The holiday season has arrived, and if you or someone you love is a tattoo enthusiast, you’re probably wracking your brain for the perfect gift. You might be in one of two boats:

Maybe you’ve made the plunge, narrowed down your artwork, and had your free tattoo consultation with one of our brilliant tattoo artists here at Certified Tattoo Studios. The date and time of your appointment have even come and gone—you showed up at the studio, conquered your nerves (and the pain—hopefully it wasn’t as bad as you were anticipating), sat for your session, and walked out with an amazing work of art on your skin that you can show off for years to come.

But now that you have your tattoo, you’re not entirely out of the woods.

Or maybe you’re not the one with the fresh new ink, but a mere witness to the entire tattoo process. Maybe you’ve endured countless phone calls and viewed more images than you can even remember as you’ve given your opinion about a loved one’s new design. Perhaps you’ve talked them out of canceling their session when last-minute nerves popped up, or even trekked to the studio with a friend and held their hand while they got their new ink.

Now that your friend or loved one has their new tattoo, you know how much a tattoo-related gift would mean to them. But where do you even start?

Whether you’re the one with the fresh ink or merely a witness to the entire tattoo process, it’s important to note that getting (and taking care of) a new tattoo isn’t as simple as actually having the ink applied to the skin. Once a tattoo is inked by one of our incredibly skilled artists, the hard part is done, but caring for a tattoo is a lifelong process that doesn’t stop when you walk out of the tattoo studio!

If you’re looking for some tattoo care gifts for a friend, or for yourself, look no further. We’ve got you covered with some of the best tattoo care products on the market that will bring a smile to any tattoo lover’s face this holiday season.

How important is aftercare for a new tattoo?

Talk to any tattoo artist out there and they’ll assure you of the importance of tattoo aftercare. If you want your (or a loved one’s) tattoo to heal properly and beautifully so it will last for years and years, how you take care of your new ink is important.

Most tattoos take four to six weeks to heal, though that can vary slightly from person to person. During these weeks—and especially the first few days—it is crucial to keep your tattoo hydrated and protected. This helps prevent your new tattoo from scabbing over, which can cause inconsistencies in coloration in your healed tattoo and even create scars.

The key product to keeping your tattoo moisturized during the healing process to prevent scabbing is an ointment or healing balm of some sort. There are some tried and true favorites out there that almost any tattoo artist will recommend, and there are some formulas that are developed just for tattoos.

If you’re on the market for the perfect aftercare product to gift that newly tattooed family member or friend this holiday season, we’ve got the perfect tattoo care gift guide for you!

Aquaphor

This healing ointment has been a staple in the tattooing community for years, and it’s no wonder why. Aquaphor works by creating a thin layer of moisturizing and protectant petrolatum on your skin that will keep your skin’s natural moisture in and keep harmful materials out of your tattoo as it heals. This is an affordable option, too, which makes it particularly great for large tattoos that will require a lot of product for those first several days and weeks.

Tattoo Goo Aftercare Kit

If you’re looking for something that comes with pretty much everything you or your tattoo-lover friend will need to care for a new tattoo, then the Tattoo Aftercare Kit from Tattoo Goo is an excellent option. This kit comes with aftercare lotion and balm, as well as enhancing lotion that can be used to keep a new tattoo looking sharp and vibrant for years to come. The kit also comes with a deep cleansing soap which is gentle on new ink but cleanses thoroughly to prevent infection and keep your tattoo clean.

Sunscreen

One important element of tattoo aftercare that can sometimes be overlooked is sunscreen. Without sunscreen, the sun’s rays can fade your tattoo (and give you a nasty sunburn which nobody wants.)

When it comes to sunscreen options out there, you can stick with a tried and true favorite like the CeraVe mineral sunscreen which is affordable and lightweight, or you can kick it up a notch and purchase a sunscreen specifically formulated to protect tattoos like Ink-Eeze. This sunscreen is toted as the world’s first sunscreen specifically formatted for tattoos and would make a great gift for someone in your life who has a tattoo that needs to be protected from the sun.

Whether you go with one of the products mentioned here or the countless other tattoo care products on the market, there are some important things to keep in mind. Go for aftercare products with naturally-derived ingredients. This will allow your skin to breathe and won’t cause any irritation from synthetic chemicals. Also, opt for something fragrance-free for the same reason—fragrances can irritate your skin which is the last thing you need when caring for a new tattoo.

Finally, keep what the tattoo artist recommends in mind. Tattoo artists are super knowledgeable when it comes to tattoos, especially when it comes to your specific tattoo or a tattoo they inked on your friend or family member. Most tattoo artists have their own recommendations for tattoo care products, and it’s always smart to heed the advice of the experts. If you’re stumped about what to purchase for a tattoo lover in your life this holiday season, it never hurts to call up the tattoo studio they frequent for recommended products and gift ideas.