Once the last drop of tattoo ink has gone into the skin, it’s time for one of the most important parts of the tattooing process: the aftercare. There are so many different versions of tattoo aftercare out there, from butters to creams, lotions to wraps, and many more, so what is the best tattoo aftercare product?

We’re going to run through the best tattoo aftercare products that are available to order from Killer Ink Tattoo in 2024 and help you pick one, or more, that is right for you!

What is the Best Tattoo Aftercare in 2024?

The best tattoo aftercare for you comes down to personal preference, as we stock a variety of different types of aftercare, from butters, creams and ointment to protective films and pads.

If you’re not sure on just which tattoo aftercare solution is the best for you and your tattooing needs, please get in touch with us and we’ll be happy to help and give you some advice on which product to go for!

Hustle Butter Deluxe

Hustle Butter Deluxe is a 100% natural, 100% organic, vegan-friendly, cruelty-free replacement for all petroleum-based products like Vaseline.

This tattoo butter is made from mango, coconut, papaya, and other shea butters, so it smells amazing! (But just remember that it’s not for toast…)

Hustle Butter Deluxe is available in three sizes: a large 5 oz (150 ml) tub, a smaller 1 oz (30 ml) tub known as ‘The Ones’, and ‘25s’, which are 0.25 oz (7.5 ml) packettes that are great for one-use only and perfect for taking with you to tattoo conventions and studio guest spots. They are also ideal for selling as aftercare in your studio to clients leaving with fresh tattoos!

Although it’s one of the best tattoo aftercare products out there, Hustle Butter Deluxe isn’t just for use as aftercare. As the tagline ‘BEFORE.DURING.AFTER’ suggests, Hustle Butter Deluxe is the perfect tattoo care for use throughout the entire tattooing process. Use Hustle Butter Deluxe to prep the skin before tattooing, as a tattoo lubricant during, and then to care for your fresh piece after the session.

Recovery Derm Shield

Recovery Aftercare is the manufacturer of some of the best and highest quality tattoo aftercare products around, but perhaps its most popular offering is its Derm Shield second skin.

The protective Recovery Derm Shield bandages have been designed to enhance a comfortable and hygienic healing process while minimising scabbing. Experience the benefits of these lightweight and waterproof composite film bandages that feature layers of EVA film, glassine, and matte PU film which will protect your customer's skin from bacteria, dirt, and abrasion.

Derm Shield is latex-free, ensuring optimal breathability and flexibility. Apply it post-tattoo cleaning by gently peeling off the backing and placing it on the tattooed area with light pressure, starting from the centre and moving towards the edges.

Recovery Derm Shield is available in a roll and pack of 10 sheets, with the manufacturer also offering a black version if that's more your style!

Recovery Tattoo Lotion

Moisturise and soothe your skin with Recovery Tattoo Lotion, an ideal solution to enhance the vibrancy of both new and existing tattoos.

This vegan-friendly, paraben-free lotion provides instant soothing upon application and aids in preventing dryness and irritation during the tattoo healing process.

To use, apply a thin layer of Recovery Tattoo Lotion onto new or existing tattoos, gently massaging it until fully absorbed. This tattoo aftercare lotion is perfect for keeping freshly inked tattoos moisturised and bringing out the brilliance of healed tattoos.

Dermalize PRO

Dermalize PRO is one of the best tattoo aftercare solutions for covering a fresh tattoo and is an alternative to cling film and other dressings.

Used by leading tattoo artists around the world, Dermalize PRO is a breathable, light and flexible film that acts as a second skin to protect fresh tattoo wounds from germs and bacteria, while also allowing the skin to breathe, thanks to its permeability.

Dermalize PRO locks in the body’s natural fluids and enzymes, letting the skin heal naturally from the inside out and resulting in beautifully-healed tattoos. As Dermalize PRO is light, flexible and stretchable, you can place this tattoo aftercare film anywhere on the body and it will stay there for several days.

By providing a waterproof, anti-bacterial barrier, Dermalize PRO prevents any unwanted contaminants from entering the wound. This tattoo aftercare will also prevent scabbing and the possibility of clothes rubbing against your fresh tattoo.

Available to order in a roll (Dermalize PRO) or a pack of 5 pre-cut sheets. We recommend rubbing on some Hustle Butter Deluxe prior to applying Dermalize PRO aftercare for best results!

Dermalize also has you covered for the summer with Dermalize Pro Total Black Sun Block, a barrier film that is perfect for protecting tattoos in the sun by providing a barrier to UVA and UVB rays penetration. Similar to the original Dermalize Pro, Total Black can be ordered in a roll or pack of 5 pre-cut sheets.

Dermalize Phantom

Artists everywhere love Dermalize products, and its newest offering Phantom is thinner than ever! Less than half the thickness of standard Dermalize tattoo film while still offering all the same benefits, this breathable, flexible and latex-free film has a matte finish for nearly-invisible appearance on the skin.

Dermalize Phantom second skin is available in both a roll and pack of 7 pre-cut sheets. One roll of Dermalize Phantom is estimated to cover 60-80 medium-sized tattoos, while a pack is great for giving to your customer for ongoing tattoo aftercare.

Butterluxe

Butterluxe Original Balm and Butterluxe Balm are luxury tattoo butters enriched with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, perfect for every stage of the tattoo process.

