After carefully removing the dressing, wash the tattoo gently with non-scented baby wipes or warm water and an antibacterial liquid detergent (hand wash). Wax-based soaps can leave a residue on your skin and dry it out. This may cause your tattoo to take longer to cure. After cleaning your tattoo, carefully pat it dry. Do not rub or scrub it. If you work in a medical setting, it's important to know that some tattoos are made from chemicals other than ink. For example, hydroflurocarbons (HFC) are used to darken skin for cosmetic purposes. These chemicals are known to be toxic if absorbed into the body. It is recommended that you avoid contact with HFCs at all costs because even small amounts can be harmful. In addition to the above, tattoos are also known as anthropological markers, so it's important to keep that in mind when wiping away any sanitizer or disinfectant after working on a patient. Wiping over any tattoos could lead to removal of some of the pigment inside the tattoo. This is especially true if you use alcohol-based wipes because they contain a higher percentage of alcohol. Finally, remember that you should never use paper towels to wipe off tattoos because the fibers will remain on your skin where they can flake off later on. Instead, use soft, clean cloths or sterile pads to wipe away any sanitizer after working on a patient.