The Tattoo Aftercare Routine I Use Per A Celeb Tattoo Artist

I’ve always known I wanted a tattoo since I was a child — I found them so cool and mesmerizing aesthetically, and even more interesting that people could share bits of their stories and personalities through body art. My first tattoo was completed earlier in the year. I forgot to take care of my skin afterward. When you think about it, getting a tattoo is basically creating tiny little injuries on your skin, so how you recover deserves as much thought and intention as treating any other skin-related wound. Luckily my first tattoo healed well after following the basic instructions given to me by my artist — mainly to keep it dry, avoid very hot water on the area, and to use a petroleum-based ointment to moisturize.

If I ever get another tattoo, I want to know what to do next to make sure my healing process goes smoothly. Mira Mariah, the renowned tattoo artist Mira Mariah was able to meet me. GirlKnewYorkPete Davidson and Ariana Grande have been tattooed by. “Keep your tattoo bandages six to 12 hours after your appointment, clean with antibacterial soap and water, and apply a thin layer of Avène’s Cicalfate+ Hydrating Skin Recovery Emulsion generously the first time, and just a little bit frequently following that,” Mariah tells me. “Make sure to clean your tattoo twice a day and keep it moisturized and out of the sun!”

With an improved wealth of knowledge on tattoo aftercare, here are all the products I’ll be leaning on to make sure my next one heals nicely and stays bright and crisp for years to come.