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The process of getting a tattoo is inevitably violent. It’s repetitive. Blood comes out. The aftermath is beautiful, not tragic, but requires aftercare to keep it that way. An important part of your post-salon regimen, in addition to using tattoo soap, is to apply lotion regularly. This will keep your skin moisturized and help it heal faster.
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The best lotion for your tattoo will keep your skin from becoming dry, unsightly and itchy during the healing process. Itching, which often happens when you get a new tattoo, is not only annoying, it can also damage your skin and make you more susceptible to infection. Lotion, on the other hand, helps restore your skin’s natural moisture barrier.
While some lotions are marketed to new tattoo practitioners looking for top-of-the-line care, many generic lotions do just as much, or even more, at giving newly tattooed skin what it needs. It’s effective. If so, he shouldn’t spend more than $10 on a bottle. Whether it’s a tribal tattoo on your bicep or a four-letter word on your knuckles, all should be applied daily and combined with soap to keep the tattooed area clean and free of infection.
expert opinion
Tattoo and dermatology experts agree that the simplest tattoo lotion is the best. In this article, SPY collaborates with Dr. Bruce Katz, director of JUVA Skin & Laser Center and member of the American Academy of Dermatology, and his Los Angeles-based tattoo artist Luke He, to break down the best tattoo lotions available. spoke to Zampas. now.
“I don’t recommend using lotion until it’s fully healed,” Katz says. “They can get into the injection site and cause a reaction. But once it’s healed, you can use anything you want as long as your skin is dry.” However, scented lotions can cause a reaction in some cases. He advises that there is a possibility that
“What you need to do is hydrate the tattoo,” Zampas says. “Treat it like a scab.” That means applying a thin layer of ointment after removing the aftercare wrap, and a week or two after getting the tattoo, he applies a similarly thin layer of unscented lotion. “When it comes to tattoo repair, less is more,” he added.
best tattoo lotion
Overall Grand Prize
Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Deep Moisture Body Lotion
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price: $22.99 $17.49
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Zampas says unscented Neutrogena lotion is her “personal favorite” for tattoo aftercare, and it’s easy to see why. The fragrance-free and hypoallergenic formula promises 48-hour hydration for dry, sensitive skin and is also perfect for recently tattooed skin.
The bottom line is that this lotion is highly unlikely to cause any kind of reaction, even on fragile, newly tattooed skin. Also, this is just a high-quality moisturizer that promises longer protection than competing products at a very reasonable price.
Perfect for sensitive skin
Aveeno Daily Moisturizer Body Lotion
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price: $11.98 $8.98
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Made for: Aveeno is non-comedogenic, which means it won’t clog pores, which makes it a good choice. “When it comes to lotions, Aveeno is his go-to since it’s unscented,” says Mikhail Andersson, owner of New York studio First Class Tattoo.
Reasons why it stands out: This lotion contains oatmeal, a natural soothing ingredient commonly associated with getting rid of the itchiness of chickenpox pain in children. If it works for you on those itchy days when you get home from school, it’s probably soothing fresh ink.
best all natural
Russrock Aloe Vera Gel
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price: $8.95
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Made for: The main ingredient in this gel is aloe vera, so it’s perfect for people who don’t want to put ingredients with long names on their bodies.
Reasons why it stands out: Jingxi Gu, a tattoo artist and owner of LA studio Patch Tattoo Therapy, prefers aloe vera the most because it’s “water-based and less oily than other lotions.” I found it to be gentle and the ink bleeds less. ”
best cream
CeraVe moisturizing cream
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price: $19.49 $17.78
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Made for: People looking for simple solutions. “I always recommend a white, unscented dry skin cream like CeraVe,” says tattoo artist RK of Brooklyn studio Atelier Eva. “It’s simple and reliable.”
Reasons why it stands out: It’s not a highly viscous lotion that comes out of a bottle, but a scoop-type cream, so it’s easy to pick up a small amount and spread it evenly onto your skin. It’s easy to use, and since it’s thick, it spreads well even with a small amount.
Frequently asked questions about tattoo lotion
Why is lotion important for newly tattooed skin?
Tattoos are traumatic for the skin and can cause dryness and itching as it heals. A good lotion will alleviate these problems. This is a process similar to “hydration”.[ing] Get a tattoo and treat it like you would a scab,” says Zampas, a veteran tattoo artist.
When and how should you apply lotion to a recent tattoo?
Once the tattoo has healed, that is, all injection sites are closed, you should apply a thin layer of lotion. “When it comes to moisturizing lotions and tattoos, less is more,” he says RK. “The thinner the layer, the better. The goal is to allow the tattoo to breathe while the lotion moisturizes.”
Is the best tattoo lotion expensive?
That’s not the case, so it’s easy to start saving up for your next tattoo. Or, less ideally, start saving up for the laser tattoo removal you need so you don’t feel like a big dummy every time you look down and see your ex’s name on your bicep. is easy.
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