So, you’ve saved up your money and spent hours under the needle getting an amazing piece of artwork, but now you’re wondering how best to heal your new tattoo? Look no further! If you’re unsure about which products you should use to speed up the healing process, to prevent infection and scabbing, and to ensure your tattoo heals beautifully, this list of our top five best products for healing tattoos should help you…
Dermalize is a protective tattoo film which acts as a second skin to protect your new tattoo. For use during the initial healing stage, this product protects new tattoos from germs and bacteria, while allowing your skin to breathe and speeds up the healing process by trapping in the body’s natural fluids and enzymes. Similar to Saniderm, which is more commonly used in the US, Dermalize is light to wear, flexible and waterproof. This product will reduce your risk of scabbing and infection and will prevent your new ink from rubbing on your clothes, so it is definitely one of the best products for healing tattoos.
Dermalize should ideally be worn for the first 48 hours when your new tattoo is most at risk of infection and will reduce mess, as this protective cover prevents plasma and excess ink from oozing onto your clothes and sheets. This product is therefore particularly good for hard to reach spots, that are likely to stick to clothing, such as your back. You may need help to apply it and your tattoo artist may even do it for you if you ask. Removal is best done in the shower, as the warm water will help loosen the adhesive. You can purchase a set of five conveniently pre-cut sheets of Dermalize from Killer Ink for £4.80, so this product won’t break the bank!
Created in the USA in 1998, Tattoo Goo Salve is the company’s original product for healing tattoos. If you don’t fancy Dermalize, this tattoo salve will also provide a protective barrier when applied, moisturising the skin and aiding faster healing. Tattoo Goo contains natural ingredients like beeswax, olive oil and cocoa butter, as well as lavender oil to soothe irritated skin. Designed for the first few days of healing, this product is lanolin and petroleum free, non-sticky and glides over the skin. Tattoo Goo comes in a compact tin which will easily fit in your handbag for on-the-go care and as you only need a thin layer, it should last you a while.
Tattoo Goo Salve should be applied between 2-4 times daily, depending on how dry your tattoo is. You want to keep it moisturised to avoid cracking or scabbing that can damage your tattoo and you should therefore use this product for 3-4 days until your new ink begins to peel. After that, you should move onto a lotion or moisturiser. Once healed, you can also use Tattoo Goo Salve to maintain vibrancy, or to restore brightness to an older tattoo. This specially designed ointment costs less than £6 on Amazon and is definitely one of the best products on the market for healing tattoos!
Unrefined coconut oil is the simplest, natural tattoo care available. The proteins in the oil help to repair damaged cells and the Vitamin E forms a barrier and prevents cracking. Coconut oil can be used to relieve dry skin and to treat wounds, as it is antimicrobial so helps to ward off infection, so it is arguably the best natural product for healing tattoos! It is a very versatile product as it can also be used as a hair conditioner, makeup remover or for cooking!
Coconut oil is all natural, hypoallergenic, vegan and gentle enough to use at any stage of the healing process. Use this product like a salve, applying only a small amount to provide a thin layer of moisture to your new tattoo, as the oil spreads easily. Organic coconut oil is easy to find in supermarkets and pharmacies and is very affordable, as an £8 jar of it will last ages! This is one of the best products for healing tattoos!
Aveeno Daily Moisturising Lotion is a non-scented moisturiser which can be used on even very sensitive skin. With natural ingredients including colloidal oatmeal with rich emollients, this lotion can significantly improve the condition of dry skin after around two weeks of usage, leaving it soft and smooth for up to 24 hours after application. Its gentle formula is suitable for use on healing tattoos as it is free from most allergens and the product is non-greasy and won’t clog your pores.
After the first few days, you should move onto a moisturiser like Aveeno Daily Moisturising Lotion, as a dense ointment can smother your new ink if used too often. Thinner than Bepanthen, this lotion goes on smoothly, won’t tug at loose flakes of skin and can be applied several times a day as needed to moisturise and reduce itching. You can even use it from the beginning of the healing process if your skin is prone to drying out, in order to prevent cracking and scabbing. If you buy the Aveeno lotion bottle with pump, it is more sanitary than using a tube and more cost effective at around £5 for 300ml! This is one of the gentlest and best products for healing tattoos!
Dream Cream is Lush’s No.1 selling product in the UK. It has only recently become a recommended product for healing tattoos and is popular amongst vloggers and tattooists alike. With natural ingredients such as calming chamomile, oat milk, antibacterial tea tree and conditioning cocoa butter, this product will help to hydrate and moisturise your new tattoo as it peels. Dream Cream is lightweight, easy to apply, smells great and will cool and soothe irritated skin.
Its gentle formation is designed for sensitive skin and can even be used on sunburn, so it is suitable for use on new tattoos after the first few days of healing. The consistency is quite thin, so again, it won’t tug at your peeling tattoo and a little goes a long way, so a pot of Dream Cream should last you a while. This product has no synthetic preservatives and is cruelty free, so suitable for vegans. This is one of the best up-and-coming products for healing tattoos in the UK!
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