What’s the best tattoo healing ointment?
Which tattoo aftercare product is the best way to heal a tattoo?
After all, I know you don’t want to damage the ink. I’m sure you’d prefer to avoid itchiness and irritation, too. But do you need antiseptic cream for tattoos? Or is there another type of moisturizer that’s better?
Well, that’s a lot of questions to answer in the reviews today. Let’s get started.
Tattoo aftercare tips
The artist will put ointment on the new tattoo and cover it with a bandage or plastic wrap when you leave the shop. Hopefully, they’ll give you instructions on how to take care of your skin for the next couple of weeks.
For example, they’ll tell you to wash it twice a day (1).
Then, they’ll recommend applying ointment to keep the skin moist and prevent itching and scabbing. If you’d like to prepare ahead of time, you can also select one of the tattoo balms below.
Some favorites include Aquaphor, Hustle Butter, and A+D ointment. Stay away from products with heavy fragrances and alcohol. Also, some artists don’t recommend petroleum jelly because it doesn’t allow the skin to breathe. Whatever you choose to use, only apply a thin layer (2).
You won’t need a bandage after the first day. But be sure to wear loose clothing, avoid soaking the tattoo in water, and keep the ink out of the sun until the skin is healed.
Remember that the tattoo will probably ooze and leak a little ink for the first couple of days. The skin may look red and swollen and feel tender. That’s all normal. But you can make yourself feel better with the right tattoo ointment. So, let’s get right to the reviews.
Best Tattoo Healing Ointment in 2024
Tattoo Goo Original Fast Healing Ointment
This tattoo balm is a good ointment for soothing new tattoos. It’s designed to imitate the natural oil of your skin and reduce irritation.
It has antimicrobial qualities, and it’s loaded with antioxidants to prevent infection. Plus, it stimulates circulation for rapid healing. That’s not surprising as it was developed by a pharmacist and proven to work in clinical trials. Then, there’s the multitude of positive reviews from people who swear by it.
Moreover, it’s not wasted money even if you don’t use it all. After your tattoo is healed, you can enjoy it as a moisturizer as it keeps the ink vibrant.
Tattoo Goo does not include petroleum or lanolin in their product. It’s cruelty-free and comes in a recyclable tin. Just be careful if you have wheat sensitivity as it contains wheat germ oil.
Ora’s Amazing Herbal Tattoo Salve
This tattoo salve doubles as a cure-all for bug bites, minor burns, and scrapes. It’s petroleum-free and all-natural.
That’s right, it doesn’t contain artificial fragrances, parabens, mineral oil, or dyes. It’s gluten-free but not vegan as it has beeswax.
The appealing natural scent comes from ingredients like rosemary, tea tree oil, and cedar. It’s infused with organic calendula and comfrey, too.
Together, these botanicals keep infection at bay. They calm inflammation and itchiness to help save you from scratching. Also, this tattoo ointment won’t clog pores or pull out the ink.
The only downside is that the salve is packed in a jar, which means you need to wash your hands before using it to prevent contamination.
Aquaphor Healing Ointment
Aquaphor is frequently recommended by tattoo artists. It’s not just for healing new ink as it’s also useful for cracked skin anywhere on the body.
It promotes healing by forming a defensive barrier over the wound. It keeps out microbes and seals in moisture. Unlike petroleum jelly, Aquaphor lets the skin breathe a bit.
Furthermore, it’s free of fragrances and preservatives to protect sensitive skin.
A+D First Aid Ointment
A+D ointment has been a household name for eight decades. It treats new tattoos as well as cracked hands and chapped lips.
Since it forms a protective barrier, it’s good for a new tattoo during the first couple of days. It’s greasy, and it will leave marks on your clothes and sheets. But feel free to switch to a fragrance-free moisturizer by the third or fourth day.
Sanibalm Tattoo Aftercare Roll-On Balm
But what if you don’t apply greasy ointment on your new tattoo? In that case, check out this roll-on. Sanibalm’s no-mess applicator won’t leave your hands oily.
It’s a small container that fits in a pocket. But the relief it brings is intense. It hydrates the skin and soothes irritation with sea buckthorn and coconut oil. These ingredients are rich in omega-7 to accelerate healing.
What’s more, the formula is healthier than many alternatives as it has no parabens or artificial preservatives. It comes with a 100% guarantee.
Hustle Butter Deluxe
Hustle Butter is beloved by tattoo artists and tattoo collectors. It’s an all-purpose product that can help you prepare your skin for a new tattoo, act as a glide during the tattooing process, and speed up healing afterward.
It’s made with natural ingredients like aloe, mango, and shea butter, plus green tea and vitamin E. The creamy blend is chemical-free and has no petroleum jelly in it.
This premium tattoo aftercare product will make the skin supple and comfortable for the fastest healing possible.
Viking Revolution Tattoo Care Balm
Viking Revolution stands behind their tattoo balm with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. It has no chemicals in it, just natural goodness.
The attractive fragrance comes from botanical extracts like marigold and chamomile. But the smooth texture comes from grapeseed oil and shea butter, excellent natural moisturizers.
Also, the ointment features Centella asiatica, which is proven to boost skin healing.
Black Rose Tattoo Care Ointment
Here’s a tattoo aftercare ointment that’s handcrafted in small batches to arrive fresh on your doorstep. It’s enriched with vitamins A and E, which are essential for healthy skin. They stimulate new cell growth to help your body recover as quickly as possible.
Not only will the balm relieve itching, but it also preserves the ink long-term. Rub it in to keep your tattoos bright for years to come. It’s not greasy and won’t stain your clothing.
This product has a subtle aloe fragrance. It meets EU cosmetics regulations that are sometimes stricter than American standards.
