Just a quick disclaimer before we go any further:

We took measures to ensure this article’s veracity, but again, everyone’s different. So, please take our advice with a pinch of salt. If you’ve any concerns about aftercare, do have a chat with your tattooist – they know your tattoo best!

Applying Lotion on New Tattoo – Why Do It At All?

This is a pretty good question honestly. There are some people who swear by dry healing tattoo. But not everyone can handle the downsides of this natural approach to tattoo healing. If you’re not sure why you should even bother putting lotion on, here are 6 good reasons that may persuade you over.

1. Moisturisation is key to proper healing

Don’t you just hate it when your skin goes dry, especially in cold weather? It becomes even worse when you’ve got fresh ink on your skin. If you didn’t already know, dry skin is bad news for new tattoos. Why? Because it can dry out your tattoo and cause it to crack and bleed.

Fortunately, there’s a simple remedy to most dry skin – moisturising lotion. A thin layer of lotion applied regularly can hydrate and moisturise your skin, like magic! This helps your skin generate new cells, close up those tiny needle holes, and heal your tattoo.

2. Skin dehydrates after a few hours

Our skin loses water throughout the day, and we need to replenish it by drinking water and staying hydrated. This may be enough if you’ve got a healthy immune system.

But for better skin hydration, you need to rub some lotion on your skin. And your job doesn’t end there. Long after your tattoo has healed, you need to keep on applying lotion as part of your daily skincare routine (yes, you need one).

3. It prevents deep, ugly scabs from forming

Your tattoo will form scabs, whether you like it or not. But if your skin is not well-moisturised, those small, harmless scabs can turn into big, ugly ones. A little lotion applied a few times a day can go a long way to ensuring the scabs don’t go into the dermis, the skin layer where your tattooist inserted that special ink.

4. Aids in faster healing

Aside from making your skin look old, dry skin isn’t great for tattoo healing either. But when your skin is moisturised, you can most likely expect the healing process to go so much faster for you! 

5. Prevents cracking

Dry skin is prone to cracking, which, depending on the area, can be extremely painful. Additionally, if the cracks are deep enough, it can even draw some blood out. I’m sure it’s not something you want to experience, especially not while your tattoo is still unhealed.

6. Helps with itching and irritation

The discomfort that tattoo itching brings is immense, and the bigger the tattooed area is, the itchier it becomes. The right moisturising lotion can help reduce itchiness. And it increases the likelihood that your new tattoo will remain vibrant for years to come! 

What’s The Best Tattoo Healing Lotion Or Moisturiser For New Tattoos?

To be honest, there is no single best tattoo aftercare product. Tattooists and tattoo studios all have their opinions on what’s “the best.” And I don’t find it all that surprising either. After all, everyone’s skin is different and there are a lot of factors that affect the tattoo healing process.  

However, since we’re on this topic, we’d also like to put in our tuppence. In our opinion, these are the best and most affordable aftercare moisturising lotions you can buy right now:

1.   After Inked Tattoo Moisturiser

We’re truly big fans of this grapeseed oil-based lotion. This premium tattoo aftercare lotion is one of the best ones out there. We love the fact that the primary ingredient is grapeseed oil which is a potent antioxidant, so it will definitely help soften and protect your freshly tattooed skin.

This brand’s been on the market for years now – and it’s quite popular amongst tattooists and tattoo enthusiasts alike. It’s free of paraben, fragrance, gluten, and petroleum. The non-allergenic and non-irritant formula is perfect for all types of skin – even vegans can use this product!

Click the link below to buy a tube of this amazing tattoo moisturiser!

2.   Aveeno Daily Moisturising Lotion

If you’re wondering if you can put Aveeno lotion on your tattoo, well, the answer is yes. Aveeno’s got a comprehensive line of dermatologically approved skincare products.

This particular lotion variety is formulated with prebiotic oat which is perfect for normal to dry skin types. It’s also clinically proven to moisturise skin for 24 hours, so you literally only need to apply it once a day!

