or when it finally stops weeping). I know some oils have powerful skin healing properties, but at the same time, some may be aggressive and can end up pulling ink out of the dermis.

That said, during the initial healing stages, i.e. while it’s still weeping, stick to proven aftercare methods. Clean the area about 2-3 times a day, and apply healing ointment like Aquaphor or A+D. Once it starts scabbing, you can then start applying a few drops of essential oil to the area.

Conclusion

There are certain essential oils that work great for tattoo aftercare. However, just like with most things concerning the precious ink embedded in your skin, do proceed with caution. Remember, not all essential oils are created equal, and you may need to do a bit more research (and trial and error) to find the best essential oil which will make your tattoo stand out!

But first, what are people saying about coconut oil and tattoos?

Image by Huyền Lương Ngọc

We scoured online forums and blogs to know what others are saying about this ‘amazing natural oil.’

Eclecticdream says coconut oil has a ton of benefits. He uses it sometimes instead of lotion, and he says it hydrates his skin longer than any lotion he’s used.

Jonathan Brasseur said the lotion his tattooist recommended dried and irritated his full sleeve tattoo. So, he looked for an alternative and found organic virgin coconut oil. To protect his tattoo, he stays out of the sun. He also only goes out at night, but not before applying a few drops of coconut oil to keep the tatt moisturised.

WhyMista said he started applying coconut oil to the back of his hands after the first day or two, and the tattoo healed just fine.

Nova Lox commented on CrunchyBetty’s post that she’s been getting tattooed for 8 years, and has been using coconut oil as her tattoo healer and lotion. She swears she’ll never go back to Aquaphor.

Unfortunately, not everyone’s impressed with coconut oil.

Janelle wrote on her blog that she used coconut oil on day 2 instead of the water-based lotion her tattooist recommended. Soon after, she noticed some of the ink bled out in the bottom portion of the tattoo. She initially blamed the coconut oil for the blowout, but experienced tattoo artists told her it’s because her tattooist went too deep with the needle. Instead of inserting the ink in the dermis layer of skin, the tattooist ended up in the hypodermis, thus causing the blowout.

So, can coconut oil actually fade tattoos?

Photo by Anastasiia Rozumna

Long story short, the definitive answer is NO. The truth of the matter is that coconut oil is a natural moisturiser. It’s rich in vitamin E and nourishing fatty acids which help with skin elasticity and moisture retention.

Protection-wise, coconut oil is a natural antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial. So, when you apply oil to your tattoo, it’s literally protecting your skin from the inside out.    

Coconut oil is, well, oily and greasy, and some people may not like this aspect of the oil. It does take a while to get absorbed into the skin (unrefined coconut oil has larger molecules). But once it settles in, you can expect your skin to stay moisturised and hydrated for hours!

That said, tattoos will only look as good as the skin it’s on. With coconut oil, your skin will look healthy, supple and smooth. Instead of making your tattoo look faded, your coconut-oil-rejuvenated skin will let the pigment in the dermis stand out, thus making your tattoo look more vibrant than ever!

Here’s an infographic summarising the wonderful benefits of coconut oil on tattoos:

Why tattoos fade and how to protect it from fading?

Some of the ink’s already faded (Photo by Joel Muniz)

You’ll see the best version of your tattoo at the tattoo parlour. The lines will be well-defined, the fillers will look slick, and the plasma (and blood) oozing out will add a nice sheen to it. In short, it will look awesome!

This is because, during the tattooing process, some ink will get stuck in the epidermis (not everything’s going to drip down to the dermis layer). After several hours, however, your brand-new tattoo’s fresh new look will start to change.

So, here are the most common reasons why tattoos fade: 

1) It’s the very nature of tattoos

Tattoos are technically puncture wounds on your skin. And once your skin starts healing, your tattoo’s going to go through a few changes as well.

During the first few days, your tatt will start looking milky thanks to the scabs that will form (don’t pick – let it fall off on its own). Those scabs will eventually harden to let the tattoo underneath heal properly. In a few more days, the scabs will fall off to reveal a fresh layer of epidermis.

With the epidermis now ink-free, it will look like a thin, pale sheet stuck in front of your tattoo. Because of this, tattoos start looking a bit faded by the time it completely heals (about 3-4 weeks or more, depending on your body’s healing rate).

