Is white petrolatum good for tattoos?

Answer 1

No it is not as the petroleum will cause a breakdown in the latex gloves that the artist is wearing creating a dangerous scenario for client and artist.

Petroleum free products are the way to go as petroleum has no significant properties to assist the tattoo process.

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In addition to the above given answer, you should never use latex gloves as there is a significant number of people with latex Allergies as well as that prolonged exposure to them can cause mild dermatitis on the hands of the artist, thereby compromising the integrity of his or her skin, which is a VERY real and dangerous scenario indeed. Use only Nitrile gloves. They are a tad less stretchy than latex, but they have overall better durability and they can be used even with petroleum jelly at this point. However, though it is an intriguing and cheap alternative of an emollient to use, A&D Ointment is the most advocated and supported type of emollient to use in this instance. Also, petroleum jelly is NO good for aftercare. It leaves the pores too open and can suck ink out of the dermis. Use only A&D for aftercare or Tattoo Goo. There are other products out there that are just as good, but most of the balms or lotions that you will be using will still have to have little to no alcohol content, no perfumes or dyes, and preferably should be primarily lanolin based.