Tattoo aftercare balm
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- Hustle Butter Fragrance-Free Tattoo Balm. Best for: Fresh tattoos and daily long-term care. See options on Amazon
- Mad Rabbit Tattoo Soothing Gel. Best for: Itchy fresh tattoos. See options on Amazon
- Fragrance-free lotion for tattoos. Best for: A simple everyday moisturizer. See options on Amazon
The first two weeks
Mayo Clinic says most tattoos take about two weeks to settle. Its care steps for that period:
- Keep it clean. Wash the tattooed area twice a day with soap and water, gently. In the shower, avoid direct streams of water on the new tattoo.
- Pat dry. Do not rub it.
- Moisturize. Apply a mild moisturizer to the tattooed skin several times a day.
- Avoid sun. Keep the area out of the sun until it has fully settled.
- No swimming. Stay out of pools, hot tubs, rivers, lakes and other bodies of water.
- Loose clothing. Do not wear anything that might stick to the tattoo.
Large or unusual tattoos may need extra steps, so ask your tattoo artist for specific directions.
Balm, gel or lotion?
| Type | Example | Maker notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tattoo balm | Hustle Butter Fragrance-Free Tattoo Balm | Vegan, petroleum-free, no added fragrance; buttery texture |
| Soothing gel | Mad Rabbit Tattoo Soothing Gel | Cooling gel with aloe vera and allantoin; free of petroleum-based ingredients and mineral oils |
| Plain lotion | Any mild, fragrance-free lotion | Matches Mayo Clinic's advice to use a mild moisturizer |
Details are from each maker's product page. Hustle Butter says its balm can be used during a session as a glide, daily while the tattoo settles, and long term as daily tattoo care. Mad Rabbit says its gel is meant to calm itchiness in fresh ink.
How to apply a tattoo balm
- Wash your hands first, then wash the tattoo gently and pat it dry.
- Reapply through the day. Moisturizing several times a day is part of Mayo Clinic's advice; a balm or gel is simply one way to do it.
- Fragrance-free if you can. Hustle Butter made its fragrance-free version for people who prefer no added fragrance on fresh tattoos.
- Do not pick or scratch. Itching is common as the skin settles; a cooling gel is one option, and Mad Rabbit markets its gel for itchiness in fresh ink.
- Follow your artist. Artists may use a protective wrap or give their own schedule.
For a gentle body wash, see our body wash guide.
After the first weeks: sun and long-term care
Once the tattoo has settled, sun protection helps keep it looking its best. Keep fresh tattoos covered and out of the sun at first, as Mayo Clinic advises, and once the skin has fully closed, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen on it; see our mineral sunscreen guide. Hustle Butter, for example, sells an SPF 50 mineral sunscreen alongside its balm.
Hustle Butter says its balm can be used forever after as daily tattoo care to keep color looking vibrant. Any daily moisturizer helps keep skin soft; see our body lotion guide.
Risks to know about
Mayo Clinic lists several tattoo risks worth knowing before and after:
- Ink allergy. An itchy rash at the site can appear even years later, and red ink is more often involved.
- Infection. Contaminated ink or poorly sterilized equipment can cause it.
- Keloids. Raised scar tissue can form; see our silicone scar gel guide.
- Blood-borne disease. Contaminated equipment can spread hepatitis B and C, so Mayo Clinic suggests a hepatitis B vaccine beforehand.
Mayo Clinic also suggests a studio with properly trained staff and sealed or sterilized equipment.
When to see a doctor
Mayo Clinic says to contact a health care professional if you think your tattoo might be infected or is not settling correctly. Signs worth checking include spreading redness, warmth, swelling, pus, fever, or a rash or bumps that appear in the tattoo, even long after. If you are thinking about removal, talk to a dermatologist; Mayo Clinic notes removal usually takes several sessions and may not remove a tattoo completely.
What to look for when you buy
Hustle Butter Fragrance-Free Tattoo Balm
Best for: Fresh tattoos and daily long-term care
Hustle Butter describes a vegan, petroleum-free balm with no added fragrance for use during and after the tattoo process.
Watch out: Use a thin layer and follow your artist's directions.
See options on AmazonMad Rabbit Tattoo Soothing Gel
Best for: Itchy fresh tattoos
Mad Rabbit lists aloe vera and allantoin in a cooling gel free of petroleum-based ingredients and mineral oils.
Watch out: Patch test if you have sensitive skin.
See options on AmazonFragrance-free lotion for tattoos
Best for: A simple everyday moisturizer
Mayo Clinic advises a mild moisturizer several times a day on new tattoos.
Watch out: Avoid fragranced lotions on fresh skin.
See options on AmazonQuestions people ask
- How long does tattoo aftercare take?
- Mayo Clinic says most tattoos take about two weeks to settle.
- How often should I wash a new tattoo?
- Twice a day with soap and water, gently, per Mayo Clinic.
- Can I swim with a new tattoo?
- No. Mayo Clinic says stay out of pools, hot tubs and open water until it settles.
- Balm or lotion for a new tattoo?
- Either can work; Mayo Clinic advises a mild moisturizer several times a day.
- Which tattoo ink color causes the most allergies?
- Mayo Clinic says red ink tends to be more prone to allergic reactions.
Sources
- Tattoos: Understand risks and precautions (mayoclinic.org), Mayo Clinic
- Hustle Butter Fragrance-Free Tattoo Balm (hustlebutter.com), Hustle Butter
- Tattoo Soothing Gel (madrabbit.com), Mad Rabbit