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Tattoo Aftercare OEM/ODM Solutions for Studios and Lifestyle Brands
Tattoo aftercare must work for freshly tattooed, compromised skin and long-term colour maintenance, not just “a thick balm in a tin”. Zerun Cosmetic helps studios, lifestyle and retail brands build structured tattoo care systems: stages, textures, packaging, education, claims and MOQs that fit real workflows.
Who we support in tattoo care OEM/ODM?
We support tattoo studios, artist collectives, lifestyle brands and retailers who want professional, consistent aftercare instead of random, generic balms. Our role is to align products with studio workflows, healing stages, colour goals and the realities of retail and e-commerce.
Partner profiles we serve
- Tattoo care partner types
- Single and multi-artist tattoo studios
- Studio chains and collective brands
- Lifestyle and streetwear brands with tattoo lines
- Beauty, pharmacy and specialty retailers
- DTC and marketplace-led tattoo care brands
- Typical project starting points
- Studios replacing generic balms with branded aftercare
- Retailers adding tattoo sections to body-care assortments
- Lifestyle brands extending into tattoo and body-art care
- Existing balms being upgraded to a full-stage system
- How we work with you
- Map fresh vs healed tattoo needs and channels
- Clarify how much is studio-only vs retail-focused
- Propose systems that are practical for artists and consumers
Example tattoo partner profiles
| Partner Type | Main Channels | Key Needs in Tattoo Care | Typical Project Start Point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Independent tattoo studio | In-studio + small retail | Simple, reliable healing-focused aftercare | Replace generic balm with own-branded aftercare |
| Studio chain / collective | Multi-studio + online | Unified system across artists and locations | Build fresh + healed care system under one brand |
| Lifestyle / streetwear brand | Retail, DTC, marketplaces | Tattoo-friendly body care, strong branding | Launch tattoo care extension to existing audience |
| Beauty / pharmacy retailer | Stores + e-commerce | Clear, safe, easy-to-understand tattoo section | Create 2–4 key SKUs for fresh and healed tattoo care |
What are the tattoo product systems for fresh and healed stages?
Fresh and healed tattoos have different needs. We design systems that clearly separate immediate post-session care from longer-term colour and skin maintenance, so artists and customers know which product to use and when.
Product families by tattoo stage
- Fresh tattoo (immediate and early days)
- Very gentle cleansers for ink and residue removal
- Light, breathable balms or gels for compromised skin
- Protective creams that support comfort and barrier function
- Healing and transition
- Products for dryness, tightness and flaking
- Lighter creams and lotions that reduce heavy occlusion
- Soothing sprays or mists for easy application
- Healed tattoo and long-term care
- Colour-enhancing lotions and oils
- Daily moisturisers for tattooed skin areas
- UV-related concepts where appropriate to region and scope
Example stage-product mapping
| Tattoo Stage | Main Needs | Suggested Product Types | Typical Use Scenario |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh (first 24–72 hours) | Gentle cleansing, comfort, protection | Mild cleanser, light balm/cream | Immediately after studio session |
| Early healing | Dryness, tightness, scabbing management | Light balm, cream, gel | Home care in first 1–2 weeks |
| Transition to healed | Residual dryness, texture refinement | Lighter creams, lotions, soothing sprays | Daily use until skin looks and feels normal |
| Healed, colour upkeep | Colour vibrancy, skin quality, hydration | Colour-care lotions, oils, SPF concepts* | Long-term tattoo maintenance as part of body care |
SPF and UV-related concepts developed only where claims and regulations permit.
Which base systems and cosmetic actives work best for tattooed, compromised skin?
Fresh tattoos involve compromised skin and open micro-wounds. We help you choose base systems and cosmetic-level actives that respect professional recommendations, minimise unnecessary irritation and focus on comfort, barrier support and usability.
How we think about tattoo-friendly bases
- Base system choices
- Light balms vs heavier ointment-style bases
- Creams, gel-creams and gels for breathable comfort
- Differentiation between fresh and healed stages
- Active and benefit directions（cosmetic level）
- Moisturising and barrier-supporting lipid systems
- Soothing botanicals with appropriate safety data
- Humectants to address tightness and dryness
- Optional antioxidant support in long-term care products
- Avoid and consider carefully
- Overly heavy, greasy textures that suffocate large areas
- Strong fragrances and common sensitising allergens
- Aggressive exfoliants and harsh surfactants on fresh tattoos
How to design colour-care and long-term tattoo maintenance concepts products?
For healed tattoos, the focus shifts from immediate recovery to colour longevity and skin quality. We help you design maintenance products that fit everyday body-care routines while highlighting tattoo vibrancy and definition.
Long-term tattoo care ideas
- Colour and skin-focused products
- Daily moisturisers marketed for tattooed areas
- Oils or lotions that emphasise sheen and definition
- Products that integrate subtly into general body-care routines
- Positioning and claims
- Highlight vibrancy, clarity and smooth skin appearance
- Avoid promises that imply medical “restoration” or treatment
- Communicate realistic expectations around long-term care
- System integration
- Fresh–healed–maintenance triplets in one line
- Seasonal or limited-edition tattoo care sets
- Extensions into associated segments (piercing, beard, body care)
What packaging and hygiene options make sense for studio-use vs retail-use tattoo products?
Tattoo studios and retail shelves have different requirements. We design packaging that fits gloved, hygienic use in studios, while providing more consumer-friendly formats and sizes for retail and e-commerce customers.
