Can I Put Cocoa Butter On My Tattoo?

Once you get tattooed, it is essential to follow a proper aftercare routine and help your tattoo heal quickly and safely. One of the major steps of every aftercare routine is tattoo moisturizing.

By applying lotion or ointment onto a healing tattoo, you can prevent excess scabbing, itching and keep the skin nourished and hydrated. Without proper moisturizing, the tattoo can dry out, causing tattoo cracking and excessive scabbing or itchiness. No to mention the lack of vibrancy and vividness of the tattoo that is dehydrated.

Now, there are hundreds of suitable tattoo-aftercare lotions and ointments out there, which can make it hard to choose the best one for your tattoo. Therefore, many seem to be interested in cocoa butter lately, under the assumption it is the best way to moisturize and hydrate a tattoo.

So, to see whether any of the assumptions are true, we’re going to talk about cocoa butter for tattoos in more detail. So, let’s get started!

Cocoa Butter and Tattoos: 8 Things You Need to Know

1. What Is Cocoa Butter?

We all know that cocoa is used to make chocolate, right? But, one of the major aspects of cocoa being used to make chocolate is the side-production of cocoa butter. In fact, cocoa butter is a fatty, butter-like substance obtained from cocoa beans while they’re being harvested for making chocolate.

While the beans are being prepared for the chocolate making, they’re roasted, stripped, and pressed. This process separates the fat, which is cocoa butter, from the actual cocoa parts which are made into powder.

2. Is Cocoa Butter Good For Skin?

As a matter of fact, cocoa butter is amazing for the skin. The butter is rich in fatty acids which improve skin’s elasticity and ensure it is hydrated and nourished.

Moreover, it is also rich in phytochemicals, which ensure the skin stays youthful for a longer period, slowing down the overall skin aging process and protecting it from UV rays damage. Cocoa butter can also promote skin regeneration and healing, especially in cases of scarring, stretch marks, or even eczema.

3. Are There Any Risks To Using Cocoa Butter?

Generally speaking, cocoa butter is completely safe for use on any type of skin. However, one has to be aware that some of the manufacturers of cocoa butter lotions and cream do use additional ingredients which may not be organic or harmful.

For example, one study from 2015 discovered that cocoa butter products tend to have anti-estrogenic effects. This means that the products with cocoa butter either reduce or restrict the effect of estrogen on the body.

As a result, the female hormones become suppressed and the effects can affect the development of adolescents during puberty. So, in the case of cocoa butter, it should be used by adults only. But, we do need to mention that such effects need to be further proven as well.

4. Can I Put Cocoa Butter On My New Tattoo?

Yes, you can use cocoa butter to take care of your new tattoo. As a matter of fact, cocoa butter is generally recommended by professional tattoo artists as the best lotion/ointment for tattoo aftercare, moisturizing, and hydration. As we mentioned before, cocoa butter promotes healing of the skin and keeps it supple, hydrated, and vibrant.

5. When Should I Start Using Cocoa Butter for Tattoo Aftercare?

Although cocoa butter is completely safe and recommended for tattoo aftercare, it is important to know when to start using it. Otherwise, the butter can actually cause some healing issues if you start putting it on too early into the healing process. But, the same applies to any lotion or ointment used for tattoo aftercare, nut just the cocoa butter.

So, what we recommend is for you to wait until the tattoo has started to close or seal. While the tattoo is open, oozing and bleeding, or leaking ink, you cannot put anything on it that will cause excess moisture buildup. If exposed to excess moisture without drying up first, the tattoo can experience delayed healing, and that can lead to a tattoo infection.

Once the tattoo starts closing and sealing, drying, and healing, use cocoa butter to keep it moisturize and hydrated. You can even go with cocoa butter products, just make sure they’re organic, paraben-free, petroleum jelly-free, and vegan. That way your skin will get the treatment it deserves.

