The first few days after getting a new tattoo will be the hardest for you! After all, you just got stabbed multiple times with needles full of pigment. The skin is raw and sensitive, so it needs some special treatment to avoid infection or other issues. Many people underestimate how sensitive new tattoos are and handle them carelessly. As a result, they often get an infection, which can lead to more problems down the road.
One of the most important things that you need to do after getting your tattoo is caring for it properly. This means gently washing your hands before touching your fresh ink and avoiding bodily fluids that might contain bacteria (like sweat). You also have to moisturize it twice a day with an ointment meant for this purpose; otherwise, your tattoo will dry out and peel. But this is not all…
To avoid issues such as infections or fading, you need to use the best tattoo aftercare product that money can buy. This is why we have decided to review some products for you! We also included a useful buying guide at the end of this article with information about what matters when shopping around and how you can save yourself from disappointments.
What are the Differences Between Tattoo Aftercare Lotions, Ointments, Butters, and Balms?
Before we begin the aftercare product reviews, in order not to get you overwhelmed and confused, I’d like to get this question out of the way.
Although all these products are intended for the same purpose – healing your tattoo, there are some differences.
Aftercare Butters and Balms
Butters and Balms usually come in a jar or tub. They contain fewer but thicker ingredients which make them less messy to use, especially if you have bigger tattoos. Butters are usually preferred by people who also want to protect their skin against sunburns and other types of damage.
Aftercare Ointments
Ointments are similar to balms except that they come in a tube or bottle making application much easier. They absorb into your skin fast without leaving too much grease behind but still provide good moisturizing effects. Ointments are best used on small tattoos since they tend to be messier than lotions/creams/gels which come in pump bottles.
Aftercare Lotions
Lotions are the most popular form of tattoo aftercare. They offer more protection than oils but less than balms/butters which makes them perfect for both arms and legs – tattoos that you want to protect but still look good! Lotions tend to be light and fast-absorbing making applications easy and simple.
Aftercare Gels
Gels tend to be thicker than lotions and easier to apply even on larger tattoos (like sleeves). They do absorb into your skin a bit slower however and possibly leave an oily-like residue behind. Gels work well for tattoos that take days or weeks before they’re fully healed as it provides continuous moisturizing effects over time without having any greasy feeling left behind.
Tattoo Aftercare Products Reviews
There are truly a ton of aftercare products out there. So you have to be wary about what you buy and where.
So it is only natural to start your search at the biggest shopping mall of them all, not other than Amazon.
True, the huge selection may be confusing, but, if you have someone for example that can go out there and summarize for you the pros of each lotion, butter, and/or balm… then why not.
Here are Amazon’s top sellers, their specs, and their advantages.
1. Hustle Butter Deluxe Tattoo Aftercare Tattoo Balm
With close to 20,000 reviews for the time of writing of these lines, averaging 4.8 stars – Hustle Butter Deluxe Tattoo Aftercare Tattoo Balm is by far the leader of the industry.
The reason why many of us choose this one over the others is that it is a great mix of Shea Butter, Aloe Vera, Vitamin E, and Lanolin.
All these ingredients make for an optimal mixture to aid the healing process without the risk of infections. Another advantage over other balms/butters is that they can be used on all kinds of tattoos, with no exceptions.
Just apply it 3 times daily and your tattoo will be in the best of hands.
The only downside is that it is a bit more expensive than some others but trust us (or trust the 20,000 reviews) – you won’t regret it!
2. Viking Revolution Tattoo Care Balm for Before, During & Post Tattoo
Second only to Hustle Butter Deluxe but giving a clear fight is Viking or in its full Amazonian name – Viking Revolution Tattoo Care Balm for Before, During & Post Tattoo – Safe, Natural Tattoo Aftercare Cream – Moisturizing Lotion to Promote Skin Healing.
The name is quite descriptive though I’ll elaborate a bit more about the balm.
It is a mix of organic beeswax, cocoa butter, Vitamin E, and lavender.
The fact that it has no chemicals or whatnot makes for a much better aftercare product in combination with the added Vitamin E which helps your skin regenerate faster. It also doesn’t have much of a smell when applied.
3. Saniderm Tattoo Aftercare Bandage
Giving a close fight to Viking’s solution when it comes to its review count is Saniderm’s Tattoo Aftercare Bandage which offers a different kind of solution. Unlike the lotions and balms, Sanidrem’s solution is a transparent hygienic adhesive wrap.
It has almost reached more than 8,000 reviews on Amazon averaging 4.7 stars. It is also hypoallergenic and made of very safe materials which you can find more about on their website.
Their hygienic adhesive bandage uses the power of sterile water to moisturize your tattoo while keeping out germs that might lead to infections. Just apply the bandage to your fresh tattoo and thus you can keep your hands clean from germs while wrapping it up, just like a real mummy!
Just use one bandage per day and you will be fine. If you want a bit more comfort/protection you can choose Saniderm’s Ultra protector which offers protection for the first 5 days of your new tattoo.
4. Tattoo Salve Aftercare
Tattoo Salve by Ora’s Amazing Herbal Store is a tattoo aftercare lotion and moisturizer that is Made in the USA, and has all Organic Ingredients.
