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Tattoo aftercare: Tips and the best products to use for healing, according to experts
The right moisturizers, soaps, bandages and sunscreens can maximize a tattoo’s vibrancy and longevity.
Both Paul and Shuliar recommend Aquaphor healing ointment for tattoo aftercare because it’s unscented and designed to create a protective healing barrier while allowing oxygen to pass through. It’s also dermatologist-tested and you can use it on any minor wounds or irritations, including small burns, cracked hands and dry lips, according to the brand.
NBC Select reporter Zoe Malin also relies on the Aquaphor brand to hydrate and heal all of her tattoos: She likes the Aquaphor healing balm stick for small tattoos because it allows for precise application without mess, and the Aquaphor body spray for large tattoos because it helps her evenly cover areas quickly and efficiently.
Paul also recommends Cerave healing ointment, which is hypoallergenic and free from fragrances, dyes and preservatives. The hyaluronic acid helps the skin retain hydration, while the petroleum locks in moisture to promote healing and the ceramides restore the skin’s natural protective barrier, according to the brand. (While some people avoid petroleum due to fear of clogged pores and irritation, refined petroleum may actually improve acne and allergies are rare, according to Paul.) It’s also dermatologist-tested and accepted by the National Eczema Association.
Vaseline is a commonly used product to keep a tattoo site moisturized, but this Hustle Butter aftercare balm is a petroleum-free option that suits our experts’ criteria: it has recommended ingredients such as shea butter, coconut oil and vitamin E in its formula.
Malin has two containers of this balm (one at home and one for travel) so she can apply it up to three times a day on new tattoos and once a day on older tattoos. “My tattoo artist recommended it to me when I got my first tattoo in 2018, and I’ve been using it ever since,” says Malin. It’s dermatologist-tested and has vitamin E, cocoa butter, olive oil and herb extracts, which keep tattoos hydrated and help to maintain their vibrancy over time, according to Malin.
Shuliar, who prefers organic skin care products made with just a few clean ingredients, recommends this shea butter with hemp and lavender oils in it because it “has simple ingredients, smells amazing and has great healing effects.” It does have a lavender scent, so if you are fragrance-averse or have sensitive skin, it may not be the best option for you.
Any soap that’s antimicrobial, unscented and gentle will do the trick when it comes to keeping your tattoo clean, according to our experts. These Dove bars are highly rated among reviewers, many of whom say they use them to clean tattoos. Available in various sizes and multipacks, they’re hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, pH-balanced and designed for sensitive skin, according to Dove.
Shuliar names SecondSkin as a good brand for tattoo aftercare, and this foaming tattoo wash meets many of our experts’ criteria: It’s fragrance-free, alcohol-free and made from primarily natural ingredients such as coconut, olive and almond oil. The formula is antimicrobial to reduce swelling and prevent infection, but it’s still pH-balanced and designed for sensitive skin, according to the brand.
This cleansing soap is specifically designed for tattoos and piercings, according to the brand. Per our experts’ advice, it’s fragrance-free, alcohol-free and antimicrobial for sensitive skin. It’s also pH-balanced and has olive oil to lock in moisture and promote healing, according to the brand.
Often worn for a few days to keep a new tattoo clean and dry, “adhesive films are good for people who do not have any allergies,” says Shuliar, who personally uses Recovery on her clients. These tattoo bandages are waterproof and durable to prevent bacteria, abrasion and scarring, yet still breathable, flexible and transparent for comfortable wear, according to the brand. This pack of 10 has sheets that measure roughly 6 by 8 inches, but you can also get smaller sheets and large rolls.
“Tegaderm is a commonly recommended bandage for about seven days following the procedure,” says Paul. This sterile, transparent film is microporous so sweat doesn’t get trapped but still helps to keep the site dry, and the adhesive frame makes for easy application, according to the brand. They come in a pack of 10 and are latex-free for those with allergies.