Must read article: Is it safe to put coconut oil on new tattoos?

2) Poor aftercare regimen

The first few days are absolutely critical to the healing process. If you ignore proper tattoo aftercare, then you can expect your tatt to fade much faster than normal! In short, how you take care of your fresh tattoo will have a direct effect on its appearance months and years later.

Keep in mind that post tattoo care will last throughout your lifetime. Remember to moisturise your tattoo every single day!

Must read article: Coconut Oil on Tattoos: 10 Reasons It’s Great For Your Skin

3) Your tattoo’s location

Hand tattoos tend to fade faster (Photo by Steven Erixon)

Tattoos on some parts of the body are more prone to fading than others. This includes tattoos on feet and hands. There’s not much fat on hands and feet, which makes it prone for ink not sticking around forever. Also, avoid getting tattooed in areas that get too much sun exposure or get rubbed too often on clothing. 

4) The sun’s harmful rays

Fortunately, sunscreen lotions are aplenty. Just make sure you choose one that’s got high SPF (sun protection factor), so your tattoo is adequately protected when you go out into the sun. Alternatively, you can wear sun-protective clothing to block out the sun’s rays.

Either way, it’s important to protect your tatt from the sun even if it’s already a few years old. This is because the sun can penetrate skin and break down the ink, which can result in fuzzy, blurred, and faded tattoos. 

5) Tattoo blowout

There’s no perfect tattooist out there. Highly skilled and talented, yes, but perfect? No. Applying ink to the right skin layer (dermis) takes experience and know-how.

When the tattooist is far too heavy-handed, he can push the needle down into the fatty layer of the skin. This can cause the ink to spread outside of the intended area, which results to fuzzy-looking lines. Of course, this makes your new tattoo look faded, too.

Related article: Tattoo Blowout: What You Should Know About It

6) Weight fluctuation

Your body’s going to change over the years – and so will your skin. If you lose weight, your tattoo can end up looking wrinkled. If you gain a few pounds, your tattoo will get stretched out as well. Either way, your tattoo’s going to look very much different from what it originally looked like.  

How to fix faded tattoos?

Faded tattoos on full display (Photo by Brian Kyed)

Coconut oil can’t fix faded tattoos, but it can certainly slow down the eventual fading. The oil will make your skin smooth and supple, which will, in turn, make your tattoo look great as well. But coconut oil is no miracle worker. It can’t do anything about the ink (or lack of it) that’s already embedded in your skin.

That said, if you’re not interested in having the tattoo totally removed, here are a couple of ways you can breathe new life into your skin art:

1) Exfoliate the top layers of skin

This is a pretty quick fix to instantly revive your old, faded tattoo. The epidermis constantly sheds and regenerates every few weeks. But if you can’t wait and you need to see the clear ink underneath straight away, then exfoliating is the way to go.

2) Get a tattoo touch-up

Most tattooists will offer free touch-ups if the ink fades prematurely. Obviously, most will do this on a case by case basis. If, for instance, you neglected to follow their aftercare instructions, they may not be so inclined to offer a free touch-up.

Anyway, a few years or so later, you may no longer be happy with how your tattoo looks. In this case, a touch-up may be required. Try going back to the original tattooist – they may give you a hefty discount, especially if they see you took great care of their handiwork!

3) Tattoo cover up

Faded tattoos are much easier to cover up with larger or more complex designs. A talented tattooist can give you design suggestions to successfully cover up the old one.

Conclusion

Coconut oil won’t fade your tattoo; quite the opposite, in fact. It will help your tattoo stand out even more by making your skin look great! That said, coconut oil alone won’t stop your tattoo from fading. Moisturise and protect your tattoo from the elements! Hopefully, your tattoo will continue to look great for several years instead of a few short months.

Why use coconut oil on tattoos?

Coconut oil on wooden spoon (Photo by DanaTentis)

If you’re still undecided about using this miracle oil for your tattoos, then you should read this entire section. Hopefully, these 10 reasons will help sway you over to the coconut-loving side!  

