aftercare · products · palmers
Is Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Good for Tattoos?
Mixed timing answer. Skip Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula on fresh open tattoos for the first 5 to 7 days. From day 5 to 7 once scabbing stops Palmer’s becomes acceptable. Excellent for long term tattoo preservation. Some UK studios specifically recommend it.
Skip Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula on fresh open tattoos for the first 5 to 7 days. The heavy occlusive nature can trap moisture during active weeping. From day 5 to 7 once scabbing stops Palmer’s becomes acceptable. Some UK studios including Bizzle Tattoo specifically recommend Palmer’s Cocoa Butter as aftercare from week 2 onwards.
What to pick. Plain Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula in the basic jar or tube. Available at Boots, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda and most pharmacies. Skip Palmer’s Cocoa Butter with added active ingredients like Skin Therapy Oil. Apply thin layers 1 to 2 times daily from day 5 to 7 onwards. Watch for pore clogging on oily acne-prone skin. Some clients use Palmer’s as their forever standard body lotion.
Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula has been a UK skincare staple for decades. Many tattoo clients ask if it works for tattoo aftercare. The answer depends on timing. This page covers when Palmer’s helps tattoos and when to skip it.
The principles. Skip first week. Acceptable from day 5 to 7 once scabbing stops. Excellent long term. Pick the basic Palmer’s not variants with added actives.
Why Skip Palmer’s the First Week
Heavy Occlusion on Open Wounds
Palmer’s creates a strong occlusive barrier. On fresh open tattoo wounds the heavy layer traps moisture, plasma and contaminants underneath.
Not Designed for Wound Healing
Palmer’s is formulated as a body moisturiser not a wound aftercare product. Different from Bepanthen or dedicated tattoo balms.
Risk of Pore Clogging
The dense lipid composition can clog pores on oily or combination skin types. Breakouts around the healing tattoo can result.
Hair Trapping
The heavy texture traps hair against the tattoo. Skip on hairy placements during the first week.
Mild Fragrance
Palmer’s has a distinctive cocoa scent. While not aggressively fragranced, the scent indicates added compounds that could irritate fresh wounds.
Use Wound Aftercare
Bepanthen Antiseptic Cream, Aquaphor or dedicated tattoo balms for the first week. These provide the right balance of moisture and antiseptic protection for fresh tattoo healing.
Standard first week aftercare products work better.
Palmer’s Acceptable
From day 5 to 7 once scabbing stops Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula is fine. Apply thin layers 1 to 2 times daily. Excellent long term for tattoo preservation. Some UK studios specifically recommend Palmer’s from week 2 onwards.
Right product from day 5 to 7 onwards.
Why Some UK Studios Recommend Palmer’s
Palmer’s Cocoa Butter suitability across tattoo lifetime
The chart shows Palmer’s suitability through healing. Skip during active weeping. Acceptable from day 5 to 7. Excellent long term. Skip Skin Therapy Oil and other variants with added active ingredients.
Some UK tattoo studios recommend Palmer’s Cocoa Butter as aftercare. Bizzle Tattoo specifically lists Palmer’s Cocoa Butter as one of their recommended aftercare products purchasable in most supermarkets or pharmacies.
Adapted from UK tattoo industry guidance
Why Some UK Studios Recommend Palmer’s Continued
Wide Availability
Palmer’s is sold in almost every UK supermarket and pharmacy. Easy for clients to find and restock during healing.
Affordable Price Point
£4 to £8 for a standard jar that lasts several weeks. Significantly cheaper than dedicated tattoo balms.
Familiar Product
Many clients already use Palmer’s for general body care. Easy to continue using during tattoo healing from week 2.
Decent Tolerance
Most clients tolerate Palmer’s without reactions. The simple formulation has lower reaction risk.
Vitamin E Content
The natural vitamin E in cocoa butter supports skin repair and antioxidant protection.
How to Use Palmer’s Correctly
Wait until day 5 to 7. Skip on fresh tattoos during active weeping. Use Bepanthen Antiseptic Cream for the first week. From day 5 to 7 once scabbing stops Palmer’s becomes appropriate.
Wash hands first with antibacterial soap. Wash tattoo gently with mild fragrance-free soap. Pat dry. Air dry 5 to 10 minutes before applying Palmer’s. Scoop pea-sized amount per palm-sized tattoo area. Warm between fingers for 5 to 10 seconds before applying. Smooth in thin layer until absorbed.
Apply 1 to 2 times daily from day 5 to 7 onwards through to full healing. Once daily long term for tattoo preservation.
Watch for Issues With Palmer’s
Pore Clogging on Oily Skin
If small spots or breakouts appear around the tattoo, Palmer’s may be clogging pores. Switch to lighter lotion like Aveeno.
Greasy Residue
If skin feels greasy long after application, you applied too much. Use less next time.
Cocoa Allergy
Rare but possible. Itching, rash or redness indicates allergy. Switch to alternative.
Slow Healing
If healing seems slower than expected the heavy occlusion may be the cause. Switch to lighter aftercare.
Trapped Plasma
Applying Palmer’s while plasma is still actively weeping traps it under the heavy layer. Wait until weeping fully stops.
Day 5-7
Earliest acceptable use
Thin layer
Application principle
£4-8
UK standard price
Thinking It Through
Yes Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula is good for tattoos from day 5 to 7 onwards. Skip during the active weeping first 4 days. Apply thin layers 1 to 2 times daily. Some UK studios specifically recommend Palmer’s. Excellent for long term tattoo preservation. Pick the basic Palmer’s not the Skin Therapy Oil or stretch mark variants. Watch for pore clogging on oily skin types. Our tattoo Manchester page covers booking. We brief every client on these points during aftercare conversations.
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Book a Tattoo at Shallows Manchester
Walk in Monday to Saturday 12 to 7pm. We recommend Bepanthen for week 1. From week 2 onwards client preference. Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula works well from week 2 for normal to dry skin types.
Practical Questions That Come Up
Can I Use Palmer’s From Day 1?
Skip during active weeping days 1 to 4. The heavy occlusion traps moisture and softens scabs prematurely. Use Bepanthen Antiseptic Cream for the first week. From day 5 to 7 onwards Palmer’s becomes appropriate.
Which Palmer’s Should I Use?
Plain Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula in the basic yellow jar or tube. Skip Skin Therapy Oil which has added actives. Skip stretch mark variants. The simple cocoa butter formulation is right.
Does Palmer’s Fade Tattoos?
No, Palmer’s does not fade tattoos. Regular use supports skin hydration which reveals tattoo colours clearly. Combined with daily SPF50 Palmer’s helps tattoos look fresh for decades.
Where Can I Buy Palmer’s in Manchester?
Boots in Arndale, Trafford Centre and high street locations. Tesco Cheetham Hill, Manchester Fort and other large stores. Sainsbury’s, Asda, Superdrug stock the standard range.
tattoo aftercare guide
Read the Full Guide
This is one part of broader aftercare. The full aftercare guide covers products, timing, technique, healing stages and everything else relevant to the 2 to 6 week healing window and long term care.
For related topics see is cocoa butter good for tattoos?. Or see is coconut oil good for tattoos?. The full tattoo aftercare guide covers the rest.
Skip Palmer’s the first 5 to 7 days. From day 5 to 7 onwards Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula is acceptable. Some UK studios specifically recommend it. Excellent for long term tattoo preservation. Pick the basic Palmer’s not variants.
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Got More Questions?
Pop in, give us a call or get a quote online. Happy to advise on product choices and timing for your skin type.
74 PRINCESS STREET, MANCHESTER, M1 6JD