What Can I Clean My Tattoo With?

What Can I Clean My Tattoo With
Aftercare for Your Tattoo – So, how can you make sure that new tattoo is something you don’t end up regretting? Follow these steps while your new tattoo heals.

  1. Be sure your artist covers your new tattoo in a thin layer of petroleum jelly and a bandage.
  2. Remove the bandage after 24 hours. Gently wash the tattoo with antimicrobial soap and water  and be sure to pat dry.
  3. Apply a layer of antibacterial/Vaseline ointment twice a day, but don’t put on another bandage.
  4. Gently wash your tattoo area twice a day with soap and water and gently pat dry before reapplying the antibacterial/Vaseline ointment.
  5. Keep applying a moisturizer or ointment after you clean it to keep it moist.

You should repeat this process for 2 to 4 weeks. Also try not to wear clothes that will stick to your tattoo, and avoid swimming and the sun for about 2 weeks. And take cool showers. Scalding hot water will not only hurt, but it can also fade the ink. Wear a physical blocker sunscreen  with at least 7% zinc oxide sunscreen during the daylight hours and/or cover it up (with clothing, a bandage).

How can I clean my tattoo tattoo?

Tattoo Aftercare – Just as it’s important to care for your skin before getting a tattoo and during the tattoo process, it’s also important to continue this care following the tattoo. Your skin is healing at this point and the better care you can provide, the quicker it will heal.

  1. The tattoo should be treated as an open wound, as that’s exactly what it is;
  2. Keep it clean at all times with a saline solution along with antibacterial soap;
  3. and moisturize using a suitable ointment or lotion;

Keep the tattooed area uncovered as much as possible to let it breathe and to also avoid rubbing on clothes.

What soap is best for tattoos?

The All-Around Best Tattoo Soap – Across the board, “Dial Gold is the classic go-to,” says Bryce. Every single piercer or tattooer I’ve ever met has recommended this bathroom staple as the all-around best tattoo cleanser. It’s inexpensive and ultimately, one of the most effective soaps on the market for making sure your tattoo stays clean and free of infection.

Something to keep in mind for folks with more sensitive skin is that while this soap is pretty much the holy grail of tattoo cleansers, it’s also not fragrance-free. If you’re prone to irritation from scented products, it might be best to steer clear of this fan-favorite and opt for something completely unscented, like the option below.

“Dial is the standard for keeping bacteria and germs at bay. I use it every day and it does not dry out my skin,” one Amazon reviewer commented. Another wrote, “This hand soap has all the right qualities: not excessively scented, rinses clean, no lotion feel, and economical to use.

Can I wash my tattoo with just water?

Showering tips – Yes, you can and should shower with a new tattoo. It’s okay to get your tattoo wet as long as you don’t soak it. Just try to keep your tattoo away from the actual water flow. Submerging your tattoo in a bath or hot tub can cause serious damage, so avoid those for 2-3 weeks, but showering is perfectly fine as long as you don’t saturate your tattoo.

What wipes can I use to clean my tattoo?

Congratulations on your new tattoo, here is some aftercare instructions to make the healing process as smooth and pain free as possible, and information on how to protect your investment! FOR YOUR AFTERCARE YOU WILL NEED: Cling film, skin tape, pure baby wipes with no chemicals and tattoo aftercare such as hustle butter or bepanthen.

We sell a tattoo aftercare pack including all of these things to make it more convenient for you if you prefer. WHAT TO DO: Once you get home you can remove the dressing and shower if possible with water as hot as you can manage (without burning yourself).

Thoroughly wash the tattoo with plenty of soap and water and remove the plasma and ink that has built up under the cling film. Then blast it quickly with cold water (sorry), this will help to close the pores and stop the tattoo from weeping. Wipe your tattoo over gently with the baby wipes, this will help to remove any more moisture or ink, then pat your tattoo gently to dry it.

Re-wrap It again with cling film. Change the dressing at 3- 4 times a day, evenly spaced, ideally following the instructions above. If you are not at home and can’t shower you can use the baby wipes with Hustle Bubbles Deluxe Refined Rinse to clean the tattoo thoroughly before re-wrapping it.

It is essential to use 4 clean dressings a day so as to prevent a bacteria build up under the cling film. By wrapping the tattoo you will force it to heal under the cling film and therefore reduce the scabbing substantially. Plan to keep the tattoo under a dressing for 3 days.

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If you remove the dressing, wash it and it dries out naturally before you can wrap it then that is the perfect time to stop dressing it and allow it to dry out. When you remove the last dressing and you are hoping to dry it out, wash as above, wipe it over with baby wipes and allow it to dry out.

If it is a bit weepy continue to use the baby wipes with Hustle Bubbles Deluxe to encourage it to dry out. Don’t allow any plasma to sit on the surface and dry out as this will cause very heavy scabbing and a very long and uncomfortable heal. Only when it is completely dry should you use a recommended cream such as Hustle Butter.

