Nix’s Recommended Tattoo Aftercare Products
If you’ve already scheduled your next tattoo appointment, you should be securing aftercare products so you get the best healed results. Here are my top recommendations including common household products that are safe to use on your new tattoo.
Naturally, I am going to recommend dedicated tattoo products more than products formulated for regular topical use, but do not be afraid to use what you have or what you are familiar with. Specialized products simply do a better job at preserving the clarity, brilliance, and sharpness of your artwork in the long run because they are formulated specifically for tattoos.
I grew up with very sensitive skin, so I value the use of clean ingredients. My love for well-formulated products led to my partnership with Mad Rabbit. Partnering allows me to offer my clients a discount code (NIXTATTOO), making quality aftercare more accessible.
This product was my first introduction to Mad Rabbit, and ultimately why I began using their products. If you don’t trust yourself not to scratch during the itchy phase, this will help significantly.
This gel works by using Aloe vera and bisabolol extract. These natural plant extracts cool the skin on contact and reduce redness and swelling.
It lacks pore-clogging ingredients. It supports natural skin healing and reduces the tight, itchy feeling that causes people to scratch scabs.
Use Code: NIXTATTOO for 20% off
Soothing Gel vs. Aquaphor
Mad Rabbit Soothing Gel uses aloe vera, vitamin C, and sweet almond oil to cool fresh ink instantly while letting your skin breathe. During the first few weeks of healing, this will help lessen the discomfort of itching and peeling.
Aquaphor is a great option for those who want an ointment that they may already have in their home. While it does not directly soothe itchyness and flaking, it is reliable and easy to find.
Absolutely avoid Vaseline or 100% petroleum jelly. These heavy products clog pores, trap moisture and bacteria, and can actually leach ink out of the skin.
Fragrance-free lotions contain higher water content and allow fresh skin to breathe easier. Through days 4-14 of healing, I recommend switching to an unscented, hypoallergenic lotion once the skin begins peeling or drying out.
Specialized lotions target deep skin barrier health rather than just surface-level moisture.
Breathable formulas keep the tattooed area comfortable and flexible while avoiding suffocation.
Use Code: NIXTATTOO for 20% off
Daily Tattoo Lotion vs. Lubriderm
Drugstore lotions usually contain hidden fragrances, alcohol, or cheap fillers that can irritate healing skin. Mad Rabbit Daily Lotion is lightweight, vegan and fragrance-free, and includes nourishing botanical oils to soothe peeling skin without any heavy residue.
Lubriderm is a great second choice that you may already have at home. Similarly to Aquaphor, it is not formulated specifically for tattoos, but if you already have Lubriderm at home, it is perfectly safe to use to heal your tattoo.
If you already have tattoos or plan on getting multiple tattoos, you should have a tattoo balm.
Tattoo balms work by creating a breathable, nourishing barrier that locks in moisture while allowing the skin to safely repair itself over the ink.
Ingredients rich in fatty acids and vitamins stimulate cellular repair and reduce inflammation.
Deep hydration plumps the skin cells surrounding the dermis, making older lines and colors stand out clearly.
Use Code: NIXTATTOO for 20% off
Tattoo Balm
Tattoo balms are specifically formulated to revive your tattoo and enhance it’s appearance. Everyday moisturizers hydrate, but they don't bring your tattoo’s contrast back to life. Mad Rabbit Tattoo Balm locks in deep hydration to nourish healed skin, make colors pop, and keep black lines looking crisp. There really is no equivalent product to a quality tattoo balm.
A dedicated tattoo soap is recommended to those who have sensitive skin.
Similarly to why I recommended a dedicated tattoo lotion, regular soaps also contain harsh chemicals that dry, irritate, and damage healing skin.
Regular soaps are formulated to cut body odor or grease and are often too strong for a fresh puncture wound.
Standard soaps strip natural oils and over-dry the skin, leading to heavy scabbing and faded ink.
Use Code: NIXTATTOO for 20% off
Refreshing Tattoo Wash vs Dial Antibacterial Soap
Mad Rabbit Tattoo Wash cleanses away bacteria using gentle, plant-derived ingredients that calm inflammation instead of stripping your skin.
The alternative option that many people use is Dial antibacterial bar or liquid hand soap. This is a super common product that is safe to use on a fresh tattoo if you already have it at home.
On behalf of all tattoo artists, ever: use sunscreen!
Specialized tattoo sunscreens are simply more hydrating with fewer irritants making them a better choice for those with sensitive skin.
Any sunscreen with a broad-spectrum rating and an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of 30 or higher will drastically improve the long-term appearance of your tattoo.
Use Code: NIXTATTOO for 20% off
Daily Defense Tattoo Sunscreen vs. Any Sunscreen
Once your tattoo has healed past 4-6 weeks, you want to begin using sunscreen to avoid premature fading. UV rays break down tattoo ink much quicker than you realize. By the time you notice that your tattoo is fading, you will likely be outside of the free touch-up window.
Obviously, a dedicated tattoo sunscreen is going to be your most reliable option in terms of preserving your ink, but, on behalf of all tattoo artists everywhere, use whatever sunscreen you got! Just use sunscreen!
