Tattoo aftercare – what to use (& my personal tattoos!)

Those of you who have seen a few of my outfit posts will have noticed I have a tattoo on my foot.  In actual fact, I have three, I got my third just last month! 

Its a Snooks family tradition that on my Grandma’s (<3) death day (20th April) we get something significant done to our bodies – one year my Mum got a tattoo, the next both of my parents got a belly piercing etc.  For a while now I’ve been wanting another tattoo (they are extremely addictive) and I convinced both of my parents to have them with me (I have THE best/coolest rents ever, huh!). 

I knew that I wanted lyrics, Morrissey/The Smiths lyrics to be precise so it was just a case of choosing the actual lyrics, the font and deciding on placement.  I decided on song words from The Smiths ‘Handsome Devil’.  I absolutely ADORE Morrissey and The Smiths – I was brought up listening to their songs and going to see Moz in concert and his songs rubbed off on me!  I love the quote I chose, its completely ‘me’.  In terms of placement, I knew that I wanted it either on my side or back, and I chose to justify the quote to the right and have it on my right side.  Here’s a photograph.

1

I absolutely adore it.  My tattoo artist did such a good job writing very gently – I didn’t want it to be too big, I wanted it quite dainty and he managed it (although he said afterwards that it was like writing on a grain of rice!).

And my other tattoo’s –

3

This was my first tattoo.  I got it on my 18th birthday as a present from my parents and its on my foot.  I love having a foot tattoo, especially when I wear heels.  One line above does need touching up but apart from that its perfect!

hiptat1

This was my second and its on my hip and travels down towards my lady parts (sorry about the bikini shot – I realised I don’t have ANY pictures of the placement of it apart from this cringy photograph.  Its just to give you an idea of where it is)!  They’re roses and not many people know I have this tattoo, its kind of a secret thing.  I didn’t want any colour in this, or in any of my other tattoo’s, I’d prefer them to have a similar look/theme and I want them to look gentle and feminine, not too loud.  I had this tattoo and the one above done by the same man, Ivan, at my local tattoo studio – I absolutely adore his style of tattooing and how detailed they both are, but unfortunately he left last year and so I got another guy who I like and trust in the same studio to do my most recent.  If I ever do decide to get another then I’d definitely go back to him.  (In the coloured photograph above it looks kinda blue, but its actually black!)

AFTERCARE

For the first two weeks after having your tattoo done, your supposed to wash it gently with a damp cloth and apply a moisturizer straight after, about 2-3 times a day.  I’m very obsessive about this and make sure its always moisturized – it will heal quicker this way and won’t be too itchy when it comes to scab off, and it won’t peel too much.

aftercare

Bepanthen – this is actually a nappy rash cream but it works incredibly for using for the first week after you’ve had it done.  Its super soft and the formula is thick, creamy and moisturizing.  It doesn’t have a scent but because its white and thick it may transfer onto some of your clothes – this isn’t a problem, you can always wipe it off.

Tattoo Goo – This is probably a bit of a con because its really similar to Vaseline or any other moisturizing jelly, but it contains olive oil, wheat germ oil, cocoa butter, lavender oil, beeswax etc – all great natural ingredients to help repair and moisturize the skin.  This is good because its clear it doesn’t transfer onto clothes.

E45/Aqueous Cream – everyone has probably used this before once in their life and you can use the little tubes of it on your tattoo, preferably in the second week, after a first week of using something more thick and intense.  Good to carry around on you for dry patches, etc anyway.

In the second week after having the tattoo, my artist recommended using any kind of moisturizer that you know you don’t react you or have any problems with – for me this would be any of The Body Shop’s Body Butters (Cocoa Butter pictured above), Vaseline’s Coca Butter moisturizing oil, Korres Quince Body Butter etc. 

Your tattoo should heal pretty quickly if you keep it moisturized.  Mine healed super quick (because the writing was so gentle I think), it took just over a week and a half.

So that’s a quick over view of my tattoos and my tips and products to encourage it heals nicely!

Do you have any tattoos? What did you use to heal them?

