Louise McSharry gives her stamp of approval to the best products to care for a new tattoo

First, consider your timing. Your tattoo will take some time to heal, and during that time it can’t be in the sun or the sea or a swimming pool. Give yourself a month between any tattoo appointment and a holiday.

Once you’ve got your timing figured out, you’ll probably start to think about the pain. Yes, tattoos hurt, but how much depends on lots of things. Every individual has their own pain threshold, and some people find the discomfort to be very mild while others struggle a lot. You know how much pain you can handle, so if you think you’ll struggle, start with a short session and don’t be afraid to ask for breaks.

The location of the tattoo also impacts how painful it is. I fell asleep during my second tattoo session on my upper arm such was my relaxed state but found the day where my shoulder was being worked on very difficult. Your artist should be able to advise you on whether your chosen location is likely to be a struggle.

When your tattoo is finished it will look shiny and beautiful, but a week later it will be a flakey mess. This is a normal part of the healing process as the skin regenerates. It is important to take good care of your skin at this time. Fresh tattoos should be washed a few times a day using mild, fragrance-free soap.

There are lots of tattoo specific products on the market, like Inktrox Green Energy Tattoo Shower Gel (€3.25 via kwadron.pl) but most baby soaps like Dr Bronner’s Baby Mild Pure Castille Liquid Soap (from €4 via evergreen.ie) work well too as they’re generally free from unnecessary fragrance and chemicals.) You’ll also need to regularly apply ointment to your new tattoo to protect it from bacteria and rubbing against clothing etc.

Hustle Butter (from €8.40 via killerinktattoo.ie) is a favourite of tattoo artists around the world, while Bepanthen Tattoo Ointment (€6.99 via mccabespharmacy.com) is another good option.

When the initial healing phase is over, you’ll need to move on from an ointment to a gentle but hydrating cream or lotion. I like La Roche-Posay’s Lipikar Baume AP+M (from €15.99 via inishpharmacy.com) which is designed to be hydrating and soothing for stressed out skin. Within a couple of weeks of hydrating and cleansing and careful minding, your tattoo should be totally healed. At this stage, you’ll want to protect your investment with a great SPF. All tattoos fade, but the sun accelerates it, so an SPF 50 is a must. I like Bondi Sands SPF 50+ Sunscreen Lotion (€8.95 via cloud10beauty.com) as it’s got a lovely coconut scent.

Something old…

Armani’s Luminous Silk Foundation has been a firm favourite of beauty fans and makeup artists alike for decades now. It delivers medium coverage which builds beautifully and delivers a luminous finish. The formula includes a humectant glycerin, which means it holds moisture at the skin’s surface, making it look plump and hydrated.

While some people with oily skin may fear the idea of a luminous foundation, Luminous Silk delivers a satiny finish and is filled with ingredients that will fight off oil gathering at the surface. It wears well without looking cakey, flakey or patchy, and comes in 40 shades. If you’re looking for airbrushed perfection that still resembles actual skin, this is a solid option.

... Something new

Hourglass has made a name for itself via its luxurious, innovative and cruelty-free cosmetics. I first came to know the brand via its Ambient Lighting Palette, which is a trio of finishing powders.

The brand’s most recent launch is Ambient Soft Glow Foundation, a complexion product designed to work well with the other Ambient Lighting products. The emphasis is on creating a soft-focus effect with blurring qualities. This foundation provides medium but buildable coverage, and truly gives a perfected finish on the skin. The luminosity is delicate, it wears well and works on all skin types — I think it would be particularly nice on mature skin.

Lost in Translation

Keratosis Pilaris is a common skin condition which causes dry patches of skin covered in tiny bumps and often occurs on the upper arms, thighs, cheeks or bum. The condition is harmless but can be minimised through moisturising and the use of of salicylic acid. Ceravé’s SA Smoothing Cleanser (€13 via boots.ie) is ideal as it includes hydrating and nourishing ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid in addition to salicylic acid.