Tattoo Care Guide

Explore the Māori roots of tā moko, its cultural resurgence, and the practitioners carrying this living art forward in Aotearoa New Zealand.

What dermatologists say about petroleum jelly and tattoo color, plus thoughtful care for fresh, healing and fully healed ink.

Care for the surface. Make sun protection part of the plan.

Dryness calls for attention to context, not simply a heavier layer.

Good care is often about the unnecessary things you leave out.

A settled tattoo still belongs to living skin. Give that skin a routine you can keep.

An itch is a sensation, not a diagnosis. Start with the context.

A calendar can help you remember care. It cannot inspect your skin.

When flakes appear, a lighter touch is often the most useful change.