XXX

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39 Comments

  1. May 13, 2011 / 4:59 pm

    Lush dream cream is amazing for them, apparently!! I love your tattoos, I'm not brave enough 🙁

  2. May 13, 2011 / 5:12 pm

    I would strongly recommend you leave it under cling film until healed, changing, washing and applying bepanthen 2-3 times a day. I was done in a week with this method, all peeled off and gorgeous!

  3. May 13, 2011 / 5:13 pm

    oh and ps, love your new one!

  4. May 13, 2011 / 5:19 pm

    Oh man, can I trade my parents to yours for a day? lol

    I have a teeny tiny star tattoed on my wrist- I mostly did it to get accustomed with the idea of maintaining a tattoo, with the prospect of doing a bigger in the future. Well, it's been 5 years now and I still haven't done a proper one!!! Maybe the time is right, I'm so jealous of your foot tattoo!

    xx

  5. May 13, 2011 / 5:20 pm

    I have over 15 tattoo's 🙂 my latest few were done only yesterday. I use Bepanthen on mine its great 🙂

  6. May 13, 2011 / 6:10 pm

    aww wow, i love that new one! very pretty. i use bepanthen as aftercare as well – cant beat it! im absolutely itching to get a new tattoo, just cant decide on what yet – so addictive 🙂 x

  7. May 13, 2011 / 6:16 pm

    I absolutely adore the quote&font.I've been wanting a lyrical tattoo for ages,the problems is I've got so many quotes I'd love to get tattooed..haven't made the final decision yet ..
    ah well..dont get me started on how difficult it is to find an artist you feel comfy with..
    Anyways, yours is amazing!
    And how cool is that tradition??It took me ages to convince my mum that tattoos can actually be poetic and beautiful.

  8. Anonymous
    May 13, 2011 / 8:04 pm

    Nothing compares to After Inked to take care of your tattoos! I've been using it for a while and it is an amazing moisturizer for my new and old tattoos, and it doesn't have petroleum or harmful chemicals! Check it out!! www.afterinked.com
    I highly recommend it!

  9. May 13, 2011 / 9:40 pm

    Your tattoos are really cool, i love your third one with the lyrics! my parents hate tattoos 🙁 but i plan on getting one at some point anyway 🙂 x

  10. May 13, 2011 / 11:12 pm

    I love your new tattoo is so cute, I really want to get one I just don't have the money right now. That's a really cool tradition to that your family does

  11. Anonymous
    May 14, 2011 / 4:24 am

    I love the quote tattoo.
    What did your parents get for tattoos? THe same one?

  12. May 14, 2011 / 8:47 am

    I just got my 5th Tattoo on Wednesday! Its massive compared to the others. In colour to. On my leg down the back on my ankle.

    This one I have a spray on bandage, the ones they use on burns patients, and it is working a treat. It is better than cling film my leg is not getting all hot and sweaty. After a few days it starts to peel of by its self. Does not effect the colouring either.
    Once its peeled off I can put E45 on it every other day.
    Wish I could put a photo up but I have no where to put one!

  13. May 16, 2011 / 12:44 pm

    I have 3 and about to get my 4th in a few weeks. All of them are in colour. I find the longer you leave the cling film on for the better it turns out. xxx

  14. May 17, 2011 / 7:24 pm

    ah katie, i love the tattoo on your back.really jealous & now i want one more than ever!:D xxx

  15. May 24, 2011 / 10:18 pm

    Amazing tattoo.. I adooooore Morrissey!

  16. June 19, 2011 / 8:23 pm

    I know you posted this a while ago, but I've only just came across it. Just wondering, did the tattoo on your right side hurt a lot? I'm wanting lyrics in the exact same place, so was just wondering what the pain was like? I know everyone has different pain thresholds, but I just wondering. 🙂 xo

  17. November 16, 2011 / 3:31 pm

    I have mine on my wrist, and I used bepanthen whenever my wrist felt dry (so i basically applied it about 5 times a day) and for the first couple of days (around 3) i kept it covered up. It healed within a week then, but kept it moisturized with cocoa butter 🙂 I want to get another one, but I don't know where to get it- some where discrete this time

  18. April 19, 2012 / 9:02 am

    The aftercare for tattoos is very important to ensure a faster skin recovery after the procedure. It also helps in maintaining the design's beauty. Thanks for sharing your personal aftercare regimen that will surely help a lot of tattoo enthusiasts.

