What Soap Can I Wash My Tattoo With?

What Soap Can I Wash My Tattoo With
Using a mild, fragrance-free soap ( Dove, Dial, and Neutrogena ); gently wash all excess blood, ointment, ink, and plasma from your tattoo. Only use your hand – DO NOT use a washcloth or loofah as they can harbor bacteria.

What do I wash 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).

Can I use dish soap to wash a tattoo?

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.

Do I need antibacterial soap for tattoo?

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;
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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 soap OK for tattoos?

Disregard any advice from friends and family. We are licensed professionals and the proper healing of your new tattoo is very important to us. Your bandage should be worn for  1 to 2 hours. Thoroughly  wash your hands  and dry them with a paper towel before removing the bandage.

If you find that the bandage is stuck to your tattoo, try running the bandage under water. You DO NOT however, want to soak your fresh tattoo in ANY water to include but not limited to bathtubs, swimming pools, hot tubs, lakes, and ponds.

These all have chemicals, dirt, and all kinds of nasties that can cause infection. Showers are fine-just NO SOAKING!             Using a mild, fragrance-free soap (Dove, Dial, and Neutrogena); gently wash all excess blood, ointment,  ink, and plasma from your tattoo.

Only use your hand – DO NOT use a washcloth or loofah as they can harbor  bacteria. If you are not sure which soap to use, read the ingredients. If alcohol is listed as one of the first few ingredients, DO NOT USE IT.

Soap with fragrance and alcohol will burn and can over-dry the skin. After washing the tattoo, pat it dry with a paper towel. DO NOT use a hand or bath towel. Towels can harbor bacteria. DO NOT re-bandage your tattoo. It needs to “breathe” and get air to heal properly.

Wash your tattoo  once or twice  a day for the duration of the healing time. Too much washing can wash away your body’s natural bacteria which helps your skin to heal. Washing the tattoo in the morning and at night before you go to bed is sufficient.

For the first day, the tattoo will “ooze” clear plasma. This is completely normal. There is  NO NEED to use any ointment  on your tattoo. Most ointments are for fighting infection and are contributing to antibiotic resistance. Additionally, ointments can “suffocate” the tattoo by not letting enough air get to it which can cause excessive scabbing.

Ointments also lead to higher rates of dermatitis in tattoos. Before going to bed, wash your hands and wash your tattoo. Sleep in something old (yet clean) to cover the area that was tattooed. Most tattoos will ooze clear plasma the first night and this can stain and stick to clothing and sheets.

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By the second or third day, your tattoo will start to dry out. It will start to flake like a sun burn. You will see large black and colored flakes coming off, especially in the shower. This is completely normal. DO NOT under any circumstances, pick or “help” these flakes come off.

Doing so will result in the loss of line and color in your tattoo as well as cause scarring. And YES, we can tell when someone has picked at their tattoo! In addition,  DO NOT wear tight clothing  that may rub the tattoo.

When your tattoo starts to flake and peel, you may then start using  1or 2 drops of fragrance-free hand lotion. Keri, and Curel are both good choices. Rub the lotion in completely  or blot excess off with a paper towel. If you unsure if the lotion you have at home will work, read the label.

If alcohol is near the top of the list of ingredients, then  DO NOT USE IT. You may also do a spot test if you are unsure. Rub just a small drop into a small section of the tattoo. If it starts to burn or sting in a couple of minutes, then wash it off immediately and discontinue using it.

Continue to use the above steps until your tattoo is completely healed. Healing time varies with each individual and the area that was tattooed. Generally, tattoos are  fully healed in two to three weeks. During the healing process,  DO NOT  use anything on your tattoo that you wouldn’t use on any other wound or abrasion.

This includes oils, glitter, sun block, etc. If you have special circumstances that require you to alter our advised healing method, please ask the artist or staff. An example would be someone that works in an industry where their fresh tattoo might be exposed to dirt, germs, etc.

while it is healing.

When can I wash my tattoo with regular soap?

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.

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.

Can I clean my tattoo with only 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.

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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.

  1. Many people have allergic reactions to Neosporin, which can cause little red bumps;
  2. When the bumps go away, so does the ink, and you can end up with a polka-dotted tattoo;
  3. 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 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.

Should I wash my tattoo with warm or cold water?

DON’T. –

  • Don’t remove your bandage too soon! Keep your tattoo covered for as long as your artist recommends. The bandage absorbs excess blood, ink, topical anesthetics , ointments, etc
  • Don’t use hot water to clean your new tattoo; wash with warm water instead. Hot water will cause your pores to open, leaving new tattoo susceptible to bacterial infection and ink leakage.
  • Don’t put your new tattoo directly under running water—don’t soak it either.
  • Never rip the bandage off! Use a bit of cold water to break down the adhesive until it’s no longer painful to remove.
  • Don’t re-bandage or cover your new tattoo. Tattoos need to breathe and stay dry to heal.
  • Don’t pick the scabs—yuck! Aside from that being a terrible habit, your fingers could transfer bacteria. Your tattoo is an open wound and vulnerable to infection during the healing process. Let the scabs fall off by themselves or gently wash them off in the shower.
  • Don’t go tanning. Limit your tattoo’s exposure to sun, if possible. If you must be outside, find a tattoo-specific sunscreen with at least 30 SPF.
  • Don’t swim, soak, sweat, or sauna for at least 6-weeks after your tattoo! That may be easier said than done, but wet tattoos don’t heal properly.

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.

Is it OK to shower with a new tattoo?

The bottom line. Showering with a new tattoo isn’t only fine; it’s necessary for the sake of good hygiene. As long as you follow the aftercare instructions your tattoo artist gives you, and you’re careful not to rub or soak your tattoo, showering shouldn’t interfere with the healing process of your new ink.