How Much Should You Use
Immediately after you get inked, your tattoo artist will apply a bandage or wrap to the tattooed area on your skin. They will likely advise you to keep that bandage or wrap in place for anywhere from several hours to several days.
Once you remove the bandage or wrap, you need to start a cycle of:
What Not To Do After Getting A Tattoo
No tattoo aftercare product in the world will help undo the damage you can potentially do to your fresh ink in the first few days after getting it done. To that end, do not do the following:
- Submerge your tattoo in water
- Stretch the skin or underlying muscles via exercise
- Wear skin-tight clothing over your tattoo
- Scratch, rub, or pick at your new tattoo
- Spend too much time in direct sunlight
If you don’t do any of those things, you’re on the right path, but you can take proactive steps to ensure your tattoo looks as good as you imagined it would, well into the future. That starts with choosing the right aftercare cream or lotion. Don’t use any of the following creams or lotions on a fresh tattoo:
- Alcohol
- Vitamin E
How To Sleep On The First Night:
It’s important to consider that your tattoo is technically an open wound at this point, so it needs to stay protected for little while. Most tattoo artists will recommend that you leave your bandaging on overnight to keep it protected .
If your tattoo is covered in plastic wrap instead of a sterile bandage and you notice that a lot of moisture has built up underneath it, you may want to consider cleaning it up and re-wrapping it before you go to bed . The plastic wrap can trap ink, plasma, blood, sweat, and general moisture against your tattoo, creating a perfect environment for bacterial growth. Not great for open wounds, TBH.
For the next few nights, make sure to sleep on the opposite side of wherever your tattoo is, so you’re not pressing it directly on your sheets. It will leak a tiny bit, so if you have darker sheets, use them.
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How To Take Care Of A Tattoo: Common Questions Answered
So you just got tattooed for the first time and you love your new tattoo, but you still have a ton of questions. Or maybe youre a tattoo veteran and just need a refresher on how to care for your tattoos. Whatever your situation is, weve compiled a comprehensive list of tattoo aftercare instructions thats sure to give you all the answers you need.
What Are The Possible Cons Of Using Aquaphor

Aquaphor is an incredible product for tattoo aftercare, but like every other medication, it has some possible downsides especially when used in large quantities and for prolonged periods.
These possible disadvantages of Aquaphor use include:
- Possible skin breakouts due to clogging of skin pores.
- Some individuals may develop a rash due to sensitivity to some ingredients. So, it is important to contact your doctor and go through your hospital chart to rule out any history of hypersensitivity to petroleum products.
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The Best Lotion For Tattoos
March 14, 2016 by Roc
Tattoo aftercare includes numerous products to ensure the highest quality and recovery possible. When it comes to really nailing down and effectively going through the tattoo healing process I normally recommend having three things on hand:
Obviously, you want to choose the best and highest quality products when it comes to the products you will be applying onto your new tattoo.
There are a few things to take into consideration when you are choosing the best lotion for tattoos, I break down my selection on quality and price.
Quality: I look for products that are unscented and have enriching ingredients for the skin to assist with the recovery process. When it comes to the best tattoo lotions there are a few ingredients you should avoid:
- Alcohol
- Lanolin
- Scents
Many of the lotions you will find that are recommended for tattoos will not contain these products because they can negatively affect the skin/tattoo as it is healing.
Price: Price always comes secondary to quality when talking about tattoos and tattoo aftercare products. Why skimp on quality to save a few extra bucks for something that will be on your body for the rest of your life? Take care of the tattoo and then consider price otherwise I would avoid getting tattooed until you can.