  19. Anonymous
    May 4, 2012 / 2:15 pm

    may iask what font you used if any or did the artist just free hand

  20. June 10, 2012 / 9:54 pm

    All natural way to heal your tattoos without creams.
    http://allnaturaltattooaftercare.blogspot.com/2012/06/tattoo-after-care-by-legend-so-you-just.html

  21. February 21, 2013 / 1:14 am

    Great design, I recommend that you put another cool design in your upper breast part.

  22. Anonymous
    April 24, 2013 / 1:08 am

    Great tats! I have a cat on my lower back & am getting another one on my ribs commemorating my mother.

  23. Anonymous
    September 16, 2013 / 10:51 am

    Sailor Jerry sleeve left arm, first sitting was 7 hours ! hurt like hell. anyway i always use Bepanthen in the first week as it heals really quickly then after 10 days iv been using E45 cream, just to keep it mousiturised, quick qestion, how long do people go before stopping moiusturizing ??

    • March 2, 2015 / 11:21 pm

      i want to know too!

  24. September 15, 2014 / 4:14 pm

    pitbol Is nice music artist. I love in this song Are you interest in music artist, please click here. shop new music

  25. December 12, 2014 / 5:21 pm

    Pretty tattoos I must say. Taking care of your tattoo is a must if you had it recently. Marlowe's aftercare lotion for tattoo healing is quite useful. Marlowe’s has brought the best lotion for tattoo aftercare. Marlowe’s lotion gives quick healing to your skin, reduces the redness, and makes the skin supple that helps the skin for continued work more rapidly. It is best lotion for tattoo healing and we guarantee it. Find more about it here: http://marlowesaftercare.com/

  26. December 16, 2014 / 5:33 am

    Thank you for amazing posting on tattoo art.
    After tattooing by an tattoo artists, you want to take good care of it by using “Marlowe 's Aftercare Lotion”! Your artist is not responsible for any problems or infection, it is your responsibility to take proper care of it. A really beautiful tattoo can turn into a disaster if the proper aftercare is not taken. To get Marlowe 's Aftercare Lotion, it is the best and cheapest lotion in the market, please contact us. http://marlowesaftercare.com/

  27. March 2, 2015 / 11:20 pm

    what font is that? i love it

  28. July 31, 2015 / 1:38 pm

    Read your favorite quotes by clicking the link below
    its a mobile friendly website , made in latest technology
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  29. Anonymous
    September 24, 2015 / 8:06 pm

    My tatto artist recommended the Made from Earth Aloe Jojoba Therapy for me to use after my tattoo – and it has worked wonders to help healing and maintain the color. It is even printed on the post tattoo care form. When I ran out of the bottle she gave me, I bought another bottle on line….it works better than any other tatto lotion i have used. I love my new tattoo!

  30. Anonymous
    May 15, 2016 / 12:34 pm

    I've been using e45 for my first week and its healing but there slight yellowish green scabbing I've been cleaning it and using the cream but it's my first tattoo and I'm alittlw worried but my tattoo is really small its about 3 to 4 cm tall but it's a plain design please tell me its ok

  31. Anonymous
    May 15, 2016 / 12:35 pm

    I've been using e45 for my first week and its healing but there slight yellowish green scabbing I've been cleaning it and using the cream but it's my first tattoo and I'm alittlw worried but my tattoo is really small its about 3 to 4 cm tall but it's a plain design please tell me its ok

  32. September 20, 2016 / 8:39 pm

    They have the best of both worlds because they have a tattoo but during work it is hidden. useful link

  33. January 14, 2017 / 6:04 am

    This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I love seeing websites that understand the value of providing a quality resource for free. It is the old what goes around comes around routine. after tattoo care

  34. January 30, 2017 / 11:26 am

    After years of healing my tattoo now has become sensitive, and it's peeling. What can I use to make it better

  35. January 30, 2017 / 11:26 am

    After years of healing my tattoo now has become sensitive, and it's peeling. What can I use to make it better

  36. November 17, 2020 / 12:53 pm

    Amazing post, thanks for providing such a important information.

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