But first, here’s an infographic showing a brief summary of why coconut oil is the perfect aftercare product for tattoos:

Read on to know more about the awesome benefits of coconut oil on skin!

1.   Coconut oil is an excellent moisturiser

Coconut oil is a great, chemical-free moisturiser that can do wonders for your skin. The oil is rich in vitamin E and medium-chain fatty acids (it’s the healthy kind, don’t worry). When applied to tattoos, it prevents the skin from drying up and cracking by retaining the moisture within.  

As a side note, coconut oil even offers relief for eczema. There’s no known cure for this skin condition yet, but coconut oil’s been proven to help get symptoms under control.

So, if you suffer from eczema, you’ll essentially be hitting two birds with one stone by using coconut oil. You’ll be moisturising your tattoo, and at the same time, relieving your eczema symptoms!

2.   It’s a powerful antioxidant

As you’ve read above, coconut oil is rich in vitamin E which is a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants basically protect you from free radicals, a.k.a. oxidants, found in your body and the environment.

These free radicals react with molecules in your body and cause inflammation and disease. Fortunately, antioxidants abound in nature – with coconut oil being a key source.

Here’s a succinct explanation of how oxidants (free radicals) and antioxidants work:

The best way to combat free radicals from harming your tattoo – and your health in general – is by eating foods rich in antioxidants, such as coconuts and their derivatives. If you turn out to be allergic to coconuts, don’t fret. There are still plenty of fruits and vegetables to choose from!

3.   It can fight off infection

Tattoo infections aren’t all that rare. After all, tattoos are technically puncture wounds in the skin. The larger the tattoo, the larger the wound, and the larger the area that’s at risk of getting infected. If you’re not careful, you can easily introduce germs and bacteria to your tattoo.

Fortunately, coconut oil is rich in lauric, caprylic and capric acid, which have antimicrobial, antiviral, antifungal, and other immune system-boosting properties. Of course, prevention is better than cure so it’s better to apply coconut oil on tattoos BEFORE infection sets in.

Since you can’t exactly predict when you’ll get an infection, it’s best to be prepared and just apply oil on your unhealed-but-no-longer-weeping tattoo. Additionally, you can also ingest a tablespoon or two on a daily basis to help strengthen your immune system.  

4.   Coconut oil is anti-inflammatory

Brand-new tattoos are especially prone to inflammation. While we don’t suggest putting coconut oil on still-weeping tattoos, you can start applying a thin layer (a few days after getting inked) to help relieve inflammation.

Thanks to its fatty acid components, coconut oil can help enhance its protective barrier functions (great for letting your tattoo heal underneath). At the same time, its anti-inflammatory properties will help your skin return to normal quickly.

5.   100% natural

You can eat coconuts, drink coconut juice and oil, and more! (Photo by Jessica Wilson)

Coconut oil extraction methods may vary (which leads to differences in quality), but the undeniable fact remains that it’s 100% natural. Now, some of the most common ways to extract oil from coconut meat (the white flesh inside the shell) include cold pressing, fermenting, and centrifuge separation.

For tattoos, I highly recommend you use virgin, extra virgin or unrefined coconut oil to ensure the best quality (in terms of nutrients, colour and taste).

You want to avoid refined, bleached and deodorised coconut oil as these are usually extracted from dried copra. These are sold very cheaply in most places, and I wouldn’t recommend you get them by virtue of it being more affordable than unrefined varieties.

6.   Extremely cost-effective

Unlike traditional tattoo aftercare products which can seriously eat into your household budget, pure coconut oil is very much affordable. Coconut oil-based aftercare products will understandably be a bit more expensive, but that’s only because manufacturers do add other ingredients to the mix.  

The point is that tattoo aftercare – and maintenance – need not be expensive. An entire litre of pure, raw virgin coconut oil will cost you no more than 10 quid! And since a drop or two is all you need to moisturise your tattoo on a daily basis, your 10 quid will last you a long while – maybe even a couple of years!  

7.   It’s a highly versatile product

Image by mohamed Hassan

You can use coconut oil on literally anything! From moisturising your tattoo to your entire body – and even eating it as food supplement – coconut oil does it all. You can use it to remove your makeup, replace diaper cream with it, soothe irritated skin, turn it into homemade soap, and so much more!

