What sorts of cream and soap are best to use on a new tattoo?

Ok, definitely not polysporin. Do not use that. It's an antibiotic cream. It will wreck a tattoo by causing your body to react to the ink the same way it would an infection. That will draw out the ink and that's the least of the problems. Also, anything that contains petroleum isn't great. Yes, artists use it when they work on you but that's only one day, not repeated applications, and it's also in creams like bepanthen. It penetrates too deeply into the skin, preventing proper healing. Here's a good explanation. http://afterinked.co.uk/tattoo-aftercare/bepanthen...

As more information becomes available through studies, more people and artists are changing their long held beliefs that petroleum products are good. (Yes, they are good for some things, but not healing a tattoo). They will work. They are ok to use and have been used for many decades. But now there's better products. So it's really up to you.

I use afterink (not afterinked). I love it. I heal a lot faster, it's easier to spread, it's natural and just all round good s**t.

As for the fragrance issue, I think any man made fragrances are a no go zone. They have been proven to be a major cause of dermatitis and allergic reactions, so I wouldn't want that in an open wound. For soap, the best thing is a liquid soap that is again fragrance free. The less crap in it, the better. And do not use anti-bacterial soaps. They are tooooooo drying. Hope that helps. BTW you can react badly to anything. Use any past experiences you've had (if any) to decide what's best.

I use

Non scented soap, sometimes anti bacterial but not every wash (patting it clean and dry using paper towel)

My skin doesn't like scented - it irritates it

I usually use bepanthem (its a diaper rash cream) or acriflex (its a burn cream). Lubriderm and aquaphor can be used also but I live in uk and we don't come across these 2 often.

Scented lotions and creams don't bring on an infection - they can sting it/fade it or irritate it - by bringing on a rash or slowing the healing process (I don't know for sure as I don't use them but my artist swears against them)

And vasaline is a big nono (I know this) until its healed (it keeps it looking shiny) but this creates a barrier between the air and the tattoo that makes it difficult for air to reach the tattoo (which slows the healing process) and this can help bacteria breed - which can cause an infection!

Member dont pick or scratch tattoo - if it becomes itchy, it needs moistened, so clean it and apply ointment. Do this 2-3 times per day

Penaten Cream

The only washing you want to do, for a tattoo, is to use anti-bacterial non-scented soap. Don't scrub.

The ointment you want to use, is A&D ointment, vaseline, or other types of tattoo goo. Don't use lotions or such things.

you can use vaseline ...!!!