Tattoo Aftercare Products: Our Top Recommendations

Walking out of the tattoo shop with a fresh piece is an incredible feeling, but it’s often followed by a trip to the pharmacy that feels anything but. Staring at a wall of lotions, soaps, and ointments can be confusing, especially with so much conflicting advice online. Which ones are too harsh? Which ones are too greasy? We see clients struggle with this all the time, so we wanted to create a definitive guide to cut through the noise. Consider this your official shopping list, curated by our artists to ensure your ink heals beautifully. Here are our go-to tattoo aftercare products recommendations that we use and trust ourselves.

Key Takeaways

Build a simple, consistent routine: The best way to ensure your tattoo heals perfectly is to wash it gently twice a day and apply a thin layer of the right product—starting with an ointment and switching to a lotion after a few days.
Apply products correctly to let your skin breathe: Over-moisturizing is a common mistake. Use only a thin layer of fragrance-free product on clean, dry skin to avoid clogging pores and trapping bacteria.
Protect your healing skin from damage: For the first few weeks, your main job is to avoid scratching, soaking your tattoo in water, and exposing it to direct sunlight, as these can damage the art and your skin.

Why Aftercare is Non-Negotiable

Getting a tattoo is a partnership. You trust one of our artists to create a beautiful piece of art, and we trust you to take care of it once you walk out our door. Think of aftercare as the final, crucial step of the tattoo process. It’s what ensures your new ink heals properly, stays infection-free, and looks sharp and vibrant for years to come. Taking care of your new tattoo is an investment in the art you’ve just added to your body.

A fresh tattoo is an open wound, and treating it like one is the best way to guarantee a great result. Proper aftercare starts the moment your session ends. Following a consistent routine helps prevent complications like scarring or infection, which can permanently damage the design. Your artist will give you specific instructions tailored to your tattoo, and following them closely is the most important thing you can do. Our goal is for you to have a piece you love forever, and that starts with a healthy healing process. For our complete guide and policies, you can always check our info page.

What to Expect While Your Tattoo Heals

The healing process happens in stages, so don’t be surprised if your tattoo looks and feels different from one day to the next. For the first few days, it’s completely normal to see some redness and swelling. The area might feel sore, similar to a sunburn, and you may notice a little bit of fluid or excess ink oozing. This is just your body’s natural healing response kicking in. The outer layer of your skin will typically heal within two to three weeks. During this time, you’ll likely experience some peeling and itching—whatever you do, don’t scratch!

While your tattoo might look healed on the surface after a few weeks, the deeper layers of skin take much longer to fully recover, sometimes up to four months. Larger or more densely colored pieces may take even longer. Being patient and continuing to care for your skin during this entire period is key to a beautifully settled tattoo.

Protect Your Art: How Aftercare Shapes Your Tattoo

How you care for your tattoo in the first few weeks directly impacts how it will look for the rest of your life. Because a new tattoo is a wound, your main goals are to keep it clean and properly moisturized. This prevents bacteria from causing an infection and ensures the skin can repair itself without forming scar tissue over your design. However, there’s a fine line between moisturized and suffocated. Using too much ointment can clog your pores and trap moisture, which actually slows down healing. A thin, breathable layer is all you need.

Long-term care is just as important. The sun is the number one enemy of a vibrant tattoo. UV rays break down the ink pigments in your skin, causing colors to fade and lines to blur over time. Once your tattoo is fully healed, make sunscreen a non-negotiable part of your routine. Applying a high-SPF, broad-spectrum sunscreen will protect your tattoo and keep it looking as crisp as the day you got it.

Build Your Tattoo Aftercare Toolkit

Walking out of our shop with a fresh tattoo is an amazing feeling. You’ve collaborated with one of our artists, sat through the session, and now you have a beautiful piece of art on your skin. The next step is just as important: aftercare. To make sure your new tattoo looks just as incredible for years to come, you’ll need a few key products. Think of it as building a small, specialized first-aid kit for your tattoo. Having these items ready before your appointment means you can go home and focus on relaxing and letting your skin heal, without a last-minute scramble to the pharmacy.

