Can You Use A Bar Of Soap On A New Tattoo?

Can You Use A Bar Of Soap On A New Tattoo? You finally did it, you went out and got a tattoo like you always wanted. Now with your new tattoo, you are probably wondering to yourself, can you use a bar of soap on a new tattoo? Will it affect how your treasured tattoo heals? Will it infect it? Sure, you tattooist may have told you to wash it with soap regularly, but should you use soap bars or other types of soap? Also, what should you look at when choosing a soap for your new tattoo?

Choosing the good quality soap is crucial as a new tattoo is essentially an open wound. Therefore, it is extremely sensitive to whatever it comes into contact with. Many soaps contain harsh ingredients that can really irritate a new tattoo if rubbed onto it. This can delay your healing process and cause itching, redness, rashes, and dryness.

When choosing a soap to use, one of the most common options is soap bars. Let’s look at some common questions in relation to use of soap bars on new tattoos.

Can you use a bar of soap on a new tattoo?

Yes. Should you use a bar of soap on a new tattoo? Well, the jury is still out on this one. Many tattoo artists and tattoo enthusiasts have differing views on the use of soap bars on tattoos as opposed to other soap types.

However, what they agree on is that the soap used, whatever it may be should be mild and fragrance-free. Check the soap ingredients to ensure it does not contain any alcohol which will dry out your skin. Those opposed to the use of soap bars argue that soap bars left out on the counter can accumulate germs that may lead to infections. To counter this likelihood, you should buy a new soap bar that is antibacterial and use it only on your tattoo. You should also avoid letting it come into contact with your other soap bar for the rest of your body. This is to prevent cross-contamination.

If you would like a simpler option, using liquid soap is a safer bet. Not only will you not have to worry about its storage, contamination will not be a problem to contend with. Ensure that the liquid soap you use is mild and scent free. Our H2Ocean Blue Green Foam soap is a great antibacterial foaming pump soap. It is moisturizing and ensures your tattoo heals vibrantly. It also is fragrance free and is antibacterial.

Now that you have a better understanding of what type of soap to use. Here’s how you should wash your tattoo:

How to wash a Tattoo

1. Wash your hands first. You should never touch your tattoo with dirty hands, fingernails or other items, this will lead to infections.
2. Wet the area with lukewarm water. Rub the water around with your hand in circular motions until the area is damp.
3. Rub a mild fragrance-free soap onto the area with your fingers or palms, focusing on where there is excess or a build-up of dried plasma, ink and blood. Avoid using a washcloth or loofah to scrub the area. They will be very harsh on your newly tattooed skin and they are also probably crawling with bacteria.
4. Properly rinse the area with soap. Leaving any excess soap will dry up your skin. Avoid exposing the tattoo to water for long periods of time. Waterlogging your pores can cause the ink to rise and drain.
5. Dry the area by patting it with a clean paper towel. Alternatively, you can allow it to air dry. Don’t use cloth towels to dry the area. They will likely contain many harmful bacteria.

How often do I wash my Tattoo?

You should wash your tattoo 3 – 4 times a day. After the washing use H2Ocean’s Ocean Care Cream or Aquatat to moisturize the tattoo. Do this for one month or until your tattoo has finished scabbing and peeling.