A small jar of coconut oil can go a long way. Not a single drop will ever be wasted because if you pour a bit too much, you can always use it in some other way!

8.   Coconut oil is hypoallergenic

Virgin coconut oil (the kind used in skincare products) is extracted by pressing coconut meat. This method results in larger fatty acid molecules, which in turn makes VCO less allergenic (the larger molecules make it less likely to penetrate skin).

The only downside is, of course, you don’t exactly know how companies process their oils. For instance, if they’re mixing or storing coconut oil with other ingredients that are known allergens, then it will contaminate the coconut oil and transform it into an allergenic substance.  

But, by itself, pure and unrefined virgin coconut oil is non-allergenic and non-irritating. It also won’t clog your skin’s pores because it’s supposedly non-comedogenic. Generally speaking, unrefined coconut oils are safe to use for all skin types.

9.   Great for use at any time during your tattoo journey (except while tattoo is weeping)

Photo by Chema Photo

You can apply coconut oil at all stages of the tattoo healing journey. For best results, however, you should start putting oil a few days before your appointment. It’s also advisable to drink lots of water to hydrate your skin.

This water-and-coconut-oil combo will make your skin a whole lot easier to tattoo on. Hydrated skin is also more likely to retain ink better than dry skin. Additionally, healthy skin will make the tattoo healing process faster, too.

That said, you may apply coconut oil as soon as your brand-new tattoo stops weeping. Some people say it’s fine to apply some oil even on still-weeping tatts, but I say it’s better to err on the side of caution, especially if the tattooed area is quite large.

The last thing you want to happen is a tattoo infection. It *may* be fine to apply some oil on a single-inch outline tattoo, but any bigger, and I’d hesitate. Lastly, since it’s very much an effective moisturiser, you can pretty much use coconut oil on your tattoo forever!

10.  It’s widely available

Once you get a tattoo, you’ll be obligated to apply lotion or moisturiser on it every single day. If you’re not the type to take skincare seriously, then you’re up for some surprise – your tattoo will soon stop looking good if you don’t moisturise properly!

Click the image to buy this brand on Amazon!

Fortunately, coconut oil is widely available. You can find it in many places like in supermarkets, health speciality stores, and when all else fails, Amazon. If you run out, just go online and buy a jar or two!

The downsides of using coconut oil on tattoos

Honestly, coconut oil is such a great natural aftercare product, I found it hard to come up with a list of negative things to say about it. But alas, it’s not perfect, at least for some people. Here’s why:

People allergic to coconut oil can’t use this

There’s no specific number, but according to my research, coconut oil allergies aren’t as common as, say, peanut allergies. However, if you’re one of the unfortunate ones, then you’re out of luck. You’ll be missing out on the entire list of coconut oil benefits, not just on your tattoo but on your entire body!  

So, how do you know if you’re allergic to coconut oil?

Well, if you present these symptoms after touching some oil or eating it, then you could be allergic:  

Mild symptoms include nausea, itching, hives, vomiting, and diarrhoea. If you experience wheezing and trouble breathing, you might be experiencing an anaphylactic reaction – present yourself to the A&E immediately!

There are far too many different varieties

Remember, not all coconut oils are processed the same way. Hot-pressed, cold-pressed, organic, refined, unrefined, fractionated, hydrogenated – so many options!

If you want the best quality, cold-pressed virgin coconut oil is the best kind of oil to use on tattoos. If you use refined oil like those extracted from copra, then you could very well end up allergic to it.

Is it safe to use coconut oil-based aftercare products instead of 100% virgin coconut oil?

There are plenty of tattoo aftercare products that use coconut oil as a base. Mixed with other potent ingredients, you can multiply the moisturising and skin healing properties of coconut oil! Such is the case with products like Coconut King Aftercare Balm and Hustle Butter Deluxe.