The right toolkit is simple, and it makes all the difference in helping your tattoo heal beautifully and stay vibrant. It takes the guesswork out of the process, so you can confidently care for your skin from day one. Proper aftercare prevents infection, reduces scabbing, and helps the ink settle correctly, which directly impacts the sharpness and brightness of your healed tattoo. A little preparation goes a long way in protecting your investment and ensuring the final result is something you’ll love forever. Let’s get your kit ready.

Start with a Healing Ointment or Balm

For the first few days, your tattoo is essentially an open wound that needs protection. This is where a good healing ointment comes in. Your main goal is to create a thin, breathable barrier that keeps the area clean and moisturized without suffocating the skin. You only need a very light layer—just enough to make the tattoo shine slightly. Overdoing it can trap moisture and bacteria, which can lead to irritation or infection. Products like Aquaphor are popular because they get the job done, but any thick, fragrance-free healing ointment will work well to kickstart the healing process.

Pick a Gentle, Fragrance-Free Cleanser

Keeping your new tattoo clean is one of the most important parts of aftercare. You’ll need to wash it a couple of times a day to remove any excess plasma, ink, and ointment buildup. The key is to use a very gentle, liquid, fragrance-free soap. Anything with harsh chemicals or strong scents can irritate your sensitive skin and interfere with healing, potentially affecting the color. Lather the soap in your hands with lukewarm water, gently wash the tattoo using only your fingertips, and rinse it thoroughly. When you’re done, carefully pat the area dry with a clean paper towel to avoid any friction.

Choose a Moisturizer for Lasting Vibrancy

After about three days of using a thick ointment, you’ll switch to a lighter, fragrance-free moisturizer. This is the product you’ll use for the next few weeks until the skin is no longer flaky or itchy. Regular moisturizing keeps the skin hydrated, which helps prevent scabs from getting too thick and cracking. It also soothes the itchiness that’s a normal part of healing. A thin layer of a gentle lotion a few times a day will keep your ink looking sharp and support your skin as it finishes the final healing stages. This simple step is crucial for maintaining the vibrancy of your tattoo long-term.

Consider Optional Soaps and Sunscreens

Once your tattoo is fully healed (usually after two to four weeks), your focus shifts from healing to maintenance. The single biggest threat to your tattoo’s longevity is the sun. UV rays break down ink pigments and cause fading, turning crisp lines into blurry suggestions over time. To protect your investment, make sunscreen a non-negotiable part of your routine. Always apply a high-SPF, broad-spectrum sunscreen to your tattoo before sun exposure. If you ever have questions about which products are best for your skin or when it’s safe to start using sunscreen, you can always reach out to us for advice.

Our Go-To Aftercare Products

Walking out of the shop with fresh ink is an incredible feeling, but the work isn’t over yet. Now, it’s your turn to protect your new art. The aftercare products you choose will directly impact how your tattoo heals and how vibrant it looks for years to come. Stepping into a pharmacy can feel overwhelming—there are countless lotions, soaps, and balms all claiming to be the best. To make it simple, we’ve put together a list of our tried-and-true favorites. These are the products we use ourselves and recommend to our clients because they are gentle, effective, and consistently deliver great results. Think of this as your official aftercare shopping list, curated by the artists at Wild Heart. Investing in the right products is an investment in your tattoo, ensuring it heals perfectly and stays looking its best.

Top-Rated Healing Ointments and Balms

For the first few days, your tattoo is an open wound that needs a protective barrier to heal properly. A quality healing ointment is essential for this initial stage. Its job is to shield your skin from bacteria and friction from your clothes while allowing it to breathe. We consistently recommend Aquaphor Healing Ointment because its simple, trusted formula gets the job done without unnecessary additives. For those who prefer a vegan product, Hustle Butter Deluxe is a fantastic, plant-based option that soothes the skin and smells amazing. With either choice, remember that less is more—apply a very thin layer to create a protective sheen, not a thick coat.

The Best Gentle Cleansers

Keeping your new tattoo clean is just as crucial as keeping it moisturized, but the wrong soap can do more harm than good. You need a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser that will wash away plasma and excess ink without stripping your skin’s natural moisture or causing irritation. We love Dr. Bronner’s 18-in-1 Hemp Baby Unscented Pure-Castile Soap for its pure, simple ingredients. Another excellent and accessible choice is the Dove Sensitive Skin Beauty Bar. Some of our artists also give a nod to Dial Gold Antibacterial Soap for its effective yet gentle cleansing power. Proper tattoo aftercare always starts with a clean foundation, and these soaps provide exactly that.