3.   Cetaphil Moisturising Lotion

Cetaphil may be a bit more expensive than Aveeno, but this is also a good lotion for tattoos. It’s fragrance-free, non-comedogenic (does not clog up pores) and provides 24-hour moisturisation.

Cetaphil lotion’s moisturising power lies in the fact that it binds water to the skin, thus reducing moisture loss!

4.   Lubriderm Daily Moisture Lotion

Fortified with vitamin B5, Lubriderm is another popular lotion for moisturising new tattoos. It’s more expensive than both Aveeno and Cetaphil, but pretty much works the same way.

That said, this product is non-greasy and fast absorbing, so it will keep your skin soft and supple for a solid 24-hour stretch.  

Frequently Asked Questions About Applying Lotion on New Tattoos

You’ve got questions about putting lotion on your new tattoo, and we’ve got the answers for you.

1.   Can you put lotion on a new tattoo?

Yes and no. Actually, the answer depends on your tattooist. Some artists recommend putting on some lotion a few hours after the job is done. Others suggest waiting a few more days so the extra-tender skin can heal a bit first. For best results, you better follow whatever your tattooist’s aftercare sheet says.

2.   When to start using lotion or cream on new tattoos?

As soon as the tattoo starts drying up and the ‘weeping’ or oozing stops. This would be the right time to start using lotion or cream.

3.   How many days after tattooing can I use lotion?

Your tattoo will normally stop ‘weeping’ about 24-48 hours after getting done. But, of course, everybody’s different and yours may go beyond this timeframe. Of course, if your tattooist said you can use lotion right away, then by all means, feel free to follow their advice.

4.   How much healing ointment to put on tattoo?

A very thin layer only, please. Ointments like Aquaphor, A+D, and Bepanthen also act as a barrier that prevents harmful pathogens from entering those fresh needle wounds. If you put way too much ointment, you’re going to clog up the pores. At this point, your tattoo is still ‘weeping’ – the gooey stuff needs to come out. You don’t want all that fluid trapped on your skin as this can cause infections and other complications!

5.   When should you switch to lotion for a new tattoo?

During the ‘weeping’ period, you should use an ointment like Aquaphor or A+D to protect your skin from the elements. Just make sure you clean the area first before applying the ointment. Otherwise, you’ll trap the pathogens in the skin which really wouldn’t be ideal in any case. That said, you can stop using the healing ointment and switch to lotion once ‘weeping’ stops.

6.   How often should you put lotion on your new tattoo?

As often as you can – when you notice your tattoo getting dry and starting to pucker up, then it’s time to moisturise! The more moisture you retain in your skin, the better. But be careful not to overdo it though. In the first week or so, you should only apply a very thin layer of lotion to the tattoo so as not to soak the scab which can delay the healing process.

7.   How to moisturise or put lotion on new tattoo?

Well, putting on lotion may sound simple enough, but you’d be surprised by how many people get it wrong. Don’t just slap on a blob of lotion on your tattoo and leave it there. To encourage healing, give your skin a massage by applying lotion in a circular motion. Doing so will not only feel good but will also rejuvenate your skin cells.

8.   How much moisturising lotion to put on tattoo?

Well, it depends on how far along your tattoo is in the healing process.

If it’s still in the scabbing stage, that is, the scabs haven’t fallen off on their own yet, then you should only apply a thin layer. Applying a big gob of lotion will cause the scab to absorb it and make it gloopy, which can then cause it to easily fall off and take some precious ink with it.

The peeling stage is, thankfully, a different experience. At this point, your tattoo is almost fully healed, and you can now see bits of coloured skin (don’t panic – it’s totally normal) hanging off your tattoo. You can apply a thicker layer of lotion to keep the peeling skin close by (don’t rip or pick it off!) while you wait for it to fall off naturally. Doing so will also help ensure no peeling skin gets accidentally ripped off by your nails, your clothing, furniture, etc.

