So you’re thinking of getting a tattoo and want to know all there is about green soap?
You’ve come to the right place!
Green soap is an important part of the tattooing process, but what is it exactly?
In this complete guide, we’ll answer all your questions about green soap for tattoos — from what it is made of to how to use it.
Keep reading for everything you need to know before making your next appointment at the tattoo parlour!
What Is Green Soap?
Green soap is a type of soap that gets its name from its color.
It’s usually made with vegetable oils, like olive oil or coconut oil.
Green soap has been used for centuries as a natural cleansing agent and is still popular today.
It’s often used in skincare products because it’s gentle and non-irritating.
You can also find green soap in some laundry detergents and dish soaps. It’s a versatile product that can be used for cleaning just about anything!
Why is Green Soap Used For Tattooing?
Soap is an important part of the tattooing process.
It helps to clean the skin, which is extremely important for preventing tattoo infection.
Some argue that it also provides a slippery surface that makes it easier for the needle to glide over the skin.
Green soap is a great option for tattooing as it is made with natural ingredients and does not contain any dyes or fragrances that could cause irritation.
Green soap is also available in a liquid form, which can be helpful for artists who prefer to work with a thinner consistency.
Thanks to it’s natural disinfectant properties, green soap has become an essential part of the tattooing process and plays an important role in creating beautiful and lasting tattoos.
History Of Green Soap
In the 20th century, green soap was commonly used throughout Europe
During this period, it not uncommon to use green soap for household chores and everyday cleaning.
At this time, it typically included ingredients such as rapeseed, linseed, or other vegetable oils. Sometimes, these oils would be mixed with other ingredients like potassium or sodium hydroxide.
Later, this soap was introduced to the United States.
In America, the recipe changed quite significantly — with the recipe becoming more refined over time.
Why Is Green Soap Green?
Green soap was initially green thanks to the levels of chlorophyll found in the unprocessed vegetable oils used to make it.
Today, green soap’s appearance has changed to become more yellow or orange in colour.
This change is thanks to the more refined oils in use today.
However, some green soap manufacturers choose to add green food colouring into their recipes in order to maintain the soap’s namesake appearance.
Why You Should Use Green Soap Instead Of Regular Soap
In tattooing, green soap is used instead of regular soap for a very specific reason.
Your typical, everyday antibacterial soap will dry out your skin — stripping it of natural oils.
This makes it a terrible product to use for tattooing or any other type of body modification.
Other natural products like hemp soap will work for tattooing and body modification. However, these products are significantly more expensive than your typical bottle of green soap.
Buying Green Soap
Green soap is not a mass market product, meaning there are very few brands actually producing tattoo-grade green soap.
While you may find a few brands out there, the most popular and widely used brand is “Cosco” (not to be confused with Costco).
This brand has a very solid reputation and offers green soap in a number of sizes — from 16 oz to one gallon.
It can also be conveniently found on Amazon.
Green Soap Alternatives
Green soap is widely considered to be very safe. However, some individuals may find they have some sensitivity to the product.
If this is the case, then you may be interested in some green soap alternatives.
Here are four options that can be used instead of green soap:
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Teatree Oil
- Sterilized Water
- Alcohol Mixed With A Carrier Oil
Final Thoughts
So there you have it!
Everything you need to know about tattoo green soap.
Now that you understand the benefits of green soap and exactly why it’s used in tattooing, maybe you’ll consider purchasing some.
It truly is a fantastic option for those in search of a gentle and non-irritating tattoo disinfectant.