Amaira Skincare Australia

Want to make sure your new ink stays vibrant for decades?

Getting a tattoo is an awesome experience. But here's the catch…

Pre and post skincare is just as important as the tattoo itself. Otherwise your tattoo will heal subpar, fade more quickly, or could even become infected.

The good news?

Your tattoo will heal perfectly and stay bright with the right prep and aftercare routine. In fact the tattoo aftercare products market is expected to reach $4.44 billion in 2025 as more and more people take tattoo care seriously.

Let's go over the essential skincare tips for before and after you get inked:

Preparing Your Skin Before a Tattoo Session
Tips for Pain Management During a Tattoo Session
The Vital First Week of Tattoo Healing
Tattoo Care for the Long-Term

Preparing Your Skin Before a Tattoo Session

Before you even step foot in a tattoo studio, your skin needs to be ready for action.

The reason why: Healthy, supple skin takes tattoo ink better and heals more quickly. You want your skin to be in top shape before you get tattooed so complications don't crop up during or after your session.

The most important thing to do is keep your skin moisturized in the days and weeks before your appointment. Dry, flaky skin makes it harder for the artist to tattoo and affects the ink's absorption into the dermis. Use a gentle moisturizer without any fragrances on the area where your tattoo will go, every day.

Don't even think about getting a sunburn before your session. Sunburned or tanned skin is an absolute no-go for tattoo artists. The skin's surface won't take ink correctly and will be agonizing to heal. Stay out of the sun, or use SPF 50 sunscreen, on the area you want tattooed at least two weeks before your session.

And speaking of sunburns…

Drink lots of water. In the days before your session, stay well-hydrated. Hydrated skin is much easier to tattoo and it helps with the skin's healing later on too.

Tips for Pain Management During a Tattoo Session

Let's be real -- tattoos can be a painful experience.

This will vary based on the location, your pain tolerance, and the length of the session. The truth is some people feel a lot more discomfort than others, especially for more extensive work.

This is where an effective numbing cream for tattoo sessions can be a game-changer. Many of these products contain lidocaine or other anesthetics that numb your skin for the duration of the session. In fact the tattoo numbing cream market reached $1.1 billion in 2024 as awareness of these products spread for larger sessions.

The catch is:

Not all numbing creams work well or at the same speed. You need to be patient with how long it takes your numbing cream to fully penetrate your skin. Most numbing creams take about 30-60 minutes. Always follow the product instructions closely and let your artist know you're using one so they can time the session properly.

Beyond a tattoo numbing cream, there are some other things you can do to feel more comfortable. Eat a good meal before your session so your blood sugar levels stay even. Bring snacks and plenty of water. Take breaks as needed. Don't feel like you can't tell your artist to pause for a few minutes.

The Vital First Week of Tattoo Healing

The first week after you get tattooed is the most crucial time.

This is when your tattoo is most susceptible to infection and when your aftercare regimen is most important. Screw this up and your beautiful new tattoo may end up faded or patchy.

This is the process that needs to happen:

Leave the bandage on for however long your artist instructs, which is usually 2-4 hours. When you're ready to remove it, wash your hands first. Gently wash your tattoo with lukewarm water and a mild antibacterial soap without any perfumes. Pat it dry with a clean paper towel.

Now for the moisturizing. Apply a thin layer of tattoo-specific aftercare ointment or a mild moisturizer without any fragrances 2-3 times a day. The keyword is "thin" -- don't pile on thick layers or it will suffocate your tattoo.

Your tattoo will start to flake and peel a few days in. This is totally normal. Don't pick at it. Let the dead skin naturally fall off. Picking at it can yank out the ink and leave scars.

Don't do these things during the first week:

Swim in a pool, hot tub, or soak in a bath
Go in the sun or use a tanning bed
Wear tight clothing that rubs up against your tattoo
Scratch the area even if it's itchy

Tattoo Care for the Long-Term

Once your tattoo is healed, it's not a "set it and forget it" kind of thing.

Here's the harsh truth: How you care for your tattoo long-term is what determines how good it looks 20 years from now. Faded tattoos aren't just caused by time and aging. They're caused by poor long-term care.

Sunscreen is your tattoo's best friend. UV rays cause the most tattoo fading of all. Apply a high-SPF sunscreen to your tattooed skin whenever it's exposed to the sun. This one simple act will keep your ink looking fresh for years longer.

Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. Dry skin makes tattoos look dull and lifeless. Use a high-quality body lotion every day, and make sure to apply it to your tattooed skin. This will keep your skin in top shape and your tattoo looking vibrant.

One other thing to think about:

Stay hydrated, internally. Drinking lots of water keeps your skin plump and healthy which makes your tattoos look better. Hydration also helps your skin regenerate over time.

You should also consider touch-ups as needed. Even with optimal care, natural fading does occur over the years. Most artists provide touch-up services to rejuvenate old tattoos and restore their original luster.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Do you know what ruins tattoos more quickly than anything else?

A bunch of these common mistakes cause more problems than people realize. Staying away from them is just as important as doing the right things.

Don't use petroleum jelly as your go-to moisturizer. Some artists recommend it for the first day or so, but it's way too heavy to use for longer periods of time. Petroleum jelly will clog your pores and can trap bacteria against your healing tattoo.

Don't over-wash your tattoo either. Washing it more than two to three times a day will strip your skin's natural oils and slow down the healing process.

Avoid any products with alcohol in them. Alcohol-based products dry out the skin and can lead to irritation. Stick with gentle, fragrance-free products that are specifically designed for sensitive or healing skin.

And something people often forget…

Your overall health impacts how your tattoo heals. Smoking, poor diet, and not sleeping enough all slow down your body's healing response. Take good care of yourself to help your skin heal faster.

Wrapping This Up

You don't need to make pre and post skincare for tattoos overly complicated.

It's about being diligent before your session, doing a good job caring for it during the critical first week, and then following a few basic rules for the long-term. Do these things and your tattoo will look as good in 20 years as it does today.

Key takeaways:

Prepare your skin in advance with good hydration and avoiding sunburns
Use pain management methods if you need them for long sessions
Follow your artist's aftercare instructions to a T
Protect your tattoo from UV damage for the rest of your life
Moisturize your skin daily

Millions of people are getting tattooed every year. The ones who end up with the best looking tattoos after? The ones who take their skincare seriously from day one. Make your tattoo investment worth it by giving it the care it deserves.

Essential Skincare Tips for Before and After Tattoos