We all know that Carmex is great for your lips, but what about using it on your skin? Can you put Carmex on a tattoo to moisturize and help it heal?
While many say you can’t use a LIP BALM on a tattoo, Carmex can be used on tattoos. I know a few people who have used it and it did not pull out any ink but healed it up nicely. However, I wouldn’t recommend using it.
In this post we’ll take a closer and more in-depth look at Carmex, its ingredients, and why people think it’s bad for tattoos.
Table of Contents
- Why Do People Think Carmex Is Bad for Tattoos?
- Can I Use Carmex on My Tattoo?
- Can You Put Lip Balm On Tattoos?
- Conclusion
Why Do People Think Carmex Is Bad for Tattoos?
Some people would just laugh at you for using a “lip balm” on your skin, let alone a tattoo. They don’t know how it’s made or anything about it but conclude just because it is WEIRD.
Also read: Is crave good for tattoos?
However, the main reason why most people think that Carmex is bad for moisturizing your skin is because it contains methanol and petrolatum aka petroleum jelly which fades ink.
Truth be told, petroleum jelly is bad for healing wounds because what it does is form a barrier between the wound and the outside and it won’t let air, moisture, or anything inside, not even water! Which is not good. Even the American Academy of Dermatology says petrolatum is not good for tattoos.
If this is true, how come Carmex is good?
Now here’s the thing, I did some extensive research but I still couldn’t find out exactly how much Petrolatum % Carmex has (probably a very small amount), but it does have some.
But the petrolatum used in Carmex is made of Snow-White Pet USP and is highly refined and tested. The safety of this has also been confirmed by long-term use and other studies. (Read their FAQ for more on this)
And with all the other natural ingredients combined, the harmfulness of the petroleum jelly is reduced.
Can I Use Carmex on My Tattoo?
Yes, you can put Carmex on a tattoo. It can help heal and keep your tattoo moisturized.
Even though Carmex was made for lips, many people use it on their skin. It heals dry skin, especially in tough areas like the knees, elbows, and even your feet.
Many tattoo artists claim Carmex is good for tattoos and ask their clients to use it on their tattoos. However, I wouldn’t recommend using it because of the petroleum stuff and methanol. Some people might be allergic to them too. But if your artist (if he knows you well) asks you to use Carmex you should be good.
Here are some of the GOOD ingredients in Carmex and their benefits to skin and tattoos:
Aloe: Aloe is great for tattoos. It can heal both outer and inner wounds, it is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and also moisturizes.
Avocado: Avocado oil is a natural sunscreen and helps wounds heal faster. It also reduces inflammation.
Beeswax: Beeswax is also great for tattoos and it has antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Beeswax too is a great moisturizer and a popular alternative to petroleum jelly.
Candelilla wax: Candelilla wax helps heal wounds faster and stops ink from fading
Cocoa butter: Cocoa butter has moisturizing, healing, and nourishing properties.
Vitamin E: Do I even need to write this? I could write a whole page of benefits!
Can I Use Carmex on My New Tattoo?
This is a no-brainer. You SHOULDN’T use any moisturizer on a fresh wound.
Also read: Can You Use Baby Lotion on a New Tattoo?
Let it heal for a couple of days and you can start using it after that. Till then wash it with antimicrobial soap.
Can You Put Lip Balm On Tattoos?
Well, it depends on the ingredients of the lip balm. The best way to know if you can use a certain lip balm is good is to do a quick search of its ingredients and see if these are harmful to tattoos or wounds.
Generally, If it is mostly chemicals, you are better off not using it. Lip balms with petroleum jelly are also bad.
All natural lip balms are okay to use but again check if they have anything in them which helps heal or moisturize the tattoo.
FAQs
Can you put chapstick on a tattoo?
While Chapstick is a go-to product for moisturizing lips, it’s not the best choice for tattoo aftercare.
Tattoos are essentially open wounds that require careful cleaning and hydration with products specifically designed for skin healing.
Chapstick, while moisturizing, is formulated for lip skin, which is different from the skin where tattoos are generally placed.
Can you put Blistex on a tattoo?
While Blistex is also typically used to moisturize and protect lips, it’s not recommended for use on a fresh tattoo.
Best lip balm after lip tattoo?
After getting a lip tattoo, it’s crucial to keep the area moisturized to support the healing process and maintain the vibrancy of your tattoo.
One of the best lip balms to use in this case is the Aquaphor Healing Ointment. Aquaphor is a trusted brand in skincare, and their healing ointment is widely recommended by tattoo artists.
This ointment is formulated with petrolatum, a key ingredient that provides a protective barrier to the skin, keeping moisture in, and irritants out.
It also contains panthenol and glycerin, both of which are known to nourish and soothe the skin, aiding in faster recovery.
Conclusion
Carmex does nothing special than the other tattoo healing products out there, but there is a bit of a risk in using it when compared to others.
While Carmex seems to work for most of the people who use it, I have heard that some had allergic reactions.
Ultimately it’s your choice, I have presented the facts, it’s your turn to make a decision now. But if your artist asks you to use it, you are good to go.
Let me know which side you stand on this in the comments below, would love to hear what others have to say.