The best advice I can offer on how to properly care for a new tattoo is DO NOT USE LOTION ON A FRESH TATTOO! Most tattoo artists advise their clients to use a rich ointment for the first few days of healing, followed by colorless, unscented lotions to keep the skin hydrated, protected, and prevent color fading. These lotions are relatively inexpensive and are available at your local pharmacy. However, almost all of these lotions contain ingredients that have recently been shown to do more harm than good to tattoo health. Here are 5 tips for tattoo aftercare:

1. Gently cleanse, keep away from sun and heat: During the healing and aftercare process, which can take several weeks, gently cleanse the tattoo daily with fragrance-free antibacterial body soap and warm water. For the first few days, no sun, swimming, sweating, or dirt. Keep your tattoo dry and clean. For the first 24 hours, try to ice the tattoo as often as you can, this will help reduce swelling and also help with pain.

2. Only oil or oil-based ointment for the first 3 days: Some recommend not using any lotion for the first few days due to the high risk of infection. However, there are safe natural products that are very effective and actually speed up the healing process. For immediate tattoo aftercare, look for a light, oil-based product that contains hemp seed oil, tea tree oil, aloe vera, and jojoba oil.

Tea tree oil has anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. It is a very effective remedy against countless skin ailments, infections, cuts, scrapes, burns, insect bites, skin blemishes, etc. Using tea tree oil combined with hemp seed oil will provide rich omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids. Using these oils will moisturize, protect and lightly heal the skin without causing irritation or discoloration.

3. Avoid plasma scabbing in the tattoo: During the first day, your tattoo will leak a clear liquid called plasma. Try not to leave this crust on your skin, but if you do, gently wash it off with lukewarm water.

4. After the first 3 days, keep your skin moisturized with a natural lotion: Keeping your skin hydrated during the exfoliation process and long after will help with itching, flaking, and preserve the rich color of your tattoo. As I said before, beware of lotions that contain harmful ingredients like lanolin or petroleum. Instead, use a lotion that is rich in fatty acids for free radical protection and non-greasy hydration. Hemp seed lotions are the best for this.

Hemp seed oil is rich in omega 3, 6 and 9 and is easily absorbed into the skin. Hemp contains anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties that are healthy and non-irritating to the skin. Continue using hemp seed oil lotion long after your tattoo has healed and enjoy truer, healthier tattoo color for longer.

5. Watch the ingredients: Lanolin is an ingredient that some will use, and lanolin causes allergic reactions in many people. Lanolin is the natural oil that comes from sheep’s wool. Some tattoo aftercare also contains products like beeswax or petroleum, which can clog pores and contain contaminants. These ingredients are very popular in over-the-counter creams and lotions because they are cheap and easy to make. The lanolin and mineral oil found in these lotions cause excessive seepage, clogging, crusting, scarring, and discoloration. Stay away from products that contain mineral oil, dyes, propylene glycol, or parabens.

Earthly Body Tattoo Toner preserves tattoo color, won’t fade, is vegan, and is petroleum, lanolin, and paraben free. It also works wonders in healing piercings.