What Soap To Use To Clean Tattoo?
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.
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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.
- Be sure your artist covers your new tattoo in a thin layer of petroleum jelly and a bandage.
- Remove the bandage after 24 hours. Gently wash the tattoo with antimicrobial soap and water and be sure to pat dry.
- Apply a layer of antibacterial/Vaseline ointment twice a day, but don’t put on another bandage.
- Gently wash your tattoo area twice a day with soap and water and gently pat dry before reapplying the antibacterial/Vaseline ointment.
- 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).
Do you need antibacterial soap for tattoos?
TATTOO AFTERCARE INSTRUCTIONS – Unless told otherwise by your tattooer. Remove the bandage within 2-6 hours, once you’re in a clean environment and can wash your new tattoo properly. Using a gentle liquid soap (such as Dr. Bronner’s or Johnson & Johnson baby soap) wash your hands, then your tattoo.
You do NOT need antibacterial or antimicrobial soap. DO NOT USE ANY KIND OF HARSH SOAP OR SCRUB. Allow the tattoo to air dry. DO NOT TOWEL DRY THE TATTOO; towels can harbor bacteria. REMEMBER THAT YOUR NEW TATTOO IS ESSENTIALLY AN OPEN WOUND.
Sleep in clean, freshly laundered garments and on clean sheets for the first few nights after getting tattooed. Also avoid sleeping in anything you are worried about getting dirty, as the new tattoo may be moist for the first night or so. Starting the next day, if your tattoo feels a bit dry and tight after washing, you may use a gentle, unscented moisturizing lotion, such as Aveeno or Lubriderm.
Remember to always wash your hands, then the tattoo, let tattoo air dry, THEN apply lotion 1-2x daily as needed. DO NOT APPLY LOTION TO DIRTY SKIN WITH DIRTY HANDS. WHILE YOUR TATTOO IS HEALING: NO TANNING OR EXPOSURE TO DIRECT SUNLIGHT.
NO SWIMMING IN ANY KIND OF WATER. NO HOT TUBS, NO DIRECT EXPOSURE TO GYM EQUIPMENT. DO NOT EXPOSE YOUR NEW TATTOO TO ANY WATER YOU WOULD NOT WANT TO GET IN YOUR MOUTH. DO NOT PICK OR SCRATCH AT YOUR TATTOO WHILE IT IS HEALING. Unless you’re washing your tattoo, keep your hands off until it is healed..
Is Dove bar soap good for tattoos?
Can I put sunscreen on my tattoo? – It’s a good idea to put sunscreen on your tattoo to protect it from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Look for a sunscreen that is SPF 30 or higher, and be sure to apply it liberally every day. Sunscreen will help keep your tattoo looking bright and vibrant for years to come! Soap is an important part of the healing process for a new tattoo, and Dove bar soap is one of the best soaps you can use. 
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Can you use dish soap to clean tattoo?
First Time Cleanup – Leave the tattoo bandaged for 2 to 24 hours. DO NOT RE-BANDAGE or put Vaseline on the tattoo again.
- The first time you clean the tattoo, remove the bandage gently , getting it wet if it’s stuck.
- 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.
- Use mild soap like Dove, Ivory or Dawn dishwashing liquid. It’s best to avoid very hot water.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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).
- 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.
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.
This reaction is not usually a cause for concern, as it is just the excess fluid and ink from the tattoo process. 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.
When can I use regular soap on my tattoo?
How often should I clean my tattoo? What kind of soap should I use? – The tattoo should be thoroughly cleaned immediately after removing the bandage, and cleaned daily from there on out. We recommend cleaning it multiple times on the first day. Pat the tattoo dry (don’t rub it) with a lint-free cloth or paper towel to avoid irritation, and let the tattoo air out for 20-30 minutes before applying moisturizer. We recommend using a gentle, liquid antibacterial soap, such as Dial Antibacterial Soap , though other hand or body soaps can be used as long as they are thoroughly rinsed from the tattoo. You want to avoid excess absorption of water by the tattoo, so washings should be efficient and deliberate to minimize time. You can use antibacterial soap for the first 3-5 days and then regular soap or body wash is fine.
What should you not put on a new tattoo?
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.
Can I just wash my tattoo with water?
Wash and Treat – After you remove the bandage, you should wash your tattoo. Use lukewarm water and mild, liquid antibacterial or antimicrobial soap to gently remove any ointment, blood, and plasma and to completely clean the area. Provon Antimicrobial Lotion Soap is a good choice; it’s a mild moisturizing cleanser specifically made for piercing and tattoo care.
- Never use a washcloth; it’s too abrasive;
- Your hand is your best tool;
- If your tattoo feels slimy and slippery, you have probably been oozing plasma;
- Try to gently remove as much of this as possible; scabs may form if it is allowed to dry on the skin’s surface;
Then, pat—don’t rub—the area firmly with a clean towel or paper towel to get it completely dry. Follow with a very light application of A&D , Bacitracin, or a similar antibacterial ointment—but not Neosporin. This is a wonderful product for cuts and scrapes, but not for tattoos.
- Many people have allergic reactions to Neosporin, which can cause little red bumps;
- When the bumps go away, so does the ink, and you can end up with a polka-dotted tattoo;
- If you prefer, you also can use a specialty product such as Tattoo Goo Aftercare Salve;
It’s petroleum-free and made with herbs and oils meant to soothe and heal your new tattoo. After that, continue to keep your tattoo clean. After some time has passed, you can use a dye- and fragrance-free lotion when needed instead of ointment to keep the skin soft.
What is the best tattoo aftercare?
NEW TATTOO? A SAFE SOAP TO WASH IT AND YOUR BODY WITH
