What Should You Wash a New Tattoo With?

The tattoo session is over, the artist has done their incredible work, and you've made it home. You remove the initial wrap, and your new tattoo is a beautiful but inky, sticky mess of plasma and ointment. You know you need to wash it, but as you look at the collection of soaps in your shower, a critical question arises: "What am I actually supposed to use?"

Choosing the right cleanser is one of the most important decisions you'll make in the aftercare process. The soap you use can be the difference between a smooth, infection-free heal and a complicated, irritated one.

This is your definitive guide to selecting the perfect wash for your new art, covering what to use, what to avoid, and the proper technique to ensure a perfect heal.

The "Do Not Use" List: Soaps to Avoid at All Costs

Let's start with what to leave on the shelf. Using the wrong soap can dry out your tattoo, cause a painful reaction, or even lead to infection.

• Bar Soap: That bar of soap sitting in your shower dish is a hard no. Bar soaps often sit in a pool of water, which can turn them into a breeding ground for bacteria. They also tend to have a high pH that can be harsh and excessively drying on healing skin.

• Fragranced Body Washes: Any product with a strong, pleasant scent (think "Ocean Breeze" or "Lavender Dream") is loaded with artificial fragrances. These are some of the most common skin irritants and can easily cause redness, excessive itching, and even allergic reactions on an open wound like a new tattoo.

• Exfoliating Scrubs: This should be obvious, but it needs to be said. Any face or body wash that contains scrubbing beads, sugar, salt, or harsh exfoliating chemicals (like salicylic or glycolic acid) will severely damage your healing tattoo, pull out ink, and can lead to scarring.

• Harsh Antibacterial Hand Soaps: While you want an antimicrobial effect, the harsh chemicals and high alcohol content in many pump-style hand soaps will dry out, sting, and irritate your tattoo.

The Must-Have Qualities of a Good Tattoo Wash

So, what should you look for? The perfect cleanser for a new tattoo has a simple but specific formula.

1. It must be antimicrobial. Its primary job is to gently kill germs on the surface of your skin to prevent infection.

2. It must be fragrance-free and hypoallergenic. You want the cleanest, simplest formula possible, with no unnecessary additives that could cause a reaction.

3. It must be gentle and pH-balanced. It needs to clean your skin without stripping away its natural moisture barrier.

4. It should be easy to apply and rinse. A product that lathers easily without needing to be rubbed vigorously is ideal, and it must rinse off cleanly without leaving behind any residue.

The Perfect Solution: A Dedicated Tattoo Cleansing Foam

While you can spend time squinting at ingredient lists in the drugstore, the surest way to get it right is to use a product specifically formulated for the job. Our No Pain Tattoo Cleansing Foam was created to be the perfect tattoo wash, meeting all the criteria for a safe and effective heal.

• It’s a powerful but gentle antimicrobial cleanser that helps prevent infection.

• It is completely fragrance-free and hypoallergenic, making it safe for even the most sensitive skin.

• The rich, gentle foam formula is the best part. It allows you to cover the entire tattoo and clean it thoroughly without any harsh rubbing. It then rinses away cleanly, leaving nothing behind.

The Proper Washing Technique (Just as Important as the Soap!)

1. Wash Your Hands First! Before you touch your tattoo, wash your hands thoroughly.

2. Use Lukewarm Water. Hot water can increase inflammation and be painful, while cold water can close up your pores. Lukewarm is the perfect middle ground.

3. Apply Foam Gently. Use only your fingertips to gently apply the cleansing foam in a circular motion. Do not use a washcloth or loofah.

4. Rinse Thoroughly. Let the water run over the tattoo until all the soap has rinsed away.

5. Pat Dry, Don't Rub. Use a clean, disposable paper towel to gently pat the area dry. Avoid using your regular bath towel, as it can harbor bacteria.

You should wash your tattoo this way 2-3 times a day for the first week. Proper cleaning is the first and most critical step in any great aftercare routine. Pair our foam with our Soothing Gel and Aftercare Balm by grabbing our complete No Pain Tattoo Aftercare Bundle to ensure a perfect heal from start to finish.