H2Ocean Care Tattoo Lotion |
How Often Should I Clean My Tattoo What Kind Of Soap Should I Use
The tattoo should be thoroughly cleaned immediately after removing the bandage, and cleaned daily from there on out. We recommend cleaning it multiple times on the first day. Pat the tattoo dry with a lint-free cloth or paper towel to avoid irritation, and let the tattoo air out for 20-30 minutes before applying moisturizer. We recommend using a gentle, liquid antibacterial soap, such as Dial Antibacterial Soap, though other hand or body soaps can be used as long as they are thoroughly rinsed from the tattoo. You want to avoid excess absorption of water by the tattoo, so washings should be efficient and deliberate to minimize time. You can use antibacterial soap for the first 3-5 days and then regular soap or body wash is fine.
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Tattoo Goo The Lotion With Healix Gold Formula Special
Tattoo Goos lotion is approved by dermatologists for use on your face and other sensitive areas. It features panthenol and olive oil but no petrolatum or lanolin.
Therefore, it absorbs fast and doesnt leave a residue on the surface. This is one of the finest aftercare products out there for any skin type.
If you apply this to old tattoos, it revives the color.
A Few Rules To Remember For The First Few Weeks:
1. Keep your tattoo out of direct, intense sunlight.
2. Avoid using hot water directly on your tattoo.
3. Do not submerge your tattoo in water or go swimming.
4. If your tattoo is in a ditch spot , try not to bend it too much for the first week or so.
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Hustle Butter Deluxe Tattoo Butter
Hustle Butter is one of the most popular tattoo aftercare products. Not only can you use Hustle butter to protect your new tattoo, but a tattoo artist might apply it to prepare the skin before inking.
It doesnt have petroleum, so it lets the skin breathe. It also lacks parabens.
The blend of natural ingredients like shea and mango butter, coconut oil, and Vitamin E condition the skin to prevent infection and scarring. This also is one of the finest tattoo aftercare creams out there.
Hustle Butter is all-around useful in the studio and at home. If youre in doubt as to which moisturizer to get, you cant go wrong with this one.
The Teams take
H2Oceans Aquatat is FDA-approved and contains pharmaceutical-grade ingredients. Its a fragrance-free ointment rich in nutrients and antioxidants that stimulate the healing process.
Make sure you apply just a little and it goes a long way. Also make sure you apply this tattoo aftercare cream daily for the first couple of days, then switch to a lightweight tattoo aftercare cream to complete the healing process.
Which Tattoo Inks Fade The Most And What Can You Do To Keep Them Vibrant
A black ink tattoo stays crisp and clear for longer than any other color. Blue and purple also fade slowly.
Meanwhile, red and pink are more prone to fading. But yellow, green, and orange are harder to care for yet.
Finally, white ink tattoos are most likely to fade in a short amount of time.
But applying the best cream for old tattoos helps revive the colors. Rich moisturizers that boost the skins softness will help. Try Hustle Butter, After Inked, or Skinfix products.
Most importantly, remember to apply sunscreen, too. This prevents UV rays from dimming the pigment.
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Urban Releaf Tattoo Skin Silk
Theres no petroleum or lanolin in this product, either. Its vegan and packed with vitamins.
The base is raw shea butter, one of natures best moisturizers. Shea is breathable and doesnt clog pores, yet its rich in amino acids and lipids that restore the skin to health.
It also has essential oils like tea tree, lavender, and rosemary. All of these are antibacterial.
Is Jergens Ultra Healing Lotion Good For Tattoos

Yes. It is a good option to moisturize and protect the tattoo as it dries up. It aids the healing process. This helps with a new tattoo because the area tends to get inflamed. Soon it becomes very dry, scaly, and begins to break apart.
The Ultra Healing lotion can soften the area just enough. It isnt scented and is irritant-free. This ensures that dryness-induced cracks do not ruin the tattoo before it is completely set. It acts as a salve for the tattooed area.
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Please Dont Do This To Your New Tattoo
Unfortunately, not every artist or tattoo shop takes the time to teach their clients about proper tattoo aftercare.
Here are the things you shouldnt do to your new tattoo.
For one, dont soak the tattoo in the bath or a pool. It will leak ink.