Our Favorite Moisturizers for Every Stage

After the first few days of using an ointment, you’ll switch to a lighter lotion to keep your skin hydrated as it continues to heal. This is the stage where you combat the dreaded flaking and itching. The right moisturizer will soothe your skin and provide the hydration needed to keep your tattoo’s colors bright and its lines crisp for the long haul. We recommend looking for a fragrance-free and alcohol-free formula like Lubriderm Daily Moisture Lotion or Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion. Both are lightweight, absorb quickly without feeling greasy, and are gentle enough for healing skin. Your specific Wild Heart artist can give you personalized advice on the perfect time to make the switch.

Great Vegan and All-Natural Options

If you prefer to stick with vegan or all-natural products, you’re in luck—there are some amazing options available that are perfect for healing tattoos. As we mentioned, Hustle Butter Deluxe is a top-tier vegan balm that works beautifully through every stage of the aftercare process. Another product we love is Dr. Bronner’s Unscented Organic Magic Balm. It’s packed with nourishing, organic ingredients like avocado and coconut oil, making it incredibly soothing for sensitive and healing skin. These products prove you don’t have to compromise your values for quality aftercare. If you’re ever unsure whether a product is right for your new tattoo, just ask us.

Choose the Right Products for Your Skin

Walking down the pharmacy aisle can feel overwhelming, but choosing the right aftercare product doesn’t have to be complicated. Your healing skin is sensitive, so the goal is to find something that’s gentle, hydrating, and protective. It’s less about a specific brand and more about what’s inside the bottle. Getting familiar with a few key ingredients will help you pick a winner and ensure your new tattoo gets the best care possible.

Look for These Healing Ingredients

When you’re scanning product labels, think ‘gentle’ and ‘soothing.’ Your new tattoo is an open wound, so you want to treat it kindly. Look for products with natural, healing ingredients that calm inflammation and provide moisture without suffocating your skin. Aloe vera is fantastic for soothing irritation, while vitamin E, cocoa butter, and shea butter are great for hydration. These ingredients support your body’s natural healing process, helping your skin repair itself while keeping your new ink safe and sound. They provide everything your skin needs to heal well.

Steer Clear of These Irritating Ingredients

Just as important as what you use is what you avoid. The biggest offender to skip is heavy, 100% petroleum-based jelly. While it seems like a good barrier, it can actually trap moisture and bacteria against your skin. This can clog pores and even cause ink to fade over time, as many health experts point out. Also, be sure to pass on anything with added fragrances or dyes. These can easily irritate your sensitive, healing skin, leading to redness and a longer, more uncomfortable healing process.

How to Read an Ingredient Label

You don’t need to be a scientist to decode an ingredient label. When you pick up a product, just flip it over and look for a few key phrases. ‘Fragrance-free’ and ‘hypoallergenic’ are your best friends—they signal that the product is made for sensitive skin. Products specifically formulated for tattoos are often your safest bet. If you’re ever unsure, don’t hesitate to ask us for a recommendation. We’ve seen what works and can point you toward trusted products that help our clients’ tattoos heal perfectly.

Does a Higher Price Tag Mean Better Care?

It’s easy to assume that the most expensive ointment is the best, but that’s not always true. What really matters are the ingredients inside the bottle, not the price on the sticker. A simple, affordable, fragrance-free lotion can work wonders. Think of aftercare as part of the total investment in your tattoo. You chose a piece of art from one of our talented artists, and the right aftercare protects that investment for years. A few extra dollars for a quality product is a small price to pay to ensure your tattoo heals beautifully.

Your Day-by-Day Healing Timeline

Every tattoo heals differently, but knowing the general stages can make the process feel much more manageable. Think of this as your roadmap from a fresh, tender piece of art to a beautifully settled part of you. Your body is doing amazing work, and your job is to give it the right support along the way. Remember, patience is key—great results come from great care.

