Use Bepanthen sparingly for the first 3-7 days (thin layer, 2-3 times daily) while it's an open wound, then switch to a gentle, unscented lotion as flaking starts, continuing moisturising for 2-4 weeks until fully healed, paying attention to your skin's needs to avoid over-moisturising. Always follow your tattoo artist's specific advice, but generally stop the thick ointment once peeling begins and the skin forms new layers.
Application of Bepanthen® Ointment 4–8 times daily for 14 days on newly tattooed skin.
Traditional Bepanthen creams, like those made for baby care, might be too thick for tattoo healing and can leave a greasy residue that is difficult to manage. Tattoo-specific Bepanthen products are usually fragrance free, which helps reduce the risk of irritation.
DAYS 3-14 (or until healed):
After the first 2-3 days, your tattoo should begin to feel dry and tight. At this point DISCONTINUE APPLYING OINTMENT AND SWITCH TO REGULAR FRAGRANCE-FREE HAND LOTION such as Eucerin, Lubriderm, Curel, or any other over the counter mild "Fragrance Free" moisterizer.
It is considered fully healed when all scabs have fallen off, and the skin has regenerated and closed up. This process generally takes between 2 to 4 weeks. At this point, you can stop washing your tattoo with soap, as it will be protected by its own layers of skin.
Apply a water-based lotion or cream to your tattoo to keep it moisturized — it's never a good idea to leave your fresh new ink susceptible to dryness. “Moisture will help the skin to heal faster and keep scabs from forming,” Dr. Sra says.
You may notice one or more of the following:
Timing is everything when it comes to tattoo aftercare, and sometimes it's easy to get it wrong. If you remove the bandage too early, your tattoo might still be in the oozing phase, exposing it to bacteria and dirt that can cause infections.
Generally, we recommend using it once per day.
Clean the tattoo with lukewarm water and plain, scent-free soap. Use a clean paper towel to pat it dry instead of rubbing the skin. Let the area air-dry for a couple of minutes before putting anything on it. Use a small dab of Bepanthen much less than you think you'd need.
Signs of an Over-Moisturized Tattoo
If you notice that your skin feels greasy to the touch after several hours, there's a chance you've applied too much lotion, or that you've applied one that's too thick. Your skin looks or feels irritated. Over-moisturizing with oil-based lotions can lead to clogged pores.
Pimples or a Rash: The trapped moisture can clog your pores, leading to a breakout of small, red or white bumps (milia) directly on and around your tattoo. A "Soggy" or "Gummy" Feel: The area might feel overly soft or sticky long after you've applied the moisturizer. It looks and feels like a "gooey mess."
The most commonly used neutralizing color is a deep orange to cancel out the blue and blue-green shades of common tattoo inks. For tattoos with dark black ink, you should use a deep red neutralizer.
Skin Reaction Symptoms
“You can get a spectrum of reactions, from swelling at the injection site to a reaction that can spread diffusely over the body.” Common skin reactions include: Localized inflammation: Temporary redness, swelling, and tenderness after tattooing.
To aid the skin healing process, the tattoo needs to be kept moist. You can use a very thin layer of hypoallergenic ointment or fragrance-free lotion like Vaseline® Intensive Care™ Advanced Repair Unscented Lotion, or Vaseline® Healing Jelly Original. Repeat daily for 2-3 weeks to help wound healing.
How Do You Tell if a Tattoo Isn't Healing Properly?
What to do:
Yes. Washing any part of your body too much can lead the skin to be dry and to crack, especially when using antibacterial soap. Your new tattoo is healing, so avoid over-washing and apply fragrance-free, tattoo-approved moisturizer if that tattoo looks dry or the skin feels uncomfortably dry and itchy.
After 3 days, your tattoo should show reduced redness and swelling. It will appear slightly dry with a thin film forming over it. Some clear fluid and ink may still seep out, but significantly less than the first day. The colors will appear bright but may have a shiny, tight feeling.
You have a rash or bumpy skin around your tattoo
If you notice a rash or lumpy, bumpy skin around your new tattoo, this could be something to worry about. Any itching that seems extreme, or rashes and cracked skin, could indicate infection.
Until the surface of the tattoo is healed (at a minimum of two to three weeks), wash the area gently 2-3 times per day. After cleaning the tattoo during this two to three week period, gently apply a thin coat of a lotion-based care product. We recommend After Inked tattoo moisturizer and aftercare lotion.