It has more than 5,600 reviews, most are positively giving it the average rating of 4.7 stars!
It is 100% organic and is made of very safe ingredients which make your tattoo heal in optimal conditions. This is thanks to the Aloe Vera that is ideal for any kind of wounds or bruises.
Other than Aloe Vera it notable ingredients are Rosemary and Chamomile.
As mentioned above, we love Made in the USA as these usually undergo better controls and regulations.
5. Mad Rabbit Tattoo Balm & Aftercare Cream
Our fifth aftercare balm is Mad Rabbit’s tattoo Lotion for Color Enhancement – Brightener & Moisturizing Ointment – Aftercare Salve to Revive & Refresh Old Tattoos – Natural & Organic.
It has more than 5,500 reviews and an average of 4.4 stars.
Mad Rabbit is a Made in the USA brand which is always a plus and it uses some pretty cool ingredients like Shea Butter, Olive Oil, Vitamin E, Cocoa Butter, and Beeswax!
According to what we can tell, the balm itself contains no alcohol or parabens which can severely damage your skin if present for too long. It also doesn’t have any petroleum products making it much safer to use.
How to Pick the Right Tattoo After Care Product for you?
As you can see, there are plenty of tattoo aftercare products and we have only picked the 5 best ones. However, choosing one is not easy as there are so many options to choose from!
So here are a few things to consider before buying:
First of all, try and understand the ingredients as we look for Made in the USA and take away any chemicals (if possible). We also like products that contain natural & organic components since they work much better.
Second of all, see what other people think about it. The more 5 star ratings the product has means the others trusted its quality too. The more reviews it has, the easier it is to buy something good!
Lastly, compare prices with similar products and find out which one offers you the most value for your money. Check if there’s any sale going on or maybe another option might be better due to price/quality ratio etc.
You can also opt to buy two, try them out, and see how they feel against your skin.
Lastly, before you leave…
FAQ About Tattoo Aftercare
There are several frequently asked questions that seem to be repeating in relation to aftercare – and we’d like to try and assist. Here they are:
Can I Put Vaseline on My Tatto?
And the answer is: no, you can’t! Vaseline and petroleum jelly will not make your tattoo heal any faster, it will only prolong the healing process. Petroleum jelly does form a membrane on top of your skin which protects against germs and bacteria but this doesn’t mean it’s good for tattoos since tattoo inks contain chemicals which vaseline mixes up with (leading to infections).
What if My New Tattoo Itches?
This usually happens when you first apply your lotion or ointment to your new tattoo. The itchiness is caused by various components of the product such as menthol, camphor, and aloe vera gel. Don’t worry though – this usually goes away pretty quickly and we suggest taking some extra vitamin c since it helps your skin heal faster.
Can I Tripple my Antibiotic Ointment on My Tattoo?
No! I’m not a doctor but from the question I can assume neither are you…
We understand that the itching is really annoying but you need to take some time off before reapplying your products. Once or twice can be okay but anything more than that might cause severe damage. Remember, you were just pierced with a needle and need some time to recover. Most importantly listen to the instructions you were given and if you are uncertain – call and ask again!
Is Coconut Oil Good for Tattoo Aftercare?
Coconut oil has the ability to penetrate your skin which is great for aiding in faster recovery. However, it can also clog your pores causing breakouts and infections. So if you are using an antibacterial ointment with coconut oil make sure it’s non-comedogenic or else you could do more damage than good!
I've Heard Vitamin E Oil is Good For Tattoos?
Yes! Vitamin E does in fact help when applied to new tattoos – but there are a few things you need to consider when doing this. First off, never use vitamin e undiluted as it can cause irritation. Instead, mix some vitamin E oil with other ingredients that will help keep your tattoo moistened throughout the night without irritating the skin around it.
But with that in mind, this is also why we covered the various aftercare products above. Most have these ingredients already in them…
Do I Need a Tattoo Sunscreen?
Yes! Even now that you have your tattoo, it needs protection from the sun. UV rays are no joke and they can cause severe damage to the quality of your artwork. Make sure you find a high SPF sunscreen that has zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as its main ingredients.
How Do I Take Care of My Tattoo at Home?
Once you leave the studio, don’t submerge your new tattoo in water for at least 24 hours. We recommend not showering for 2-3 days since doing so too soon will cause irritation to the healing skin. Don’t rub or scratch, use fragrance-free soap (when needed) and make sure to bandage your tattoo every time after washing it with cold water – this will help reduce swelling and bleeding.
What if My Tattoo Swells?
Since you used a new needle on your fresh tattoo there’s a good chance it might swell up a bit. Most swelling goes down after 24-48 hours since it depends on a number of factors such as location, size, and skin type. Make sure to wash the area with mild soap and cold water every 2 hours or so and elevate for faster recovery. Use ice packs if necessary but don’t leave them on for more than 20 minutes since they can cause frostbite.
Hope this article helped with your future purchase! Stay tuned for more. 🙂
And if you have any other questions just get in touch or leave a comment below – we’re always here to help!
* Disclaimer – Our writers are not doctors. With any uncertainty and question, once your curiosity had been satisfied – we highly recommend checking with your doctor.