You generally want to put a very thin layer of gentle, fragrance‑free ointment or lotion on a new tattoo, and nothing harsh, scented, or suffocating.

Quick Scoop

Right after you get home (first 24–48 hours):

  • Follow your artist’s specific instructions first; they know the ink and your skin best.
  • Once you remove the bandage (when your artist told you to), wash the tattoo gently with lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance‑free soap, then pat dry with a clean paper towel or very soft, clean cloth.
  • Apply a very thin layer of a healing ointment recommended for tattoos, such as:
    • A+D–type healing ointment
    • Aquaphor Healing Ointment
    • A simple, fragrance‑free, petrolatum‑based healing jelly or tattoo‑specific balm
  • The key is a light layer: the skin should look slightly satin, not shiny or goopy.

Think of it like caring for a scraped knee that happens to have art in it: clean, protected, but not smothered.

What to put on a new tattoo (days 2–7)

Once you’re in the first week and the tattoo has stopped “weeping”:

  1. Cleanser (what you wash with):
    • Gentle, fragrance‑free liquid soap.
    • No scrubs, no loofahs, no alcohol or peroxide.
  2. Ointment vs. lotion:
    • Days 1–3: thin layer of tattoo‑safe ointment after each gentle wash.
    • After a few days: many artists have you switch to a light, fragrance‑free lotion instead of ointment.
  3. Good choices (common examples):
    • Simple, fragrance‑free healing ointment or jelly.
    • Fragrance‑free, dye‑free body lotion made for sensitive skin.
    • Tattoo‑specific aftercare balms from reputable brands, used in a thin layer.
  4. How often to apply:
    • Usually 2–3 times a day, or whenever the tattoo feels tight or dry.
    • If it looks wet, shiny, or soggy, you’re using too much.

What not to put on a new tattoo

  • No scented lotions, body butters, or products with dyes.
  • No alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or “strong” antiseptics.
  • No thick glob of petroleum jelly that seals the skin and doesn’t let it breathe.
  • No makeup, self‑tanner, or sunscreen on an open/fresh tattoo.
  • Avoid home remedies like coconut oil, essential oils, or random “natural” salves unless your artist or a medical professional okays them.

After the first week (peeling & itching phase)

As it starts to peel like a sunburn:

  1. Switch fully to a light, fragrance‑free lotion if your artist agrees.
  2. Keep moisturizing lightly 2–3 times a day so the flakes come off on their own.
  3. Do not pick, scratch, or peel the flaking skin; just keep it clean and lightly moisturized.
  4. Once the surface looks healed, you can start using sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) every time it’s in the sun to keep it from fading.

Little mini‑story to frame it

Imagine your new tattoo like a limited‑edition print under a thin layer of fragile glass. For the first few days, you gently dust it (wash with mild soap), then wipe on a faint haze of protective polish (thin ointment). As the glass hardens, you swap to a light cleaner (lotion) that keeps it clear and bright without scratching it. Everything you put on it should be boring, fragrance‑free, and gentle—but that’s exactly what lets the art stay bold.

TL;DR

  • First days: gentle wash + very thin layer of tattoo‑friendly ointment.
  • After that: gentle wash + thin layer of fragrance‑free lotion.
  • Always light, breathable moisture; never harsh, scented, or heavy products; and follow your tattoo artist’s aftercare sheet if it differs.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.