If you just got a new piercing or a tattoo, you are very mindful and careful to make sure they fully heal as soon as possible. There are many products recommended by professionals to fasten the healing process, such as emu oil. So is Emu Oil suitable for piercings and tattoos?
Yes, Emu oil is good for tattoos and piercings. It promote fast healing because of its anti-inflammatory properties. It can get rid off keloids that would normally clog your pores because it stimulates new cell development for the skin. It also, improves hydration, which keeps your skin healthy.
Table of Contents
What is Emu Oil?
Emu oil is extracted from an Emu bird (Dromaius novaehallandiae) native in Australia. The bird, which resembles an ostrich, is the biggest in Australia and cannot fly. The oil is harvested from the fat deposits just beneath the bird’s skin, and it is then filtered and refined to a bright yellow oil.
In the early years, Emu Oil was used to relieve pain and heal any injury. It was also known to remedy certain health benefits such as reducing inflammation, fighting cholesterol, and preventing skin aging. Due to the increase in demand for oil, the Emu bird is bred in many parts of the world, such as the United States, Canada, and Europe.
Today it is also known as a natural moisturizer. It contains components such as omegas 3, 6, 7, and 9, fatty acids including oleic acid, palmitic acid, linoleic acids, and antioxidants that are beneficial for the body and the skin.
Benefits of The Emu Oil On Piercings and Tattoos
Emu oil can be used as pure oil or as a carrier oil. You can mix it with your skin lotions and creams to help your skin absorb them better. Emu oil as a supplement can be taken orally in capsules to deal with conditions such as inflammation and high cholesterol.
For your new piercing or tattoo, you have to give it special care to heal properly and prevent infections. Emu oil comes in handy to deal with the redness and swelling of a new piercing or tattoo. The following are benefits of Emu oil on your piercings and tattoo.
Fasten Healing Process
The most significant benefit of emu oil is its ability to absorb into the skin. Emu oil is made up of small molecules that enhance absorption in that it penetrates smoothly and deeper into your skin compared to other oils. The oil carries the nutrients and feeds the skin aiding the new cell development that accelerates the healing process of your piercings and tattoos. The oil has antioxidants that help protect the skin from additional damage during the healing process.
On tattoos, the oil provides gentle cleansing and protection for healing, and because it has Vitamin E, it helps rejuvenate the skin.
Highly Moisturizing
Emu oil keeps the skin moisturized, preventing a buildup of residue and scarrings around the piercing. The moist also reduces discomfort and the risk of infection. For tattoos, Emu oil helps keep skin moist and elastic for better skin stretching. The oil prevents water loss, improving hydration and inhibiting skin cracking and drying out.
Anti-inflammatory and Antibacterial
Emu Oil has natural anti-inflammatory properties brought by the fatty acids in the oil. These essential fatty acids (omega 3, 6, and 9) help reduce inflammation and pain. They also promote skin regeneration and improve the nourishment of your skin around the piercing. The oil reduces the redness, tenderness, and swelling of the skin around tattoos.
Emu oil is also antibacterial and antifungal, which is crucial for preventing infections on piercings and tattoos.
Additionally, for piercing and tattoo aftercare, emu oil does not clog your pores, making it possible to eliminate keloids. Due to its deep penetrating properties, the oil helps set the colors of your tattoo and reduces plasma oozing.
How to Use Emu Oil
Emu oil is purely natural, so it is suitable for all skin types, whether sensitive, allergic, dry, or damaged. So you can be sure the oil is safe to use on your piercings and tattoos. Other reasons that make it safe are that it has no known allergens and does not cause blackheads.
How to Use on your Piercings
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and running water. This is because the fresh piercing is an open wound and is vulnerable to infections. If you use dirty hands, you might add bacteria and germs that may cause infections. So do not touch your piercing wound or jewelry with dirty hands.
- Cleanse your piercing and jewelry with a cotton ball saturated with warm water. Gently wipe away all the dirt and crustiness that may have gathered around the piercing wound. You can also use cleansing soap to kill any germs and bacteria.
- Rinse the piercing wound and the jewelry with warm water and ensure that all the soap has been removed to avoid irritation.
- After drying with a clean cloth or towel, gently massage one drop of Emu Oil around and near the piercing openings. Apply generously and make sure the whole wound is covered. You can also rub the oil on your jewelry.
- Do this 2-3 times daily.
Remember, the goal is to fasten the healing, prevent further damage and reduce the pain. So keeping the piercing wound clean should help you achieve this.
How to Use on Fresh Tattoos
- You first have to wait for a couple of hours after the tattoo is done.
- Clean your hands with non-scented soap and water. Remember this is to wash off any bacteria or germs that might cause infections.
- Gently remove the bandage using water and soap.
- Gently dry the tattooed area with a paper napkin or a clean towel.
- When it is all dry, apply a small amount of Emu oil on the tattooed area gently.
- Allow it to absorb into the skin. This will help relieve the pain and reduce inflammation.
- Do this at least 2-3 times daily until your tattoo has healed.
Emu Oil Side Effects and Precautions
Emu oil is a natural product, and there are just a few recorded side effects. However, it is important to take safety measures and note the following precautions:
Use Pure Refined Emu Oil
New piercings and fresh tattoos are sensitive to new products, especially those with additional chemicals. Ensure that you purchase pure refined Emu oil to be on the safe side.
Use Small in Amounts
Although the right amount of emu oil depends on the area of the tattoo or piercing, it is recommended that you use small amounts at a time. However, most products have directions on how to use written on the label. You can also seek advice from a piercing professional and tattoo experts.
Side effect- Irritations
Some people have sensitive skin and may experience irritation when applying emu oil. It is important to note that some irritation, redness, tenderness, and swelling are normal after having a new piercing or a fresh tattoo. However, if these symptoms persist for more than a few days or the wound becomes worse, seek medical attention or talk to your piercing artist. These symptoms could continue due to infection, so it is vital to take action.
Do a Patch Test
For a person using Emu oil for the first time, do a patch test to ensure it is safe for your skin. This is by applying a small amount of oil at the back of your ear or hand. If you experience an allergic reaction, then you should stop using the oil.
Emu Oil drives deep into all your skin layers, which means you should be cautious of using it with other poisonous substances on your skin. This means you would be absorbing or penetrating these toxic substances into your skin.
Due to the lack of enough safety research, it is unclear if the oil is safe for children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers. Therefore, it is wise to avoid the oil altogether or consult your doctor before using it on your piercing and tattoos.
Conclusion
Although Emu Oil is considered by professional piercers and tattoo artists as a universal healing product that gives exceptional results, there are no scientific research studies to prove that. However, it is no secret that the oil is beneficial to your skin.