Both featuring a rich consistency and a blend of all-natural, vegan-friendly ingredients, these tattoo aftercare balms serve as an excellent moisturiser throughout the tattooing session and during healing, and will help rejuvenate healed tattoos to restore their vibrancy.

YAYO Familia

YAYO Familia aftercare products have proven to be a huge hit among tattoo artists, with the brand winning over fans with its vegan-friendly, cruelty-free and amazing smelling range.

If the smell of Hubba Bubba gives you a nostalgic hit of childhood bliss, then look no further than YAYO Bubblicious Tattoo Butter. This all-natural tattoo aftercare butter has been fully-tested for use on broken skin, making it a great solution for helping the needle glide during tattooing, as well as healing the skin afterwards.

Not enough Hubba Bubba scent for your liking? You can also check out YAYO Bubblicious Cleansing Foam, which has the same fruity fragrance as the tattoo butter but in a convenient foaming pump bottle. The plant-based formula of this YAYO cleansing foam will clean and soothe the skin, while helping to reduce redness and inflammation in fresh tattoos.

Tiger Spit

Tiger Spit is a soothing tattoo aftercare ointment that has been formulated to prevent skin irritation during the tattooing process.

Made with vegan-friendly, cruelty-free organic ingredients, Tiger Spit glide calms the skin and helps to reduce redness and swelling to make the tattooing session more comfortable for both the artist and customer.

This tattoo process ointment will help your needles glide over the skin easily without removing stencils or clogging tubes.

Dermalize Artcare

From the makers of Dermalize PRO protective tattoo film comes Artcare, a range of aftercare products including a wash, cream and a sunscreen.

All products in the Dermalize Artcare range are made in Italy with natural raw materials and contain no petroleum or silicon. They are also all vegan-friendly and cruelty-free.

Dermalize Artcare Soft Wash has been specifically-formulated to gently wash your new tattoo, while keeping its colours safe and vibrant.

You can also use the Dermalize Artcare Velvet Cream aftercare lotion after the tattooing process, as it has been designed to promote the hydration and protection of the skin.

The aftercare range also includes Dermalize Artcare Sun 50 Sunscreen, which is a suncare formula that offers high protection against sun-induced damage to both the skin and tattoo ink, thanks to its broad UVA and UVB coverage and SPF of 50.

You can also order the Dermalize Artcare Kit - an all-in-one tattoo aftercare kit that contains everything you need to clean, hydrate and protect the skin. The Dermalize Artcare Kit contains a Soft Wash and Velvet Cream, along with a roll of Dermalize PRO.

INK-EEZE Green/Purple/Pink Glide

INK-EEZE is known for creating some of the best tattoo aftercare around and offers various ointments, sprays, and creams that can all be used after the tattooing process.

We’ll start with INK-EEZE’s range of tattooing ointments, which comprises of Green Glide, Purple Glide and Pink Glide. Each is a non-petroleum-based, vegan-friendly ointment infused with essential oils and a formula that was specifically-developed by tattooers and skin care specialists alike.

INK-EEZE’s “Glide” products can be used as a lubricant during tattooing and as tattoo aftercare as well. Depending on your chosen product, INK-EEEZE “Glide” tattoo ointment will be available in sachets, tubes or tubs.

Tattoo Armour

One of the latest aftercare products on the scene are the Tattoo Armour pads, which have been created by tattoo artists Torsten and Kätlin Malm with help from medical experts and Killer Ink sponsored artists Sandra Daukshta and Mihails Neverovs.

Use Tattoo Armour as part of your aftercare process for beautifully-healed tattoos.

The pattern on the pads are specifically-designed to hold its form and not tear during your daily activities, while still letting the tattoo breathe and reducing scabbing.

Fast and easy to apply, Tattoo Armour pads will also shield your fresh tattoo against bacteria, germs, UV light, and dirt.

Each pack of Tattoo Armour contains 10 pads, which is enough to last the duration of the tattoo healing process. Available in two pad sizes: Medium and Large.

Dermalize Pad

Dermalize Pads are sterile, high-absorbency pads made of cotton that are to be used as part of the aftercare process to care for your fresh tattoo.

To use, apply the Dermalize Pad on to the tattoo at the end of the session and fix it in place with Dermalize PRO protective film. Repeat as necessary in the following hours/days.

Each box contains 100 pads and two sizes are available: 10x15 cm and 15x20 cm.

Hustle Bubbles Deluxe

Hustle Bubbles Deluxe is everything you love about Hustle Butter Deluxe in an anti-microbial skin cleanser.

You can use Hustle Bubbles Deluxe as an alternative to green soap thanks to its anti-microbial properties. Hustle Bubbles Deluxe decreases the bacteria on the skin, while gently cleaning, soothing and nourishing the skin.

To use, simply fill a rinse bottle with Hustle Bubbles Deluxe and use to replace green soap and in-process washes. You can also use Hustle Bubbles Deluxe to keep fresh tattoos clean during the healing process.

Hustle Bubbles Deluxe is all-natural, vegan-friendly and it smells so good!

The team at Hustle Butter reformulated its popular Hustle Bubbles Deluxe Foam Wash for compliancy in the EU market, so make sure to check that out for amazing-smelling skin cleaning and those perfect foam tattoo reveals!