Swimming should be avoided until your tattoo is fully healed, which usually takes about two to four weeks. Submerging a fresh tattoo in water can increase the risk of infection and affect the ink's vibrancy.
You should wait at least 2 WEEKS before being in the ocean or a pool. Not just for the potential bacteria, salt or cholrine, but you want to keep the tattoo as dry as possible. Unless kept dry, it will heal poorly.
Soaking in water or swimming. Bath water, pool water, and ESPECIALLY lake/ocean/sea water is TERRIBLE for your tattoo. Not only can some of the ink seep out while it is still fresh and open, but bodies of water can be FULL of bacteria and highly increase your risk of infection.
According to dermatologist, Hadley King, MD, you should wait until your tattoo is fully healed before swimming. "The amount of time will vary depending on the body location of the tattoo and size and how diligent the aftercare is," she explains. "Most tattoos heal within two to six weeks, but some may take longer.
Soaking in water or swimming. Bath water, pool water, and ESPECIALLY lake/ocean/sea water is TERRIBLE for your tattoo. Not only can some of the ink seep out while it is still fresh and open, but bodies of water can be FULL of bacteria and highly increase your risk of infection.
If you have to go swimming, you should make sure your tattoo is fully covered with a waterproof dressing, plus you can add some Vaseline too. Once you're out of the water, it's best to remove the dressing straight away and rinse the tattoo with warm, fresh water.
Sun Protection for New Tattoos
New tattoos fade very quickly when exposed to sunlight. In addition, if your tattoo has not completely healed yet, exposing the area to sunlight could result in blistering. In general, you should keep a new tattoo completely protected from the sun for at least three to four weeks.
Once your tattoo feels completely smooth to the touch, there is no scabbing, and it's no longer red, itchy, or flaking, it is likely healed enough to swim.
No. Don't go swimming or immerse your new tattoo in water until every bit of scab and dry skin has fallen off. This can take as long as four weeks. There is a big difference between getting your tattoo wet (during a normal shower) and entirely submerging or soaking your fresh wound in still water.
Jumping into a swimming pool before your tattoo has healed will affect the design as the chemicals can leach ink from the skin, leaving it less vibrant and harder to heal. As such, it is highly recommended that you stay away from chlorine to maintain the aesthetic value and quality of your tattoo.
Do not soak or submerge your tattoo in water following your tattoo. You risk irritation and bacterial infection and swimming is even more destructive to your tattoo than a bath because of chlorine or salt water. Regardless, it's the soaking you should be concerned about here.
2 weeks minimum. Sometimes 3-4 weeks depending on how you heal.
You should wait between three to four days after each of your laser tattoo removal session before you go swimming. It is not recommended to go swimming immediately after laser tattoo removal because the skin in the treated area is still recovering from the laser.
While surfing with a fresh tattoo may seem tempting, it's important to allow your body enough time to heal before heading back to the waves. Generally, waiting at least 2 to 4 weeks is recommended to ensure that your tattoo heals properly and is protected from infection or damage.
For most patients, waiting time is about a month after surgery, or up to six weeks with certain procedures like a tummy tuck.
It is advised to wait for your tattoo to fully heal, which can take at least two to four weeks before swimming in any kind of water. Going into the pool or ocean before then may put you at risk of infection due to bacteria or germs that can enter an open wound.
“You should wait for your tattoo to fully heal — which can take at least 2 to 4 weeks — before swimming in any kind of water,” says Adrienne Santos, a writer for Healthline.
“The time it takes will depend on the location of the tattoo and other factors, but expect it to take at least three weeks,” she says. In the meantime, she advises avoiding submerging a new tattoo in bodies of water including swimming pools, hot tubs, oceans, lakes, and rivers.
The tattoo will become less vibrant as the healing process continues. A person should avoid submerging the tattoo in water or getting the tattoo wet during the first 3–6 weeks, except for when washing it. A person can continue using the washing technique above throughout the first week when needed.
You can protect your new tattoo from water with a waterproof bandage. There are a variety of clear, waterproof bandages specifically designed for tattoos that will keep the area sealed and (mostly) free from water exposure. Ensure the entire tattoo is completely covered and sealed before getting it wet.
Until your tattoo is fully healed, you cannot apply any type of sunscreen, and it's really best to just avoid exposing the area to any direct sunlight whatsoever. If you plan to be outside in the sun with a new tattoo, then your best and safest protection is to keep the area covered with loose clothing.
A minimum of two days and as much as a few weeks are generally recommended to hold off on more moderate and intense activity. Yet even yoga and other low-intensity exercises could be in risky territory if they lead to friction, sweating, or stretching the tattoo.