10 Reasons Why Coconut Oil Is The Perfect Tattoo Aftercare Product

Guides7 min Read

Summary

1. Highly Moisturizing to the Skin 2. Protects Against Infection 3. Fights Free Radicals 4. Anti-Inflammatory and Wound Healing Properties 5. Less is More 6. Hypoallergenic

7. Easy to Find 8. Cruelty-Free 9. Buy in bulk and save 10. Alternative Uses COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT COCONUT OIL ON TATTOOS

Next time you get tattooed, use coconut oil in your aftercare routine and see what a difference it can make in the tattoo healing process.

Outside of the kitchen, coconut oil, or “copra oil”, has a myriad of uses. One of the most popular of these uses is to apply it to the skin due to its incredible moisturizing and skin protectant qualities. During the healing phase post-tattoo, your skin is busy working its magic, repairing itself from thousands of tiny needle pricks. Coconut oil aids in this process in much of the same manner as traditional tattoo aftercare products, if not better!

The benefit in using coconut oil on tattoos lies within the many inherent healing and antimicrobial properties contained within in.

Thanks to high levels of lauric acid found within coconut oil, it’s an incredibly effective protector against bacterial growth, ensuring that your new tattoo does not get infected. Coconut oil also works wonderfully to reduce inflammation and help alleviate pain. The oil itself is rich with collagen which is an important ingredient in the wound healing process, working to regenerate skin cells and speed up recovery time. As many of you may already know, coconut oil is also an incredible natural moisturizer, capable of soothing even serious skin conditions like eczema. So if you’re looking to keep your new tattoo moisturized, while preventing inflammation and bacterial growth, coconut oil is a potent natural alternative!

Wondering whether or not coconut oil is good for new tattoos? Read along to see our top 10 reasons why coconut oil makes the perfect tattoo aftercare product.

1. Highly Moisturizing to the Skin

Coconut oil is created from fat extracted from the flesh of coconuts. The medium chain fatty acids found within it help to retain your skin's natural moisture, meaning that your new tattoo won't dry out. Coconut oil helps keep skin hydrated, supple and smooth, assisting your new tattoo in healing properly and maintaining your skins natural balance. It has even been recommended for use in cases of eczema and severe dry and flakey skin.

2. Protects Against Infection

The capric, caprylic and lauric fatty acids within coconut oil act as natural disinfectants, protecting your tattoo from microbial infections. During your tattoos healing process the last thing you want to encounter is a nasty infection! Using coconut oil during your tattoo aftercare helps ensure that harmful microorganisms and bacteria are kept at bay.

3. Fights Free Radicals

Our skin cells and bodies need oxygen to survive, but oxygen also creates oxidization in the skin, which in turn creates what is known as “free radicals”. Free radicals speed up the aging process and can be harmful to healthy cell production, which is necessary during the tattoo healing process. As an added benefit, coconut oil contains the ultra-hydrating vitamin E, which assists your skin by keeping it smooth, preventing dryness and cracking, and serving as a protective barrier. This helps to block free radicals from forming on your skin, while providing a youthful and supple appearance.

4. Anti-Inflammatory and Wound Healing Properties

Proteins in coconut oil assist in rejuvenating the skin after the trauma of tattooing. The proteins repair damaged cells at a normal, healthy rate throughout the healing process. In addition to rejuvenating the skin, coconut oil also contains highly potent anti-inflammatory properties which work by increasing antioxidants, and reducing what is known as “oxidative stress” to the skin.

Thanks to the rich collagen levels present in coconut oil it is also a superb choice to aid in the overall wound healing process. Collagen works by assisting helpful cells to the site of the wound, which boosts tissue growth and helps the skin to heal faster.

In preparing for tattoo aftercare, coconut oil can be an excellent component to reduce swelling and pain, revitalize your skin and aid in the overall healing process.

5. Less is More

With a fresh tattoo it can be tempting to apply too much aftercare cream, however this can prevent your skin from breathing. Your skin can only absorb a certain amount of coconut oil, so a thin layer is all you need!

