Best Tattoo Soaps For Healing Your New Work Of Art
If you just got a brand-new tattoo, it’s just as important to consider the aftercare as it is the design. Even though your beautiful new piece is a work of art, it’s also a major open wound on your skin -- after all, it was created by a needle pricking it over and over again! So like all wounds, keeping it clean and moisturized is a major factor in how well your tattoo heals, and it can also determine how well it holds up for the years to come.
Here’s what you need to know about cleaning your tattoo so that you can preserve the gorgeous piece of art for the long run.
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What kind of soap should I use for my tattoo?
What kind of soap should I use for my tattoo?
Every tattoo artist will have a slightly different care process for their clients, so it’s a good idea to talk to your artist for their recommendations and instructions first. However, the general rule is that you should be washing your new tattoo a couple of times a day with a good, gentle soap to keep the area clean.
When it comes to shopping for the best tattoo soaps, simple really is better in most cases! Some things to keep in mind as you’re shopping for a tattoo soap.
Antibacterial 
Because a brand-new tattoo is so vulnerable to infections, it’s important to keep it clean and free from potentially pathogenic bacteria that can invade the healing skin. Look for a soap with antibacterial properties to kill off any germs that could cause issues.
Unscented
For the best results, you’ll probably also want a soap that does not contain any unnecessary additives like scents and dyes that can potentially irritate your healing skin. The simpler, the better in this case!
Moisturizing and soothing
After all the trauma that your skin has endured from being under the needle during your tattoo appointment, it’ll probably need some extra care and attention to recover properly. Look for soothing and nourishing ingredients like Vitamins A and B to help keep your skin moisturized and healthy throughout the healing process. You might also look for anti-inflammatory soaps to ease some of the pain and discomfort you might feel during the healing process.
The best tattoo soap from Pacha Soap Co.
Pacha Nada Bar Soap
Remember, when it comes to tattoo healing, simple really is better. So for a clean, simple bar of soap that gets the job done and keeps your new piece clean, look no further than the Pacha Nada Bar Soap!
This simple but highly effective soap bar is made without any added scents or unnecessary ingredients, which means that you can avoid irritating your new piece whenever it’s time to clean it. It’s made with shea butter, a Vitamin A-rich ingredient that can help soothe, moisturize, and protect your newest piece of art.
How to wash your new tattoo
Image credit: Photo by Jason Jarrach on Unsplash
Again, your tattoo artist may have their own set of aftercare instructions based on their practice, so your best bet is to talk to them first about the best way to care for your new piece. After the tattoo is done, your artist may wrap the spot with a protective bandage like Saniderm that’s meant to stay on for up to a few days. Other artists may wrap it in a more temporary solution like plastic wrap that is meant to be taken off soon after your appointment, so make sure to check in with your artist for their specific instructions.
Once your bandage is removed, wash your hands thoroughly to get rid of any lingering bacteria it may be carrying. Then, wash your tattoo very gently with lukewarm water and the tattoo soap of your choice, using your fingers rather than a cloth to avoid cross-contamination. Then gently pat your tattoo dry and apply the aftercare ointment or lotion to protect it. Repeat this process at least twice a day to ensure that your new tattoo stays clean and free from harmful bacteria and subsequent infections.
More important information to know on taking care of your new tattoo
Your new work of art is going to be on your skin for the long haul, but the steps that you take immediately after getting it done can play a huge role in how vibrant and bold the ink will hold. So here are some more things you should know about keeping your new tattoo safe and healthy:
Moisturize
Keeping your tattoo moisturized is crucial for helping it heal and stay vibrant for years to come! After allowing the tattoo to heal for a couple of days, you can start applying a very thin layer of tattoo ointment or a gentle, unscented lotion to the area to keep it moisturized and prevent it from drying out. You don’t want to overdo it here, since you still want your tattoo to be able to breathe underneath the moisturizing layer, and clogging it may lead to breakouts. A small dab should be sufficient.
Protect
In addition to cleaning and moisturizing frequently, your tattoo should also be well-protected as it heals. After you take off the bandage (if applicable by your tattoo artist), make sure to prevent your tattoo from being touched or rubbed against by clothing or any other foreign objects, as well as by your own fingers, and wash thoroughly if any accidents do happen. In addition, you’ll also want to keep your new piece out of the sun or the elements -- and once it’s healed, make sure to use SPF on it every time there’s a risk of exposure to those damaging sun rays so that it can stay vibrant and legible for a long time.
Conclusion
Tattoos are beautiful pieces of art but they’re also open wounds, and they need special care and attention during the healing process to ensure that everything heals properly and that there’s no risk of infection. Use a simple, unscented tattoo soap to keep the area clean, then lather on a gentle moisturizer or ointment to keep it well-protected and supple. A little bit of care goes a long way toward preserving your new ink for years to come!
Photo by Adrian Boustead: https://www.pexels.com/photo/grayscale-photo-of-person-applying-tattoo-955938/
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