Can you wash the tattooed area?

Question

I got my third tattoo on saurday. The artist told me to keep it moist and to wash it with anti-bacterial soap. He did my other two and I followed his advice with no color fading. I just recently read a post where it said not to use anti-bac. soap. I am really worried now, cause I have been washing with the soap. The tattoo I got is very intricate with alot of color and I do not want it to fade. Can someone please tell me if I should stop using the soap?

Answer 1

I doubt the anti-bacterial component is going to be an issue. Unless something vaseline based is hiding in their, you should be safe.

By the way of an aside, my understanding of soap is that the anti-bacterial component is mostly irrelevant. I've heard this multiple times from health type folks (doctors, nurses, etc), and just did a little googling on it. This is more FYI than to contradict your artist. Likely they have some kind touchup policy, so do what the artist recommends if only to keep that policy valid.

Answer 2

Do what your artist says to do. Unless it sounds crazy. Mine supplied me with a huge bottle of special medicated soap that is antibacterial. Plus a handful of bacitracin packages.

Fresh Tattoo

Take bandage off in 2 hours
Wash tattoo carefully with warm soapy water
DO NOT SCRUB
Lightly pat the tattoo until dry…
DO NOT RUB
Apply a very thin coat of bacitracin or aquaphor ointment 3 times a day for 3 to 5 days
Although re-bandaging a tattoo is not recommended, if covering the tattoo is necessary a sterile bandage or dressing should be used.
Be sure and wash the tattoo every night and morning…
DO NOT SOAK
Avoid tattoo exposure to direct sunlight and refrain from swimming in fresh, salt or chlorinated water for at least 2 weeks.
After External Healing

Tattoos heal quickly BUT fading can still be a problem
Apply hand lotion once a day until dryness stops
Vaseline Intensive Care, Lubriderm, Nivea, etc...
Tanning fades tattoos
Always cover fully healed tattoo with sun block
DO NOT RUIN YOUR INVESTMENT!!!

Answer 3

I think that each category has a "regulars" crowd. I frequent the polls ans surveys section a lot, and I can tell that some of the people there are used to answering each others material. (that category is a friggin' riot by the way). However, I don't go into other sections and rant like I do in this one. Maybe this is why I haven't been deleted yet. Oh, and the answer is 'matches" That is how you remove brain matter and blood from your sofa. You have to burn it, silly.

Answer 4

if he did your others and you liked how they turned out listen to him a tattoo does need to be washed with antibacterial soap 2x a day the post can be wrong rember he was right last time and the time before that he gives tats daily he knows

Answer 5

yes, you can use anti bacterial soap. I've done it and my tattoo has not faded. the thing that will make it fade most is the sun, not soap.

Answer 6

You need to wash your tat at least twice a day. A mild soap is exactly what you want to use. I use Dove, or Jergens soap.

Answer 7

moist moist moist is all i have to say....keep it moist, i usually put A&D on my tats the first 2 days or so while washinig it in the shower every night. and then after those two days, instead of putting that stuff on after showering i usually put lotions on, nothing with scents though, it irritates it, just plain moisture locking lotion or something. but i dont think soap should hurt it at all....you should be fine. especially since you have had no probs with your other two.

Answer 8

My artist told me to use antibacterial soap when mine was healing up.

Answer 9

if your other tatoos are fine form using soap, then you should with ur new one just like the other guy said

Answer 10

i have never heard NOT to use antibacterial soap. it's what i have used for all of my tattoos and they have been fine.