Can I Wash my Tattoo with Dove Soap

Getting a tattoo on your body is an exciting adventure but comes with a cost. Yes, you need to spend a lot of money to get the ink work done, but it’s more than just the money. 

You need to take care of your tattoo just like a newborn baby. 

Following proper cleaning guidelines, moisturizing a tattoo, and protecting it from sunlight is paramount. And when it comes to tattoo cleaning, you must not use random cleaning soaps or products.

 And that boils down to our next question, which is our topic today: can I wash my tattoo with a dove soap? 

Since it’s America’s favorite soap it’s natural to inquire about it. And the answer is yes; you can use Dove soap, but not all types. 

For instance, you can use Dove Beauty Bar Sensitive Skin to clean your tattoo, which will not harm you. Let’s talk more about Dove soap!

Dove Soap and Tattoos–Is it Safe?

is it Safe dove for tattoo

Dove is a fantastic soap that is adored globally. Many individuals and dermatologists like it for daily use. Since it’s one of the safest soap brands in the world, is it safe for tattoos, too? 

Although Dove soap has a massive list of soap types, you cannot use any random Dove soap for tattoos. 

In short, dove soap is suitable for tattoos unless it’s fragrance-free and alcohol-free. For instance, if you plan to use DOVE Shae Butter soap, it will not suit your tattoo as it contains harmful ingredients.

Primarily, we use Dove’s original beauty in our daily lives, but that’s also a NO-NO for tattoos. Why? It has fragrance, and anything with fragrance can be a red flag for your expansive tattoo.

But since we are here for the Dove soap and tattoos aftercare, I recommend Dove Sensitive Skin Bar Soap. Why? Because it does not contain scents and fragrances and is hypoallergenic.

And on top of all that, many dermatologists recommend it. Another good thing is that it has moisturizing properties that can moisturize your tattoo skin. In reality, it contains 1 ⁄ 4 moisturizing cream and a mild cleanser formula to keep your tattoo skin moisturized.

And remember that it works wonders on your sensitive skin, and since tattooed skin is sensitive it can go head-to-head with your healing journey.

Last but not least, you can get it in liquid form since it comes in a convenient bottle of body wash. So that was about Dove’s sensitive skin soap for tattoos. Let’s explore its ingredients.

A Glance at The Dove Sensitive Skin Bar

A Glance at The Dove Sensitive Skin Bar

Let me tell you the exact ingredients of the Dove sensitive Skin Bar:

  • Sodium Lauroyl Isethionate: Gentle Cleansing Agent
  • Stearic Acid: Thickening and Stabilizing
  • Lauric Acid: Conditioning Agent
  • Sodium Oleate: Emulsifying Agent
  • Sodium Isethionate: Surfactant and Emollient
  • Sodium Stearate: Emulsifying and Cleansing
  • Cocamidopropyl Betaine: Foam Booster
  • Glycerin: Moisturizing Agent
  • Sodium Laurate: Surfactant and Emulsifier
  • Tetrasodium Etidronate: Water Softener
  • Tetrasodium EDTA: Chelating Agent
  • Sodium Chloride: Thickening and Stabilizing
  • Titanium Dioxide: UV Protection and Whitening

What Are the Qualities of Good Soap for Tattoos?

If you just got your first tattoo, let me tell you one thing: do not wash it with any soap. Why? Regular soap contains ingredients that can irritate your skin or, worst of all, lead to infections.

Several things can go wrong with using ordinary soap on your tattoo. So, what are the qualities of a good tattoo soap, then? 

First, your soap for tattoos needs to be fragrance-free. Yes, it’s essential for the soap not to have fragrance since they are chemicals that can cause nightmares, allergies, and reactions on tattooed skin. That’s why we specifically recommended Dove sensitive skin soap, as it’s fragrance-free. 

Next, you should refrain from having alcohol in it. Any alcohol additive can be a threat to your tattoo skin. You can develop allergies, or they can fade your tattoo ink. You have to get an antibacterial soap to protect the skin from infections but don’t go for harsh soaps.

The last attribute of good soap is that it is not a must but is good to have. Go for a dispenser bottle-style soap. Why? Because this way, you get bacteria-free soap every time for your tattoo.

How do you use Dove Soap to Clean the tattoo?

If you desperately want to use the Dove soap on your tattoo, make sure to do the following:

  1. Your hands must be cleaned before cleaning the tattoo. So wash your hands thoroughly and then begin. 
  2. You have Saniderm on your tattoo for the next 24 hours after inkwork. However, you can take it off after 2 hours as well. So, remove the bandage if you want to apply Dove soap on the tattoo. If you find it hard to peel the bandage, you can disengage it by pouring water. 
  3. Now wet the skin if it hasn’t already. Rub the Dove soap gently on it. Ensure to use warm water, not hot, to avoid dryness and skin irritation. 
  4. After gently rubbing the soap, rub the tattoo area with your hand to clean it. Once you wash it with water, pat dry or air dry the tattoo. Make Sure to be gentle during the process.

Read This Before Using Dove Soap

Dove-sensitive skin soap is suitable for tattoos, but you have to be mindful of using it on tattoos. Some of the precautions that you should take are: 

  • Don’t rub the tattoo with a loofah or washcloth if you apply Dove soap. Since your tattooed skin is an open wound, scrubbing any open wound will lead to infections or irritation. Apart from that, you can ignite a burning sensation with this act. So make sure you only use your hands to clean the tattoo. 
  • After a few days of getting a tattoo, you will see scabs forming on the tattoo. You might be intrigued to pull them off, but wait to do it. Why? Because scabs help better healing, and you might ruin the tattoo work once removed forcefully. So even if Dove soap softs them, they don’t pull them off.
  • Avoid sunlight when you get a new tattoo. Whether going out or cleaning your tattoo in the sunlight, it is better to avoid exposing it to sunlight. Regardless of your soap, it would help if you avoided sunlight at all costs. 
  • You must not use other dove soap than Dove Sensitive skin type. Although you might want to use the Dove antibacterial soap, it also contains fragrance, so refrain from it. You should also not exceed using Dove soap on your tattoo twice daily. 

Conclusion

Dove is a well-known soap bar. It is renowned globally and for a reason. It has a mild fragrance and is gentle. That’s why many tattoo enthusiasts ask whether it’s suitable for tattoos. You can use Dove Sensitive skin soap for tattoos but do not scrub it harshly. Moreover, you should also be mindful of using it twice a day.

Photo of author

Alex Martin

Alex Martin here.I am leading contributor with decade of experience in the tattoo industry, combining artistic talent with an in-depth understanding of tattoo care and safety standards.

Leave a Comment