9.   What happens if you don’t moisturise your tattoo?

Well, it’s not the end of the world, for sure, but you may encounter some mild discomfort depending on whether you’re dry healing the tattoo or, you know, just forgot to moisturise a few times. If it’s the former, well, all the best to you because you’ve got the determination to stick with natural healing. If it’s the latter, well, you better apply lotion as soon as you’re able to. Otherwise, you may experience all the downsides that come with not moisturising, such as dry and cracked skin.

10.  Is it possible to over-moisturise your tattoo?

Yes, it’s very much possible, especially in the early stages of the healing process. Remember, your skin needs to breathe in order to repair itself. If you slather on far too much lotion, then you risk blocking your pores which can lead to acne and other skin conditions! Pimples are bad enough… but on your brand-new tattoo? No, thank you!

11. Can you use coconut oil instead of lotion?

Yes, absolutely. Coconut oil is a natural moisturiser, and it will do a great job of hydrating your skin! Of course, it will be more oily than traditional lotions and it’s absorbed relatively slowly into the skin. But it works just the same – if not better – than most lotions!

That said, here’s an infographic outlining the benefits of coconut oil on tattoos:

Alternatively, if you don’t like coconut oil for any reason, you can check out cocoa butter. It’s also a natural moisturiser, and will do a stellar job of keeping your skin nice and soft!

Conclusion

Find the best aftercare routine that works for you. This includes choosing the right aftercare products and knowing how often to moisturise or put lotion on a new tattoo. Remember to keep your skin moisturised at all times, so your tattoo will look fresh and vibrant for a long time!   

Dry healing – what happens if you don’t moisturise your tattoo?

Some people think not having a moisturiser with you 24/7 is NOT a valid excuse. After all, there’s no lack of tattoo aftercare products in the market. You’ll find them everywhere – at your favourite tattoo studios, your local chemists, your nearby supermarket, and even online.

But what if the inevitable happens, and your tattoo dries up because *gasp* you forgot to moisturise it?

Well, let me tell you right now there’s no need to panic if you forget to put lotion every once in a while. Tattooed folks who practice (or preach) dry healing don’t ever worry about moisturising.

Surprised? I know I was when I first heard about it. I couldn’t believe some people can actually withstand the horrors of an unhealed tattoo, without giving in and resorting to aftercare products for relief!  

What is ‘dry healing tattoo’? And how does it compare to ‘wet healing’?

‘Dry healing’ foregoes the use of any aftercare product after washing the tattooed area with mild soap and lukewarm water (or hot, if you can take it). It’s putting on a brave face and letting your tattoo heal as naturally as possible.

‘Wet or moist healing’, on the other hand, is probably what most of you guys already know. It’s the method where you apply aftercare product to the tattoo which essentially makes the area ‘wet’ or ‘moist.’

Now that you know the difference, let’s focus on the dry healing technique.

The Advantages: What’s great about dry healing tattoos?

Here are a few reasons why should consider dry healing your new tattoo:

1.   Low or no cost

With dry healing, you only need some soap and water to clean out the tattoo, and then you let your body do the healing. Of course, it goes without saying that the rate by which you heal will depend on how healthy you are.

But no matter your state of health, with dry healing you won’t need to worry about a lot of things, such as:

• No more worrying about choosing the right aftercare products
• No more panicking when you run out of cream or lotion
• No more checking your budget to see if you can afford your tattooist’s recommended  aftercare product

With dry healing, your only investment is the money paid to your tattooist (which really doesn’t count at this point) and your mild soap (which you probably already have at home). That’s it!  

2.   Very easy to manage

As long as you keep the area clean, you’re good to go. Just wash twice or thrice a day, and make sure your hands are clean before you touch your tattoo.

For best results, just avoid touching the tender area unless absolutely necessary. This is really all you have to remember with dry healing. Of course, it’s easier said than done. But if you’re determined NOT to give in to using aftercare products, then you’ll manage!  

3.   Natural, chemical-free healing

Aftercare products that are marketed to tattooed audiences are often tagged as ‘organic’ or ‘natural’ or ‘toxin-free’ or ‘safe for tattoos.’ But you never know with most products, right?

