When people think about tattoos, they often picture them as a permanent fixture. For the most part, this is true; once you get a tattoo there’s no going back. However, if you want to keep your tattoo looking fresh and new then it needs some special care. Unfortunately for many people that means having to wash their tattoo with an antibacterial soap on a daily basis!
Keep reading to find out how washing your new ink can help you take better care of it so that your body art lasts for years to come.
1. What is an Antibacterial Soap and Why Do I Need It
Antibacterial soaps are specially made to help remove dirt, bacteria, and other impurities from your skin. They work by being more powerful than regular soap. This means that they will leave you with cleaner skin at the end of the day without your body feeling dry or tight.
A common misconception about antibacterial soaps is that it is not safe for tattoos because it will damage the colors and somehow make them fade faster. While these myths are not true, people often use regular soap just to be on the safe side. However, if you read the label and see that it is specifically designed for tattoo care then antibacterial soaps can be a good option to ensure that you are taking proper care of your new ink.
You Need It because in order to keep your tattoo looking vibrant, it needs to be properly cared for.
When you wash your tattoos with regular soap and water, it can damage the colors over time and make them appear duller than before. This is due to a chemical reaction that occurs when regular soaps are applied to the skin. Since antibacterial soap has ingredients that act specifically as an anti-bacterial agent, it will not cause this reaction. Check out the 10 Best Soaps for Tattoos
2. How to Use Antibacterial Soap on Your Tattoo
1. Wash – first wet your hands with warm water to rinse off any leftover dirt from outside (fingertips included), then put a generous amount of antibacterial soap in your hands (generally a palm-full)
2. Put soap on the tattoo – use one hand to hold the tattoo still while using the other hand to gently rub the tattoo and make sure all the soap gets deep into your skin. Be careful not to scrub hard or fast because this might potentially cause damage to your tattoo as well.
3. Wash off – use warm water again to rinse off any extra soapy residue, but don’t use a washcloth or anything that you’ll have to drag across your tattoo because this can also potentially cause damage to the skin.
4. Pat dry – don’t rub the tattoo with a towel; gently pat it dry and let it air-dry until you’re ready to put on moisturizer and leave it uncovered for the rest of the day.
3. The Risks of Not Using Antibacterial Soap
The biggest risk of not using antibacterial soap is that it can cause damage to your tattoo. This is because regular soaps can cause a chemical reaction with the new tattoo when they come into contact with it.
The best way to wash your tattoos is with antibacterial soap because this will not cause any unwanted reactions or damage the colors in the skin. Other risks are that a person may get sick from dirty hands or the tools used for tattooing could become dirty and re-infect you.
Remember, if you’re unsure about what type of soap would be best for your situation, check the label and make sure that it specifically says “tattoo care” or “antibacterial”.
Not all brands of antibacterial soap will be suitable for tattoos so always be sure to check the label before you buy it. The label should also contain instructions on how to properly care for your tattoos, so make sure to read those as well. It’s always a good idea to ask your tattoo artist their preference of soap for cleaning tattoos because they have probably seen it all and will know what works best.
4. When Should You Wash Your Tattoo With Antibacterial Soap
Usually, you can start washing your tattoos with antibacterial soap after they’ve healed. This is usually about 2-3 weeks after you get your tattoo for the best results and skincare, but some people choose to wait until their first shower after it heals in order to save time and be more prepared.
If you’re getting a new tattoo today, then that means washing it with antibacterial soap tonight or the day off as soon as you step out of the studio or tattoo place. It may sting if you’re not used to feeling the pain yet, but if it’s on sensitive skin then make sure to wash it really gently.
You’ll also want to use cold water instead because hot water tends to sting when you first get the tattoo.
5. How Often Should You Wash Your Tattoo With Antibacterial Soap
1 to 2 times a day is the general rule of thumb. If you get tattoos on your arm or another area that is in constant contact with clothing, then it might be a good idea to wash more frequently.
Your tattoo won’t fall apart if you follow the recommendations above and don’t wash, but consider this: what do you like better? A clean tattoo with no additional irritation or a tattoo that is slightly irritated but still looks great?
Conclusion
Antibacterial soap is a type of soap that contains antibacterial ingredients. The main purpose of using this kind of soap over regular soaps is to reduce the chance of infection, which can happen when bacteria gets into an open wound or cut. These risks are elevated if you have tattoos because they use needles and ink on your skin.
With every new tattoo comes another risk for infection as well as potential damage from chemicals in certain soaps, but with antibacterial soap, there’s less worry about these things happening due to their protective properties against both germs and dryness.
Remember: always wash your hands before handling any part of your body after getting a tattoo done- it may sting at first but once you get used to it then it won’t be so bad.
If you have any more questions or want additional information, be sure to check out the article for detailed instructions on how to wash tattoos with antibacterial soap!
Related article – What Kind Of Soap Can I Use To Clean My Tattoo?
I am Emma Smith a freelance beauty and wellness writer. I graduated from New York University, where I studied English Literature and Creative Writing. After working in the beauty industry for several years, I decided to pursue my passion for writing about things related to beauty and health – from skincare tips to makeup tutorials to interviews with leading experts on the field. I have also done dermatology course ‘Dermatology: Trip to skin’ from Novosibirsk State University (NSU).
I love staying healthy by doing working out and yoga. I am mother of a beautiful baby girl, I spend most of my time caring for her while still managing work obligations.