The First 72 Hours: Clean and Protect

This initial phase is all about creating a clean, protected environment for your skin to begin healing. Your artist will bandage your new tattoo; keep this on for the first few hours as they instructed. When it’s time to remove it, wash your hands first. Gently wash the tattoo with lukewarm water and a fragrance-free soap, then pat it dry with a clean paper towel—don’t rub it. Apply a very thin layer of a healing ointment like Aquaphor. Your skin will likely feel sore and might look red and a little weepy. This is completely normal. If you have any immediate questions, don’t hesitate to contact your artist.

The Itchy and Peely Phase (Days 4-14)

Welcome to the most tempting stage of healing. As your tattoo scabs over, it’s going to get itchy. Seriously itchy. Resist the urge to scratch or pick at the flakes of skin and ink. Pulling off a scab before it’s ready can pull out ink and lead to patchiness or scarring. Instead of scratching, gently apply a thin layer of a fragrance-free, alcohol-free moisturizer to soothe the area. You can do this several times a day. This daily routine will keep the skin hydrated, reduce the itch, and help the scabs flake off naturally when they’re ready.

Beyond Two Weeks: Maintain Your Ink’s Vibrancy

Once the scabs have flaked away, your tattoo might look a little dull or cloudy as the final layers of skin heal. Keep moisturizing daily to help your skin get back to its healthy, hydrated state. The most important long-term habit to start now is sun protection. The sun is the number one enemy of vibrant tattoos. Always apply a broad-spectrum, high-SPF sunscreen to your tattoo before going outside. For extended sun exposure, covering your ink with clothing is the best defense. Using the right tattoo aftercare products will keep your art looking crisp for years.

Adjust Your Routine for Your Skin Type

Your skin is unique, and your aftercare should be, too. The products that work for your friend might not be the best fit for you. If you have sensitive skin, stick to hypoallergenic and fragrance-free products to avoid irritation. For oily skin, a lightweight, non-greasy lotion will prevent clogged pores. If your skin is on the drier side, you’ll benefit from a thicker, more hydrating cream. The type of tattoo matters, too—a delicate, single-needle piece may heal differently than a fully saturated color design. Our team of artists can always give you personalized recommendations based on your skin and your new tattoo.

Apply Your Products the Right Way

Having the right aftercare products is only half the battle; knowing how to use them correctly is what truly makes the difference in how your tattoo heals. The goal isn’t just to slather on lotion and hope for the best. It’s about creating the perfect environment for your skin to repair itself while preserving the crisp lines and vibrant color of your new art. Applying too much product can be just as damaging as applying too little, potentially leading to clogged pores or a soggy, slow-healing tattoo.

Think of it as a delicate balance. Your skin needs to breathe, but it also needs moisture and protection from the elements. Your artist gave you specific instructions for a reason—they know how their work heals best. Following their guidance and using the right techniques will help you avoid common pitfalls like scabbing or infection. Let’s walk through the proper way to apply your products so your tattoo heals beautifully and stays brilliant for years to come.

How to Apply Ointment and Lotion

First things first: always wash your hands thoroughly before touching your new tattoo. Once your tattoo is clean and gently patted dry with a paper towel, you’re ready to moisturize. During the first couple of days, your artist might recommend a healing ointment like A+D or Aquaphor. Squeeze a small, pea-sized amount onto your fingertips. Gently rub the ointment or lotion over your tattoo, applying a very thin layer that’s just enough to make the ink shine. The key is to massage it in completely so it doesn’t leave a thick, greasy film. Your skin should feel hydrated, not suffocated.

Find the Sweet Spot: Not Too Much, Not Too Little

It’s easy to think that more moisturizer means faster healing, but that’s a common mistake. Over-moisturizing can trap moisture and bacteria, leading to a bubbly-looking rash or even an infection. As a general rule, you only need to moisturize your new tattoo once or twice a day. A thin layer in the morning and another in the evening is usually plenty. If your skin feels tight or dry, you can apply a little more, but listen to your body. The goal is to keep the skin supple without drowning it. A properly moisturized tattoo will look slightly shiny and feel comfortable, not sticky or wet.

What Healthy Healing Looks and Feels Like

Your new tattoo is essentially a beautiful, artistic wound, so it’s normal for your body to react. For the first few days, expect the area to be red, swollen, and tender to the touch. It might even feel warm, similar to a sunburn. You’ll also likely see some fluid weeping from the tattoo—this is a mix of plasma, blood, and excess ink, and it’s a completely normal part of the healing process. After this initial phase, your tattoo will start to peel and itch. Resist the urge to scratch or pick at it! This is just your skin regenerating, and letting it flake off naturally is crucial for a clean result.

