Can I Wash My Tattoo With Just Water?
Yes, showering with a new tattoo is completely acceptable as long as you follow proper tattoo care instructions. Washing it 1-2 times daily with unscented antibacterial soap should do the trick – patting dry afterwards using paper towel or soft cloth is best practice.
After cleansing, apply a fragrance-free and mild lotion that does not contain SPF for maximum skin hydration.
Use lukewarm water
Do not neglect washing your tattoo properly; improper care could damage deeper layers of skin and alter its appearance over time. Always wash with lukewarm water and mild antibacterial soap; it would be wiser if this included no fragrance or color additives that might irritate healing wounds. Once finished washing, gently pat the area dry with paper toweling before applying aftercare cream/balm/ointment as soon as possible for best results.
As your tattoo heals, it may start to ooze, which is totally normal! Excess ink and blood will form scabs which should fall off naturally over time – this should prevent infection! Additionally, make sure you wash it daily after taking off Saran wrap before showering or swimming (to avoid bacteria affecting it); showering works great; swimming pools, hot tubs, beaches and lakes should wait until its fully healed before swimming is recommended.
One of the most frequent mistakes people make when washing a new tattoo is applying too much pressure or scrubbing the area with harsh water pressure, leading to skin bleeding that delays healing processes and may also irritate skin resulting in negative impacts on its appearance.
As your tattoo heals, its surface may begin to lighten as its subdermal layers repair themselves. While this is a normal part of the healing process, regular moisturization of this area is crucial to ensure your tattoo does not become flaky or dry.
When it’s time to moisturize, use only fragrance-free lotion or ointment designed specifically for tattoo aftercare. You can find such options at major retailers – and some even include sun protection!
Avoid hot water
When washing your new tattoo, be sure to use a mild antibacterial soap in order to avoid infection. Washing with hot water may cause your skin to dry out, while harsh products can introduce bacteria into the wound. Loofahs or sponges should be avoided since these may introduce additional germs into the area. Once you’ve washed your tattoo, pat it dry with a clean paper towel – never touch with dirty hands, fingernails, clothes etc.
Within the first few weeks after getting your tattoo, it is crucial that you wash and moisturize it daily, to clear away any dirt or sweat that has built up and avoid the formation of scabs. Also make sure that after each washing session, moisturize so your fresh ink stays vibrant and healthy!
The ideal way to cleanse a tattoo is with gentle hypoallergenic soap such as Dr. Bronner’s unscented castile soap, Cetaphil daily facial cleanser or La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume B5. Be sure to use fragrance-free products such as these in order to prevent allergic reactions down the line and any fragranced moisturizers such as aloe vera or A&D ointment that could potentially strip some of its ink color, leading to premature faded tattoos.
Once you have washed your tattoo, do not scrub as this can irritate delicate skin and possibly break off a crust or scab. Instead, use your fingers to rub gently in circular motion until all excess fluid has been eliminated from your skin. Be wary not to overwash as too much soap residue build-up could result in an unpleasant odor and lead to further irritation of the delicate ink surface.
Once your tattoo has dried completely, do not rub the area or pick at any scabs that may have formed. Instead, use a fragrance-free and non-comedogenic moisturizer to keep it looking healthy and vibrant – keep repeating this step to prevent drying out of your new masterpiece and show it proudly to the world!
Don’t submerge your tattoo
Tattoos, like any open wound, are susceptible to infection and need to be cared for properly in order to heal properly. Any infection could lead to your new piece fading, scabbing off, or even losing its design altogether if left unattended – so keeping it clean while healing is key for its own good! To do this effectively and ensure optimal healing conditions. This means using warm water with hypoallergenic soap that does not contain fragrance, dyes or alcohol. You should also use a moisturizer specifically designed for tattoos (found at major retailers), such as Dr Bronner’s Baby Unscented Castille Soap; Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser Fragrance Free; Lubriderm Daily Moisture; La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume B5.
Fresh tattoos should never be exposed to water sources like oceans, lakes, rivers, pools or bathtubs – no matter how warm. Infections from polluted bodies of water are extremely dangerous and could even result in sepsis or death due to your tattoo’s open pores being susceptible to bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms in water sources such as swimming pools or ocean water; in addition, chlorine in swimming pools or salt water may cause painful reactions that will destroy it over time.
As soon as you take off your Saran wrap-style bandage in the shower, wash your tattoo with mild soap or an antiallergenic cleanser to protect it from bacteria or infections entering the fresh wound. Pat it dry gently using paper towel; do not rub as this could irritate new skin and slow healing time.
Once it is dry, apply a thin layer of tattoo lotion or ointment as a light moisturizer and to help the new tattoo retain its color and texture during healing. In order to promote healthier skin and speed up healing processes more quickly, drink plenty of water daily as this will promote better hydration levels for healthier skin and speed healing processes. For extra protection from clothing rub and friction we suggest Sanibalm as this high quality balm/ointment will also protect against skin rubbing against clothing/other objects.
Don’t scrub
Scrubbing your tattoo can cause its colors to fade quickly. Furthermore, vigorous scrubbing may irritate your skin and potentially result in scabs or infections on its surface.
Instead of using regular towels that can harbor bacteria to clean your tattoo, try using clean lukewarm water instead. Gently lather the area with antibacterial soap before using your fingers to gently remove excess blood, ointment or plasma using finger tips. Finally, rinse it all again under clean, lukewarm water before gently patting your tattoo dry using paper toweling; regular towels could harbor harmful germs!
Use a fragrance-free cleanser or soap that does not contain dyes and alcohols to avoid irritating dyes and alcohols, such as Dr. Bronner’s Unscented Castille Soap, Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser Fragrance Free and Cerave Moisturizer from any major retailer.
After you have cleaned and moisturized your new tattoo, apply moisturizer three to six times each day with white cream lotion that does not contain fragrances and any ingredients you are sensitive to, such as Aveeno, Curel or Eucerin products.
Moisturizing during the peeling stage is especially essential. Applying a thin layer of lotion will protect your skin from drying out and speed up its recovery time.
Keep in mind that tattoos take two to four months to heal properly due to the layers of skin beneath the surface taking longer to regenerate than their outermost layer of skin.
While your tattoo heals, use a topical treatment designed specifically for tattoos like Tegaderm or Saniderm to shield its new skin from bacteria and environmental irritants.
If you’re unsure whether your tattoo is ready to be washed, seek advice from its artist. Most artists recommend waiting five hours so the ink has time to ooze and form blood clots before washing twice daily with lukewarm water and gentle cleanser – this allows any scabs that appear to fall off naturally over time. Additionally, aftercare lotion should also be applied so your tattoo heals properly.
