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How do you keep your old tattoos looking new?
Just use one of the best lotions for old tattoos.
You’ll be surprised at how simply moisturizing lotion makes a noticeable difference.
It’s not complicated.
Ok, we lied… It’s a bit more complicated than that because the lotion that you use specifically for old tattoos might be a bit different than you think.
Also with so many different products on the market how are you supposed to choose one that actually works? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Just pick from our reviews down below to get a quality product.
If you don’t want to read the full article then check out our favorite products for the best tattoo lotions for the old tattoos in the table below.
There are three reasons why tattoos fade over time.
First, if your skin is dry, it’s like looking at a picture through a hazy window.
Second, sunlight damages the pigment.
And third, the tattoo may spread as your skin ages. Your body will be continually trying to break down the pigment.
If you moisturize old tattoos, you’ll notice they look brighter.
But it’s not just the hydration.
Most lotions have natural ingredients that rejuvenate dry, tired skin.
When your skin is healthy, your tattoo will appear sharper and clearer.
If you exfoliate regularly (after your tattoo is fully healed), you’ll discover that it helps revive older tattoos.
You don’t need to worry about scrubbing off your tattoo because it lives in the dermis layer. That’s the level underneath the outer layer of your skin.
Exfoliating only removes the top, dead layer of cells. This is like cleaning the haze from the window so you can view the tattoo more clearly.
Therefore, use a loofah in the shower a couple of times a week. Or you can use an exfoliating lotion, too.
At some point in the years to come, you may notice that your tattoo looks a little blurry and dull.
This is normal.
Exfoliating and moisturizing will keep your skin in top shape for a long time. Wearing sunscreen is crucial as well.
But if you are unhappy with the way it looks, you have options.
You don’t have to remove it. Instead, talk to a tattoo artist about re-working it or incorporating the old art into a new design.
Any tattoo will wear well if you take good care of your skin.
Those on the flat areas of your body that experience less friction will stay looking sharper for longer. For example, ink on the flat of your forearm, your upper arms and shoulders, and your back will usually last longer.
Also, grayscale art and black ink in bold designs stand up to the sunlight and aging better than colored ink and fine detail.
Now let’s discover the top lotions for old tattoos. We’ll begin with products that exfoliate dead cells to reveal fresh, soft skin.
Here is the best tattoo lotion you can ever come across, CeraVe created their SA Lotion to treat keratosis pilaris and psoriasis. It has both salicylic and lactic acid, two excellent exfoliants.
It also contains hyaluronic acid and ceramides for intense moisturization and Vitamin E and D for the process of healing the tattoo.
Since it’s free of artificial fragrances and dyes and non-comedogenic, these tattoo lotions are kind of sensitive to skin and this is one of the best lotions for old tattoos.
Glytone uses a rich concentration of glycolic acid, another natural exfoliant.
Besides reviving dehydrated skin, the lotion can heal cracked elbows, knuckles, and heels.
To avoid irritation, don’t use this product on your face and don’t apply it right after hair removal. We consider this as one of the finest or rather one of the best lotions for old tattoos
Alpha Skin Care also employs glycolic acid in a weaker concentration. Start here if you’re unfamiliar with exfoliating lotions.
The fragrance-free formula has a skin-friendly pH of 4.0. It’s acidic, just like your body, to prevent irritation.
Not only will it alleviate dryness, but it also boosts collagen production to firm up the skin. If you are looking for the best lotions for old tattoos, then this tops the list.
Moving on from products that exfoliate, let’s look at a surprisingly inexpensive and effective option.
This lotion comes with cocoa butter, coconut oil, and shea butter. These three emollients rejuvenate ashy skin to make it baby soft, giving it a natural tattoo look.
As a result, your body will feel better, and your tattoo will look crisper. We feel this also to be one of the best lotions for old tattoos.
Adamia’s therapeutic lotion heals damaged skin with macadamia oil. It absorbs quickly without leaving a residue.
The ingredients are non-GMO. There are no parabens, no petroleum-based products, no phthalates, and there’s no artificial fragrance, either.
Not only is this one of the best lotions to keep old tattoos bright, but it’s also recommended for treating new tattoos.
Eucerin simplifies getting ready in the morning by combining body cream with sunscreen.
We’d recommend this one as one of the best lotions for tattoo aftercare because it softens your skin and protects you from UV rays.
Wearing this cream will keep your tattoo crisper for longer.
The hydration effects last for 24 hours after you apply it. Moreover, it’s free of artificial fragrances and dyes. This also comes in our best lotions for old tattoos.
Alba Botanica’s lotion also provides protection from the sun.
It’s rich in botanical natural ingredients and emollients. It has soothing chamomile, green tea to firm your skin, and lavender to reduce inflammation.
Furthermore, it’s free of parabens, artificial fragrances, and phthalates and 100% vegetarian.
If you have very sensitive skin or allergies, check out this lotion from Vanicream. The rich texture is entirely free of parabens, fragrances, dyes, lanolin, and formaldehyde releasers.
It’s so mild and moisturizing that it won the Seal of Acceptance from the National Eczema Association.
You can use it on your face and body as it won’t cause breakouts or blackheads.
Curél’s Comforting Lotion is suitable for old tattoos and new tattoos alike. It moisturizes your dry skin for 24 hours with time-released natural ingredients.
It features a ceramide complex. Ceramides restore the skin’s natural barrier to prevent moisture loss and infection.
The non-greasy formula is made for both your face and body.
Lubriderm makes a special lotion specifically for tattoos. It’s an excellent healing Ointment for aftercare of a new ink tattoo and maintenance of old ones, too.
It has a lightweight texture that sinks in fast. But don’t be deceived as it’s a very moisturizing lotion.
