The Geezers’ Guide to Tattoo Care
By Lauren Naylor, Grooming Editor
So, you’ve gone under the needle and come out the other side a walking piece of art (alright there, Picasso!). But before you start rolling up your sleeves and flexing in shop windows, getting the tattoo is only half the job.
Taking proper care of a new tattoo goes beyond the healing phase.
Grooming and maintenance are key to keeping your ink bold as well as your skin healthy.
A tattoo is art, but like all good art, it needs proper care to stay vibrant and fresh. Whether it’s new, or a few years in, grooming your ink should be part of your regular skincare routine (let’s be honest you should be moisturising your body on the regular anyway!!!)
A great tattoo doesn’t stay great without some proper TLC. And no, that doesn’t mean patting it dry and hoping for the best.
Ongoing grooming is what keeps your ink looking great so here goes…
Tatts the Way to Do It
Let’s start in the shower…use a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser or shower gel. You want to keep the area clean.
Once you’re out and dried off (dab, don’t drag) it’s time to moisturise. Keeping your skin hydrated keeps your tattoos looking sharper, colours bolder, and stops them from going all ashy and sad.
A few wallet friendly creams to keep your tatt looking ink-redible (soz, had to do it)
Aquaphor Healing Ointment - Ideal for the early stages, and still a winner for long-term use, £10.13, lookfantastic.com
Aveeno Skin Relief Intense Moisture Repair Cream - Super kind to dry or sensitive skin. Like a hug in cream form, £6, asos.com
Eucerin Advanced Repair Cream
Feels light, doesn’t clog, and is packed with ceramides to keep your skin barrier strong, £17.97, Amazon.co.uk
Raw Shea or Cocoa Butter
Going au naturel? These rich butters are top for hydration. Try Naturium Bio-Lipid Body Lotion for that luxe-but-manly feel. £16.50, spacenk.com
Sun & Tatts Out
Now, let’s talk sun. Your tattoo’s worst enemy isn’t time, it’s UV rays. The sun doesn’t care how much that half sleeve cost you; it will fade… and fast!
So whack on SPF 30+ Try Green People’s Scent-Free mineral SPF 30, £9 for 30ml, greenpeople.co.uk - I’m a huge fan of this brand and use this all the time, it doesn’t matter which SPF brand you choose to use, just find one and slather it on!
Ink-Saving Tips
Don’t drown your tattoo in body lotion, we’re moisturising, not marinating!
Avoid petroleum-heavy products long-term. They’re great when your tattoo is still healing (bepathen nappy cream, anyone?) but down the line they can clog your pores.
Bepanthen Nappy Care Ointment 30g – £3.00 at Boots
Gently exfoliate your skin once or twice a week to get rid of dead skin cells that dull your tattoo. I love:
Q+A AHA Exfoliator Body Scrub 250ml – £8.50 at Holland & Barrett
Tattoos are for life, but they don’t have to look like it. With a bit of daily care, a decent moisturiser, and a regular body routine, your ink won’t ever fade into the background…
