Do not use any sponges or loofahs to wash your tattoo. Your bare hands or a soft wash cloth made for infants in preferable. Please refrain from using any soaps that contain aloe, oatmeal, exfoliants, tea tree oil, or fragrance.
New tattoos can be very itchy as they heal. Dr. Shirazi recommends Dial Complete Clean + Gentle Antibacterial Foaming Hand Wash because it's free from irritants like dyes and sulfates, and it's hydrating, which helps soothe itchy ink.
“Avoid soaps and harsh sulfates and choose a wash that infuses moisture,” she says. Most importantly, don't scrub—use gentle strokes with minimal finger pressure. Zeichner adds that new tattoos are typically wrapped with a protective sheet to allow initial healing and protect it from any environmental irritants.
Bronner's Baby Unscented Pure-Castile Liquid Soap is just the soap for this job! Most tattoo professionals recommend the Unscented variety so that you are not putting any potentially irritating essential oils on your sensitive skin. Make sure to use warm water, and wash your hands thoroughly before washing your tattoo.
Never use petroleum based products A+D Ointment, Bepanthen, Aquaphor, Vaseline, Bacitracin, and Neosporin on your tattoos. These 6 products have a purpose, and it's not tattoo aftercare or tattoo healing.
Cleaning and excess water exposure
So never submerge a fresh tattoo underwater. Also, avoid excessive water exposure while showering. Our skin is like a sponge and it will absorb the water, which can damage the tattoo. When it comes to cleaning your new tattoo, make sure you do this several times a day.
So what product should you use? You may have heard some rumours that Bepanthen shouldn't be used on new tattoos, but this absolutely isn't the case. Bepanthen is by far one of the most highly recommended tattoo aftercare products and is the go-to ointment for most tattoo artists and studios.
I suggest QV wash, Cetaphil, Dermaveen or Dr Bronner's unscented wash. Pat the tattoo dry with paper towels or a clean cotton towel, and let air dry for 10 minutes before moisturising. Gently apply a thin layer of your chosen fragrance-free moisturiser after washing and when the tattoo feels dry.
Soaps that contain fragrances may contain alcohol or chemicals that could: Irritate your skin. Cause your skin to be dry. Interfere with your tattoo by making it fade faster.
Phisohex is Great for washing your new tattoo. Remove the second skin (you may need to jump in the shower to remove the adhesive) and give the tattoo a thorough wash under warm sterile water (not hot or cold) you may need to wash the new tattoo more than once with an antibacterial soft wash.
You want to avoid excess absorption of water by the tattoo, so washings should be efficient and deliberate to minimize time. You can use antibacterial soap for the first 3-5 days and then regular soap or body wash is fine.
You can shower 3-4 hours after getting a tattoo, if you have a Saniderm bandage on, however, if you have a plastic wrap wait 24 hours to unwrap your tattoo and shower. In either case, shower in cold or lukewarm water and avoid prolonged soaking or submerging your tattoo in water for 3-4 weeks.
Keep it brief: Limit your showers to 5-10 minutes to avoid prolonged exposure to water, which can soften scabs and damage the healing tattoo. Lukewarm water: Use lukewarm water instead of hot water, as hot water can increase blood flow to the tattooed area and cause bleeding.
Best soaps for tattoo aftercare
Tattoo artist Jack Poohvis recommends using Cetaphil soap, which gently cleanses and keeps the tattoo clean without irritating the skin. According to Jaliman, you will want to use a gentle, hydrating cleanser on freshly tattooed skin.
Wash your hands with antibacterial soap (unscented or with natural oils), then wash your tattoo with the antibacterial soap (we like dial foaming hand soap, dr. Bronner's, or soap made for tattoo aftercare like Redemption). Make sure to use your fingertips (not washcloth or anything abrasive).
Wash your tattoo thoroughly with HOT water and an anti-bacterial hand soap. The tattoo should feel smooth when washed properly. If it feels rough or crusty, it's because the dried blood, plasma and pigments have not been washed off. Gently pat it dry with a clean towel or a paper towel (do NOT rub).
With clean hands, apply a small amount of tattoo aftercare cream such as hustle butter or use a non-scented moisturiser like vitamin E cream, sorbolene, cetaphil, cocoa butter, shea butter etc. DO NOT use bepanthen, savlon, paw paw or anything scented or too oily.
Do Not scrub your tattoo ever. For the first 2-4 days apply Nivea Creme or Aquaphor 3-4 times a day. Nivea creme can be used throughout the healing process (do not use in excess).
As soon as the film is off, it's time to moisturize. I recommend unscented moisturizers like QV-Cream or Cetaphil. Cream your tattoo about three times a day for at least week or until you think it's fully healed.
Do not use Savlon, Sudacrem, Bepanthen or any other creams that contain Lanolin or (Liquid)Paraffin on your new tattoo. These creams are not suitable for use on tattoos as they are too thick and can block the pores in the skin, potentially causing an infection.
A&D ointment (yes, the kind used for diaper rash) is a cheap and popular choice for new tattoo aftercare. This ointment is also called Bepanthen. Aquaphor Advanced Healing Ointment is another hydrating and anti-inflammatory option. Good old petroleum jelly (aka Vaseline) also works well.
Don't worry, this is completely natural. It happens because the old skin, damaged during the tattooing process, forms a thin layer over your tattoo and masks its true appearance. In time this old skin will naturally exfoliate itself, revealing your tattoo underneath in all its vibrant glory.