Once the tattoo is healed, Shuliar recommends her favorite sunscreen from Native. It’s mineral-based, unscented and provides SPF 30 protection via zinc oxide. The formula is also lightweight and dermatologist-tested for sensitive skin, plus it has coconut oil to help the skin feel soft and moisturized, according to the brand.
This sunscreen stick is a favorite among those with tattoos because it’s fragrance-free and easy to apply. Per our experts’ advice, it’s also mineral-based and designed for sensitive skin. The formula is water-resistant up to 80 minutes and provides SPF-50+ protection against UVA and UVB rays, according to Blue Lizard.
Especially when running, Malin loves these patches that cover your tattoos with UPF-50 protection. “My tattoos are pretty small, so I cut the patch to fit any areas that my shirt does not cover, and they stay on even when I’m sweaty,” says Malin. Plus they’re reusable and easy to apply, she says . Since they’re made from hypoallergenic silicone, they’re also safe for sensitive skin, according to the brand.
Tattoos cause micro-injury to the skin, which can result in swelling, scaling, infection and contact allergies from topical products, says Paul. As a result, you should be extra careful when choosing the right moisturizer, and you should only apply lotions, salves or ointments once the covered tattoo has had a few days to heal on its own, according to our experts. These are the criteria to keep in mind while choosing a moisturizer:
Hypoallergenic formulas are the best options because they prevent irritation, according to our experts. In terms of specific ingredients, Shuliar recommends shea butter, vitamin E, cocoa butter and panthenol (a form of vitamin B5 used for wound healing). Forte also recommends shea butter as well as coconut oil, tallow or anything else that’s organic and safe to ingest.
Moisturizers come in various consistencies such as lotions, balms and petroleum-based ointments. All of our experts have different preferences, but Shuliar says that clients know their bodies better than anyone, so they should choose whatever type of moisturizer will best suit their skin.
When choosing a moisturizer, you should avoid fragrances and alcohol as well as bacitracin, neomycin and polysporin, which are antibiotics that may be too harsh for a new tattoo, says Paul. Typically, the fewer the ingredients, the better — especially if you have sensitive skin, according to our experts.
Moisturizers can range in price from $5 to $40, but our experts recommend checking the ingredients on expensive options to ensure they’re worth the splurge; when it comes to tattoo-specific balms and lotions from name brands, “many of them are the same or very similar to well-known commercial brands,” says Shuliar.
“Before you slap on any aftercare stuff, make sure your tattoo is all dried up,” says Forte. After that, you should apply a moisturizing product two to three times a day, and continue this routine “typically anywhere from 10 days to 4 weeks,” says Paul.
Keeping your new tattoo moisturized is only half the battle; you also need to keep it clean, covered, dry and protected from the sun, according to our experts. These are the other products our experts recommend when caring for a new tattoo:
“After you've just gotten inked, it's totally normal to feel some redness, itchiness and tenderness around the tattoo. You might even see some extra ink, blood or fluid oozing out of your skin for a few days,” says Forte. That said, if you keep your tattoo dry and clean inside its initial bandage, it should clear up within a few days, after which you can begin applying products to encourage healing, according to our experts. If your tattoo isn’t healing properly, see your doctor.
“Be sure to give it a day or two before getting the tattoo wet (if possible) and avoid swimming for a week or two,” says Forte. Until the tattoo fully heals, Shuliar also recommends avoiding baths, saunas and excessive steam, which may cause smaller details to fade or blur.
When you have a fresh tattoo, exposure to sunlight can damage the skin and fade the ink, so you should keep the site covered or stay out of the sun entirely for a few weeks, according to our experts. Once the area is healed, you should apply sunscreen over the tattoo whenever you’re outside, but especially in the summer or while on vacation, says Shuliar.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Maria Cassano is an e-commerce writer, editor and consultant whose skin care articles have appeared in publications such as Allure, Bustle, Elite Daily, The Zoe Report and The Daily Beast. For this article, she interviewed two tattoo artists and a dermatologist.
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