6. Hypoallergenic

If you have certain allergies or find you're sensitive to particular ingredients, some tattoo aftercare products might not be right for you. Coconut oil is a great natural alternative for those with sensitive skin and skin allergies as it will not cause irritation or adverse reactions.

7. Easy to Find

You don't need to travel to a tattoo shop, or wait to order a product online to replenish your tattoo aftercare products! Coconut oil is readily available in most supermarkets and health food stores making it a convenient alternative to other topical ointments and creams.

8. Cruelty-Free

Many people are choosing to purchase cruelty-free cosmetic items, and with coconut oil you can rest assured that it contains no animal by products and is not tested on animals.
Buy in bulk and save

Coconut oil can easily be purchased in bulk form from various online vendors, making it a smart and savvy selection for those who get tattooed often. Even if you’re only interested in purchasing a single bottle, you’ll still save big! The average container of coconut oil has around 14 to 16 fluid ounces, providing a very ample amount of product for numerous tattoos, especially in comparison to popular tattoo aftercare products which contain substantially less product for your money.

9. Buy in bulk and save

10. Alternative Uses

If you didn't already think coconut oil was amazing, its uses stretch far beyond tattoo aftercare. Coconut oil is a suitable replacement for products such as: makeup remover, all-over body moisturizer, lip gloss, hair conditioner/mask, homemade toothpaste, and can even ease skin disorders like acne, psoriasis and eczema.

COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT COCONUT OIL ON TATTOOS

Is it safe to put coconut oil on a new tattoo?

Many question during the aftercare process if you can safely use coconut oil on a fresh tattoo. The answer is that coconut oil is absolutely safe to use on new tattoos and offers a wide array of healing and restorative properties to the skin. The oil itself is all natural and works alongside your skin to boost collagen levels, protect against bacteria and infection, and keep the skin moisturized and supple.

How often should I place coconut oil on a healing tattoo?

To keep your fresh tattoo protected and ensure it heals properly you should wash the area of the tattoo 2-3 times a day and apply a thin layer of coconut oil overtop afterwards.

Does coconut oil expire?

Although coconut oil will eventually expire it can be kept safely for up to two years for use on the skin. The oil does not require any refrigeration due to its stable qualities.

Can bacteria grow in coconut oil?

Though coconut oil does contain many vital antimicrobial properties, it is essential that you use clean hands when reaching into the jar. Bacteria can grow if unclean hands are placed within the container.

Is coconut oil a natural antibiotic that will protect my new tattoo?

Thanks to the potent bacteria fighting agents within coconut oil, namely lauric acid, the oil works wonderfully to protect your new tattoo against harmful bacterial agents and infection. If you’re looking for a natural method to combat microbial growth, coconut oil is an inexpensive and highly effective product to use.

Should coconut oil be solid or liquid when used to heal a new tattoo?

You can safely use both liquid and solid coconut oil on your new tattoo. Coconut oil in its solid form will liquefy above temperatures of 75 degrees Fahrenheit, or 25 degrees Celsius. Liquid is generally a better option since it is easier to apply to the skin and allows the skin to breathe better, but either form is safe and effective. If you find that your bottle has become solid, simply use low heat to return it to a liquefied state.

What type of coconut oil should I choose to apply on my new tattoo?

The best type of coconut oil for healing tattoos is virgin or fractionated coconut oil. Virgin oil works wonderfully for tattoos all over the body and has been shown to work better than refined coconut oil in wound healing and preserving skins moisture. If you are using coconut oil as aftercare for a tattoo on the face its best to use fractionated coconut oil as it does not clog pores, remains liquid and allows skin to breathe better than virgin oil.

When choosing a coconut oil for your tattoo aftercare, keep in mind that oil, not butter, is important to use in the early healing stages. Many have questioned if they can use coconut butter on a healing tattoo. While coconut butter can be helpful in the later stages of healing, it should not be used until the tattoo has started to scab over. The same hold true for popular products like bio oil, they are safe to use once the healing process has truly commenced, but are not ideal for early stages.

Cookie settings