Tattooed Skin Care Products

Types of Tattooed Skin Care Products

There are many different products out there to help heal your new tattoo, and nearly every tattoo studio has a different idea of which ointment or lotion is best. Some tattoo studios recommend applying an oil based ointment, which forms a greasy protective barrier, while others think it's better to use a lotion or cream that absorbs deep into the skin. No matter which tattooed skin care products your tattoo artist recommends, you can be sure they'll caution you against using any petroleum based (such as Vaseline) or lanolin ointments. These preparations can stop your tattoo from healing and eventually cause peeling and color loss.

Brand Name Aftercare Products

There are a few tattooed skin care products that your tattoo artist may recommend by name. The most popular of these is Tattoo Goo, an ointment (salve) that is based with olive oil, beeswax and cocoa butter. Essential oils, such as lavender and rosemary, not only help to pleasantly scent the salve, but also provide healing and antibiotic properties. The combination of hydrating oils makes sure your fresh ink stays moist while healing, and allows the color to penetrate the area. The Tattoo Goo company also offers a healing lotion, as well as tattoo soap, for cleansing new tattoos. You can find this salve at your local tattoo shop.

Tried and True Tattoo Care Products

For every tattoo parlor that recommends Tattoo Goo, there are others that take a more old-school approach. Some artists swear by the use of Bacitracin, an antibiotic ointment that can prevent infection, while keeping a new tattoo moist. The only problem with this ointment is that some people are allergic to the antibiotics it contains. Two other products that have been used for decades to heal new tattoos are A&D Ointment (an ointment that contains vitamins A and D, usually used to heal diaper rash), and Bag Balm - a salve that was originally developed to heal cow's udders. All of these tattooed skin care products are now commonly found at drugstores.

Applying Tattoo Aftercare Products

For a detailed description of how to care for your new tattoo, please see our article on Tattoo Aftercare.

After you've gotten home and cleaned your new tattoo, it's time to apply your aftercare product of choice. Some things to keep in mind:

1. Always wash your hands thoroughly before touching your fresh tattoo.
2. Use ointment or salve sparingly, and rub it in - don't leave a thick coating on the tattoo.
3. Reapply your product at least three times daily - more if it's in a place that gets a lot of action, like a foot or hand. You want to avoid getting scabs or flaky skin.
4. After the recommended healing period (talk to your tattoo artist, usually about a week), switch from a heavy ointment to an unscented lotion, and use this until the skin in the area of your tattoo is no longer dry.

With the right tattooed skin care products, your tattoo will stay as beautiful for a long time!