102 What Are Some Bad Things For My New Tattoo? Preparation-H Hemorrhoidal Ointment
Description
This article is from the Tattoo FAQ, by Stan Schwarz with numerous contributions by others.
102 What Are Some Bad Things For My New Tattoo? Preparation-H Hemorrhoidal Ointment
We have heard stories of tattoo artists recommending the use of
Preparation-H in the healing of new tattoos. Preparation-H is a product
marketed for the relief of hemorrhoidal tissue in the US, and comes in
both cream and suppository form (I assume artists don't recommend the
suppositories).
Dr. Jeff Herndon <JHERNDON@Gems.VCU.EDU>, resident assistant professor
at the Department of Medicinal Chemistry at Virginia Commonwealth
University's Medical College, says Preparation-H should *NOT* be used
for tattoos:
According to the 1995 Drug Facts & Comparisons (Olin, et al., Facts and
Comparisons Inc.: St Louis, 1995; p 540-541) the list of ingredients
for Preparation-H are as follows:
- Live yeast cell derivative supplying 2000 units of skin respiratory
factor per ounce
- 3% shark liver oil
- 1:10000 phenyl mercuric nitrate
Facts and Comparisons goes on to say that shark liver oil (similar to
cod liver oil) is used primarily as a carrier of the active ingredients
and as a protectant, forming a physical barrier on the skin. While this
may be helpful in the healing of hemorroids, it provides no benefit and
perhaps impedes the healing of new tattoos.
Furthermore, while phenylmercuric nitrate may have antiseptic
properties (similar to mercurichrome or tincture of iodine; neither of
which should be used on fresh tattoos) it possesses very little anti-
infective properties when compared to traditional antibacterial agents
(neosporin, baccitracin, etc.). Its use in such low quantities in
Preperation-H is possibly as a preservative (Facts and Comparisons,
1995, p. 540).
The active ingredient of Preparation-H is the skin respiratory factor
and this does nothing to relieve the itching and/or swelling associated
with a new tattoo. In fact, it is best to simply keep the area moist
and clean and to avoid picking the scabs or 'onion skin peel' that
develop--and refrain from using Preparation-H. Not only will it NOT
help your tattoo, it will actually probably do more harm than good. The
product was developed for hemorrhoidal tissue only.
Jeff adds simply: "I just can't figure why you'd want to spread yeast
cells on a tattoo."
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