Red Flags: When to Call Us or a Doctor

While some redness and swelling are normal, there are a few warning signs you should never ignore. If the redness starts to spread significantly beyond the tattoo, the pain gets worse instead of better, or the area feels hot for more than a few days, it could be a sign of infection. Look out for excessive swelling, bumps, or any pus that is yellow or green. If you notice any of these symptoms, please contact us right away so we can take a look. Your health is the top priority, and if an infection seems likely, we will always advise you to see a doctor for proper medical care.

Avoid These Common Aftercare Mistakes

Getting your aftercare products right is half the battle. The other half is using them correctly and avoiding a few common pitfalls that can get in the way of a smooth healing process. We see it all the time—people with the best intentions accidentally slow down their healing or damage their new art. But don’t worry, these mistakes are easy to sidestep once you know what to look for. We want your experience to be amazing from the moment you sit in our chair to the day your tattoo is fully healed. To help you protect your new piece, let’s walk through the most common aftercare mistakes and how to avoid them.

The Problem with Over-Moisturizing

Yes, you can definitely over-moisturize a new tattoo. While keeping your ink hydrated is crucial, slathering on too much lotion can clog your pores and trap moisture, creating a breeding ground for bacteria. This can lead to bumpy, irritated skin or even an infection. The most common slip-up isn’t the moisturizing itself, but applying lotion to a damp tattoo. Always make sure you gently pat the area completely dry with a clean paper towel before applying a very thin layer of product. Think “less is more” to let your skin breathe and heal properly.

Applying Products Incorrectly

How you apply your aftercare products is just as important as which ones you choose. Always use a very thin, breathable layer of ointment or lotion. Applying too much can suffocate the tattoo, preventing it from getting the air it needs to heal. Another classic mistake is reaching for 100% petroleum-based products like Vaseline. While it might seem like a good barrier, it can trap moisture and bacteria against your skin, which can lead to infection and potentially cause the ink to fade. Stick to products designed specifically for tattoo healing to ensure your art stays crisp and vibrant.

Activities to Skip While You Heal

For the first few weeks, your new tattoo needs to be protected from the elements. That means you’ll have to press pause on a few activities. Soaking your tattoo is a major no-go, so avoid swimming pools, hot tubs, and long baths for at least two to three weeks. Submerging your tattoo can introduce bacteria and affect how the ink settles. Showers are perfectly fine—just don’t let the water beat down on it directly. You also need to keep your new ink out of the sun, as UV rays can cause fading and damage the sensitive, healing skin. A little patience now goes a long way.

Know When to Ask for Help

Most tattoos heal without a hitch, but it’s smart to know what to look for just in case. Some redness, swelling, and tenderness are normal for the first few days. However, if you notice spreading redness, excessive swelling that doesn’t go down, or any pus, it could be a sign of infection. A fever or chills are also serious red flags. If your tattoo is still very red and painful after five days, or if you experience any of these more severe symptoms, it’s time to get a professional opinion. Don’t hesitate to contact us or see a doctor. Your health and safety are the top priority.

Create an Aftercare Routine That Sticks

The secret to a tattoo that looks incredible for years to come isn’t a secret at all—it’s consistency. Building a simple aftercare routine is the most important thing you can do after leaving the shop. Think of it as a small daily ritual that protects your new art and ensures it heals perfectly. It doesn’t have to be complicated. By breaking it down into a few manageable steps, you can easily make aftercare a natural part of your day. Your tattoo artist gives you the art; the routine is how you honor it.

Your Simple Morning Routine

Start your day by giving your new tattoo a little attention. Before you do anything else, gently wash the tattooed area with lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance-free soap. Use your fingertips to lather the soap—never a washcloth or loofah, which can be too abrasive and harbor bacteria. Rinse away all the soap residue completely so it doesn’t dry out or irritate your skin. Once it’s clean, don’t rub it with a towel. Instead, gently pat the area dry with a clean paper towel and let it air-dry for a few minutes before getting dressed. This simple step removes any bacteria that may have accumulated overnight and preps your skin for healing.