Never use Vaseline. WHAT NOT TO DO: Please don’t pick or scratch any scab that may form as this will remove colour from the tattoo and may cause irreversible scarring. Don’t touch your new tattoo with dirty hands as this may cause an infection, it is an open wound.

No sunbed, sauna/ steam room, soaking in the bath, swimming pool or jacuzzi. Please keep your fresh tattoo out of the sunshine and even once it has healed use a high factor (50 SPF) sunblock to keep your tattoo looking as good as possible. The sun causes a lot of damage to colour tattoos especially.

  1. Firstly your skin is like glass so the darker the skin, the darker the colours become;
  2. Imagine looking at bright red through brown glasses, it will go a dark burgundy;
  3. All colours become muddy and muted and the lighter shades you can’t see at all;

Secondly the sun fades the colours over time, especially lighter colours so whites and yellows disappear and other colours become pale. It’s is always best to cover up wherever possible and use a high factor sun block to prevent this from happening and keep your tattoo looking like new! Factor 50 children’s sun blocks are great.

When should I first wash my tattoo?

The first wash – After usually no less than 5 hours, it is safe to remove the bandage and wash the tattoo. After thorough hand-washing, a person can gently wash the tattoo with hypoallergenic soap and warm water using their fingers. The moisturizer on the skin will come off, and the tattoo may appear as if it is oozing ink or a thick, sticky substance.

  1. This reaction is not usually a cause for concern, as it is just the excess fluid and ink from the tattoo process;
  2. After washing, a person should pat the skin with a clean paper towel and allow it to air-dry for up to an hour;

When the area is completely dry, they can apply a thin layer of moisturizer to the tattoo, but leave it uncovered to allow the skin to breathe.

Can I wash my tattoo with dish soap?

First Time Cleanup – Leave the tattoo bandaged for 2 to 24 hours. DO NOT RE-BANDAGE or put Vaseline on the tattoo again.

  1. The first time you clean the tattoo, remove the bandage gently , getting it wet if it’s stuck.
  2. Wash gently with clean hands , and not a wash cloth. Don’t be afraid to really wash your tattoo thoroughly, or you won’t get the vaseline off.
  3. Use mild soap like Dove, Ivory or Dawn dishwashing liquid. It’s best to avoid very hot water.
  4. Be sure to remove all the Vaseline – it usually take 4 to 6  or more times washing and rinsing the tattoo before the vaseline is gone.
  5. Pat dry with a fresh, clean towel. A paper towel is fine if it’s not linty. Don’t rub the tattoo – just pat it. For cleanliness, don’t use anything that you or other people have already used.
  6. Apply a tiny amount of water-based lotion such as Curél or Lubriderm — most lotions are oily, and don’t let the tattoo “breathe. ” We’ll tell you how much lotion to use for your particular tattoo, but in general, use an amount that absorbs completely in about 5-10 seconds when you’re rubbing it into the tattoo.
  7. You can also use bag balm or fresh aloe vera leaves (but not aloe vera products sold in stores, as they have stabilizers in them which aren’t good for your tattoo).
  8. You can remove tape residue by rubbing with olive oil, then wash with soap and water (try not to get olive oil in the tattoo).

PLEASE NOTE: We do NOT recommend Neosporin or similar ointments – they clog the pores and the antibiotic formula can draw out color.

What should you not put on a new tattoo?

What can I use if I don’t have antibacterial soap?

What About Hand Sanitizers? – A hand sanitizer can cause people to think that they do not have to wash their hands as rigorously or as often. When soap and water are unavailable, the use of a hand sanitizer with 60% alcohol content can indeed be an effective alternative. The CDC makes the following recommendations for adults and children regarding the use of hand sanitizer:

  • Use enough hand sanitizer so that all surfaces of the hand will be covered.
  • Rub the sanitizer over the entire hand, including fingers and fingertips.
  • Continue rubbing your hands for about 20 seconds until they are dry.

Can I use simple soap on my tattoo?

Clean it… – Once you get home, remove the covering and immediately wash the tattoo with lukewarm water and a mild antibacterial handwash such as Simple or Carex – use only as per the manufacturer’s instructions and if irritation occurs, discontinue use immediately.

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How long do tattoos take to heal?

After getting a tattoo, the outer layer of skin (the part you can see) will typically heal within 2 to 3 weeks. While it may look and feel healed, and you may be tempted to slow down on the aftercare, it can take as long as 6 months for the skin below a tattoo to truly heal.

How often do you moisturize a new tattoo?