When you wash it, clean your hands first. Then, dont hold it under the faucet. Its an open wound that needs gentle treatment.
After that, clean it with fragrance-free soap and your fingers. Use lukewarm or cool water to rinse and pat it dry with a clean towel.
Next, dont scratch or pick at it. Not only can you damage the tattoo, but you might also cause an infection.
And finally, dont try to dry heal. Anyone with experience in wound care will tell you that the skin heals faster when its hydrated .
Is Jergens Safe For Tattoos
As previously described, you should use the unscented lotions and moisturizers from the Jergens line. These are not only safe, they also promote the healthy and sanitary healing of your tattoos. They fight germs and dirt that may have accumulated on the skin during the process.
It hydrates, softens, and lubricates to prevent dryness. So it allows the tattoo to dry up at its own pace. So the outer coating comes off hassle-free, without any blemishes or wounds.
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H2ocean Ocean Care Skin Moisturizing Cream
Specifically designed for new and/or healing tattoos, H2Ocean Ocean Care Skin Moisturizing Cream is “designed to nourish, revitalize and hydrate your skin by providing 82 essential trace elements and minerals that keep your tattoo healthy and moisturized with each application. Bonus: this will not smudge or stick to your clothes.
Available on H2Ocean, $13
Best Overall: Aquaphor Healing Ointment
It should come as no surprise that this O.G. comes first on our list of best products for tattoo aftercare! For anyone who has gotten inked, you will know that Aquaphor is a tried and true necessity for a speedy healing process. Because of Aquaphors ultra-hydrating and anti-inflammatory properties, it allows freshly inked skin to not only be moisturized but protected. The main ingredient, petroleum jelly, contains mineral oil which is great for creating a protective barrier on the skin and keeps moisture locked in.
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Ed Hardy Get Ripped Cooling Bronzer Tattoo Fade Protection Tanning Lotion
Rip on the fashion line all you like. But to the surprise of many , its aftercare tattoo solution might be the only product under the Ed Hardy imprint you cant knock. The oil-free serum features a tattoo fade protector complex made to stimulate tyrosine activity to produce longer results. Despite its masculine scent bringing back memories of your youthful and tacky fashion sense, youll find much value in its efficacy to eliminate after-tan odor. Fuller pigmentation. Improved skin elasticity. Unique cooling effect. Learn to maintain tattoo vibrancy leaving no designs untouched.
Promising Review: “I have tried 20+ lotions in all price brackets. As a guy, this is one of my new favorites.” Lunesta
Benefits Of Tattoo Creams And Lotions
- Improves appearance: It can preserve colors and designs to maintain the “brand-new” look, while masking any peeling skin.
- Nourishes skin: Many are specially formulated with nutrients and vitamins to enhance and expedite the healing process.
- Prevents infections: Moisturizing the tattooed area stops scabs from forming and seals lacerations to keep bacteria from spreading.
- Relieves irritation: New ink can make skin more sensitive, therefore a salve helps reduce itchiness, rashes, and other skin-irritant conditions.
Quite the easy sell, huh? Nothing a certified dermatologist or your tattooist wouldnt share, but key information that proves why applying lotion to your newly crafted body marks is the sensible thing to do. Also knowing that no ordinary body lotion or cream will suffice is reasonable thinking.
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Can I Use Jergens Shea Butter On My Tattoo
The jurys still out on this one. Shea butter has excellent healing properties, which make it perfect for applying on a new tattoo. It makes the skin supple and moist, which is great for tattoo aftercare.
The only issue is that Jergens Shea Butter lotion also has a light scent. It could be from an artificial additive or Shea Butter extracts. But even though the scent is so gentle and barely lingers, it could inflame the area.
It is also rather thick which could drain ink from the tattoo. This could wash out the tattoo or make it dull.
Is Jergens Hydrating Coconut Lotion Good For Tattoos

Yes, it is. Most of the ingredients are the same as the Ultra Healing lotion. In addition, it has coconut essence. Coconut oil is excellent as a post-tattoo moisturizer. It has collagen which tightens, strengthens, and nourishes your skin.
