The Tattoo Aftercare Artists Swear By

Clean healing. No petroleum. Won't fade your ink.

Your new tattoo is an investment. Don't heal it with petroleum jelly that
suffocates ink and traps bacteria.

Nooks keeps fresh tattoos clean with antimicrobial manuka oil while lightweight
oils let skin breathe and heal properly.

Used by tattoo artists. Trusted by collectors.

SHOP 60G - $34.95

Why Petroleum Fails Tattoos

Some tattoo artists hand you a tube of Aquaphor or tell you to use Vaseline. It's cheap, available, but it's not ideal.

SUFFOCATES THE TATTOO:
Creates completely occlusive barrier—no oxygen reaches healing skin. Slows healing and can trap bacteria under the seal, increasing infection risk.

PULLS INK OUT:
Petroleum can draw ink out of fresh tattoos, especially fine lines and color work. You lose saturation and detail you paid for.

DOESN'T ACTUALLY HEAL:
Petroleum just sits on surface. No healing actives. No antimicrobial properties. No anti-inflammatory compounds. It's just... there.

GREASY MESS:
Stains clothes, bedding, car seats. Needs plastic wrap (more suffocation). Can't go about your day normally.

CLOGS PORES:
Especially problematic on large pieces or areas with existing acne. Can cause
breakouts around your new tattoo.

Your tattoo deserves better.

How Nooks Heals Tattoos

  • ANTIMICROBIAL PROTECTION

    Manuka oil is 20-30x stronger than tea tree oil at killing bacteria—without irritation. Keeps fresh tattoos clean during the vulnerable healing window.

  • BREATHABLE HEALING

    Unlike petroleum, Nooks creates a semi-permeable barrier. Oxygen reaches skin (speeds healing), moisture stays in (prevents scabbing), bacteria stays out
    (prevents infection). Your tattoo heals faster and cleaner.

  • ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

    Calendula and chamomile reduce redness, swelling, and that hot, irritated feeling fresh tattoos get. Keeps you comfortable while you heal.

  • PREVENTS SCABBING

    Jojoba, squalane, and MCT oils keep skin supple and moisturized. Less scabbing = less ink loss = better healed tattoo. Your lines stay crisp, your colors stay
    saturated.

  • LIGHTWEIGHT ABSORPTION

    Absorbs in 60 seconds. No greasy film, no plastic wrap needed. You can wear normal clothes, sleep normally, go about your day.

  • SAFE FOR COLOR & BLACK WORK

    Plant-based oils don't pull ink like petroleum can. Your tattoo heals with the saturation and detail the artist intended. Works on all tattoo styles.

INITIAL HEALING

DAY 1-3

1. Remove bandage after 3-24 hours (follow your artist's timing)
2. Wash gently with unscented soap and lukewarm water
3. Pat dry with clean paper towel (not cloth—bacteria risk)
4. Apply thin layer of Nooks (pea-sized amount per palm-sized area)
5. Let absorb completely (60 seconds)
6. Reapply 3-4 times daily or whenever skin feels tight
NO PLASTIC WRAP. No thick layers. Less is more.

ACTIVE HEALING

DAY 4-14

Continue applying 2-3x daily. You may start peeling—this is normal.

Don't pick. Keep applying Nooks to prevent excessive scabbing.

Peeling skin should come off naturally in the shower. If it's stuck, leave it—forcing it pulls ink out.

SETTLING

WEEK 3-4

Tattoo looks healed but ink is still settling.

Continue applying once daily to keep skin supple and prevent "silvering" (shiny scar tissue that can dull tattoos).

How To Use

LONG-TERM CARE:
Use Nooks whenever tattoo feels dry or after sun exposure. Keeps colors vibrant and prevents premature fading.

HOW MUCH YOU NEED:
30g tin = enough for 2-3 palm-sized tattoos
60g tin = enough for full sleeve or back piece

PRO TIPS FROM TATTOO ARTISTS:
- Apply to clean, dry skin (wet skin = diluted protection)
- Thin layers only (thick application = oxygen deprivation)
- Wash hands before each application (prevent contamination)
- Don't touch the tattoo unnecessarily (oils from hands = bacteria)
- Avoid swimming, hot tubs, baths for 2 weeks (infection risk)

Real Results

5.00 ★ (3)
Verified

Heal Your Investment Properly

You paid good money for that ink. Don't cheap out on healing it.
Better aftercare = Better healed tattoo = Better looking art for life.