The truth is that there are a lot of ingredients that go into aftercare products, and some of those ingredients may be bad for you. If it’s something you don’t want to worry about, then go with natural and chemical-free healing. In other words, dry heal your tatt!  

4.   Perfect for those who are allergic to some aftercare ingredients

You’ve probably experienced this scenario before. You think you’re using a 100% organic product only to realise it contained an ingredient you’re allergic to (can’t blame you, the print on some labels are ridiculously tiny!).

So now, you’ve got some strange bumps coming out of your still-unhealed tattoo and the pain’s shot up to a crazy level! Well, you can avoid all that if you go au naturel and just dry heal your tattoo. No scary chemicals, just good old nature doing its job.

The Disadvantages: What’s NOT so great about dry healing tattoos?

Not everything’s rosy on the other side of the coin. Here are some reasons why you may want to rethink doing dry healing:

1.   It can cause deep scabs

Scabs are normal during the healing process. They usually form at the top layer of the skin, the epidermis. But when the skin isn’t being properly moisturised (which is often the case with dry healing), the scabs can go way beyond the outer layer of the skin. It can go into the dermis layer which is where the tattoo ink ‘lives’.

What does this mean for you?

Well, when the scabs fall off, they’ll take a bit of ink with them, which results to your brand-new tattoo looking old, discoloured and faded. If you’re really unlucky, you’ll even find some spots or patches that weren’t there before, which means you may need to get a touchup sooner than expected.

By the way, if you’re NOT looking forward to the prospect of deep scabs, here is our favourite grapeseed oil-based moisturiser. It’s called After Inked Tattoo Aftercare Lotion. You can grab a bottle on Amazon for under 20 quid!  

2.   It’s not for people with sensitive skin

This may sound like a contradiction to point no. 4 in the previous section. But hear me out.

People have different skin types. And those with sensitive skin are the most likely to suffer from dry healing tattoo. That said, before you even book your appointment with your tattooist, talk to your GP to make sure you don’t inadvertently cause harm to your skin. Your tattooist might also be able to offer you some advice, but just to keep it safe, ask your GP.

If you do get the nod of approval on getting a tattoo, don’t forget to ask them about dry healing afterwards. The last thing you want to worry about is getting a nasty complication that can further exacerbate your skin condition!  

3.   You need to be hyperaware of your surroundings 24/7

Alright, let’s say you don’t have sensitive skin and you’ve got no allergies that you’re aware of. You’re also not worried about scabs (you’re used to it) and the itch is something you can easily handle (mind over matter).

However, when dry healing tattoo, your skin is in its ‘naked’ state. Without a layer of aftercare product on top, your skin won’t be protected from unseen germs and bacteria in your surroundings. What this basically means is that you need to make sure nothing dodgy ever comes into contact with your fresh tattoo.

If you’re not careful, you risk pathogens from entering those tiny, still-open needle holes in your skin. Before you know it, your skin is swelling and oozing with pus. Or worse, you’ll contract something that will require a stay in hospital!  

4.   You need superior itch tolerance

Scabs can itch like crazy. And the sad part is that it’s not going to itch for just an hour or two. It’s going to itch for days. DAYS! Do you think you can handle that much itching?

Personally, I’ve never had much tolerance for itching and would absolutely go nuts if I didn’t have access to something that will help relieve the itch! So, kudos to anyone who can go through the entire dry healing process without cheating and secretly putting on some anti-itch cream when no one’s looking.

I wrote a separate post on why you should consider putting lotion on your new tattoo, so go check it out if you’re not inclined to dry healing!

The Do’s and Don’ts of Dry Healing Tattoos

Want to know how to heal a tattoo fast? Here’s what you need to do (and what not to do) to ensure dry healing success:

DO take special care in the first few days

The first 2 to 3 days after getting inked is the most crucial stage of the tattoo healing process, whether it be dry healing or wet/moist healing. You need to pay close attention to your skin, make sure it’s clean and primed for healing. Avoid anything that can cause an infection, this includes your very own fingers so always wash your hands before touching your fresh skin art.

