What Kind Of Soap Can I Use To Clean My Tattoo?

Tattoos are a permanent form of expression and art. You want to make sure you take care of it so it lasts the rest of your life.

The skin on our body is delicate, especially when you have tattoos because they’re done with needles that poke into the skin repeatedly. This can lead to irritation if not cared for properly. When cleaning your tattoo, use soap that’s specifically made for tattoos. This eliminates the risk of any chemicals or irritants that may otherwise harm your skin.

Over time, tattoos can fade and lose their definition if not taken care of. [ Use a mild soap ] Their pigments can become dull from exposure to the sun and other elements. Tattoos are also susceptible to sweat and oil build-up which is something that can easily be avoided by cleaning your skin.

Types of soap you can use to clean your tattoo

Bar Soap

Bar soap is usually recommended if you have sensitive skin. It’s also a good option if you want to avoid any harsh chemicals or ingredients that might irritate your skin. Bar soap is also good for all skin types since it doesn’t come off easily in the water and takes some time to lather. This allows your soap to be exposed to more of your skin before being rinsed off, which helps with mild cleansing.

The only downside to bar soap is that sometimes there’s a chance it can leave residue on your skin. So if you’re struggling with dryness, you might want to opt for a liquid or gel cleanser instead.

 

Liquid Soap

If you prefer liquid soap, go for something that is pH-balanced and made to not leave any residue on the skin. This will help to reduce the risk of any irritation or dryness. Choose a soap that also doesn’t contain parabens or fragrances, since these ingredients can also cause irritation.

If your skin is sensitive you might be better off with using gentle liquid soap, like Dove’s Milk and Honey body wash or Aveeno’s Soothing Wash. Liquid soap is better for your skin than bar soap because it’s easy to rinse off and comes in a liquid form, so there’s no risk of it leaving residue on the skin.

Liquid soap is also good if you have oily or acne-prone skin since these areas can become irritated by an excess amount of lather from bar soaps.

 

Foam Soap

Another option for cleaning your tattoos is foam soap. This kind of soap is popular because it’s easy to rinse off the skin and you’re not as likely to leave residue on your body when you wash with it.

It also contains fewer chemicals than other kinds of soap, so it’s a good option if you have sensitive skin or dry skin. If you want to avoid any harsh ingredients, this is a good way to do that without sacrificing quality cleaning either.

Foam soap cleanses better and is also more moisturizing than bar soap. Foam soaps are usually made with a body-friendly pH balance that doesn’t leave the skin feeling dry or tight. So it’s good for people with sensitive, dry, oily, or combination skin.

However, you do have to be careful when choosing foam soap because there are some brands out there that use harsh chemicals like parabens. So if you have sensitive skin, it’s best to stick with a gentle brand and fragrance-free foam soap instead.

 

Moisturizing Soap

If you have dry skin, it’s best to avoid regular bar soap because the water can cause it to rinse off your skin before it has a chance to lather. This leaves behind a residue that gets in the way of your tattoo’s pigment and leads to dullness over time. Soaps made with moisturizing ingredients are typically recommended for people with dry skin.

These soaps are much more gentle than regular bar soap and don’t contain chemicals that can cause irritation. They also have a higher pH level which is good for people with dry skin who need to avoid irritating their skin further. Moisturizing soaps are usually great for sensitive skin as well since they tend to be fragrance-free and have gentle ingredients.

Although a lot of moisturizing soaps are made with glycerin, which can be irritating to people with acne-prone skin. In this case, it’s best to look for a soap without glycerin or opt for hypoallergenic soap instead.

 

Hypoallergenic Soap

A hypoallergenic soap is the gentlest soap for people with sensitive skin. It’s safe for all skin types, but it’s also the best option if you experience any irritation and need a soap that won’t make your skin flare-up.

Ingredients in hypoallergenic soap are typically pH-balanced and fragrance-free which makes it a good choice for people who experience dryness or have sensitive skin since these ingredients can leave your skin feeling tight and irritated. Hypoallergenic soaps are usually fragrance-free and dye-free as well, which is great if you have sensitive skin or you’re looking for a good soap to use on your tattoo.

However, these kinds of soaps might not get your skin completely clean either because they can leave behind residue that builds up over time. If this happens, it’s best to check the ingredients list and look for anything that might be too harsh or irritating on your skin. Anything with fragrance or dye could potentially cause irritation, so these are both things you want to avoid in a hypoallergenic soap.

 

Lotion Soap

Lotion soap is a really gentle soap that’s made for people with dry skin or sensitive skin. It can also be used to rinse off tattoos, which is another reason it’s good for people with dry skin.

Lotion soap comes in a liquid form, so there’s no risk of it leaving residue on the skin. Liquid soap is also good if you have oily or acne-prone skin since these areas can become irritated by an excess amount of lather from bar soaps.

Lotion soap has a lot of the same ingredients as moisturizing soaps, but it’s not typically marketed specifically for people with dry skin.

Lotion soap is also good if you have oily or acne-prone skin since it doesn’t contain any ingredients that can clog your pores. This makes it a great option for people who are looking for a soap to clean their tattoos and often break out because of harsh products.

Although, lotion soap can be drying on the skin if you use it too often. So if your tattoo is on a part of the body that’s exposed to the sun, like your arm or leg, lotion soap might not be strong enough for this area and you should opt for another product instead.

 

Antibacterial Soap

Antibacterial soap is great if you want to clean your tattoos because it can kill germs and protect against acne bacteria too. However, this kind of soap might not be as mild as other options depending on the brand you buy.

Some antibacterial soaps contain alcohol and fragrance which can be irritating for people who have dry skin or easily irritated skin. But these kinds of soaps can also leave your skin feeling really clean since they dissolve oils and get rid of dirt.

An antibacterial wash can be good for your tattoo because it will keep the area clean, but these soaps are typically too harsh for people who have sensitive skin or dry skin. That’s why you want to look for a soap that’s designed with sensitive skin in mind if this is an issue for you.

Antibacterial soap is good for acne-prone skin because it can kill acne bacteria, but there are other products you can use to clean your tattoo in place of this soap. You can check out our guide on How To Wash The Tattoo With Antibacterial Soap

Many antibacterial soaps don’t moisturize the skin and they might not be as gentle on people who have sensitive skin or dry skin. Antibacterial soaps usually consist of strong ingredients that might be too irritating if you’ve got dry or sensitive skin.

See our top 10 Best Soaps for Tattoos

Conclusion

Soaps for tattoos are a little different than your average soap. They’re designed to be gentle and avoid irritation or damage to the skin. This is because regular soaps can strip away natural oils that keep tattoos looking fresh and vibrant over time, which leads them to fade faster than they should. It’s best if you purchase a soap specifically made for tattoo care.