The Right Way to Moisturize a Tattoo for the Best Healing Process

Your tattoo, while a great work of art, is also an open wound. You’ve just had a needle poke holes repeatedly into your skin by your tattoo artist! It’s very important to keep the tattoo area moisturized to help the skin heal properly.

Use a high-quality moisturizer to help prevent the skin from drying out. Dry skin can cause your tattoo to scab, crack, and it can even cause the ink to look dull. If you use the moisturizer too heavily, you can trap bacteria in the open wounds.

This can cause the tattoo to heal slower than it should. All you need is a very thin layer of fragrance-free lotion or ointment to help maintain your tattoo and keep it moisturized without causing damage.

How Often Should You Moisturize a New Tattoo?

So, how long should you apply your moisturizer? Twice a day will be enough. Once in the morning and once at night will work well. As we mentioned previously, using too much can trap bacteria and set up an infection, and you definitely don’t want to have to worry about that. Before you apply moisturizer, take time to allow your skin to breathe.

You'll want to gently wash your skin with warm water and mild soap. Your tattoo will need gentle care for several weeks. Don’t dry the tattoo by rubbing it with a towel! Instead, gently pat dry with a clean paper towel or soft towel before you apply the moisturizer.

Your goal with moisturizer is to keep your tattoo hydrated but making sure your skin can still breathe. Remember that over-moisturizing can cause your tattoo to hold in bacteria and can cause it to fade or bubble. 

Signs You’re Over-Moisturizing Your Tattoo

Now that you know you can moisturize without overdoing it, let’s talk about some signs you’ll want to watch out for that will let you know if you’re using too much lotion or ointment. Keep in mind, these things don’t always happen, but it’s better to take steps to prevent them instead of having to deal with them later.

• Tattoo Bubbling – When there is too much moisture on the tattooed area, it can cause the surface to become swollen and sticky. It causes the ink to bubble and peel.

• Clogged Pores – Too much moisture in the skin can clog pores which can trap bacteria and increase your risk of infection.

• Excessive Scabbing – While some scabbing is normal when you get a tattoo, a thick layer of moisturizer can cause scabs to become too soft and peel prematurely.

If you notice any of these signs, or signs of infection like redness or pain, reduce the amount of lotion or ointment you’re applying and allow your tattoo to dry naturally before reapplying.

During the healing process, you also don’t want the tattoo to itch because when you scratch, you can cause an infection or cause other damage to the tattoo. It’s important to stay on top of things so you can reduce the risk of damage to the tattoo, and your skin.

  What’s the Best Moisturizer for Tattoo Aftercare?

Choosing the right aftercare cream is going to be the most important thing you’ll do once you get the tattoo. The best tattoo aftercare products are going to be those that are fragrance-free, lightweight, and will let the skin heal properly. Some popular options include:

• Dermeleve® – A light ointment that has healing ingredients including shea butter and ceramides that help protect the skin without clogging pores. A well moisturized tattoo will heal with less scabbing, and will maintain a vibrant appearance. 

• Aquaphor- This is an ointment that works very well for new tattoos. It's lightweight and can be used several times each day to help protect your new tattoo. Be sure to apply a thin layer when using Aquaphor as it can block your pores if it is used too heavily. 

• Tattoo Goo – A specially formulated aftercare cream designed for fresh ink.

• Fragrance-Free Lotions – Simple, non-irritating lotions that hydrate the skin without excess moisture. Remember, too much moisturizer is not good for your tattoo. 

When applying moisturizer, always use a clean hand and apply a small amount to avoid over-moisturizing. Try not to rub your ointment or lotion into the skin too roughly as it can damage the tattoo. Itching is a normal sensation that you may feel with a healing tattoo. While it may be tempting, do your best not to scratch as it can cause redness and broken skin. Your tattoo will most likely need to be treated with care for two to four weeks to properly heal all the way. The right amount of moisturizer will help speed up the process and will lower the amount of scabbing that you'll see. 

How to Keep Your Tattoo Looking Its Best

Once your tattoo is fully healed, you’re going to need to stay on top of your skincare routine to keep your tattoo looking nice. Using a quality product like Dermeleve® is going to be your best defense against dry skin and will help ensure your tattoo stays hydrated as it heals. If your tattoo starts to look dull, add a small amount of moisturizer to help it stay hydrated.

Here Are Some More Tips to Keep Your Your Tattoo Looking Great

• Moisturize your tattoo twice a day with a thin layer of fragrance-free lotion or ointment.

• Avoid over-moisturizing, which can cause clogged pores, bubbling, or excessive scabbing.

• Choose the right moisturizer like Dermeleve® which is a fragrance-free lotion packed with healthy ingredients to keep skin hydrated, soft, and protected.

• Let your tattoo breathe by applying only a small amount of product.

• Wash gently with warm water before applying moisturizer to prevent infections.

• Keep your tattoo protected from excessive sun exposure to prevent fading. It can also cause inflamed skin, and you definitely don't want that to happen. 

Morning and night are the best times to use your healing ointment or lotion to help heal your tattoo. If your tattoo looks dry during the day, you can of course apply more than twice a day.

It’s easy to get the best products to use on your tattoo and to help your skin to heal. Be sure to buy Dermeleve® now and start the healing process that your skin needs most. Keeping your new tattoo clean and moisturized creates the perfect environment for proper healing and vibrant, long-lasting ink.