DO let your tattoo breathe

One of the main benefits of dry healing is that oxygen can freely get into your skin which does speed up the healing process. With wet healing, it’s easy to slather on way too much lotion, ointment or cream that can block your skin’s pores.

DO drink lots of water

Yes, water. Not alcohol or sugary soft drinks. Water may be tasteless, but it does a lot of wonders for our skin. It helps with skin hydration, which leads to better elasticity, and ultimately, faster healing for your tattoo.  

DO eat healthy (before, during, after getting tattoo)

Drinking water is a good start, but don’t forget to eat healthy as well. Fruits, vegetables, fish, pasta, rice, and high-quality meat are not only delicious, they’re so much healthier than junk food! Water plus healthy food is a powerful combo that can do wonders for your skin – and your tattoo.  

DO keep your tattooed skin clean

If you don’t, you risk germs, bacteria and other pathogens from entering your skin and essentially ruining your tattoo! There are literally a million different ways your wound, a.k.a. your tattoo, can get infected. So, keep a hawk-eye on your tattoo at all times!

DON’T give in to the temptation and scratch the itch

Oh, this one’s probably the hardest thing to do. But if you can pull it off during the dry healing process, then kudos to you. Resisting the urge to scratch just may be the fastest way to heal a tattoo!

DON’T wear tight clothing over your tattoo

If you’re home all day and you’re comfortable airing out your skin in your birthday suit, then this reminder isn’t for you. But if you do go out in public and wear your normal work or street clothes, make sure they aren’t tight-fitting. You don’t want your skin to stick to your clothes and inadvertently ruin your tattoo in the process. 

DON’T smoke if you can help it

You probably already know this for a fact, but sometimes, it’s just so hard to say no to something you love and are already addicted to. But let me say it here: cigarette smoking is BAD for your skin. And your tattoo, well, it’s in your skin. So, it really shouldn’t come as a surprise that smoking is bad for your tattoo as well.

DON’T pick your scabs!

Here’s how to help your tattoo heal properly: don’t pick your scabs!

Let me say it again: scabs are normal. They may look gross, but don’t go picking them out. If you do, you risk pulling out some of the ink (remember dry healing tattoos are prone to deeper scabs). Be patient. Let your scabs fall out on their own.

DON’T stay out too long in the sun

You don’t need to live like a vampire and avoid the sun forever. But from the moment you get your tattoo, your sunbathing days are most likely over.  

If you stay too long in the sun, the pigment in your skin gets broken down by the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Sunblock can only do so much, it’s not a 100% foolproof way to protect your tattoo from the sun’s rays.   

Conclusion

Dry healing may be one of the best ways to heal a tattoo, but the truth is that it’s not for everybody. Going natural is always nice in my book, but it may not be the right approach for most. Talk to your tattooist (or your GP if you have skin issues) and ask them what they think about dry healing. Most (experienced) tattooists should be able to offer up some useful advice to help your tattoo heal as fast as possible.   

The 3-Stage Healing Process (And The Best Tattoo Aftercare Products For Each Stage)

The tattoo aftercare process begins as soon as the last needle leaves your skin. Thanks to thousands of tiny needle pricks, your tattoo is literally an open, oozing wound. Don’t worry though – there are plenty of tattoo aftercare products to help you cope through each stage of the healing process.