6. What Are The Benefits Of Cocoa Butter Over Other Tattoo Lotions and Ointments?

When it comes to lotions used for tattoo healing, they’re generally good. If they fragrance-free, and gentle on the skin, you’re safe with them. However, they may not provide as good skincare as cocoa butter products. Here are some of the cocoa butter benefits if you want your tattoo to heal perfectly;

• Cocoa butter is easy to apply – because of the buttery consistency, the cocoa butter products glide across the skin, preventing skin dragging or the need to rub the product into the skin. The butter simply melts and the skin soaks it in. Not to mention, cocoa butter isn’t sticky nor does it leave any residue on the skin surface. It is perfect for tattoo care.
• It also promotes tattoo healing – by being rich in vitamins, fatty acids, and other nourishing components, cocoa butter promotes and assists tattoo healing. It regenerates the ‘damaged’ skin, makes it heal faster, and keeps the tattoo vibrant and radiant.
• Cocoa butter prevents tattoo cracking and dryness – cocoa butter provides hydrating and moisturizing effects, which means it prevents the tattoo to become dry and cracking during its healing process.
• It also minimizes itching – because it prevents scabbing (which is caused by dryness), the tattoo won’t be as itchy, and it won’t crack. By minimizing itchiness, the whole healing process will be much more comfortable for you, and you won’t be tempted to scratch the tattoo. And we all know that tattoo scratching is a big no-no.

7. Who Should Avoid Using Cocoa Butter for Tattoo Aftercare?

Now, cocoa butter is super safe for all types of skin, from normal to sensitive. But, some people should be careful with the use of cocoa butter for tattoo aftercare.

If you’re someone prone to acne breakout or has oily skin type, you may want to avoid cocoa butter overall. Because the cocoa butter melts on the skin, it acts as oil, and the recognizes it as such. So, by soaking it in, the ‘oil’ promotes acne formation and breakout, which can be a big issue for tattoo healing.

Also, if you’re allergic to cocoa, of course, you shouldn’t use cocoa butter or cocoa-based products on your skin. This one goes without saying.

8. Which Cocoa Butter Is The Best For My Tattoo Aftercare?

Not every cocoa butter is good for tattoo aftercare, since many contain fragrance enhancers and other additives that compromise the quality and efficiency of the butter itself. So, to spare you some time, here are our top choices for the best cocoa butter aftercare products;

• Palmer’s Original Cocoa Butter Formula – this cocoa butter product is the #1 recommended choice by tattoo artists and tattoo enthusiasts across the country. The butter is hydrating, moisturizing, and completely natural. It is paraben- and phthalates-free, which makes it ideal for sensitive or healing such, such as tattooed skin. The butter softens the tattooed area, leaving it supple and smooth.
• Unrefined Cocoa Butter – this 100% cocoa butter is an amazing product. It soothes the skin, promotes tattoo healing, and ensures it stays hydrated and moisturized. The product has no additives; it is a block of completely pure cocoa butter with a strong chocolate scent. So, not only will your tattoo look amazing, but your skin will also smell super yummy.
• Mary Tylor Naturals Store’s Organic Cocoa Butter – if you want a cocoa butter product with a milder scent, but the same exceptional, healing properties, then make sure to check out Mary Tylor’s 100% organic, non-deodorized cocoa butter. It is exceptional for tattoo aftercare, since it is rich in antioxidants, fatty acids, and has incredible healing and nourishing properties.

Final Thoughts

Unless you have oily, acne-prone skin or you’re allergic to cocoa butter, there is no reason you shouldn’t use it for your tattoo aftercare routine. Just make sure to start using the butter after your tattoo has started the heal. And, don’t overdo it either; make sure to apply cocoa butter, or any type of lotion/ointment only twice a day; once in the morning, and once in the evening. Otherwise, you can risk over-moisturizing the tattoo, which could create healing issues.

Also Read:

• 8 Best Tattoo Aftercare Products Based On Experience (2022)
• Can You Use Baby Lotion On a New Tattoo?
• Tattoo Aftercare: Everything You Need to Know (2023 Updated)
• 5 Best Tattoo Numbing Creams: Experience Tattoos, Pain-Free! (Guide + Best Brands)

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