Why I stopped using rubbing alcohol for tattoo aftercare

I used to always wipe down my fresh tattoos with rubbing alcohol after cleaning them, thinking it was killing all the bacteria and keeping things sanitary. But about 6 months ago, I did a big thigh piece on myself and woke up the next morning with the whole area bright red and angry. Turns out alcohol was stripping off way too much of my skin's natural oils and drying out the healing tissue way too fast. A friend who's been doing stick and poke for like 8 years told me to just use plain unscented soap and water, then pat dry with a paper towel. Now I only use alcohol on the tools before I start, not on the actual tattoo. Has anyone else had their healing go bad because of using the wrong cleaner?

2 comments

2 Comments

nina_johnson8625d ago

Whoa, I totally used to think alcohol was the way to go too.

the_lucas25d ago

Man that sounds brutal, I've definitely been there thinking more sanitation meant better healing. Glad your friend steered you right before you messed up that thigh piece even worse.