Your Quick Evening Routine

Your evening routine is just as straightforward as your morning one. Begin by washing your tattoo the same way you did in the morning: with lukewarm water and a gentle, fragrance-free soap. After patting it dry, it’s time to moisturize. For the first few days, your artist will likely recommend a healing ointment like A+D or Aquaphor. Apply a very thin layer—just enough to make the tattoo shine, but not so much that it looks greasy. This protective barrier keeps the skin hydrated and safe while you sleep. Each of our artists has their preferred products, so always follow the specific advice they give you.

How to Adapt Your Routine as You Heal

Your tattoo’s needs will change as it heals, so your routine should, too. For the first few days, a thick healing ointment creates a protective barrier. But after about three to five days, you’ll likely notice the initial peeling and flaking has subsided. This is your cue to switch from a heavy ointment to a lighter, fragrance-free lotion. Ointments are great for the initial wound-care stage, but extended use can clog pores. A good lotion will provide the necessary hydration for the remainder of the healing process without suffocating the skin. This daily routine can help guide you through each stage of healing.

Simple Habits to Keep Your Tattoo Looking Fresh

Once your tattoo is fully healed, aftercare doesn’t just stop. To keep your ink looking sharp and vibrant for a lifetime, adopt a couple of simple habits. First, make sunscreen your best friend. Sun exposure is the number one cause of tattoo fading. Always apply a broad-spectrum, high-SPF sunscreen to your tattoo whenever it’s exposed to the sun, even on cloudy days. Second, stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water is essential for skin health, and healthy skin means a healthy-looking tattoo. These small habits make a huge difference in preserving the color and detail of your art. For more tips, check out our shop’s info page.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my tattoo is healing normally or if it’s infected? It’s completely normal for a new tattoo to be red, a bit swollen, and tender for the first few days, much like a sunburn. You might also see some clear fluid or excess ink. The key difference is that normal healing symptoms gradually improve. An infection, on the other hand, will get worse. Look for warning signs like redness that spreads far beyond the tattoo, increasing pain after the third day, excessive swelling, or any yellow or green pus. If you feel feverish or notice any of these red flags, contact us or a doctor right away.

My tattoo is super itchy and peeling. Is this normal and what should I do? Yes, the itchy and flaky stage is a totally normal—if annoying—part of the process. It means your skin is healing and regenerating. The absolute most important thing to do is resist the urge to scratch or pick at the flakes. Pulling off a scab too early can pull ink out with it, leaving you with a patchy tattoo. Instead of scratching, gently apply a thin layer of a fragrance-free moisturizer. This will soothe the itch and keep the skin hydrated, allowing the flakes to fall off naturally when they’re ready.

Can I just use regular Vaseline or my scented body lotion on my new tattoo? Please don’t. While it might seem like a good idea, 100% petroleum jelly like Vaseline is too thick and can trap moisture and bacteria, which suffocates your skin and can lead to infection. Similarly, your favorite scented body lotion contains fragrances and chemicals that can seriously irritate a healing wound. It’s best to stick with products that are specifically designed for sensitive, healing skin, like a gentle, fragrance-free ointment for the first few days, followed by a simple, unscented lotion.

How long do I actually need to follow this aftercare routine? The initial, intensive aftercare routine of washing and moisturizing lasts until the tattoo is done peeling and the skin’s surface feels smooth, which is typically about two to four weeks. However, aftercare doesn’t truly end there. To keep your tattoo looking sharp for life, you’ll want to shift to a maintenance mindset. This means always protecting your tattoo from the sun with a high-SPF sunscreen, as UV rays are the primary cause of fading and blurred lines over time.

I have really sensitive skin. What’s the most important thing to look for in an aftercare product? If you have sensitive skin, your mantra should be “simple and gentle.” The most important thing is to choose products that are labeled “fragrance-free” and “hypoallergenic.” Fragrances and unnecessary additives are the most common culprits for irritation. Look for products with short ingredient lists that contain soothing components like shea butter or vitamin E. When in doubt, you can always do a small patch test on another area of your skin before applying it to your new tattoo.

Best Tattoo Aftercare Products for Healing & Vibrancy