Is Bepanthen good for tattoos?

The amount matters more than the product

Almost every aftercare failure we see is somebody applying too much of something reasonable rather than the right amount of something perfect. A thick layer traps heat and moisture against a wound and softens scabs that should be drying.

You want it barely visible. If it looks shiny and wet, wipe some off.

What to look for

Unscented, uncoloured, and nothing with alcohol in it. Beyond that the differences are small.

• A fragrance-free moisturiser or a dedicated tattoo balm both do the job.
• Petroleum-heavy products are too occlusive for the first few days · they hold everything in.
• Anything scented, or anything marketed for another purpose entirely, is a gamble on skin that is currently an open wound.

When to start and when to stop

Start once the wrap is off and the tattoo has been washed and dried. Keep going until the peeling has finished, usually two to three weeks.

After that, ordinary moisturiser and sun protection for the rest of its life. Sun is what fades a tattoo, and it does not stop mattering once it has healed.

Ask us on the day

Your artist will tell you what they want used on their work, and that instruction beats this page. Different styles heal differently, and somebody who has just spent six hours on your arm has an opinion worth having.