Should I apply lotion to my tattoo? What kind of tattoo care products do you recommend? – Yes! Moisturizing your tattoo regularly is extremely important. You should moisturize your clean tattoo 3 – 6 times per day, for roughly two weeks (though proper skincare is always important, and most tattoo enthusiasts moisturize their tattoos daily for life!). A white cream lotion or moisturizer, preferably unscented, should be used! We recommend these fragrance-free, white cream lotions:  Aveeno , Curel , and Eucerin . Be warned: your favorite fragranced lotion is not a good option for moisturizing your tattoo – this can cause an excruciating burning sensation when applied to the tattoo, which is essentially an open wound. The fewer chemicals in the product, the better! Pure cocoa butter or shea butter is also popular for darker skin tones and is a fine option. There are some manufacturers who design products specifically for tattoo aftercare that work well for long-term care (such as Tattoo Goo , H2Ocean , and Hustle Butter ). Do NOT use aloe vera gel to moisturize, and we don’t recommend A&D ointment either, as the oil in these products can extract some of the ink from your tattoo.

How often should I wash my tattoo?

Once you leave the shop, the artist is no longer responsible for the tattoo. Informed aftercare starts from the minute you leave the shop, and this involves washing the area diligently. Treating your new tattoo with appropriate attention and responsibility can make the difference between a well-healed, crisp, long-lasting piece of art and an uneven, distorted shadow of the tattoo you envisioned. Here’s how often you should wash your new tattoo:

  • For the first time, within 5–24 hours of getting it
  • At least daily until it’s completely healed – ideally twice-daily
  • Each time your tattoo becomes contaminated with dirt or bacteria

Can I use rubbing alcohol on my tattoo?

Clean it. – Stay out of the bathtub for a few days after you get a tattoo. Clean the tattoo and the skin around it in the sink or shower. Wash the tattoo gently with mild soap and warm water. An antibacterial soap will kill any germs on your skin. Avoid harsh cleaning chemicals like hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol.

Can I use hand sanitizer to clean tattoo?

saniderm aftercare – Saniderm is a breathable bandaging material that helps tattoos heal quicker and darker, and helps prevent scabbing that can be an issue with tattoo healing. Saniderm allows oxygen to pass through, but protects the healing tattoo from germs, dirt, water, etc. General Saniderm aftercare:

  1. Leave first sheet on for 1 day; remove either at 1 day or when the Saniderm is no longer staying down and protecting the tattoo, whichever is earlier.
  2. Keep an eye out for redness or pain around the perimeter of the bandage which could indicate a sensitivity to the adhesive; if you see this, remove the bandage immediately, wash tattoo, and then begin normal aftercare.
  3. After removing Saniderm, wash 2x day and lightly moisturize 1-2 times a day until it is done peeling and no longer has scabs (1. 5-2. 5 weeks after session)
  4. Remember the tattoo is still healing for 3-4 weeks after appointment; do not soak in water (showers are fine) or expose it to prolonged sunlight during that time

If you have been instructed to change the Saniderm: Leave Saniderm bandage on for 24 hours. The tattoo may look fuzzy/blurry under bandage; this is normal.

  1. Remove bandage
  2. Wash tattoo with a liquid, fragrance free soap; dry with clean paper towel
  3. Wipe off with a paper towel saturated with either 70% isopropyl alcohol (not 90%, it is less effective) or a fragrance free alcohol based hand sanitizer; air dry for a minute or two. This step is done to remove any residual soap from the skin as it can react with the bandage adhesive.
  4. Apply new bandage:
    1. Wash hands
    2. Saniderm has backing on both sides that needs to be removed; a clear plastic sheet with blue markings on one side, and a paper backing on the other side. Saniderm itself is a clear film sandwiched between the two sheets.
    3. First, remove the paper backing on the Saniderm. This is the adhesive side that will be applied to the skin. Be careful not to let the adhesive side touch or roll up on itself when peeling off the backing, or else it can get stuck to itself and ruin the sheet.
    4. Make sure the body part you are applying the Saniderm to is in a neutral position; for example, on an elbow it should be neither fully bent nor straight but halfway between, so that after the Saniderm is applied you retain full mobility.
    5. Carefully place Saniderm over tattoo; make sure not to place it too close to the edge of the tattoo. You may want to ask for help placing the bandage.
    6. Once the Saniderm has been applied and smoothed down, carefully peel off the top sheet of blue marked clear plastic; look for the perforations or gently lift along an edge until it comes off. Sometimes it can be tricky to get the edge, so just keep gently trying and you’ll get it.
    7. And that’s it! You may see some air bubbles under the bandage; they don’t really affect anything put you can gently push them out of the sides if they bother you.
  5. Remove second sheet up to 6 days after or when the Saniderm is no longer staying down and protecting the tattoo, whichever is earlier. Saniderm should not be applied for longer than 7 days total.
  6. Keep an eye out for redness or pain around the perimeter of the bandage which could indicate a sensitivity to the adhesive; if you see this, remove the bandage immediately, wash tattoo, and then begin normal aftercare.
  7. After removing Saniderm, wash 2x day and lightly moisturize 1-2 times a day until it is done peeling and no longer has scabs (1. 5-2. 5 weeks after session)
  8. Remember the tattoo is still healing for 3-4 weeks after appointment; do not soak in water (showers are fine) or expose it to prolonged sunlight during that time
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What creams heal tattoos?