This gives your skin a bouncy, vibrant look and feel. Coconut oil also has antibacterial properties which prevent tattoos from getting infected. It will help to soothe and promote the complete healing of the tattoo wound.
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Ques Is Using Tattoo Moisturizer Bad For Skin
Ans. Tattoo Moisturizer is not bad for skin but using it in wrong way may affect the skin in negative way. One of the biggest mistakes that we all make with the tattoo moisturizer is that replacing it with the rest of the skincare routine products. It can be used as an extra dose of nourishment for the skin.
Platinum Rose Tattoo Butter
This tattoo aftercare balm claims to radically accelerate healing time for new tattoos. Then, you can continue to use it to treat sunburn, cuts, and dry skin.
As a moisturizer, it keeps tattoos vibrant by moisturizing the skin. Healthy skin retains ink better.
If youre an artist and use it as glide, it wont remove stencils or clog tubes. It also prevents redness and swelling. This helps avoid overworking the skin.
Whats in it? Theres definitely no petrolatum or parabens. Instead, it has shea and cocoa butter, aloe, and avocado oil. The natural floral scent comes from genuine English Rose oil.
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Can You Use Jergens Lotion On A New Tattoo
You can certainly use Jergens lotion on a new tattoo. For the first few days, leave the area alone. Dont use any product because the skin needs to breathe and recover. After 2-3 days, you can use moderate amounts of Jergens Ultra Healing lotion.
It is unscented and mild. You can apply light layers regularly. Maintain a balance between moisturizing and letting the skin free. It can be used till the tattoo dries up and the scabs peel off.
Make sure that you do not apply too much lotion- not only will the skin be clogged, but the lotion can also actually dissolve some of the ink! This could make your tattoo lighter than you wanted.
What Does A Good Tattoo Lotion Look Like
Before you can decide if Aveeno is suitable for tattoos, its essential to understand what a good tattoo lotion should contain.
- Shop for fragrance-free Some lotions may have chemicals that can irritate tattoos. Instead, avoid them and opt for a fragrance-free lotion.
- Avoid petroleum-based products Vaseline and other petroleum products can block air movement over tattoos, which is essential for proper healing.
- Dispenser bottles If possible, purchase lotions in a dispenser container with a pump at its top. This is better than buying lotions in a tub with a high chance of introducing bacteria.
- Non-comedogenic means that the lotion will not clog your pores. This helps your skin breathe.These are not only for Aveeno. They also apply to any lotion that you purchase for tattoos.
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Tattoo Goo Aftercare Lotion
Tattoo Goos lotion combines vitamins A and D with panthenol to hurry up healing.
Instead of a greasy ointment, its a water-based product. It has no lanolin, mineral oil, or petroleum.
The formula sinks in quickly but leaves the skin soft. It wont stain clothing or feel sticky.
One of the main benefits is that it prevents scabbing if you use it often enough.
How We Chose Our Selection Of Tattoo Lotions
Reviews – Our skin is an essential priority in our lives, which is why when selecting skin products, extra care must be taken. With people having different types of skin, our team undertook new research to provide several options for lotions and balms that cater to everyone. They did this via analysis into many reports from users across the globe. Customer reviews have a way of describing into detail how a product works for its target market and how reliable it is. The descriptions offered by customers may be complementary to promises made by a manufacturer, or they may conflict with the commitments of said manufacturer.
Price – The budget of all readers was considered during the selection process, to offer every pocket a product they can afford. On the market in recent time are several tattoo lotions and balms, with many of them being priced according to their brand name and not their quality or the ingredients used. In this article, our list of recommendations is budget-friendly and still offer readers with the essential elements needed to hasten the healing process and keep their skin moisturized for days on end. The price of the enlisted products also matches the quantity you receive thus you get real value for your money.
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