What Goes in a Tattoo Aftercare Kit: Everything You Need From Day 1 to Fully Healed

Understand the healing phases first

A tattoo heals in three overlapping phases, and your kit needs to cover all of them.

Days 1–3: Open wound. Your skin is raw, plasma and excess ink are leaking out, and infection risk is at its highest.

Days 4–14: Surface healing. The skin starts closing over. Peeling and itching kick in. This is where most people make mistakes — they either over-moisturise, under-moisturise, or reach for the wrong product entirely.

Weeks 3–6+: Deep healing. The surface looks healed, but the deeper layers are still regenerating. Skipping aftercare now is how you end up with dull, patchy ink six months down the track.

Most people only think about days 1–3. A proper kit sees you through all three phases.

The essentials — what every kit needs

1. A gentle, antibacterial tattoo foam wash

You'll wash your tattoo twice a day during the first two weeks. Use an antibacterial foam wash. Your regular body wash isn't it.

Harsh cleansers strip the skin's barrier and slow healing. Keep it simple and keep it gentle.

2. A purpose-built tattoo aftercare balm

This is the centrepiece of your kit. You need something formulated specifically for tattooed skin — not a general moisturiser, not a nappy rash cream, not petroleum jelly on its own.

A good tattoo aftercare product does three things: locks in moisture without suffocating the skin, supports the skin barrier while it rebuilds, and keeps the area comfortable through peeling and itching.

Dr Pickles Tattoo Aftercare Balm was built for exactly this. It works from day one through full healing — no need to switch products mid-way or guess whether what you're using is right for the phase you're in.

3. Hypoallergenic tattoo wrap (for the first 24 hours)

Your artist will wrap you up before you leave the studio. If they use a second-skin wrap,  leave on for the first 24 hours depending on the brand.

Always purchase an extra sheet of tattoo wrap if you are worried it may slip off in the shower or start to peel off around the edges. It is always best practice to wrap up your tattoo wrap with some loose bandage or something protective to avoid getting water in the wrap.  

4. Paper Towel

Standard bath towels are bacteria traps. Pat-dry your tattoo with clean, unscented paper towels after washing — every single time. It's a small habit that makes a real difference.

5. SPF 50+ sunscreen (for once you're healed)

Sun is the number one enemy of tattoo longevity. Once your tattoo is fully healed — typically 4–6 weeks — apply SPF 50+ every time it's exposed to the sun. A faded tattoo is almost always a sun-damaged tattoo.

What to leave out of your kit

A lot of what people reach for actually makes healing harder, not easier.

Nappy rash creams: Not formulated for tattoo healing. The thick, occlusive base can prevent the skin from breathing properly during peeling and may contribute to ink fallout. There are better options designed for the job.

Alcohol-based products: Anything that tingles means it's drying you out. Drying out a healing tattoo leads to cracking, scabbing, and ink loss.

Heavy perfumed lotions: Fragrance is one of the most common causes of contact dermatitis. Don't add known irritants to a fresh wound.

The daily routine — simple, not complicated

Complicated routines don't get followed. Keep it to two steps, twice a day.

Days 1–14:

• Morning: wash gently with antibacterial foam wash → pat dry with paper towel → apply a thin layer of aftercare balm
• Evening: repeat
• As needed: re-apply balm if skin feels tight or dry between washes

Days 15 through full healing:

• Wash daily as normal 
• Apply balm once a day or whenever skin feels dry
• Apply SPF if heading outside

Build your kit before your appointment — not after

Don't wait until you're home with fresh ink to think about this. Have everything ready before you walk through the studio door.

Five items. That's your complete kit:

• Dr Pickles Tattoo Aftercare Balm
• Antibacterial Foam Wash
• Paper Towel
• Dr Pickles Dermal Soothe Gel
• Dr Pickles Tattoo Wrap

The bottom line

Good healing isn't complicated — but it is intentional. Having the right products in place before you need them means you're not improvising when your skin is at its most vulnerable.

Your tattoo is an investment. The artist put their time and skill into it. The least you can do is protect it properly for six weeks.

Ready to build your kit? Shop the Dr Pickles aftercare range →