– Use a mild, fragrance-free soap or a specially formulated tattoo cleanser to clean the area. Your tattoo artist can recommend a tattoo-specific cleanser. Soap options include the following products, which you can buy online:

  • Dove Sensitive Skin Beauty Bar
  • Liquid Neutrogena
  • Dial Gold Antibacterial Deodorant Bar Soap (although this soap isn’t fragrance-free, tattoo artists often recommend it)

For the first day or two, use an ointment like A+D Original Ointment or Aquaphor Healing Ointment or the product recommended by your tattoo artist to help the tattoo heal. It’s best to avoid products that are 100 percent petroleum-based, like Vaseline. The American Academy of Dermatology says that petroleum-based products can cause the ink to fade. However, there’s one exception: Authority Tattoo says that Vaseline may be helpful while showering.

  • Because Vaseline is nonporous (watertight), you can apply it to your tattoo before you step into the shower so that it can protect the area from getting sprayed with water;
  • It’s also been noted that Vaseline may be helpful on healed tattoos or the skin surrounding the tattoo if it’s exceptionally dry;

Just apply a thin layer. Putting on too thick of a layer won’t allow your skin to breathe. After about 2 days, you can switch to a regular moisturizer. Some products that you can buy online include:

  • Lubriderm Daily Moisture Fragrance-Free Lotion
  • Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion for Dry Skin
  • Curél Fragrance-Free Lotion
  • Eucerin Intensive Repair Lotion

Whatever you choose, make sure it’s fragrance-free and alcohol-free. Also make sure it doesn’t contain additives, such as colored dye, that could dry out your skin. When properly cared for, your tattoo can be as brilliant as one of these inspiring breast cancer tattoos.

How do you know when tattoo is infected?

Can I clean my tattoo with alcohol?

With clean hands, remove the bandage and wash gently with warm water and a mild anti-bacterial soap. Make sure you remove all traces of blood, ointment and secretions. Wash until the area feels “squeaky clean”. Do not use a washcloth to wash your tattoo. This will be too abrasive to a new tattoo.

Pat the tattoo dry with a soft clean cloth. Do not rub it. Do not use alcohol or hydrogen peroxide to clean your tattoo. It needs to stay moist in order to heal, and these products will dry it out. Cover the tattoo with a very thin layer of an anti-bacterial ointment, such as Aquaphor.

Do not use Vaseline or petroleum jelly. It will fade the color of your tattoo. Remember to rub in fully, like when applying lotion. It should NOT shine or feel sticky. If it does, you are using too much ointment. Once the tattoo’s initial covering is removed, do not cover it again during the healing process.

The tattoo will need to be exposed to the air in order to heal. Wash the tattoo at least twice a day for the first week. Apply the ointment once or twice a day for the first three days, especially when you feel the tattoo is dry.

Keeping it moisturized will ensure the least amount of scabbing and peeling, thereby reducing the fading of the color. Make sure your hands are clean each time you rub lotion on it. After 3 or 4 days of using the ointment, switch to a moisturizing lotion.

  • Use a fragrance-free lotion to prevent irritation;
  • If it burns when applying lotion, wash it and apply a different lotion;
  • Burning is a sign of irritation;
  • Do not swim, soak in a hot tub or take a bath for two weeks after getting your tattoo;

Chemicals like chlorine and the bacteria found in most lakes will cause the tattoo to fade or cause an infection. If you see signs of an infection, seek medical attention. Soaking the tattoo will also cause the scab to come off faster and along with it, some of the ink.

  • Do not tan for at least two weeks after tattooing to allow it time to heal;
  • After two weeks has passed, you may lie in the sun or go to the tanner as long as you put a layer of SPF 30 or higher sun block over the tattoo;

RAYS WILL FADE YOUR TATTOO!! If you expose it to too much sun, you might end up having to get it re-done in a few years to brighten up the color. Like any other wound to the skin, your tattoo will itch during the healing process. DO NOT SCRATCH IT. Scratching or picking will remove the scab and possibly some of the color from the tattoo.

How many days does it take for a tattoo to heal?

How long does it take for a tattoo to heal? After getting a tattoo, the outer layer of skin (the part you can see) will typically heal within 2 to 3 weeks. While it may look and feel healed, and you may be tempted to slow down on the aftercare, it can take as long as 6 months for the skin below a tattoo to truly heal.