Is paw paw good for tattoos? (the truth behind these red tubes!)

When it comes to tattoo aftercare in Australia, paw paw ointment has been a long-standing household choice, for some reason? Many people reach for it automatically after getting tattooed, often because “it’s natural” or “it’s what other people have used”.

But is paw paw actually the best choice for healing a fresh tattoo?

Or is there a reason tattoo-specific products like Ink Nurse exist in the first place?

Let’s break it down properly.

Oh and by the way - this is not an attack on those beloved red tubes that we've all had in our bags and cabinets throughout our life, it's just about educating and tattoo care.

What Is Paw Paw Ointment?

Despite the name, most paw paw ointments contain very little actual paw paw. The primary ingredient is usually petroleum jelly, with small amounts of fermented papaya extract added for marketing appeal.

Paw paw ointments were originally designed as:

General lip balms

Dry skin protectants

Barrier ointments for minor cuts or chafing

They were not formulated specifically for tattooed skin, which behaves very differently to normal, intact skin.

Why Tattoos Are Different From Normal Skin

A fresh tattoo is:

Controlled skin trauma

An open, compromised skin barrier

Actively inflamed

Absorbing ingredients more readily than normal skin

This means what you apply matters more than people realise.

Tattoo aftercare isn’t just about “keeping it moist”. It’s about:

Supporting the skin barrier

Managing inflammation

Allowing oxygen exchange

Preventing over-hydration and ink suffocation

This is where paw paw and tattoo-specific aftercare diverge.

The Problem With Paw Paw on Tattoos

1. Petroleum Can Suffocate the Skin

Most paw paw ointments are heavy, occlusive, petroleum-based products.

On a tattoo, this can:

Trap heat and bacteria

Prevent oxygen flow

Cause over-moisturisation

Increase the risk of ink weeping or breakouts

Tattoo artists often warn against thick ointments for this exact reason - however many people still don't know that paw paw products are actually mostly petroleum jelly with a touch of fermented papaya - meaning, you're just applying a petrochemical jelly from the red tube you thought was just paw paw this entire time!

2. Over-Moisturising Can Damage Tattoos

A common myth is “the more moisture, the better”.

In reality, over-moisturising a tattoo can:

Delay healing

Cause scabbing issues

Pull ink out of the skin

Increase irritation and itching

Paw paw ointment is very easy to over-apply because it sits on the surface instead of absorbing properly.

3. Paw Paw Isn’t Designed for Repeated Daily Tattoo Use

Most paw paw products:

Are not tested for tattoo aftercare

Don’t account for ink retention

Don’t balance hydration with breathability

They’re a general-purpose product being used outside of their intended design.

How Ink Nurse Is Different

Ink Nurse was developed specifically for tattooed skin, not repurposed from another use case.

Key Differences:

Ink Nurse

Lightweight, fast-absorbing cream

Supports skin barrier repair

Designed to breathe on the skin

Helps avoid the itchy, tight healing phase

Formulated with tattoo artists in mind

Paw Paw

Thick petroleum base

Sits on the skin

Easy to over-apply

Not tattoo-specific

Can clog and suffocate healing skin

Ingredient Philosophy: Purpose vs Tradition

Paw paw is popular largely because of tradition. People used it before better options existed.

Ink Nurse exists because:

Tattooing has evolved

Skin science has evolved

Aftercare expectations have evolved

Modern tattoos deserve modern aftercare, not a one-size-fits-all ointment.

Can You Use Paw Paw on a Tattoo?

In some cases, small amounts later in the healing process may not cause harm. But as a primary tattoo aftercare, especially in the first 7–10 days, paw paw is often not ideal.

Most professional tattoo artists now recommend:

Avoiding thick petroleum ointments

Using breathable, tattoo-specific products

Applying thin layers only

Ink Nurse vs Paw Paw: The Verdict

If you’re choosing between the two for tattoo aftercare:

Paw paw is a general household ointment

Ink Nurse is a tattoo-engineered aftercare solution

They are not the same category of product, even though they’re often treated that way.

If your goal is:

Faster recovery

Less irritation

Better ink retention

Fewer healing issues

A purpose-built tattoo aftercare product will always outperform a general ointment.

Final Thoughts

Paw paw isn’t “bad”. It’s just not designed for tattoos.

Ink Nurse was created specifically to support tattooed skin through the healing process, without suffocating it or interfering with ink settling.

When it comes to tattoos, what you put on your skin matters.

That’s exactly why we created Ink Nurse:
Absorbs instead of sitting on top
Supports the skin barrier without suffocating it
Designed specifically for tattooed skin

Paw paw ≈ Vaseline with tiny amounts of fermented papaya.
Ink Nurse = built for tattoos using purposeful botanicals.

Education > hype. Always.