✓ Used by professional tattoo artists
✓ Won't fade ink or pull color
✓ Antimicrobial protection
✓ Free shipping over $60

  • Skin repair balm on a bathroom counter with soap, towel, and containers on a tiled shelf
1 4

NOOKS BALM

The Universal Balm™

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Why It Works Better

  • DEEP PENETRATION

    MCT oil, jojoba, and squalane are molecular structures similar to skin's natural oils. They don't sit on surface like petroleum—they absorb into dermis where damage actually occurs.

  • ANTIMICROBIAL PROTECTION

    Cracked, work-damaged skin is vulnerable to infection. Manuka oil (20x stronger than tea tree) and plantain leaf keep open cracks clean while they heal—without the sting of alcohol-based products.

  • BARRIER REPAIR

    Shea butter provides ceramides (the "mortar" between skin cells). Beeswax creates breathable seal. Together they rebuild the protective barrier that keeps irritants OUT and moisture IN.

  • ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

    Calendula and chamomile reduce redness, swelling, and pain from chemical burns or friction damage. Hospital-grade botanicals that actually work.

  • ACCELERATED HEALING

    Bakuchiol (plant retinol) speeds cell turnover. Damaged skin heals faster, calluses smooth out, hyperpigmentation from old injuries fades.

  • NO GREASY RESIDUE

    Unlike petroleum-based ointments, Nooks absorbs completely in 60-90 seconds. You can hold tools, wear gloves, operate machinery without slippery hands.

Nooks vs. Other Tattoo Aftercare

  • AQUAPHOR / VASELINE

    ✓ Cheap and widely available ($10-15)
    ✗ Suffocates tattoo (no oxygen to healing skin)
    ✗ Can pull ink out (especially fine lines and color)
    ✗ Extremely greasy (stains everything)
    ✗ No healing actives (just barrier)
    ✗ No antimicrobial properties
    ✗ Requires plastic wrap (more suffocation)

  • HUSTLE BUTTER / TATTOO GOO

    ✓ Better than petroleum
    ✓ Plant-based ingredients
    ✗ Expensive ($25-35 for small amounts)
    ✗ Often fragranced (can irritate fresh tattoos)
    ✗ Thick texture (doesn't absorb quickly)
    ✗ Designed only for tattoos (not multi-purpose)

  • A&D OINTMENT

    ✓ Cheap
    ✗ Petroleum and mineral oil base
    ✗ Can cause allergic reactions
    ✗ Very greasy texture
    ✗ No antimicrobial properties
    ✗ Some tattoo artists won't warranty work healed with A&D

  • NOOKS UNIVERSAL BALM

    ✓ Lightweight, breathable (oxygen reaches skin)
    ✓ Strong antimicrobial (20x stronger than tea tree)
    ✓ Won't pull ink or fade colors
    ✓ Absorbs in 60 seconds (no plastic wrap)
    ✓ Anti-inflammatory botanicals (reduces redness/swelling)
    ✓ Food-grade ingredients (safe for any skin)
    ✓ Multi-purpose (use on other skin issues too)
    ✓ Used and recommended by professional tattoo artists
    ✗ More expensive than petroleum ($34.95) but lasts longer

FAQs

Q: Can I use this on a fresh tattoo right away?

A: Yes. Use as soon as you remove the bandage (3-24 hours after getting
tattooed, following your artist's instructions).

Q: Will this fade my tattoo colors?

A: No. Unlike petroleum that can pull ink out, plant-based oils in Nooks
support healing without affecting ink saturation. Artists report better
color retention with Nooks.

Q: Do I need plastic wrap with this?

A: No. Nooks absorbs quickly and doesn't need occlusion. Just apply thin
layer and let it absorb. Wear normal clothes.

Q: How much do I apply?

A: Thin layer only. Pea-sized amount covers palm-sized tattoo. Too much =
oxygen deprivation = slower healing. Less is more.

Q: Can I use this on old tattoos?

A: Yes. Great for keeping old tattoos vibrant and preventing premature fading.
Apply after sun exposure or whenever tattooed skin feels dry.

Q: Is it safe for all tattoo styles?

A: Yes. Works on traditional, realism, black and grey, color, fine line,
watercolor, geometric—all styles. Artists report consistent healing across
different techniques.

Q: What if my tattoo gets infected anyway?

A: While Nooks has strong antimicrobial properties, no aftercare product
can guarantee zero infection risk. If you see spreading redness, pus, fever,
or red streaks, see a doctor immediately. Continue using Nooks alongside
prescribed antibiotics.

Q: Can I use this under saniderm/second skin?

A: Not necessary—those bandages create their own healing environment. Use
Nooks after you remove the bandage (usually 3-5 days).

Q: Will this help with tattoo touch-ups?

A: Yes. Use the same way you would on a fresh tattoo. Helps touch-up areas
heal evenly with the original work.