With so many do’s and don'ts when it comes to the aftercare of a new tattoo, you may be wondering what category vitamin E oil falls into. Vitamin E is known to be moisturizing and regenerating, but like most products, there is a right time to use vitamin e oil on your tattoo. Read on to find out more!
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Vitamin E for the Skin: What Are Its Benefits?
Vitamin E is praised for a variety of reasons. Some of its benefits include:
- Reducing UV damage in skin
- Regeneration of healthy cells
- High antioxidants
- Improves blood circulation
- Very moisturizing
- Strengthens your skin’s barrier function
It is a fat-soluble essential oil that is known to protect the skin and has emerged as an important part of dermatological practice as a clinical solution for many skin issues. Certified dermatologist, Ava Shamban, M. D. , says, “Topically, it can be very helpful [for] a range of skin disorders, as well as skin repair. It assists in various kinds of cellular restoration from sun damage to healing support for scars or burns. ”
Why Is Vitamin E Oil Good For Your Tattoos?
A new tattoo is essentially an open wound or a severe abrasion done to your skin. The needles work through your epidermis in order to deposit ink into the lower levels of your dermis. While a new tattoo is healing, it requires optimal conditions which includes proper hydration and products which aid in the regeneration of cells and the minimizing of inflammation and irritation.
Vitamin E has numerous benefits for a new tattoo.
Fighting Dryness and Irritation
Vitamin E helps preserve the lipids in your skin which is the fat that retains moisture. When applied to a new tattoo, it creates a barrier that locks in hydration and continues to nourish your tattoo when it needs it most. It is said that vitamin E helps combat irritation associated with eczema, so when it is used on a dry and itchy tattoo, it can be very soothing.
Natural Antioxidant Properties
The properties of vitamin E can help you as your tattoo begins to heal, because its antioxidant benefits help stop the damage of cells. This can be extremely beneficial for ensuring your tattoo heals without any scarring issues. In addition, this will help your healing wound combat any “scavengers” called free radicals that try to complicate the healing process.
Cosmetic chemist Ni’Kita Wilson says, “Free radicals are on a destructive quest to become stable, so they are ready and willing to snatch an electron from anything that comes in its path, including DNA, skin proteins, connective tissues, and cell membranes. The more you can quench the free radicals' thirst for stability, the better your skin will be protected, which is where vitamin E comes into play. "
Long-Lasting
Vitamin E does not need constant reapplication; it can be applied once and continue working throughout the day. In fact, oversaturation could cause pore-clogging issues, so remember that a little goes a long way.
Easy Application
Vitamin E is often an additive in high-quality aftercare products so you don’t have to go on a hunt for it. In addition, it can be added in its oil format to any carrier without issue. That means a few drops in your ointment, cream, or lotion is sufficient. Plus, it can be applied on its own directly to your tattoo - though it is an oil, so you need to keep in mind that it may stain your clothing.
Brings Out the Color of Your Tattoo
Vitamin E improves your blood’s circulation which helps the regeneration process as well as removing any excess ink that has not properly held in your dermis. This helps improve the overall condition of your wound, and will lead to a healthier and brighter healing.
Plus, when added onto an older tattoo, it makes the colors look vibrant and significantly deeper.
Natural UV Protecting Properties
Vitamin E forms a protective barrier on the skin that is known to help combat UV damage. Considering UV rays are the number one enemy of tattoos, this is particularly helpful for both new and old ink protection. Of course, it’s still important to use sunscreen on your tattoos as the UV protection that vitamin E provides is very minimal.
How and When to Apply Vitamin E Oil On Tattoos
There are a few factors that need to be considered prior to using vitamin E on your new tattoo.
- Vitamin E can cause a sensitivity or allergic reaction in some people. It’s important that you not only do a 48 hour patch test of the oil on the inside of your elbow prior to using it on your tattoo, but also make sure that it’s done with both the essential oil on its own and in a carrier.
- Vitamin E can clog pores if too much is applied; look for products that have vitamin E but also list “non-comedogenic” on the label.
- When choosing a vitamin E oil, make sure it says 100% pure on the bottle and has no additives, especially fragrance which could cause burns or irritations.
- Keep in mind that some vitamin E products, such as the oil on its own, can stain your clothing.
It’s always recommended that vitamin E is introduced into your aftercare routine after your tattoo stops weeping. Weeping happens in the first two or three days, and it’s when your tattoo pushes out excess ink, blood, or plasma from the wound to clean it.
After your tattoo has stopped weeping, you can add vitamin E to your moisturizing routine. Because it keeps working all day long, you only need to apply vitamin E in the morning after your first wash.
If you notice that your tattoo becomes oversaturated and begins to scab weirdly, or if you begin to have breakouts, stop using vitamin E oil. You may be using too much which can clog your pores or over-hydrate the wound.
Our Final Thoughts
Vitamin E oil is a wonderful addition to your aftercare routine. With its numerous healing benefits, antioxidant properties, and scar minimizing effects, it’s perfect for the healing of a new tattoo. Remember to do a patch test of vitamin E prior to using it on your new tattoo, and if you notice any reactions to the oil, avoid using it; it could compromise the healing of your wound and distort your ink.