Packaging for studios and consumers
- Studio-use packaging
- Larger, hygienic pump or airless formats for shared use
- Easy-to-clean, non-slip surfaces for gloved hands
- Simple, bold labels for quick artist recognition
- Retail and DTC packaging
- Smaller tubes, jars or pumps for home use
- Clear instructions and stage-based naming
- Visual aesthetics aligned with brand and lifestyle position
- Kits and workflow-based packaging
- “Aftercare kits” including cleanser + balm + card
- Fresh-only kits vs fresh + healed kits
- Co-branded packs with specific studios or artists
How should you handle documentation, education and claims alignment in tattoo care?
Artists and consumers rely on clear guidance. We support you with product information, usage sequences and claim language that respects cosmetic boundaries while answering common aftercare questions credibly.
Education and documentation support
- Product and usage documentation
- Simple product information sheets for artists and staff
- Clear usage guidelines by stage and frequency
- Visual diagrams or QR-linked videos (where you provide content)
- Claim and language alignment
- Cosmetic-level language for comfort, dryness and care
- Avoiding drug or infection treatment claims
- Distinguishing studio advice vs packaging claims
- Supporting artists and resellers
- Leave-behind or digital guides for clients
- FAQs aligned with platform and retailer expectations
- Storytelling aligned with artist and lifestyle branding
Make A Sample First？
If you have your own formula, packaging idea, logo artwork, or even just a concept, please share the details of your project requirements, including preferred product type, ingredients, scent, and customization needs. We’re excited to help you bring your personal care product ideas to life through our sample development process.
MOQs, kit-building and tattoo-care roadmap planning
We help you decide how many SKUs to launch, where to use shared bases, and how to phase kits and extensions so that studio, retail and online channels can grow without overloading inventory.
Volume, kits and roadmap planning
- MOQ and SKU strategy
- MOQ bands by format (balm, cream, gel, cleanser)
- Shared bases with different pack sizes or graphics
- Advice on starting with stage-based hero SKUs
- Kit-building options
- Single-session “aftercare packs” for studios to hand out
- Retail kits combining fresh and healed tattoo products
- Bundles tailored to e-commerce and subscription models
- Roadmap approach
- Phase 1: essential fresh + early healing products
- Phase 2: add long-term colour-care and body-care crossovers
- Phase 3: special editions, artist collaborations, new markets
Indicative MOQ & timeline bands
Illustrative ranges only. Actual MOQs and timings depend on formula, packaging and market needs.
| Product Type | Typical Pack Size Example | Indicative MOQ Band* | Indicative Dev & Sampling* | Typical Use Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tattoo balm / cream | 20–50 ml tube / jar | ~3,000–5,000 units | ~8–12 weeks | Fresh and early-healing aftercare |
| Tattoo cleanser | 100–200 ml bottle | ~3,000–6,000 units | ~8–12 weeks | Studio and at-home cleansing |
| Soothing gel / spray | 50–150 ml bottle / pump | ~3,000–5,000 units | ~8–12 weeks | Cooling or light-feel support |
| Colour-care lotion/oil | 100–200 ml bottle | ~3,000–5,000 units | ~8–12 weeks | Long-term tattoo maintenance |
Exact figures to be confirmed case by case.
Frequently Asked Questions about Tattoo Care OEM/ODM Solutions
Most questions revolve around how small the sizes can be, how many SKUs to include, and how to keep kits profitable while still feeling generous. We usually respond with size, format and cost examples that match your brand’s strategy and capacity.
Q1: Do we need separate products for fresh tattoos and healed tattoos?
In many cases, yes. Freshly tattooed, compromised skin has different needs and risk levels from fully healed tattoos.
- Fresh: extra focus on barrier support, comfort and breathability
- Healed: focus on colour maintenance, feel and daily care
- We can design a core system that clearly separates usage moments
Q2: Can we claim that our tattoo products “heal” or “prevent infection”?
Strong healing or anti-infection claims may push products into drug or medical device categories, which have different requirements.
- Safer to speak about comfort, appearance and skin condition
- Avoid language implying treatment of medical conditions
- We help you align claims with your regulatory strategy
Q3: Are petrolatum-heavy balms always the best choice for tattoo aftercare?
Not always. Petrolatum-based balms can be useful, but some artists and clients prefer lighter, more breathable textures.
- Options: classic occlusive balms vs lighter creams and gels
- Balance protection with breathability and everyday comfort
- We can offer several base systems to test with your artists
Q4: How can we design tattoo care that fits both studio and retail use?
Studios need hygienic, easy-dispense formats; consumers need intuitive, portable packs and clear instructions.
- Studio: pumps, tubes, single-use sachets for hygiene
- Retail: smaller tubes or jars with strong visual identity
- Often the same formula can be used in different formats
Q5: Can small or new tattoo brands start with low MOQs?
You can often start with a lean range and pragmatic packaging choices that keep MOQs manageable.
- Begin with 1–3 key SKUs (e.g. fresh-care balm + gentle cleanser)
- Add long-term colour-care products once demand is proven
- Share packaging families across SKUs to optimise MOQs
How Zerun supports your tattoo care line from brief to launch？
- Our team will answer your inquiries within 12 hours.
- Your information will be kept strictly confidential.
We act as an OEM/ODM partner who understands tattoo workflows, artist expectations and consumer realities. From first conversation to production, we help you build a line studios trust and customers find easy to use.
Collaboration journey with Zerun
- Starting collaboration
- Share your target studios, retailers and markets
- Describe your current aftercare practices and pain points
- Provide reference products and what you want to keep or change
- Our support along the way
- Propose stage-based product systems and key formats
- Refine bases, textures and packaging using real feedback
- Coordinate agreed testing, documentation and education outlines
- From plan to launch
- Finalise product specs, artwork and pack choices
- Plan production, logistics and first-wave roll-out
- Review performance and design next phases, kits and collaborations