All these products work great on healing brand-new tattoos. The choice is yours as to which product you’ll like best. Check the comparison table below:

Product	Picture	Ingredients	Size	Price
Coconut King Aftercare Balm		Coconut oil, shea butter, mango butter, cocoa butter	15ml, 60ml, 150ml	££
Hustle Butter Deluxe		Shea, mango and aloe butters, coconut, sunflower and rice bran oils, rosemary oleoresin, green tea, vitamin E complex & mint arvenis essential oil. With essence of papaya and coconut.	30ml (1 oz)	£££

How to apply coconut oil on tattoos

Coconut oil is a natural product, but it doesn’t mean you can slather on a thick layer just because you feel like it. Here’s the proper way to apply coconut oil on skin:

Wash your hands

Before dipping your hands into your coconut oil jar, wash your hands first. You don’t want to contaminate the rest of the oil, or worse, infect your tattoo. Coconut oil does have antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, but it’s best not to tempt fate. After all, coconut is organic and can easily spoil if dirt is introduced to the jar.

Apply a very small amount and rub gently

It’s easy to get carried away and apply a thick layer of coconut oil on skin, especially when it’s frozen solid. If it’s cold, thaw out the oil first so it’s easier to apply. If you accidentally get too much, just spread it out over a wider expanse of skin. After all, it’s not just a tattoo moisturiser, it’s also a whole body moisturiser!

Repeat as often as necessary 

Coconut oil will get absorbed into the skin after some time. Once you start feeling like your skin’s starting to dry up, then feel free to re-apply. Again, coconut oil is 100% natural, and if you’re not allergic to it, you should not run into any issues if you re-apply frequently.

Conclusion

If you’re still searching for the best natural aftercare product, look no further than coconut oil. It’s a 100% natural moisturiser with exceptional healing properties – two characteristics that a healing tattoo needs. That being said, let’s make coconut oil on tattoos the next big thing in the tattoo community!  

Is it safe to put coconut oil on NEW tattoos?

Photo by Chema Photo

If you’re coming straight from the tattooist, and you’re just about ready to do your first wash, then putting coconut oil isn’t such a good idea at this point. This is because your wound, a.k.a. your brand-new tattoo, is still very much open. In fact, it will be bleeding, oozing plasma and lymphatic fluids, and some tattoo ink as well.

Now, coconut oil does have healing properties – it’s an all-in-one antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral miracle oil, after all. Some people have even gone on record to say coconut oil effectively sped up the healing of their wounds, cuts, and scrapes.

However, some experts say not to use coconut oil on broken skin, only on intact skin. In this case, you may need to wait until your tattoo stops weeping and light scabs start to form before you apply coconut oil to the area.

What to do instead?

During the first couple of days, I recommend you follow tried-and-tested aftercare solutions instead. After washing your tatt with warm water and unscented soap, air dry or pat it dry.

Then apply a thin layer of healing ointment (like Aquaphor). It will act as a protective barrier by preventing bacteria and germs from getting into contact with the tattoo. At the same time, it will allow oxygen in so that the skin layers underneath can heal.

Around day 3, the weeping would have stopped altogether or at least considerably slowed down (this is dependent on how big the tattoo is and how strong your immune system is). At this point, you should be able to start using coconut oil on your tattoo.

But wait… before you do, considering doing a quick patch test to see if you experience any adverse reactions to the oil.

Coconut oil is normally safe for all skin types, but who knows, you could be allergic to it especially if you’ve never tried it before. Better to err on the side of caution than to suffer through an allergy, or even an infection!

Here’s why coconut oil is great for use on new tattoos:

• It’s antimicrobial and antibacterial

Coconut oil contains both caprylic acid and capric acid. These are healthy fats that have antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, so they will protect your new tattoo from harmful pathogens.

• It’s anti-inflammatory

New tattoos are often prone to swelling, but a tiny dab of coconut oil applied regularly may help reduce inflammation.

• It helps regenerate skin cells

Coconut oil works wonders on wrinkles. It’s because it boosts collagen production which smoothens skin out. And with tattoos, you want the skin to stay firm and taut, so your tattoo doesn’t look wrinkled!

• It moisturises the skin

Wanna know the secret to great looking tattoos? Skin hydration and moisturisation! Fortunately for us coconut oil fans, it’s a natural moisturiser. You can apply a few drops throughout the day to help your tattoo heal properly. Once healed, continue using the oil to keep your skin looking nice and healthy!

