12 Expert-Approved Lotions to Heal and Protect Your Tattoos

Tattoos are wearable art that lasts a lifetime, but the actual time you spend under the needle can last as little as ten minutes. Even then, getting a tattoo can be painful, depending on the location and your pain tolerance, but that's only just beginning. The healing process is no joke and it often takes weeks for a tattoo to completely heal.

That doesn't stop most people from adding more art to their bodies. For the most part, getting a tattoo is as common as adding a new pair of kicks to your sneaker collection. They're increasing in popularity even more now that visible tattoos have started to become more widely accepted within the workplace.

Maybe you were recently inspired by the epic hand tattoos in the Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker relationship announcement, maybe you've been cooped up in your house for a year brainstorming your latest adornment, or maybe you're like this girl who opted for an unfortunate quote tattoo given the current situation. Whatever the case may be, designing a tattoo is exciting, but you also need to be fully prepared for tattoo aftercare and all that comes with it.

Properly caring for and selecting the right tattoo lotion or cream is key in ensuring the longevity of your body art. We chatted with Bang Bang's Bryan Gutierrez, one of the most highly sought-after tattoo artists in New York City, and Dr. Joshua Zeichner, Associate Professor of Dermatology and Director of Cosmetic and Clinical Research at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, to get their take on the best way to take care of fresh tattoos. Read on to learn more from these tattoo and skin experts on best practices, and also their recommendations on the best tattoo lotions and aftercare creams.