Tattoo aftercare can be a very complex process. Knowing what is good to put on your new tattoo and when is essential. There are so many ointments, lotions, and creams on the market that it’s difficult to know which are safe for your open wound and which you should avoid. Bepanthen is a product that can sometimes cause a bit of usage confusion in the tattoo world.
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What is Bepanthen?
Bepanthen is an antiseptic cream that is often used to treat diaper rashes for babies. It prevents skin from infection and helps accelerate the treatment of broken or damaged skin. It’s normal, then, to believe that because this is safe for broken baby skin, it should be safe for your tattoo.
Unfortunately, this isn’t the case.
Bepanthen Ingredients
New tattoos are open wounds, and it’s always recommended that you allow your tattoo time to weep before applying any lotions, ointments, or creams. Even after your tattoo has had three to four days to finish weeping, you should be cautious about what you put on your tattoo and there are some ingredients in Bepanthen that raise some concerns.
- Petrolatum - Petroleum jelly is a chemical additive that is derived from minerals, oils and waxes, and is the leftover waste from oil refining. Though the carcinogenic properties of the oil have been removed, the leftover product is actually not moisturizing, nourishing, or beneficial for a new tattoo. It can, in fact, stop your tattoo from healing properly.
Petrolatum can block oxygen from reaching your wound, can have adverse reactions for people with sensitive skin, and could even make your skin appear more dry over time. For more information, have a look at our article, Can I Put Vaseline On My New Tattoo? Is Petroleum Jelly Safe For Tattoo Aftercare? - Lanolin and Lanolin Alcohol - Not only is this an oil that is secreted from the skin glands of sheep, making Bepanthen a not-so-vegan-friendly product, but it also can cause severe allergies in individuals who have wool, environmental, or animal allergies.
- Cetyl and Stearyl Alcohol - Alcohol in an aftercare product for your tattoo should be avoided. It’s added to a product’s ingredient list as a way to keep water-based ingredients well mixed with oil-based ingredients. It’s known as non-drying and non-irritating but based on the quantity in Bepanthen, it could cause redness or irritation.
The ingredients in standard Bepanthen are not formulated with tattoo healing in mind, and many people have reported breakouts, redness, color loss, or excessive peeling from using this on their new tattoos.
Bepanthen for Tattoos
After hearing about the demand for ointments made specifically for tattoo aftercare, Bepanthen developed a line of products called Bepanthen Tattoo. This dermatologically tested ointment is said to heal and protect tattoos, so what makes it different from their standard product?
- Bepanthen Tattoo is formulated with Pro-Vitamin B5 which helps create a breathable but protective layer over the tattoo. This helps the wound regenerate without compromising oxygen flow and infiltration from outside irritants..
- Bepanthen Tattoo has nothing added to alter the fragrance of the formula. Fragrances can cause extreme irritation to healing tattoos.
- Bepanthen Tattoo does not negatively affect the healing of the tattoo. Unlike their other creams, no fading was observed in its usage during a clinical study of the product.
As with all ointments and creams, there is a right time to begin using products such as Bepanthen Tattoo. For more information, check out our detailed article, When Should I Start Moisturizing My Tattoo?
Our Final Thoughts
If you decide to use Bepanthen on your healing tattoo, we recommend going with their specially formulated tattoo cream. This product avoids the harsh and irritating chemicals that are not ideal for an open wound like a tattoo. Like all ointments, allow your tattoo time to weep prior to adding any layer of moisturizer to ensure a quick and easy healing process.
