- Design
- Food
- Pop Culture
- Style
- DIY Classes
The Best Tattoo Aftercare: A Guide for Ink Lovers
Striking the perfect balance between aesthetics and health, tattoo aftercare products will ensure your body's canvas retains its vibrancy while promoting safe skin healing post-inking. With the plethora of tattoo aftercare products available these days, the key to avoiding skin damage, infection, or fading lies in selecting the right ones.
From antibacterial ointments to soothing balms and specialized lotions, these products cater to the unique needs of your new tattoo and skin type. And in this comprehensive guide, we'll take you through the best tattoo aftercare products of 2024. We'll demystify their uses, and go over their benefits so you can choose the right one for your needs.
Important FeaturesImportant FeaturesImportant FeaturesImportant FeaturesImportant FeaturesA Closer Look at the Best Best Tattoo Aftercare Products of 2024
Experience a new level of aftercare with Adorabella’s Tattoo Aftercare Oil. This entirely natural, plant-based formulation is expertly crafted to soothe, protect, and preserve your tattoos through the healing process and beyond. The secret ingredient — 100% plant-derived Squalane — promotes rapid healing, provides lasting hydration, and shields your tattoo from environmental pollutants, all while locking in color to keep your ink vibrant. Thanks to Squalane’s anti-inflammatory properties, your skin receives all the nourishment it needs to aid in recovery, ensuring that your tattoo always looks its best. You can use it daily, both in the morning and at night, for optimized results. It can even work with the Adorabella Tattoo Balm for an extra hydration boost.
Perfect for all skin types, ages, and tattoos, this tattoo aftercare oil is hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, non-toxic, and eco-friendly. Not only does it provide the ideal care for your tattoo, but it also respects the environment. This sustainable product takes both your skincare and your ecological footprint into account, offering a guilt-free solution to tattoo aftercare. And thanks to its beneficial and clean formulation, this is our favorite tattoo aftercare product on the list.
Pros- Soothes irritation
- Helps with healing
- 100% plant based
Cons- Higher price point for 2 ounce product
Viking Revolution’s Tattoo Aftercare Balm is a powerhouse of healing and rejuvenating components. This lotion works magic on your new tattoos, alleviating soreness and redness while stimulating faster healing. But the wonders of this balm don’t stop at fresh ink, it also brings life back to your old tattoos, moisturizing the skin to create a vibrant appeal.
Crafted with the utmost care, this tattoo balm is a chemical-free formulation that ensures your skin’s well-being, offering soothing relief from the rigorous tattooing process. And you don’t have to limit its use to just aftercare. You can use this balm before your tattoo appointment for a smoother application process. Plus, it uses natural ingredients, is chemical-free, and smells great!
Pros- Affordable price point
- Promotes fast skin healing
- Moisturizes and brightens
Cons- Too greasy for some users
The Mad Rabbit Tattoo Aftercare Soothing Gel will nourish your skin and protect your fresh ink. This top-quality gel contains botanical oils like sweet almond and argan, which are naturally rich in fatty acids and antioxidants. The powerful benefits of aloe vera, allantoin, and bisabolol are also in this product to ensure your skin feels calmer, less itchy, and less irritable. These key ingredients offset environmental stressors that can potentially aggravate your new tattoo, offering a healthier recovery process.
As Inked Magazine’s preferred brand, this soothing gel contains a harmonious blend of hydrating elements designed to revive compromised skin, aiding a speedy moisture barrier recovery. This ultra-soothing, cooling gel offers a fast and effective solution to irritability and itchiness, providing much-needed relief not just for fresh ink, but for any part of your body. And for an added boost of moisture to dry, peeling areas, you can pair this gel with Mad Rabbitg’s Daily Lotion or Tattoo Balm.
Pros- Provides instant cooling
- Soothes and relieves irritation
- Non-greasy formula
Cons- May make skin feel a little sticky
Delve into the world of optimal tattoo care with Hustle Butter’s Tattoo Aftercare Balm, trusted by tattoo enthusiasts for over a decade. As the No.1 artist-recommended product, Hustle Butter not only aids in the healing of new tattoos but also reinvigorates older ones, ensuring that your skin remains hydrated and your tattoo vibrant.
This exceptional balm contains the highest quality naturally derived ingredients, such as shea butter, coconut oil, mango seed butter, and green tea extract. Its vegan and cruelty-free formulation also offers a sustainable and ethical choice for tattoo aftercare. Used by artists globally, Hustle Butter will optimize the tattoo process, making it smoother, more efficient, and more comfortable for both the artist and the client. It won’t remove stencils or clog tubes, ensuring a seamless tattooing experience.
Pros- Brightens existing tattoos.
