Are you totally in love with your new tattoo and want it to stay crisp and colourful forever?
There’s one thing you can do to look after your tattoo: cream.
A new tattoo is like a new favourite dress – but better. It lasts longer – at least, it will if you take care of it properly. In addition to keeping it clean and avoiding swimming, you need to use a good tattoo cream.
Why is cream so important for new tattoos?
Every tattoo is a wound. As wounds heal, a crust forms before normal, supple skin forms again on the site. These crusts can crack if they get too dry. In the case of a normal wound, this is painful and offers space for bacteria and infections. In the case of a tattoo, there is another decisive factor: if the crust breaks, the pattern breaks. The tattoo loses colour and/or shape. In the worst-case scenario, a nasty scar will form, which will also destroy it.
This is why using a good tattoo cream is important. By using a cream (and not just any old but gold moisturiser in your cupboard), you provide the skin with moisture and ensure your new body art isn’t ruined by scars. Plus, most tattoo creams help you to heal faster; and the faster your tattoo heals, the faster you can get back to regular life. Last but not least, a tattoo that’s had plenty of cream feels a thousand times better - the skin feels less tight and itches less.
Which tattoo cream is the right one?
With so many tattoo aftercare products on the market, choose one that suits your skin and feels best to you. Everyone’s skin is different, so what works for one person, won’t work for another. Here are a few things to consider before buying:
• Soaks into the skin quickly
• Not too greasy
• Supports wound healing
In the past, tattoos were often simply smeared with petroleum jelly to keep the wound nice and smooth. Many tattoo artists advise against this today because petroleum jelly is greasy and doesn’t support healing; classic healing ointments or special creams for tattoos are better.
The best thing is to get advice from your tattoo artist - they know your skin and your tattoo - and just give it a try. If you have allergies, you should of course consider this when choosing a tattoo.
The best tattoo creams: from classic to vegan
If you haven’t yet found your favourite tattoo after-care product - perhaps you’re about to get your first tattoo - the huge range of tattoo creams can be overwhelming. Here you’ll find a range of products recommended by tattoo artists and real customers.
The best tattoo creams
1 of 6Bepanthen Nappy Care Ointment
Yes, it's a nappy cream, we know. Bepanthen isn't technically a tattoo cream, but is often used as aftercare for fresh tattoos. It stimulates wound healing and is quickly absorbed. It's also usually cheaper than tattoo creams that you can get from your tattooist – plus, if you've got kids, you might already have it lying around.
One disadvantage is the firm consistency, which makes applying it a bit tricky – it can make the tattoo gooey for a while. Some say it's best for small tattoos, rather than big ones.
Our review: "Surprisingly, the best tattoo cream I've ever tried is Bepanthen. Not only does it help the ink heal quickly, but it also makes the colours stand out."
£8.15
- Rrp: £9.89
2 of 6Stories & Ink Tattoo Aftercare Duo
This gentle cleansing and healing duo is 100 per cent natural, dermatologically tested, and fragrance-free. Suitable for all skin types, it's hypoallergenic, vegan-friendly and goes to work to soothe redness and itchiness.
Our review: "I was a firm Bepanthen fan but I decided to try out this brand after reading positive reviews. I can whole-heartedly say I'll never use anything else, moving forward. The cream definitely helped my tattoo to heal more quickly after the initial cling film and gentle washing stages, and one tube lasts a really long time."
3 of 6Tattoo Goo ® Complete Tattoo Aftercare Kit
This set is great value for money, and contains Tattoo Goo Deep Cleansing Soap, Tattoo Goo, Tattoo Goo Quick Penetrating lotion and Tattoo Goo Renew SPF30, to protect your tattoo from the sun and revive the vibrancy of older ink.
Our review: "This Tattoo Goo aftercare kit has everything you need to heal your new ink and keep it looking fresh. The balm and lotion seem to heal the tattoo more quickly than other creams, and the wash gently cleans the area while ensuring it holds the colour well - plus, the combination of the two really soothes that frustrating itch. The tin is the perfect size to keep in your pocket or bag and the Renew lotion contains SPF which you can use long after your tattoo has healed to keep it protected."
4 of 6E45 Cream
A classic cream, usually used for dry and itchy skin, E45 provides an immediate barrier to help keep moisture in and irritants out.
Our review: "First, spend a few days with your new ink under cling film. This will help to prevent scaring, scabbing and marbling (especially important for joints and ditches). Make sure that you are regularly washing the tattoo with warm water and perfume-free soap, and letting it air dry before applying the fresh PVC wrap.
"After two or three days, apply aqueous cream between two and four times a day, depending on your skin type. This will keep the tattoo supple and moisturised, which will reduce flaking, keep the lines looking fresh and bold and won't bleach the colour. Make sure you don't go overboard with this though, as you don't want the tattoo to go gooey."
5 of 6TattooMed After Tattoo
Many tattoo artists and customers swear by TattooMed's tattoo care. It is easy to apply, absorbs quickly and isn't greasy. However, TattooMed's cream, like Bepanthen, contains paraffin, which can be harmful to the skin in the long run.
Amazon review: "I recently had a tattoo done and used this aftercare. You can believe the hype and the few videos on YouTube. This product is amazing. I used it together with the cleansing gel and patches and apart from some very mild itchiness after the first week, no scabs, no peeling, nothing."
6 of 6Butter Up Tattoo Aftercare
Butter Up contains only natural, organically derived ingredients and is 100 per cent vegan. The cocoa butter, avocado oil and sunflower seed oil help to heal fresh tattoos, keep the skin supple, and reinvigorate ink.
Amazon review: "I bought this on a whim and have to say it was bloody brilliant. Goes on with great ease and makes the tattoo so good. I would highly recommend this stuff to friends and family as it's the best stuff I have ever come across and I've used many different over-the-counter products as well as stuff from tattoo shops. Truly worked for me and still makes the tattoo pop months after."
How much cream is too much cream?
Don’t overdo it with tattoo cream. Apply it to your new tattoo between three and six times a day for the first few days – sometimes weeks, depending on the healing process.
Be economical with how much cream you apply – a little goes a long way. Make sure you can always see your tattoo through the cream – if it’s completely covered, then that’s too much.