Using Savlon On A New Tattoo

  • Written By Dan Hunter on October 12, 2019
    Last Updated: November 27, 2020

It’s so much more convenient to go to the drugstore and grab Savlon instead of searching for a specific tattoo aftercare product. Savlon has a wonderfully soothing and smooth texture. This makes it seem like a great candidate as an antiseptic cream for your fresh tattoo. Savlon is excellent for healing common injuries and is suitable for use on tattoos.

Good hygiene is vital when caring for a new tattoo, and using an excellent antiseptic product is part of that. Savlon is a good option because it has a mild odor and not many harsh chemical additives.


You can use Savlon on tattoos because it has the following properties:

  • Mild antiseptic
  • Doesn’t have harsh additives
  • Good for sensitive skin

What is Savlon?

Savlon is a British-made antiseptic cream that works to aid the skin’s natural healing. Savlon can be used to heal cuts and bruises, chapped skin, sunburn and bug bites. Its soothing, smooth texture and rapid healing properties have made it one of the most popular antiseptic creams. It’s also pretty inexpensive, making it a good budget choice.

Savlon Ingredients

Savlon contains two active ingredients — cetrimide and chlorhexidine digluconate. Both of these are disinfectants and antiseptics. 1 gram of Savlon contains 5 mg of cetrimide — 0.5 percent w/w — and 1 mg of chlorhexidine digluconate — 0.1 percent w/w.

  • Cetrimide: Cetrimide is an antimicrobial that kills microbes by weakening their membranes and penetrating the cells
  • Chlorhexidine gluconate: This is a potent antibacterial and antiseptic agent. It’s usually found in mouthwash products.

Other notable ingredients include:

  • Cetostearyl alcohol: This is created by heating coconut oil along with sodium hydroxide. It’s used here as both a thicker and emollient. It helps soften your skin and is often used in the cosmetic industry as a moisturizer.
  • Liquid paraffin: Liquid paraffin is also an emollient. It’s distilled from crude oil and can be found in petroleum jelly. It has a wide range of uses outside of the cosmetic realm and acts as a protective layer or seal over your skin. Be aware that this can sometimes cause pore-clogging and can prevent the skin from breathing, which can stall the healing process.

Is Savlon Good for Fresh Ink?

Many people in the tattoo community swear by using Savlon, while others warn of its side effects. While Savlon isn’t explicitly made for tattoos, it can be great for keeping bacteria at bay since it helps prevent infections while gently moisturizing the skin.

One of the drawbacks is that it may cause some color bleeding because it contains a mild bleaching agent — chlorhexidine gluconate. If this is a big concern for you, it might be better to use a product specifically tailored for tattoo aftercare.

The best tattoo lotion I’ve ever personally used is a vegan aftercare product called After Inked Tattoo Aftercare Lotion. This stuff works amazingly well during the healing process; not only by keeping your tattoo really well hydrated but also by soothing any annoying itching and irritation. When using it from the very start of the healing process, this lotion will help to decrease tattoo healing times and work towards eliminating any lingering dryness and scabbing.​ Click here to buy from Amazon.

If you have an allergy to any of the ingredients above, you definitely should not use Savlon. It may cause allergic reactions or further exacerbate irritated skin.

Other than that, there aren’t many risks associated with using Savlon on new tattoos. It’s also very mild, which is essential for vulnerable tattooed skin. Its active ingredients make sure your ink stays clean and bacteria-free. The other ingredients work to counteract any irritation and lock in moisture in the skin.

How to Use Savlon for Tattoo Aftercare

Your skin gets overworked during the inking process, causing scabbing. Instead of picking at these scabs, you should be applying moisturizer. Savlon can be used here because of its moisturizing properties. It’s better than using just a regular moisturizer because of its mild antiseptic qualities.

Follow this process for ideal post-tattoo use:

  1. Gently wipe off any dried blood using warm water
  2. Wash with a mild antibacterial soap
  3. Pat dry with a paper towel, gently
  4. Apply enough Savlon to cover the tattooed area
  5. Repeat until scabbing is minimal
  6. Replace Savlon with a fragrance-free moisturizer once the scabbing has gone

Don’t rub the Savlon on your skin aggressively. Be sure to apply a smooth layer gently over the tattoo.

Savlon Is a Good Option!

Caring for your fresh ink is important for ensuring the color remains vibrant. It’s also vital for making sure your skin heals properly and remains healthy. Using a good antiseptic product aids in the overall healing process.

Savlon is a good choice because it’s antiseptic, antibacterial and moisturizing. It’s mild enough not to irritate your skin but strong enough to ensure that bacteria are kept at bay. Savlon is a convenient and inexpensive choice that’ll heal your new tattoo and protect your skin, too.

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