7 must-know tattoo aftercare products
Tattoos can be fickle when you first ink them. They are sensitive to sunlight, sweat, water, and any other body element that occurs naturally. Tattoo artists advice against swimming in saltwater or spending the mornings tanning on a beach. It is absolutely necessary to take care of the new piece of art inked on your skin so that it looks crisp and fresh even after a couple of years.

Not taking proper care of your tattoo in its initial weeks of healing can put your skin under the risk of scarring and infection. Moreover, your tattoo might lose its color and appear faded in under a month.

Here are quick tips you should know for the perfect tattoo aftercare:

• Avoid exposing your tattoo to direct sunlight as it might slow the healing process
• Keep the tattoo and skin area around it dry and clean
• Wash the tattoo twice a day with fragrance-free soap.

Apart from this, here are 7 tattoo aftercare products that can help in healing the skin and making the art on your skin look new for longer.

Aveeno Daily moisturizing lotion
Moisturizing is a crucial component to make a tattoo look fresh for longer. Aveeno daily moisturizing lotion is unscented and recommended by several dermatologists. The lotion helps nourish your skin with colloidal oatmeal and reduce any redness, dryness, and skin inflammation. Tattoos are technically wounds; hence, a moisturizer prevents scabbing of the new skin and ensures a successful healing process. The lotion should be applied sparingly and massaged all the way in. However, keep in mind that over-moisturizing can cause the ink of the tattoo peel and itch, slowing the healing process.

Aquaphor Advanced Therapy Healing Ointment
Acting as a skin protectant for chapped and dry skin, this healing ointment can be used in conjunction with other tattoo aftercare products for healing. The Aquaphor healing ointment is made of approximately 41% of petroleum, which helps in shielding the tattoo from water while taking a bath during the days of healing. It also contains glycerin for moisturizing the skin around the tattoo to protect the wound from scabbing.

3M Nexcare Tegaderm Transparent Dressing
This tattoo aftercare product is a bandage. It collects the liquid from the new tattoo, helping to keep the tattoo dry. Tattoo artists recommend that you can keep the bandage on for up to four days without having to think about moisturizing and cleaning the tattoo.

Billy Jealousy Tattoo Lotion
This tattoo aftercare product polishes and exfoliates skin without stripping the fine detailing of the artwork of your new tattoo. It consists of cucumber and hydrolyzed oat proteins that help in retaining moisture and color of the new tattoo and enhancing its appearance. The shea butter and essential oils help in nourishing the skin, unclogging the pores, and removing the dead skin around the tattoo.

H2Ocean Ocean Care Tattoo Aftercare Cream
The product is a vegan-friendly cream delivering enough nourishment to preserve the ink. The makers endorse the cream with ingredients like vitamins and minerals, each selected to speed up the healing process. The cream is petroleum-free; therefore, it won’t stick to the finest threads of the tattoo. The cream is also available in a three-step tattoo aftercare product containing moisturizer and an antibacterial soap.

Tattoo Goo Original Aftercare Lotion
The Tattoo Goo Original Aftercare Lotion spreads evenly to form a thin layer and it doesn’t interfere with the skin’s natural moisturizing process. This lotion penetrates deep enough to enhance pigmentation of the tattoo. It is also popular for its ability to heal flakiness.

Ed Hardy Get Ripped Cooling Bronzer Tattoo Fade Protection Tanning Lotion
An oil-free serum that prevents fading of the tattoo, this tanning lotion also stimulates tyrosine (an amino acid present in the body) that helps in restoring the color of a tattoo.