Do you know Carmex was founded in 1937? Yes, its OG lip balm has been around for more than 70 years. And Carmex lip balm is still popular and for a good reason. Its iconic red and yellow packaging lets you notice it from far away.
Well, Carmex is the apple of the eye of most people (if not all) due to its moisturizing properties. It can moisturize and heal your dried lips like magic. The fact is that it’s specifically designed for lips but many individuals love to apply it on the skin.
Since it comes with miraculous moisturizing properties, many tattoo enthusiasts wonder if it works for tattoo aftercare. In fact, can you put Carmex on a tattoo?
We all know that newly engraved tattoos are delicate and need proper care. And when it comes to tattoo aftercare moisturizing is a must. So, can you leverage Carmex lip balm for tattoos? Let’s find out!
| Publisher | Alex Martin |
|---|---|
| Focus | Carmex on my Tattoo |
| Category | Hygiene & Products |
| Article Type | Informative Guides, Tips & Advice |
| Update Frequency | Monthly to reflect new insights and trends |
A Little About Carmex
Carmex is a lip balm that is as old as 7 decades. The iconic red and yellow casing makes it the trademark of genuine lip balm. Since it is packed with amazing moisturizing properties, it lets you survive the harsh wintery weather.
Applying this can let you forget cracked lips. It is unlikely to not live in the USA and never used Carmex for lip care. But is it good for tattoos?
Can You Use Carmex on Tattoo?
In short, yes, Carmex is a good moisturizer for tattoos. Its moisturizing properties can go head to head with your tattoo healing journey.
Also, note that many tattoo artists vouch for the carmex’s work for tattoo aftercare. In fact, you don’t need to buy all the expensive lotions and ointments as Carmex can do the job just fine.
But here is a catch. Carmex is packed with petroleum methanol and other greasy ingredients. So, chances are that you might be allergic to it. So it’s better to do a patch test before using it.
Moreover, your tattoo artist can also guide you better. For instance, if you have been getting tattoos from the same artist for the 10th time, he/she can better tell you about what product to use.
Let me pour some insights on Carmex ingredients:
Beeswax
Beeswax has moisture-locking properties so that you can keep your tattooed skin plump.`
Camphor
Camphor is another amazing ingredient in Carmex. It can relieve itching and irritation which are the most common after effects of a tattoo.
Cocoa Butter
Cocoa butter has a lot of moisturizing benefits. Since it minimizes water loss from the skin it can work wonders for moisturizing tattoo skin.
Candelilla wax
Candelilla wax is also good for tattoos as it can heal the tattoo faster and stop the ink from fading.
Phenol
FDA has recognized phenol as a topical pain reliever. If you use Carmex for the tattoo skin it can help reduce pain and burn in the region.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E’s benefits for the skin are known to every kid. And its addition to Carmex lip balm can let you consider it for tattoo aftercare.
Do the Ingredients In Carmex Damage Tattoos?
Note Carmex is a lip balm and you should use it as it is. And if you’re considering tattoo aftercare, you should get products specifically designed for tattoos, such as saniderm.
But sometimes the Carmex can be a more affordable option for aftercare, so you can use it. But here is a catch. It doesn’t have all the ingredients that you need for a healing tattoo. And I’m sure you will not want some ordinary product for your expensive tattoo artwork.
Apart from that, the Carmex also houses some allergy-prone ingredients such as menthol and camphor. Yes, I agree you get refreshment and all that stuff but it can be painful for some. Apart from that, these ingredients can also make for allergic reactions.
But remember one thing tattoo artwork is expensive and its canvas which is your skin is even more important. So make sure you get the best aftercare products for your tattoo.
How to do Tattoo Aftercare?
If you want Carmex in your tattoo aftercare routine, make sure you know the process of aftercare, which is:
- Make sure to keep the tattoo clean. You should wash the tattoo twice a day. Make sure to use gentle soap.
- Make sure you apply healing ointment for the first few days after that, moisturizing is important. Once your tattoo has healed, you can apply Carmex or your desired moisturizer.
- Make sure your tattoo breaths enough. It means do not cover it all the time with saniderm or clothing.
- Whenever you go out, make sure to apply sunscreen. And if it’s possible for you, protect it from direct sunlight.
Why Use Carmex On A Tattoo?
Carmex is not an enticing option for tattoo aftercare, considering the number of tattoo-specific products available today. But one of the good points of using Carmex is that it can moisturize skin. Its beeswax, camphor, and lanolin can moisturize the skin.
The cherry on top is that it locks in the moisture. So you get better healing. Apart from that, you also get temporary pain relief owing to menthol and phenol. Another thing that makes it enticing is that it has an SPF 15 rating. So you can protect it from sunlight after applying it.
Why Should I not use Carmex?
There are a few reasons you should refrain from using Carmex. First, it is not explicitly designed for tattoos. It’s a lip balm which means you should not use it on even skin. Secondly, it doesn’t have tattoo-specific ingredients that ensure faster healing.
Next, it has allergic ingredients such as lanolin, camphor, and menthol. So you might develop infections or allergies after using it. Apart from that, you might over-moisturize the tattoo as of Carmex. Why? Because its ingredients have over-moisturizing properties.
Last but not least, it can ruin your tattoo, as working with tattoo inks has not been studied yet. The ingredients of carmex can sometimes mix with ink pigment ruining your tattoo. So it is best to get tattoo-specific products for aftercare.
How do you apply Carmex on a new tattoo?
Finally, let us tell you how to apply Carmex to a tattoo.
First of all, do the patch test. Clean your tattoo and dry it. You `can use any gentle soap that dont have fragrances and pat dry with a paper towel.
Next, apply a little Carmex covert area of the tattoo. If you don’t see an allergic reaction, then apply it sparingly on the tattoo. Take a little Carmex or apply a thin layer and gently massage it with your fingers. Make sure you don’t over-moisturize it.
You can moisturize the tattoo with Carmex twice a day.
How do you apply Carmex on an old tattoo?
After your tattoo has completely healed, you can use any moisturizer you like, such as Carmex, to keep your skin hydrated. Once the healing process is complete, the specific moisturizer you choose isn’t as important as it was during the initial healing phase.
Conclusion
Carmex is good for tattoos, but you must refrain from products that are not specifically for tattoos. Since tattoos are an expensive investment experimenting with ordinary products like carmex will cost you heavily.
Although, it has all the skin-friendly ingredients like beeswax, phenol, menthol, and camphor its effects on tattoo ink have not been studied yet.
There are a lot of tattoo aftercare products such as Saniderm, tattoo-specific creams, and moisturizers that have the right balance of moisture for your tattoos. So I would recommend not using Carmex on tattoos even though it’s safe for your tattoos.
