Bactine is a pain reliever made for minor cuts and burns, but is Bactine a good option for a numbing spray to use on your customers? Is bactine good for tattoos?
Bactine is GREAT for tattoos! I have used bactine on my customers for many years and it works like a charm. I also know a lot of tattoo artists who use bactine on their clients and never had an issue or a single complaint.
In this post, I’ll talk about everything you need to know about bactine and tattoos from what it does to how to use it on tattoos during the tattoo process. I’ll also compare a few other alternatives and briefly talk about using it for aftercare and if it has any side effects.
Without further ado, let’s get started!
What Is Bactine And How Does It Work?
Bactine is an over-the-counter first aid antiseptic/pain reliever spray that contains lidocaine, which numbs the skin, and benzalkonium chloride, which is an antiseptic. Lidocaine works by blocking pain signals from the nerves to the brain. Benzalkonium chloride works by killing bacteria on the skin.
Related: Is Jergens good for tattoos?
Bactine kills bacteria and provides numbing relief and is often used to clean cuts, burns, and scrapes, and to relieve pain and itchiness.
Can You Use Bactine On Tattoos?
Bactine is a first aid antiseptic and pain reliever that has many uses. It can be used for everything from cleaning cuts and scrapes to relieving the pain of minor burns and most importantly, Bactine can be used on tattoos to numb the top layer of our skin during the tattoo process.
So is bactine good for tattoos? Yes IT IS.
And the good news is that Bactine does ACTUALLY WORK!
It will provide relief and help your client relax into the setting and it might even make the client sit longer.
However, if you are doing a smaller tattoo like something that takes about 15 – 30 minutes, applying bactine is pointless.
How To Use Bactine For Tattoos
Now that you know it’s good to use bactine on tattoos, let’s get to the “how” part.
There are a few things to keep in mind when using Bactine for tattoos.
First, you mustn’t apply it while tattooing or before you start tattooing. Bactine should be applied either during a break or after you have finished the tattoo.
But Juan, that doesn’t make any sense. Why shouldn’t we use it before?
Because bactine is made for wounds and if you apply it before tattooing, the skin is not punctured and it won’t get absorbed, so basically it is useless to apply it before.
Plus, if you cover it with bactine it’s going to be harder to get a good stretch on the customer’s skin.
Another reason you shouldn’t use it before is that the spray will remove the stencil and if it’s a very detailed and complicated design, there is no way you could get the bactine on properly without ruining the stencil.
If you use bactine while tattooing, it’s not going to last for the entire session and it’s gonna make it harder to tattoo.
The reason you should use it during a break is because it gives enough time for the spray to be absorbed by the punctured skin.
Related: Can I Use O’Keeffe’s On My Tattoo
How To Apply Bactine?
To use bactine on tattoos, twist the top of the spray pour enough of it onto a clean paper towel, and wipe the tattooed area down.
But be mindful if the stencil is still on as it can wipe it away as well.
While some artists may spray it directly into the tattoo, there is a risk of airborne contamination if you do it that way. The same goes for using bloody paper towels.
Then take a break for at least 5 -10 minutes and let the skin soak it in. Some artists say that wrapping the tattoo would make it work better but I’m not sure if that’s 100% true.
That’s about it. You might need to repeat this process two to three times as the effects would wear away.
Is Bactine Good For Tattoo Aftercare?
Bactine can be used to clean the fresh tattoo, as it will help reduce bacteria on the skin and soothe the irritation caused by the tattooing process.
However, Bactine is not a good choice for tattoo aftercare. While it may be effective at cleaning the tattoo and reducing pain, it can also cause the tattoo to heal slower than if other products are used.
Because Bactine will kill bacteria AND the new skin cells that are growing! So don’t put any bacteria on it until it heals.
For these reasons, it’s important to speak with your tattoo artist about the best aftercare products to use on your new tattoo.
Also read: Is Cerave Good for Tattoos?
Bactine Numbing Spray Tattoo Reviews
Bactine is marketed as a first-aid antiseptic and pain reliever, and many tattoo artists (including me) recommend it for use on tattoos. However, it is not a good aftercare product.
Bactine contains lidocaine, which numbs the skin, and benzalkonium chloride, which kills bacteria. It is effective at numbing the pain and it’s best to put it on during a session break.
Overall, Bactine is a helpful product during the tattoo process, but it’s not necessarily the best option out there. Other products on the market may be just as effective – or even more so – at numbing the pain and reducing swelling, and inflammation.
Hope you find this guide helpful, please leave a comment and let me know what you think about using bactine on tattoos!
FAQs
Does Bactine Help With Tattoo Healing?
There is no evidence that Bactine helps with the healing of tattoos. In fact, most tattoo artists including me advise against using products like Bactine on a new tattoo, as they can actually hinder the healing process.
Are There Any Side Effects Of Using Bactine On Tattoos?
There are no known side effects of using Bactine on tattoos. However, as with any product, it is always best to test a small area first to make sure you are not allergic to any of the ingredients. If you experience any irritation or redness, discontinue use immediately.