This entry was originally going to be comparison blog, Ink Schmear Vs. Hemp Balm. However, through the use of both I have found they are two different products that cannot be held against one another, rather they should be used together for AMAZING results.
Ink Schmear by Disquieting Designs
$5.25 (+ $4.60 S&H)
[shea butter, coconut oil, soybean oil, jojoba oil, lavender and rosemary essential oils, beeswax]
This balm can be used on a new tattoo to help healing or on an old one to improve/help the color stay and to keep it moisturized. Although I am not a tattoo artist, I would not recommend you use this with a new tattoo, use only the recommended bactin or other antibacterial cream. However, in regards to an older and healed tattoo, this is a great product. It has a nice smell, rosemary, and is very soft. I have found that if I leave it in my room next to my other lotions, an oil seeps out of it. Not good. I have begun to put it in the fridge. It stays nice and cool, yet remains soft so application is easy. I use my fingers to apply it. It absorbs quickly and adds a nice sheen to my tattoo. Over time (the past month) I have noticed a change in my tattoo. I do not know if I would out right say that is it getting brighter, but I feel it is looking better in the sense the skin looks supple with moisture. I also noticed that I was beginning to get ridges where there was outlining and since I've used this Ink Schmear these ridges have disappeared. The only negatives here are as follows: first, the price. The $5.25 is not terrible, but you do not really get a whole lot and the shipping makes this balm almost $10. It is an awesome tat balm IF you have the money to spend. Second, it is gritty. I do not know if this is intended but it is a little annoying. The grit seems to rub into your tattoo but it does feel awkward.
Overall, this balm is pretty rad if you're willing to pay the price for it.
Merry Hempsters Hemp Tattoo Balm
$3.99 (online or from your local Merry Hempsters retailer)
[7.5% Octyl Methoxycinnamate, 3.5% Benzophenone-3 Other Ingredients: Certified Organic Canadian Cannabis Sativa (Hemp) Seed Oil, Candelilla Wax, (Certified Organic Lavender, Certified Organic Calendula, and Myrrh Infused in Certified Organic Sunflower, Certified Organic Olive, or Certified Organic Canola Oil, (Essential Oils: of Certified Organic Orange, Lavender, and Carrot Seed), Vitamin E, Rosemary Extract.]
Please note this balm is SPF 18. Often times people forget that they should be super protective of their tattoos in the sun. The UV rays can age your tattoo faster and dry out the color. Not good. This balm helps protect that and bonus.... it moisturizes!! This balm comes in an easy roll up tube and smells like good ol' sunblock. It does feel a bit waxy when you put it on and it does last a lot longer than the Ink Schmear on the surface. It seals in the moisture and your tattoo/skin area does actually feel refreshed. The fact that is stays on your skin for a while can be annoying. Sometimes I find my shirt sticking to it or worse, at the beach my tattoo (on my upper back) ends up covered with sand I have to wash off.
Overall, this balm is great for outdoor use, especially if you are not covering your tattoo with clothing, and it's vegan!
Now, together, these balms make the ultimate tattoo care package. I have found that I can use the Ink Schmear when I wear t-shirt and things that cover my back with no worried of them sticking to it or it leaving oil marks on my clothing. When I know I will be going outside in a tank top or something, I use the Hemp balm, and better yet, I use the Ink Schmear first, let it soak in and then apply the SPF balm. Great!!! And you can even apply the SPF first and then put on the Ink Schmear and it helps take away from that long lasting waxy/stickiness.
Together, these tattoo care items are essential for anyone who loves their tats enough to wanna make um last a lifetime and still look bitchin'.
Ratings:
Ink Schmear: 4 outta 5
Merry Hempsters SPF 18: 4.5 outta 5 (vegan!)
As a combination: 5 outta 5
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