- Soothes itchiness and redness
- Speeds up tattoo healing process
Cons- Higher price point
Enjoy the unmatched healing power of the ocean with the H2Ocean Tattoo Aftercare Lotion. This anti-inflammatory wonder works its magic on both new and old tattoos, swiftly reducing redness and swelling while moisturizing to keep your skin clean and fresh. Formulated with a blend of essential vitamins and minerals derived from nutrient-rich Red Sea salt, your skin will feel nourished and rejuvenated, preserving the vibrance of your tattoo.
Unlike other tattoo aftercare products, H2Ocean utilizes the natural healing properties of sea salt, which contains over 82 trace minerals essential for skin repair and health. Free from alcohol, fragrance, and dyes, this cream is gentle on the skin, eliminating the risk of irritation and dryness. Since 2001, H2Ocean has been the trusted brand for all-natural, sea salt-based tattoo and piercing aftercare that’s made 100% in the USA.
Pros- Good quality ingredients
- Not oily or greasy
- Gentle, fragrance-free formula
Cons- Not moisturizing enough for some
Finding the Best Tattoo Aftercare Product for Your Skin
Getting a fresh tattoo is an exciting experience. But remember, it’s not just about the design and the artist. How you care for your new tattoo significantly influences the outcome of the artwork. This is why a quality tattoo aftercare product is so essential for keeping your tattoo vibrant, prevent infection, and promoting swift healing. And in this guide, we’ll take you through the key aspects to consider as you look at different products.
Ingredients
The ingredients in your aftercare product can make a significant difference to your tattoo’s healing process. Look for products with natural ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, and aloe, which can soothe the skin and reduce inflammation. It can also be helpful for some to avoid anything with petroleum or lanolin, as these can clog pores and slow down healing. And always be sure to check the label before purchasing to ensure the product doesn’t contain ingredients you might be allergic to.
Brand Reputation
Investing in a reputable brand can make a significant difference to the overall healing process of your tattoo. Popular brands often have a proven track record of delivering high-quality products that professionals test and approve of. These brands usually have many positive reviews from customers who use their products for tattoo aftercare, making them a reliable choice.
Versatility
The best tattoo aftercare product should be versatile enough to cater to different stages of healing. Some products are for use immediately after getting a tattoo, while others are for later stages when the skin starts to peel. A versatile product will serve you from the start to the end of the healing process, offering you value for your money.
Skin Type
Different skin types react differently to tattoo aftercare products. If you have sensitive skin, look for hypoallergenic products with a mild formulation to avoid irritation. For dry skin, choose a product with hydrating ingredients to keep your skin moisturized and promote optimal healing. Consulting a professional can also help you understand your skin type and the best aftercare product for you.
Price
While it might be tempting to go for the cheapest product available, remember that with tattoo aftercare, quality is crucial. The right products for your skin may be a bit pricier, but they often contain high-quality ingredients that promote quicker healing and better results. So take some time to consider price in relation to the quality and effectiveness of the product before making your final decision.
Tattoo Aftercare FAQs
Q: What is tattoo aftercare?A: Tattoo aftercare refers to the process and products you use to ensure the healing and longevity of a new tattoo.
Q: How soon after getting a tattoo should I start aftercare?A: Tattoo aftercare should begin right after getting a tattoo. The tattoo artist will typically apply a bandage to the tattoo, which you'll typically keep on for several hours. After removing the bandage, gentle cleansing and moisturizing should begin.
Q: How often should I use aftercare products on my new tattoo?A: It's generally recommended that you wash and moisturize your new tattoo several times a day.
Q: What things should I avoid while my tattoo is healing?A: While your tattoo is healing, you should avoid soaking it in water (like in a bath or swimming pool), exposing it to direct sunlight, wearing tight or abrasive clothing over it, and picking or scratching at the healing skin.
Q: How long does the tattoo healing process take?A: The tattoo healing process typically takes around two to four weeks for the surface of the skin to fully heal. But, the deeper layers of skin can take up to several months to fully heal.
Q: Why is my new tattoo peeling or flaking?A: Peeling and flaking are a normal part of the tattoo healing process. As the skin heals, it will naturally begin to shed the top layer. It's important to not pick or scratch at the peeling skin, as this can lead to scarring or color loss in the tattoo. And by using tattoo aftercare products, you can help mitigate this common problem.
Q: Can aftecare products help ensure the longevity of my tattoo?A: Yes, aftercare routines that include regular moisturizing, protecting the tattoo from sun exposure, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can all contribute to the longevity of your tattoo.
We may earn a commission if you make a purchase through one of our links. The newsroom or editorial staff was not involved in the creation of this content.