TattooSnob.com

There’s a plethora of tattoo-related creams, lotions, and varying other products on the market right now. But really, whose products should you be using and why?

Late last year, Kevin turned me on to a new line of tattoo aftercare products made by Out to Sea. This San Francisco-based vegan, junky filler-free skincare line is starting to make waves–as well it should. I spoke with Jenni a bit about what sets OTS apart from other tattoo aftercare skin products on the market… and their adult oriented  products as well.

TattooSnob: What prompted you to start making the Out to Sea products?

Out to Sea: My own tattoos seemed to be ashy looking so I started mixing my own store bought products together in different combos to try and create something that wouldn’t be shinny, thick or greasy.  While I was getting more work done, we were gabbing about my concoctions. The artists expressed a need for a product one to be used for healing that wasn’t a salve.

TS: What sets Out to Sea apart from other products on the market with similar intended use?

OTS: Integrity; it’s our honesty and simple approach. When we first started there was only one other product on the market and they were “aftercare.”  OTS wanted to not only be safe for healing, but to be used everyday for the upkeep of your ink. To tell people that your product can “trap ink” or “revive old ink” is false.  The only thing OTS is going to tell you is, “follow the instructions of your artist and wear sunscreen when you’re outside, even if it’s not ‘hot‘ out.”

TS: Out to Sea’s products are 100% vegan… aside from being animal-friendly, what makes vegan skin care products ideal for those of us concerned with taking the best care of our tattoos?

OTS: I’m not sure if we can say that “vegan” products are best, but we all know what is right and wrong. Everyone has a choice in this world and here at OTS we choose to make the best products we can and it turned out to be a vegan way.

TS: In your information pamphlet you mention your products are free of aloe, wax and ‘junky fillers’. What effects do these types of ingredients have on skin?

OTS: No aloe because of the healing process, can’t have wax because that would clog skin, and the fillers are just plain crap… nobody wants to rub ingredients into their skin that could end up causing problems.

TS: Your sunscreen is SPF 30, which is interesting since I’ve seen everything up to SPF 70 on packaging of other brands. What does SPF really mean, is SPF30 as much as the average person needs and (most importantly) is your product water and/or sweat resistant?

OTS: SPF stands for “sun protection factor”  the most important thing is to be protected from UV rays that cause skin damage, not all sunscreens provide these ingredients–but OTS does. OTS works in the water. In order to be protected to the fullest, you need to RE-APPLY depending upon activity and time spent in water. SPF30 is all you need, the higher numbers are for sales purposes just REAPPLY.

TS: Let’s put aside tattoo care momentarily and talk about two other products you have come out with: Lucky Lube and Bunk Buddy. What made you decide to make the leap from skincare to lubricants?

OTS: HA! That’s a good one. A customer of ours who loves OTS’s products approached us about the need for a lubricant without the same junky fillers. I did the same research for the lube as the tattoo lotion.  These were even easier to get people to test

TS: What’s the difference between Lucky Lube and Bunk Buddy, anyway? As far as I can tell they’re both water-based and intended provide long-lasting lubrication.

OTS: Yep you got that right, same stuff just two different packages. Couldn’t decide which name/ logo we liked better. Guess it’s just what you’re in the mood for.

TS: Any sneak peeks or info about new products on the horizon for Out to Sea?

OTS: We’ve got a couple of different products we’re working on right now. A shaving product is being tested as well as another top secret addition on the way for next year.

You can catch Out To Sea this upcoming weekend at the Ink N Iron Festival aboard the Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA. Make sure to stop through their party Friday night at upper deck on the stern after Merl Haggard to say hello!

Tags: Out to Sea, tattoo aftercare, tattoo lotion, tattoo skincare

This entry was posted on Thursday, June 10th, 2010 at 12:45 pm and is filed under Shopping. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.