Tattoo Care Classic Tattoo Aftercare Ointment
If you prefer a fragrance-free ointment, this is the same as the one above, but it has no perfume.
It’s the classic version of the same excellent tattoo balm.
Urban ReLeaf TATTOO SKIN SILK
You may have heard that petroleum jelly will pull out ink from a new tattoo. It may also clog pores. But this tattoo ointment will replenish moisture and rejuvenate the skin without those side effects.
It’s made with raw shea butter that’s packed with amino acids for quick healing. Plus, it’s free of petrochemicals, alcohol, parabens, and other nasties.
With it, you can relieve itching and inflammation with antimicrobial essential oils. In fact, it’s the rosemary, tea tree, and lavender that gives it a pleasant fragrance.
Redemption Tattoo Care Aftercare
Would you like to know what a USDA-certified petroleum replacement is? You’ll get to know it firsthand when you try this tattoo balm.
It’s a lubricant to use during tattooing and a tattoo aftercare product all-in-one. The natural formula consists of organic castor and sunflower oils, beeswax, cocoa butter, and other goodies.
It features calendula, arnica, and chamomile to relieve itching and prevent infection.
Wild Willies Tattoo Butter
Have you heard about argan oil? It comes from a tree that grows in Morocco. It’s a superior moisturizer that promotes healing (and hair growth).
This tattoo butter has a potent cocktail of organic argan, grapeseed, and tea tree oils. Along with rosemary extract, it has antibiotic properties. Therefore, it reduces the healing time and lowers the risk of infection.
Dr Pickles Premium Tattoo Balm
It has a funny name, but it’s a seriously useful aftercare product. Dr Pickles balm is antiseptic to protect your new tattoo.
It accelerates the recovery process with panthenol and antioxidants. Best of all, it has fermented Australian pawpaw to keep the skin healthy. Meanwhile, it reduces itchiness and keeps the skin supple with sweet almond and coconut oils.
Each tube is enough for healing one large tattoo.
Dr. Bronner’s – Organic Magic Balm
Dr. Bronner’s ointment isn’t specifically for new tattoos. Instead, it’s appropriate for healing skin that’s wounded or irritated for any reason.
It offers relief within moments. The blend of organic hemp oil, avocado, and beeswax rejuvenates the skin.
There are no synthetic chemicals. Everything is certified Fair Trade, too.
Nat-A-Tat2 Vegan and Organic-Certified Tattoo Healing Ointment
As you’ve seen so far, there are many excellent ointments for new tattoos. When you have to choose between them, you might be looking at the price. But I urge you to consider other factors that impact your satisfaction.
For example, you might appreciate this balm with certified-organic, vegan ingredients. It uses pure essential oils to promote rapid healing.
It’s unscented and ideal for reducing swelling and irritation. You can even use it during tattooing to minimize pain and lubricate the skin.
It contains sunflower, castor, and coconut oil, as well as tea tree, lavender, and rosemary.
Combat Ready Ointment – Doc Spartan
Again, this isn’t an ointment specifically made for healing tattoos. It’s actually for treating a variety of wounds, including rashes, cuts, blisters, and burns. It’s handy to have available for all of life’s little accidents.
This balm is a product seen on Shark Tank. It has a simple formula with natural beeswax, sweet almond oil, coconut oil, and Vitamin E. It absorbs quickly and isn’t greasy.
After Inked Tattoo Moisturizer
When you’re ready to switch from an ointment to a regular moisturizer, here is the best lotion for tattoo aftercare. It continues the healing process and keeps tattoos from fading. You’ve likely seen it on tattoo reality shows.
The lightweight lotion is free of petroleum, parabens, gluten, and perfumes. The ingredients are vegan, and the product itself is cruelty-free. Furthermore, it’s been tested by dermatologists to be safe for all skin types.
Be careful as you may love it so much it becomes your new favorite body lotion. The only con is that it comes in a 3-ounce tube.
Ebanel Topical Numbing Cream
Getting a tattoo can be painful. But the pain doesn’t stop once you leave the chair. Your skin will still be extra-sensitive for a while.
To keep yourself from picking and scratching, consider numbing cream. This one from Ebanel contains 5% lidocaine, a potent topical anesthetic. It also has healing ingredients like aloe, allantoin, and vitamin E.
If your new tattoo is driving you crazy, apply the cream for the first couple of days until the inflammation goes away. It’s not the ideal ointment, but you gotta do what you gotta do.
On the bright side, this lightweight cream has no odor, and it’s not oily. It’s also hypoallergenic for sensitive skin.
H2Ocean Blue Green Foam Soap
While we’re on the topic of tattoo aftercare, let me mention the best antibacterial soap for new tattoos. You can use it up to four times per day.
Each time you wash with it, it helps calm redness and inflammation. It also prevents infection, which is great news if you just got sweaty or dirty.
Conclusion
When people get a tattoo, they worry about the placement and the design. But they also need to think about caring for the new tattoo afterward.
After all, a fresh tattoo is a wound. If you want to prevent scarring and complications, you have to keep it clean and moisturized. That’s not so hard to do if you have aftercare products ready to use. It’s a small expense – an investment in your health.
The better care you take of your skin, the more rapidly it will heal. Tattoo ointment will ensure that you’re as comfortable as possible during the first few days with your new tattoo.
Come back and tell us how well your tattoo ointment worked for you.
Sources:
1. https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/taking-care-of-your-tattoo#1 WebMD Medical Reference, reviewed by Stephanie S. Gardner, MD on March 06, 2019, accessed November 3, 2020
2. https://www.inkedmag.com/the-list/9-tips-for-tattoo-aftercare by INKED Mag Staff, updated October 10, 2018, originally published March 24, 2017, accessed November 3, 2020