Here’s a summary table to help you out:

HEALING STAGE	PRODUCT	PICTURE	OUR RATING	PRICE
Stage 1 – Clean	Tattoo Goo Deep Cleansing Soap		4.6	$$
Stage 1 – Clean	TattooMed Cleansing Gel		4.0	$$
Stage 1 – Clean	MTS Tattoo Green Soap		4.5	$
Stage 2 – Heal	Aquaphor Healing Ointment		4.1	$
Stage 2 – Heal	A+D Ointment & Skin Protectant		4.5	$
Stage 2 – Heal	Hustle Butter Deluxe		4.6	$$$
Stage 3 – Moisturise	After Inked Tattoo Moisturiser		4.8	$
Stage 3 – Moisturise	Coconut King Tattoo Aftercare		4.2	$$
Stage 3 – Moisturise	H2Ocean Moisturising Cream		4.0	$$$
Stage 3 – Moisturise	Aveeno Daily Moisturising Lotion		4.5	$
Stage 3 – Moisturise	Lubriderm Daily Lotion		4.4	$$
Stage 3 – Moisturise	Butter Up Tattoo Aftercare		4.5	$$

Stage 1 In The Tattoo Healing Process: CLEAN

When you leave the studio, you’ll have cling film wrapped around your new tattoo to protect it from the elements. After a few hours, wash your hands and peel off the dirty, gooey, and bloody film. Use lukewarm water together with antibacterial soap to wash your tattoo. Do this twice or thrice daily for a few days.

Note: If you’re thinking of re-wrapping your tattoo, here’s a detailed guide on how to do this properly at home.

Best Antibacterial Soaps To Wash Your New Tattoo With

1. Tattoo Goo Deep Cleansing Soap

The Tattoo Goo aftercare soap is especially formulated for freshly tattooed skin. It’s gentle and non-abrasive, and its PCMX-L micro molecular formula will disinfect and give your skin a much deeper clean.

Don’t worry if you see a lot more ink go down the drain than usual – the soap is designed to remove more dead skin cells than your regular bath soap.

Ingredients: Chloroxylenol (PCMX) 0.1%, aqua, sodium peg-7 olive oil carboxylate, propanediol, olive oil, peg-7 esters, sodium lauryl sulfate, polyquaternium-10, cocamide mea, cocamidopropyl betaine, diazolidinyl urea, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, fragrance, citric acid

2. TattooMed Cleansing Gel  

Looking for a vegan aftercare gel wash? Then this TattooMed cleansing gel is the right product for you. It promises not to dry out your skin and it lathers really well, so if that’s your thing, you’re going to love this gel! It’s 100% free from animal ingredients (go vegan!), so you’ve got one less thing to worry about if you have ultra-sensitive skin.  

Ingredients: Aqua, sodium laureth sulfate, cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium chloride, coco glucoside, panthenol, glycol distearate, glycerin, laureth-4, parfum, phenoxyethanol, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, citric acid

3. Tattoo Green Soap

Choosing the right soap to wash your brand-new tattoo with is important. You want to make sure you use an antibacterial, antimicrobial, dye-free, and fragrance-free soap. And this MTS Tattoo Green Soap perfectly fits the bill. It’s great for sterilising not just tattoo equipment, but the tattoo itself as well.

Ingredients: Complete ingredients not listed but it does contain aloe vera

Stage 2 In The Tattoo Healing Process: HEAL

After washing, let your skin air dry. Or, if you’re in a hurry, pat it gently with a few sheets of kitchen roll. Then put a thin layer of tattoo ointment while the skin’s still wet.

Note: For best tattoo healing, apply your aftercare healing ointment or cream until the ‘weeping’ stops. This stage normally lasts a few days, depending on the size of the tattoo and your body’s healing rate.

Best Aftercare Healing Ointments and Creams

1. Aquaphor Healing Ointment

Aquaphor may not be made especially for tattoos. But, by its very nature, it acts as a protective barrier that prevents pathogens from entering your unhealed tattoo. Just make sure you apply a very thin layer to allow your skin to ‘breathe’ so it can heal properly. Otherwise, if you lay it on too thick, you can clog up your pores and cause some damage to your tattoo.

Ingredients: Petrolatum (41%), mineral oil, ceresin, lanolin alcohol, panthenol, glycerin, bisabolol

2. A+D Ointment & Skin Protectant

For some users, this vitamin A and D infused ointment is a step above Aquaphor. In addition to its skin protectant properties (it acts as a barrier), it keeps the skin supple. It’s primarily used to treat minor abrasions and wounds, which your tattoo technically is. Just like Aquaphor, however, this ointment should be applied very thinly so it doesn’t clog up your pores.

