Pharmacy ointments and creams are the simplest way to look after a fresh tattoo. The most common are products with dexpanthenol, such as Bepanthen, or with allantoin, such as Alantan. They are easy to find and inexpensive.
How to use ointment on a tattoo
The Dirty Lust aftercare instructions say to apply a thin layer after every wash, once the tattoo is dry. With a cling film dressing, that means roughly every 3 to 4 hours in the first days. Applying ointment also eases the itching during the peeling stage.
What to watch out for
- A thick layer does not speed up healing, and it can clog the skin and stain clothes.
- Greasy products leave marks on clothing, so loose, dark clothes are a good idea.
- If your skin reacts with irritation, stop using the product and contact the studio or a doctor.
An alternative is dedicated professional tattoo creams. The full aftercare instructions are on our process page, and the stages of healing are covered in Tattoo healing: stages and aftercare.