• Minimises scabs

Scabs are unsightly, I know, but they’re an important part of the tattoo healing process. Once scabs form, do not attempt to pick or pull it off prematurely. Instead, wait for it to fall off naturally. One way to minimise scabs is to apply coconut oil to the healing tattoo. It keeps the skin moist which encourages healing and reduces scab – and scar – formation. 

Want more reasons why coconut oil is great for your skin? Read this article.

OLD tattoos and coconut oil – is it safe as well?

Photo by Anastasiia Rozumna

Absolutely! As mentioned earlier, coconut oil is an amazing moisturiser, so there’s really no reason why you can’t use it on old tattoos. Unless, of course, you’re allergic to it. But if you’re not, then by all means, go ahead and use it to moisturise your precious skin art!  

Here’s why coconut oil is great for use on old tattoos:

• It’s a natural moisturiser

It’s easy to get lazy and neglect moisturising your tatt once it’s healed. But remember, your tattoo is going to live on your skin forever. If you want it to look good for the foreseeable future, you better make moisturising a regular part of your daily routine!  

• It keeps your tattoo looking fresh

It’s unrealistic to expect your tattoo to look as good as it did on day 1. Sooner or later, your tattoo’s going to fade and look old. You can combat that by applying coconut oil daily. For best results, add a tablespoon or two of coconut oil to your diet, so you’re effectively moisturising your skin from the inside out, too!

• Cost-effective alternative to commercial products

Once your tattoo’s fully healed, you can technically use any lotion you like. However, lotions aren’t created equally, and some are more expensive than others. Coconut oil, on the other hand, is extremely affordable and a little goes a long way, so a tiny jar can go a long way!

• Extremely versatile

Unlike other lotions and moisturisers, coconut oil is highly versatile. This means you’re not limited to using it on your tattoo or your skin. In fact, you can very well use it on your hair and your entire body! You can also use it in the kitchen – both for cooking and cleaning. There are so many different uses for coconut oil – you may be surprised!

Check out this infographic on why coconut oil is great for tattoo aftercare:

The best coconut oil-based aftercare products

Coconut oil is great on its own, but when it’s mixed with some other ingredients, you can create amazing products with it! When it comes to tattoo aftercare, here are some of our favourite coconut oil-based products:

Sevenhills Cold-Pressed Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

Earlier in this article, I mentioned coconut oil’s versatility. And this product is the perfect example. You can literally use this for cooking, baking, frying, cleaning, hair care, skin care, and more! And a one-litre bottle costs a mere 10 quid – totally affordable!

If you only use this for your tattoo, then a bottle can last you for years – talk about value! Note, however, that pure coconut oil is a well-known comedogenic so it may block your pores, especially if you have oily skin.

Generally, however, coconut oil works well with all skin types. It’s just that some people have oilier skin than others. If you belong to this demographic, then do a patch test first to ensure your tattoo and coconut oil experiment isn’t going to cause a breakout.

Coconut King Tattoo Aftercare Balm

Ingredients: Coconut oil, shea butter, mango butter, cocoa butter

This might be one of the best coconut oil-based aftercare products in the market right now. It’s a blend of 3 different kinds of butters that’s guaranteed to protect and moisturise your skin.

Also, the different butters make for a nice, natural fragrance, so in addition to keeping your tattoo looking great, it will also smell good!

Hustle Butter Deluxe

Ingredients: Shea, mango and aloe butters, coconut, sunflower and rice bran oils, rosemary oleoresin, green tea, vitamin e complex & mint arvensis essential oil. With essence of papaya and coconut.

Hustle Butter is touted as an Aquaphor alternative, which means people use it on freshly done tattoos (without waiting for skin to stop weeping). It’s fragrance-free, non-comedogenic and works great for faster healing.

The only downside to Hustle Butter is that it’s the most expensive coconut oil-based product on this list. Some people also say it’s far too greasy, but I personally don’t find it to be excessively so.

Conclusion on tattoos and coconut oil: It’s a YAY!

As you’ve learned in this article, coconut oil is a great tattoo aftercare product. It’s a 100% natural skin moisturiser. It may not be great for extremely oily skin, but the products we’ve mentioned above are specially formulated so that the oil doesn’t clog up skin pores. That said, raw and organic coconut oil works wonders for both new and old tattoos – try it out today!