Ingredients: Petrolatum (53.4%), lanolin (15.5%), cod liver oil (contains vitamins a & d), light mineral oil, fragrance, microcrystalline wax, paraffin

3. Hustle Butter Deluxe

This tattoo ointment’s popularity is on the rise and is fast being viewed as one of the top alternatives to petroleum-based healing creams and ointments. It ticks all the right boxes for the health conscious – it’s vegan, petroleum-free, and paraben-free.

Hustle Butter may be a tad more expensive than other tattoo healing products, but its growing user base swears by it. It’s not just for aftercare, too. Tattooists use it before, during, and after a session.

Ingredients: Shea, mango and aloe butters, coconut, sunflower and rice bran oils, rosemary oleoresin, green tea, vitamin e complex & mint arvenis essential oil. With essence of papaya and coconut.

Stage 3 In The Tattoo Healing Process: MOISTURISE

After the ‘weeping’ stops, you can start using a fragrance-free lotion or moisturiser to ensure your skin stays hydrated. The products we recommend in this stage will complete your tattoo aftercare kit.  

Best Aftercare Lotions and Moisturisers

1. After Inked Tattoo Moisturiser

The whole team here at TattooMoisturiser.co.uk are fans of the After Inked Tattoo Moisturiser. This is an excellent moisturiser that will give your tattoo luster and life for many years!

After Inked is a grapeseed oil-based lotion infused with jojoba oil, shea butter, glycerin, and synthetic beeswax (so you’re not hurting bees) — all vegan-friendly ingredients. Our ink-loving team believes this to be one of the best tattoo healing products in the market right now.    

Ingredients: Purified water, grapeseed oil, vegetable glycerin, stearic acid, shea butter, synthetic beeswax, jojoba seed oil, vegetable cetyl alcohol, orange oil, benzyl alcohol and dehydroacetic acid

2. Coconut King Tattoo Aftercare Balm

This aftercare balm from Coconut King is made from coconut oil. Naturally, it means that this will also have a host of healing properties that will help speed up the tattoo healing process. Application is easy and non-greasy, and will be quickly absorbed by the skin.

Ingredients: Coconut oil, shea butter, mango butter, cocoa butter

3. H2Ocean Tattoo Aftercare Moisturizing Cream

If you’re looking for the best cream to use for tattoo aftercare (and you’ve got the cash for it), then H2Ocean’s petroleum-free product may be to your liking. It doesn’t just moisturise, it also acts as a protective skin barrier. Since it’s water-based, it won’t stick and will allow your skin to breathe (great for those with sensitive skin). It’s also anti-inflammatory and fragrance-free.

Ingredients: Purified water, stearic acid (coconut), glyceryl stearate, peg 100 stearate, c12-15 alkyl benzoate, caprylic/capric triglyceride, glycerin (vegetable), dimethicone (silica), jojoba oil, microcrystalline cellulose, rose hip seed oil, peg 8 stearate, cety alcohol, aloe vera gel, triethanolamine, tocopheryl acetate, allantoin, methylparaben, propylparaben, sclerotium gum, sea salt

4. Aveeno Daily Moisturising Lotion

Aveeno is a popular, dermatologist-tested-and-recommended brand. They make a wide range of skin products, but this particular variety is paraben and fragrance-free.

This lotion is also formulated with prebiotic colloidal ointment which is great for moisturising your newly inked skin. It’s extremely affordable and works just as well as more expensive lotions out there.

Ingredients: [FPT-0574], aqua, glycerin, distearyldimonium chloride, isopropyl palmitate, paraffinum liquidum, cetyl alcohol, dimethicone, avena sativa (oat), kernel flour, paraffin, cera microcristallina, stearyl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, benzyl alcohol, sodium chloride

5. Lubriderm Daily Moisture Lotion

If you’re not a fan of Aveeno’s oat formula, then you might like Lubriderm. It’s a bit more expensive than Aveeno, but many tattooed folks swear by this brand, too.

