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.
It's generally recommended to wait at least 2 to 4 weeks before swimming after getting a tattoo. This allows the tattoo to heal properly and reduces the risk of infection. Here are some additional tips:
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.
Most reputable tattoo artists suggest that people refrain from working out for the first 2 weeks of healing, since that's when the tattoo is most sensitive. If you've noticed your skin is still red and warm after getting inked, that's your body still activating its immune system response.
After getting a tattoo, it's generally recommended to avoid direct sunlight on the tattooed area for at least 2 to 4 weeks. This waiting period allows the skin to heal properly and helps prevent fading or damage to the tattoo.
New tattoos are essentially open wounds, so blasting them with UV light will not only fade the ink prematurely but could also cause scabbing, irritation, or even infections. It's best to wait at least 2-3 weeks (or as long as your tattoo artist advises) before going near a tanning bed.
Apply a quality sunscreen to protect your sensitive skin from UV damage, a waterproof dressing, and ensure your tattoo does not come in contact with sand. Chlorine is drying for the skin, but applying barrier creams or ointments and a waterproof bandage can help divert chlorine from affecting your new tattoo.
Swimming pools: Chlorine-filled water damages sensitive skin and can fade your design. Your healing tattoo needs 2–3 weeks before exposure to chlorinated water. Ocean and saltwater: The salt and minerals can irritate healing skin that hasn't fully settled. Saltwater requires a minimum 3–4 week wait.
Excessive sweating while exercising can break down and fade the ink, as well as potentially lead to irritation and infection.
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. When you do shower, try to minimize direct contact with the tattooed area and limit its exposure to water.
"Most tattoos heal within two to six weeks, but some may take longer. Wait until all redness, itching, scabbing, and flaking have resolved." Forte says to think of a new tattoo as a fresh wound that needs time to heal without exposure to the elements.
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.
Dr. Shirazi echoes this. “Water in a pool, lake, or the ocean has bacteria that can potentially get into the newly tattooed skin,” she adds, adding that salt or chlorinated water can be irritating and delay the healing of your new tattoo.
“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.
Too much heat can separate the bandage from the skin, inflame the skin, and irritate the tattoo. For these reasons, bathing, swimming, or fully submerging a tattoo dressed in Saniderm is strongly discouraged. Light exercise while wearing Saniderm is fine, but avoid activity that causes excessive sweating.
Avoid hot tubs for the first two to four weeks to allow your tattoo the time it needs to heal properly. And after this period, use caution by limiting your exposure and ensuring that your hot tub water is clean and balanced.
Sun exposure, heat, and water activities pose unique challenges that, if not managed properly, can lead to fading, infections, or damage to your tattoo.
"The new tattoo will be sensitive for a few days, so if you try a movement and it hurts, try something else." For those looking for a quick answer to the question of how long you should pause your workouts after a new tattoo, there it is: Take one day off, then get back to your workouts.
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.
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.
Use a Waterproof Bandage: If you're planning to surf soon after the tattoo has healed, consider covering your tattoo with a waterproof bandage. This will help protect the tattoo from saltwater and bacteria while you're in the ocean.
It is generally not safe to swim with a new tattoo after just one week. Most tattoos require at least 2-4 weeks to heal properly. Swimming too soon can increase the risk of infection and damage to the tattoo.
You can shower 3-4 hours after getting a tattoo, if you have a Saniderm bandage on, however, if you have a plastic wrap wait 24 hours to unwrap your tattoo and shower. In either case, shower in cold or lukewarm water and avoid prolonged soaking or submerging your tattoo in water for 3-4 weeks.