The best tattoo aftercare involves gently washing with unscented soap, patting dry, and applying a thin layer of fragrance-free, tattoo-specific ointment or lotion to keep it moisturized but not smothered, avoiding petroleum, sun, soaking, and harsh soaps for 2-4 weeks. Always follow your artist's instructions, but the core process is keeping it clean, hydrated, and protected from friction and sun.
Bepanthen is a barrier cream, it's thick and oily and doesn't let your skin breathe. Ink Nurse is much lighter, doesn't leave the oily feeling but is hydrating enough that the skin doesn't dry out.
Tattoo Aftercare Tips Day 1: Do's & Don'ts
After the tattoo has healed, it is usually suggested to moisturise for 2 weeks to one month. In most cases, ointments are best used in the early phases of the healing process (2 first weeks). Ointments are high in vitamins and minerals that your body needs. For the rest of the healing process, a lotion is ideal.
You put it on for an hour before your tattoo and the wash it off right before you start so it doesn't effect the tattoo process at all! Try whatever product you buy on a small part of your body to begin with, that way you know how it works for your body, and that you don't have any bad reactions to the product.
Bepanthen's soothing and moisturising qualities can be helpful in the early stages of tattoo healing. Dexpanthenol helps the skin stay hydrated, reducing the chance of cracking and scabbing too heavily. The creamy consistency can make the skin feel comfortable and less itchy as it heals.
Best Tattoo Aftercare Lotion Options
Two of the most recommended options are Aquaphor and Lubriderm (we recommend these at our shop, too!) Both are known for their skin-nourishing properties and compatibility with newly inked 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.
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.
Wash your new tattoo within five hours of completion and continue washing it a couple of times a day until fully healed. Use clean hands and gentle, antibacterial soap to wash your tattoo. Rinse thoroughly and ensure all soap is removed. Let your tattoo air-dry or gently pat it dry with a clean cloth.
A $500 tattoo is typically a medium-sized piece, often around palm-sized or slightly larger (roughly 4-6 inches), but the actual size heavily depends on the artist's hourly rate (usually $100-$200/hour), design complexity, color, and location, allowing for 2-5 hours of work, potentially resulting in a detailed forearm piece or a smaller chest/back design, rather than a full sleeve.
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.
Rinse the tattoo gently until the skin is clean. Pat dry with a clean towel or paper towel then allow to fully air dry for a minimum of 10 minutes. DO NOT SCRUB. Once the tattoo is dry, apply a very small amount of Aquaphor or Bacitracin.
Protecting Your Fresh Ink: Essential Ointments for New Tattoos
Bepanthen contains Provitamin B5 which gently helps sensitive skin to repair its natural protective barrier while keeping it soft, smooth and moisturised.
Days 1-3: Your tattoo will appear fresh but may feel tender, red, and slightly swollen. Days 4-7: Light scabbing begins to form, and itchiness may start on the tattooed area. Weeks 2-4: Scabs and flakes will naturally fall off. You'll notice a shiny layer of skin, indicating deeper healing.
Unfortunately, tiny tattoos may not age well. Tiny tattoos are small and have lots of detail in one concentrated space. These intricate details will be lost with time as your skin changes.
To keep skin from cracking, moisturize your ink after each wash and a few times throughout the day. This will also help keep tattoo peeling at a minimum. According to Glodny, newer recommendations for tattoos include the application of a "second skin" layer to your tattoo, which is kept on the tattoo for up to a week.
Moisturizing a new tattoo is a key step in the healing process. You'll want to begin soon after you get the tattoo done and continue moisturizing the skin three to six times a day for about three weeks.
What to do:
No Skin Reactions - Irritation and allergic reactions from creams and lotions do not occur when dry healing is the chosen tattoo healing method. Saves Time & Effort - Dry healing your new ink saves the time and effort of applying a moisturizer several times per day.
Leave over night then the following day wash once a day in the shower and apply a moisturiser 3-4 times daily (At Nala we have had very good results with Bepanthen, but alternatives such as E45 cream, cocoa butter, vitamin E cream can be used) With the moisturiser,.
Better Alternatives Available:
Some popular alternatives include coconut oil, aloe vera gel, and specialized tattoo aftercare products.
By using tattoo balm during the early stages, you can significantly enhance the healing process and minimize the risk of scarring, ensuring your tattoo remains a stunning work of art.