It’s fast-absorbing and is fortified with vitamin B5 which keeps skin soft. Plus, this lotion is also clinically proven to moisturise the skin for a solid 24 hours.

Ingredients: Water, mineral oil, glycerin, caprylic/capric triglyceride, stearic acid, cetyl alcohol, cetearyl alchol, dimethicone, petrolatum, ethylhexylglycerin, carbomer, ceteareth-20, dmdh hydantoin, sodium hydroxide, sodium citrate, panthenol, citric acid, titanium dioxide

6. Butter Up Tattoo Aftercare

This creamy body butter is made for tattoos – whether it be fresh from the studio or it’s been on for several years. Made from organic ingredients such as cocoa butter, avocado oil, coconut oil, sunflower oil, and olive oil, this product will soothe your skin and help your ink stay vibrant for years to come.

Ingredients: Aqua, cocoa butter, avocado oil, sunflower seed oil, cetearyl alcohol, polysorbate 60, olive oil, coconut oil, palm kernel oil, stearic acid, xanthan gum, phenoxyethanol, ethylhexylglycerin, parfum

Now that you know the best tattoo aftercare products, you’re probably wondering why you should even bother with aftercare. Well, read on to find out why!

Why Is Good Tattoo Aftercare Important?

The tattooing process is painful (some may say extremely so), but the agony is only temporary. Proper aftercare, on the other hand, lasts a lifetime. Here’s why good aftercare is so important:

1.   Good aftercare helps prevent infections and complications

Getting inked is technically a medical procedure. But instead of a medical professional, your skin is worked on by – hopefully – a talented tattooist (or ‘tattoer’ if you’re from the other side of the Atlantic). As you know, your tattooist then uses needles to puncture your skin thousands of times to insert that precious ink in the dermis.   

Your skin (in its unbroken or unwounded state) protects you from all sorts of germs, bacteria, viruses and other pathogens. When the barrier is broken (courtesy of tattoo needles), it’s basically an open invitation for these harmful pathogens to enter your body. But with proper aftercare, you’ll minimise and possibly eliminate such risks.

2.   Proper aftercare will help your tattoo last much longer

Tattoos aren’t exactly cheap. Unless you like throwing money away, you want your skin art investment to last as long as possible. Of course, nature (biology specifically) is unstoppable. You’ll grow older, your weight will fluctuate, you’ll get sick, etc. All these changes will have an effect on your skin and your tattoo.

Even if you follow your aftercare routine religiously, your tattoo’s appearance will change over time. That’s just the very nature of tattooing. With good aftercare, however, your tattoo will look bright and vibrant for many years instead of a few, short months.

Follow Your Tattooist’s Aftercare Tips

Aftercare instructions vary from artist to artist, and studio to studio. While there’s no single best stuff to put on tattoos that everyone can agree on, your tattooist will only suggest whatever has worked for them and their clients in the past.

No, they’re not going to purposely sabotage their reputation – you’re their walking portfolio, after all – so you can trust they’ll have your best interest in mind.

Reputable shops and tattoo artists will have handy printouts of their aftercare instructions. And it is standard procedure to give clients a copy before leaving their shop. If they forget, just ask for a copy.

That said, here’s a general infographic summarising the things you need to do to help your tattoo heal properly:

I can’t stress this enough: there’s no hard and fast rule when it comes to aftercare. So, make sure you follow your tattooist’s aftercare instructions to the letter. Don’t get creative and deviate from the plan, especially if you’re just on your first tattoo.

Remember, your tattooist is not responsible for your tattoo’s healing process – YOU ARE!

Conclusion

Your tattoo may be permanent, but if you don’t take care of it now, it will fade and lose its vibrancy far earlier than it should. Obviously, getting a tattoo is a choice, but aftercare isn’t. With the right tattoo healing products or post tattoo care products, you can enjoy – and show off – your new ink for years to come!