It has soybean seed extract, glycerin, and Vitamin B5. The non-greasy formula is made for both your face and body. It will keep the skin moisturized.
Guys may prefer Nivea’s lotion for men. It provides intense hydration for rough places like hands, knees, and elbows. But it’s also mild enough for the face and rest of the body.
Although it absorbs in seconds, the effects last for 24 hours or longer.
Hempz makes a variety of vegan lotions with different fragrances. This one happens to smell like peach and grapefruit.
It has a whipped, airy texture that smooths the skin immediately. With hemp seed oil and Yangu, it’s an excellent moisturizer with potent anti-aging powers.
Once you apply it, it protects your skin for 24 hours.
Everyone’s Lotion avoids all the no-nos like gluten, artificial fragrances, parabens, dyes, and GMO ingredients.
It’s packed with vegetable glycerin, sesame and coconut oils, and vitamin B5 and vitamin E to restore the skin to health. It also has aloe, calendula, chamomile, and white tea to keep your body young and firm.
Yes, you can use Aveeno lotion for old tattoos. It revives old ones and protects new ones while they heal.
The fragrance-free formula won’t clog your pores, and it sinks in fast without leaving a residue.
Aveeno’s secret weapon is colloidal oatmeal. It’s very soothing to the skin as it relieves dryness and itching. This is one of the best lotions for old tattoos
Now let’s move on to the best lotions made specifically for tattoos.
Tattoo Goo is a popular choice for people with sensitive skin. It doesn’t have any petroleum-based products, mineral oil, lanolin, or an artificial fragrance.
Instead, it has vitamins A and D that promote healing. Plus, if you use it on new tattoos, it prevents scabbing to avoid problems with the tattoo.
If you like to tan, try Ink By Ed Hardy. It’s a moisturizer that can extend your tan to keep you bronzed for longer. But most importantly, it makes old tattoos pop.
It’s loaded with shea butter and antioxidants that repair damage to your skin done by the sun. Furthermore, it has the company’s own Tattoo and Color Fade Protector to keep your tattoo bright.
Just keep in mind that it does not contain sunscreen.
Once you try it, you may be hooked. It never feels greasy, and it’s a pleasure to apply.
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This JWOWW lotion defends your tattoo with shea butter and vitamins to keep it from fading while you tan.
This is not a sunscreen, but an indoor tanning lotion with instant bronzers.
As a pleasant side effect, it makes the skin deliciously soft and smooth.
We know it’s not a lotion, but we’re slipping in this product all the same. After all, it does moisturize the skin while it protects against sun damage.
This convenient little stick makes sure UV radiation doesn’t damage your tattoo.
After Inked tattoo aftercare lotion is designed and used by well-known tattoo artists. It was featured on Ink Master as well.
This vegan moisturizer contains grapeseed oil to keep the skin young. It’s free of parabens, petroleum, artificial fragrances, and gluten.
If you’ve had permanent makeup procedures for tattoo removal, it’s mild enough to use on the skin there, too.
H2Ocean avoids petroleum with their water-based lightweight aftercare lotion. Some users say that it’s the best product they’ve ever used on their old tattoos. They love how it makes the colors pop.
We love Hustle Butter deluxe as it’s natural and all-around useful.
You can use it during the tattoo process, plus it heals new tattoos.
Down the road, you’ll find that Hustle Butter deluxe makes your old tattoos look vibrant again.
Some of the highlights include shea butter and mango butter, coconut and sunflower oil, rosemary, green tea, and mint. This is the perfect tattoo butter for tattoo care.
Give individual tattoos a boost with this salve. It’s based on grape seed oil that’s infused with organic herbs and essential oils. It has calendula, comfrey, burdock, tea tree, rosemary, shea butter and more.
Each batch is made fresh in the USA and free of artificial ingredients and is made using only natural ingredients.
Here’s another tattoo balm that’s good for the healing process for new tattoos and reviving old ones.
Use the tattoo balm as a spot treatment on faded old tattoos to brighten up the colors.
This tattoo balm is created with raw shea butter and essential oils of tea tree, lavender, and rosemary.
Urban Nomads designed this tattoo aftercare oil to double as beard balm and deodorant. It can also repair split ends in your hair.
Perhaps you should consider packing this one on your next trip.
It’s handmade in Barcelona from argan, almond, and sunflower oils with hints of bergamot, coconut oil lemon, shea butter and rosemary. As you can imagine, it smells delicious and is really good for your older tattoos as well.
Billy Jealousy wants to give you all the tools you need to maintain your tattoos in top condition.
This kit contains tattoo wash, lotion, and salve.
The wash exfoliates dead skin with glycolic acid and papaya extract. Healing tattoo requires patience (Don’t use the wash while your new tattoo is healing. It will sting!)
Then the lotion moisturizes intensely with cucumber and shea butter to keep your art looking as fresh as the day it was inked. Use it twice a day for maximum results.
Meanwhile, the salve is packed with vitamin E and vitamin C and lavender oil to speed up the healing process. Apply it to a new tattoo three times a day and this is non-comedogenic.
We hope you discovered the perfect lotion to revive your old tattoo today.
If you take care of your skin, your tattoos will stay looking beautiful for longer.
Drop us a comment about your favorite tattoo moisturizer and aftercare lotion for old tattoos.
Resources:
1. https://hubtattoo.com/long-term-tattoo-preservation-and-care/
2. https://tatring.com/fixing-hiding-tattoos/How-to-Make-an-Old-Tattoo-Look-Fresh-Again
3. https://www.bustle.com/p/7-tattoos-that-actually-look-better-as-you-age-according-to-tattoo-artists-11941315 by Eva Taylor Grant
Last update on 2025-03-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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