Is Bepanthen good for tattoos?
It works, and plenty of artists recommend it. What matters far more than the brand is how much you use · a thin layer that lets the skin breathe, two or three times a day, and never a thick one.
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.
Related frequently asked questions
How do I look after a new tattoo?
Keep it clean, moisturise it lightly, and leave it alone. Wash it gently with unscented soap, apply a thin layer of unscented lotion two or three times a day, and never pick at it. Most tattoos heal on the surface in two to four weeks.
Read the full answer › How do you wash a new tattoo?
With clean hands, warm water and unscented soap, two or three times a day for the first fortnight. Wash gently with your fingers, rinse, pat dry with a clean towel or kitchen roll, then a thin layer of moisturiser.
Read the full answer › Why is my tattoo peeling?
Because the top layer of skin is replacing itself, which is exactly what should happen. It usually starts around day three to five. The ink sits in the layer underneath, so what comes away is dead skin rather than your tattoo.
Read the full answer › Why does my new tattoo look faded?
Almost always the healing rather than the ink. Around days three to fourteen a layer of drying skin sits over the top and makes everything look dull and milky. It clears on its own, and the tattoo underneath is the one you were shown on the day.
Still want to ask somebody? That is what the first conversation is for.
- Written and checked by
THRONE , a tattoo studio in Northampton.
Last checked 28 August 2026 .