Why can't you swim after a tattoo? Fresh tattoos are open wounds, making them highly vulnerable to infection and irritation. Pools contain chlorine, which can cause fading and dryness, while oceans, lakes, and hot tubs harbor bacteria that can lead to complications.
Stay away from pools while tattoo is fresh (1-2 weeks). Depends on the size and type of tattoo but generally, once it scabs off you will be fine. Although, when submerged for longer times (if bathing in pool) you will notice it dries out the skin.
Exposure to water can negatively impact the appearance of your tattoo: Ink Leaching: Prolonged water exposure can cause the ink to leach out. Fading: Chemicals in pool water, like chlorine, can cause the tattoo to fade.
Infection Risk 🦠 Fresh tattoos are open wounds, and swimming in pools, oceans, or lakes can expose them to bacteria and contaminants. 2. Chlorine Damage ❤️🩹 Chlorine in pools can irritate the tattooed skin, causing redness, itching, and potentially damaging the ink.
Tattoos are essentially open wounds, and exposing them to water too soon can lead to bacterial infections, skin irritation, and even damage to the tattoo design. Therefore, tattoo artists recommend waiting at least 2-4 weeks before submerging your new ink in swimming pools, hot tubs, or open water.
Use Waterproofing Ointment
Before going swimming, apply a thin layer of a waterproofing ointment or aftercare product to your tattoo. This will help protect it from the water and prevent skin irritation. Some effective products for this include petroleum jelly, coconut oil, and aftercare creams.
It's generally recommended to wait at least 24 hours before jumping into the shower. This initial waiting period gives your skin time to begin healing.
Short-term exposure to chlorine may not have a drastic impact on a tattoo, but repeated or prolonged exposure can cause the ink to fade and even discolor. Skin Sensitivity: Some individuals might experience irritation or an allergic reaction to chlorine, especially on a freshly tattooed area.
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.
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.
And the UV frequencies in sunlight are energetic enough to break down the ink molecules over time, so tattoos that are always exposed – such as on the fingers or face – fade quicker than those covered by clothing.
Ink Parlour tattoos are made to withstand contact with water, which makes them perfect for aquatic adventures. However, prolonged exposure to water, especially in chlorinated pools, may slightly affect their longevity.
Be Conscious of Water and Chemical Exposure
Although this is far from a fun fact, pools, hot tubs, and the ocean can cause fading — especially in the early days of a new tattoo.
Factors like sun exposure, skin elasticity, friction, improper aftercare, smoking, and tanning can accelerate tattoo fading. Natural methods like exfoliation and using lightening agents may help fade tattoos, but professional laser removal is the most reliable and safest option.
How Soon Can I Swim After Getting a Tattoo? Tattoos have specific healing processes that can take months, depending on aftercare and other factors. However, the outermost layer of the skin typically heals the soonest, making an average piece ready to go swimming within two to four weeks.
As with tipping waitstaff, 20-25% percent is a good standard. An easy way to include tipping in your budget is to add it in when getting the estimated costs for having your work done. So, if your tattoo is expected to cost $200, with a 20-percent tip, that's $240.
Eucerin Aquaphor's gentle and non-irritating formula helps to alleviate discomfort, itchiness, and redness associated with brand new tattoos. By providing a soothing and calming effect, it allows the skin to heal undisturbed, promoting a smoother and more comfortable recovery.
However, if you have fresh ink, avoiding chlorine will ensure your design remains vibrant and full of colour. 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.
Wait up to 24 hours to shower.
Talk to your tattoo artist about how long it's best to wait. Generally, though, you can shower within the first 24 hours after getting your new ink. Waiting 2 days gives your skin more time to form a barrier over the tattoo.
The general recommendation is to wait at least two to four weeks before immersing your tattoo in water, particularly in a hot tub. This waiting period allows the outer layers of the skin to heal and provides a barrier against harmful bacteria, chemicals, and the water itself.
Don't worry, this is completely natural. It happens because the old skin, damaged during the tattooing process, forms a thin layer over your tattoo and masks its true appearance. In time this old skin will naturally exfoliate itself, revealing your tattoo underneath in all its vibrant glory.
What NOT to do? DON'T re-bandage your tattoo, rub, scratch or pick at your new tattoo. DON'T apply alcohol, Neosporin, Vaseline, or petroleum jelly (they can trap dirt and germs and cause infection). DON'T apply a heavy coat of lotion (remember the skin must breathe in order to heal).
Stay out of pools, hot tubs, rivers, lakes and other bodies of water while the tattoo is healing. Choose clothing carefully. Don't wear anything that might stick to the tattoo.