Best Tattoo Aftercare Products: Reviews and Buying Guide 2023
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Tattoo aftercare is not to be overlooked. This phase is just as important as finding a tattoo design and an artist to work with. Tattooing causes quite a lot of pain because needles are continuously poking through the skin during the process.
While it may not be noticeable due to being disguised by the ink, the skin would, in fact, be damaged in the end. It takes time for it to heal.
Fortunately, you can take part in the recovery process by applying the best tattoo aftercare products.
Why do they matter?
Remember that there are many problems that arise from getting a tattoo. Without proper care, the first few days will be painful and unbearable.
Some products are designed to manage these symptoms. Not only do they reduce inflammation, but some also have antimicrobial properties. They are important to lower the risk of infection since bacteria can spread through open wounds.
Related: New Tattoo Cream | Tattoo Cover Makeup | Tattoo Ointment | Tattoo Soap | Tattoo Concealer | Tattoo Numbing Cream
Best Tattoo Aftercare Products
1. Tazay Tattoo Aftercare Ointment
One of the biggest concerns about having a new tattoo is scar formation. But with the right products, you can help the skin heal correctly.
Of all aftercare creams, this is probably the holy grail you are looking for. It helps speed up tissue healing with its potent anti-inflammatory properties. It can also prevent melanin from appearing on the area of the tattoo, making it look seamless.
This product is enriched with Vitamin D and E. They are commonly used in the treatment of skin problems, such as scars and burns. Apply this cream regularly, you will find the symptoms improve within days.
The best part is the cream comes in individual packs, so there’s no risk of contamination as you can rip open a different sachet each day.
Not only does it facilitate skin healing, but it also maintains the beauty of your tattoo. Make sure to clean it before application. For the best results, you can repeat 2 or 3 times daily.
2. CannaSmack Ink Guard SPF 30 Tattoo Sunscreen & Ink Fade Shield Stick
If you’re passionate about animal-free products, try is a must try. It’s 100% made of natural ingredients which consist of essential oils and plant extracts.
What are the benefits?
You can prevent your tattoos from fading in the sun with this one-of-a-kind photostable UVB hypoallergenic, 100 percent non-comedogenic, and water-resistant solution.
It contains a significant amount of hemp seed oil, which is what makes this product so special.
Hemp seed oil has a high concentration of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, as well as Vitamins A, B, D, and E, all of which assist to hydrate and nourish your skin while also protecting your tattoos from fading.
Regarding the guidelines on animal test, from the product page, it turns out that the supplier really cares about this issue, too. They made sure that the product had passed strict regulations before it hit the market.
On a side note, this cream is also free of parabens and sulfates, which have become progressively controversial in recent years.
3. Dr Pickles Premium Tattoo Aftercare Balm
The appearance of scabs on a new tattoo is normal, but you can do something to make them less visible.
Don’t pick or scratch as this will do more harm than good. Instead, you should just apply this product to aid in the tissue healing.
This lotion is formulated with quality ingredients to prevent scabs and maintain the color quality of the new tattoo.
It’s manufactured in Australia with the current industry standards, resulting in a product that’s reliable for treating new tattoos.
There is a wide selection of natural ingredients in this cream, such as coconut oil, D-panthenol, and beeswax. They work together to restore the skin to its natural state before all the damage tattooing has done.
Don’t be surprised if your tattoo artist recommends this product because it’s quite popular among tattoo enthusiasts. It comes in tubes, so it’s easy to squeeze the cream out with hand pressure.
4. Sanibalm Tattoo Aftercare Roll On
This ointment can be used in conjunction with a bandage to provide maximum protection to your new tattoo. Just run it across the skin where the tattoo is at.
The active ingredients will start healing the wound and provide the needed moisture. And since it comes in a twist-up tube, it’s not going to spill all over your shirt during application.
This container allows easy application and storage. Heck, you can even carry it around since it’s small enough to fit in the pocket. It’s not hard to see why it’s one of the best choices for hydrating the skin.
One of the main ingredients is organic sea buckthorn oil, which is known for its healing properties. It can treat wounds, sunburns, and other skin problems.
On top of that, this product is totally safe for it has no harmful compounds like parabens and sulfates. It also doesn’t contain artificial preservatives.
5. Wipe Outz Advanced Tattoo Aftercare Wipes
The name of the product pretty much says it all. Yep, this is what you need to wipe out all the germs that try to infect your wound.
We’ve said that cleaning up a new tattoo regularly is important to prevent infection. The skin where you got the tattoo will become punctured following its completion. It can allow bad bacteria to thrive if you don’t clean it regularly.
This product can help control their growth. All you have to do is rip the package open, pull out the wipe, and then apply it all over the tattoo. It’s as simple as that.
You can repeat it up to 4 times daily to keep the skin clean. It doesn’t sting the skin, the reason being – the compounds are very mild and non-abrasive.
6. Urban ReLeaf Tattoo Skin Silk
If you have yet to buy a nourishing cream for you inflamed skin, we would recommend this one. It’s purely vegan-based, meaning that it has no compounds derived from animals. This is suitable for those looking for a natural approach to treat healing skin tissue.
The formula doesn’t clog the pores, which is essential to prevent bacterial growth. It also combines some of the most powerful herbs, like rosemary, tea tree, and lavender.
Application is easy. Besides, it doesn’t cause a stinging sensation since all the components are hypoallergenic. It feels wonderful on the skin. Whenever the tattoo feels itchy or dry, just rub the salve on it. Those problems will go away in no time.
Tips for choosing the best tattoo aftercare products
1. Natural
Some products put emphasis on natural ingredients. If you need aftercare products that are safe and gentle for the skin, then make sure they contain natural elements.
They should also be free of substances that can trigger allergic reactions, such as lanolin and petroleum. Mild formulas are better for damaged skin tissue.
Compounds that don’t normally cause irritation on normal skin can cause a lot of discomfort when they’re applied on a new tattoo.
2. Hydrating
A good aftercare product should retain skin moisture. There are a bunch of ingredients that can provide moisture to the skin. That’s why you should read the label before buying a product. This way, you know the exact formula.
Some of the components may have been proven for adding moisture to the healing skin. Also, pay attention to the type that a product belongs to. Some products are oil-based, while others are water-based.
When a product has a higher concentration of oil, it usually feels greasy. On the other hand, a water-based product is absorbed more quickly and feels less sticky. They are good in their own way, but may vary in application.
3. Anti-inflammatory properties
Pain is a symptom of inflammation. Whenever you decide to get tatted up, this will follow shortly after. It’s perfectly normal because it’s the body’s natural response to tissue damage. The good news is it will get better in the following days.
However, if you can’t cope with the pain and discomfort, applying an anti-inflammatory cream or lotion will help.
There are countless products with such properties. You need to find one with good quality, better yet by a reputable supplier. Some products also have compounds to promote skin growth, which is beneficial to speed the healing process.
Conclusion
The best tattoo aftercare products come in many forms. You don’t have to buy multiple if one is rich enough to heal the skin in various ways. For example, an ointment can act as a moisturizer and inhibit bacterial growth at the same time.
There’s nothing wrong with using multiple products, though. Some products are focused on certain ingredients, so they can’t do everything to repair your damaged skin.
Under such circumstances, combining a few ointments is the way to go. Just make sure they have different purposes, like if you already have one with anti-inflammatory properties, there is no need to buy another with this benefit.
Instead, you can purchase a lotion with SPF protection because they have totally different uses.
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