Dial Antibacterial Soap for Tattoos

The second most used soap in the US is Dial soap. Yes, it’s the most common soap bar you see in stores. Its antibacterial properties make it good for hygiene too. But can you use Dial soap on tattoos?

Well, the answer is yes. You can use it, and many tattoo artists vouch for it. Since tattoo aftercare entails washing the tattoo twice a day and moisturizing it, what products can you use to clean leave us confused.

But recently, as a tattoo artist myself, I recommended Dial soap to my clients for cleaning their tattoos And I thought it would be best to share the ins and outs of Dial soap with you. So let’s see!

First of all, what is Dial Soap?

what is Dial Soap

As I said, Dial is an American soap bar. It’s one of the most common antibacterial soaps seen in every household. Mostly, this soap is unscented, and that’s why tattoo artists recommend it. 

Although we are listing the ingredients here, be mindful that this is not the best way to gauge a product for a tattoo. Anyway, Before gauging if it’s good or bad for tattoos, let’s have a look at the DIAL GOLD BAR ANTIBACTERIAL DEODORANT SOAP ingredients. 

The main active ingredient of Dial Gold Bar is Triclocarban 0.60%  which is an antibacterial agent. 

As for working with this agent, it does the job fine. But for tattoos, I’m not sure about this working. However, this ingredient can cause allergies. So, you should do a patch test before using it.

Some other ingredients of this soap are:

  • sodium cocoate
  • sodium palm kernelate 
  • sodium palmate 
  • sodium tallowate
  • water (aqua)
  • Talc
  • coconut acid
  • palm acid
  • tallow acid
  • palm kernel acid
  • PEG-6 methyl ether
  • fragrance (parfum)
  • Glycerin
  • Sorbitol
  • sodium chloride
  • pentasodium pentetate
  • tetrasodium etidronate
  • yellow 5 (Cl 19140)
  • yellow 8 (Cl 45350) 
  • red 4 (Cl 14700)

Now as you see in this soap, the talc is also present so this particular scent is scented. However, for tattoos, you should go for unscented dial soap. 

Can I Use Dial Soap on My New Tattoo?

Now, that’s the tricky part. If your tattoo artist asks you to wash your tattoo with dial soap, do it. While there are a lot of soaps and handwashes that claim to be equally potent. But what about the dial soap? Is it good? 

As we discussed its ingredients above, it’s so far good for tattoos.

 you can choose unscented dial soap and it’s equally potent. Dial soap is a common thing in American bathrooms and for its working, it is effective against bacteria. 

So yes you can use dial soap on tattoos but not on the fresh ones. Like you get a tattoo today and put it under the tap and dial soap is not an option. For the initial care, the tattoo artist might put saniderm or any other aftercare stuff.

However, after a day or two when the wounds have healed a bit, you can use dial soap. Make sure to use warm water and gently scrub on the tattoo if it’s a day old. Moreover, you must refrain from direct water flow on fresh tattoos.

Apart from that you should also dry the tattoo after cleaning it with dial soap. Once your tattoo heals enough you can do the routine cleaning and scrubbing. 

Getting a tattoo is enticing but aftercare is likewise important. Make sure you wash the tattoo few times a day. This ensures it remains infection-free.

You can use any unscented antibacterial soap, not just dial soap. However, dial soap gold is amazing to go with. Additionally, you need to follow the cleaning routine for 3-4 weeks.

Is Using the Dial Soap Completely Safe?

Is Using the Dial Soap Completely Safe

Well, you can use the dial soap after 24 to 48 hours of getting a tattoo. They do the thing of keeping you from infection. First, some dial soaps are not unscented. The Dial Gold and Dial white are some of them.

It means they have perfume talc for fragrance. Now that might sound normal but for some, it can cause allergies. They can irritate your tattoo wound and cause itching. Now if we gauge it pH wise the dial soap lies somewhere between 8-10 pH scale.

Normal pH is 6-7. Now if your tattoo wound is fresh it will be very uncomfortable to apply dial soap. Moreover, it possibly can dry your skin. So make sure you know that the dial soap is suitable for you. 

Is Dettol soap good for tattoos?

Dettol is a popular antiseptic soap that is often used to clean and disinfect wounds and skin conditions. It is also commonly used to clean tattoos. However, there is some debate about whether Dettol is good for tattoos or not.

Proponents of using Dettol on tattoos argue that it has several benefits, including:

  • It is a powerful antiseptic that can help to prevent infection.
  • It is gentle on the skin, which is important when caring for a new tattoo.
  • It is affordable and easy to find.

Opponents of using Dettol on tattoos argue that it has some risks, including:

  • It can be drying to the skin, which can delay the healing process of a tattoo.
  • It can irritate sensitive skin.
  • It can remove some of the tattoo ink, which can fade the tattoo over time.

What do tattoo artists say about using Dettol on tattoos?

Most tattoo artists advise against using Dettol on tattoos. They argue that it is too harsh for the skin and can damage the tattoo. They recommend using a mild, fragrance-free soap instead.

Can I use Any Antibacterial Soap on Fresh Tattoos?

Can I use Any Antibacterial Soap on Fresh Tattoos

Not using antibacterial soap on fresh tattoos is not a good thing. There are a few reasons such as

  • Antibacterial soaps are too strong for fresh wounds. They can irritate and make skin dry.
  • Good bacteria are essential for better tattoo healing. But if you use antibacterial soap it can kill the good ones too as collateral damage.
  • Fresh tattoos are open wounds and cleaning entails gentle cleansing. You can choose any fragrance-free body wash or soap to do so. 
  • Apart from that, antibacterial soap might not be suitable for some individuals. Therefore it is better to not use them. 

What to Do for Cleaning a Tattoo?

What to Do for Cleaning a Tattoo

For the best tattoo aftercare you should do the following:

Cleaning Procedure

Whenever you want to clean your tattoo you should wash your hands thoroughly. Next, get your preferred dial liquid soap and gently clean the tattoo area. After that gently clean the tattoo and pat dry it. Don’t rub it too harshly. Apart from it, you can also air dry it. 

Don’t Over-Clean

You run the risk of skin irritation with excessive cleaning. Why? Because it dries out skin and delays healing. It is better to do cleaning twice a day, not more than that. Moreover, you should avoid harsh scraping or rubbing on the tattoo area. Also, make sure to moisturize the skin frequently.

Speak to Your Tattoo Artist 

You can best guide regarding tattoo aftercare from your tattoo artist. You should stick to their guidelines. Don’t overstress things and follow what they tell you. Moreover, for any questions and concerns, you can turn to them.

Conclusion 

Dial soap is good for daily hygiene. Moreover, they can also do the thing for tattoos. As they have antibacterial properties they can keep your tattoo from infections. However, when using dial soap make sure your tattoo is 2 days old. Apart from that go for liquid soap. We hope this guide helps you in using dial soap for tattoos.

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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.

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