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 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.
Limit Exposure: Try to limit how often you expose your tattoo to chlorine or saltwater, especially in the first few weeks after getting it. Overall, while tattoos won't immediately fade from swimming, prolonged and repeated exposure to chlorine and saltwater can contribute to their fading over time.
Pick up some tegaderm from cvs or Walgreens. Layer it very well covering the tattoo. Tegaderm is water proof this will help keep it dry. Just don't submerge it for long period of time. This advice is only if you need to swim. Error on caution and keep it out of the water.
Getting your new tattoo too wet can prevent it from healing properly, and it might end up looking patchy. It's super important to keep your new tattoo clean. So having a shower is the best choice so you can wash your tattoo but not fully submerge it in water.
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.
Bottom line: prolonged submersion of your tattoo in water leaves you at risk of infection, leaches ink from your tattoo causing fading and blurriness, and makes your skin itch and scab which takes the tattoo longer to heal.
Some tattoo artists recommend using a light coating of Vaseline before showering to protect from the onslaught of water. However, getting a new tattoo wet for a quick shower is okay, as long as you aren't soaking in a bath, swimming, or spending more than 10 minutes in the shower.
You need to wait at least two weeks after getting a new tattoo before submerging it in water for a prolonged period. It's even better to wait four to six weeks. Even when a tattoo looks nearly healed, your body is still working on a lot of stuff behind the scenes.
Chlorine and salt water can be harsh on tattoos, so it's important to ensure they're dry as soon as possible. If your tattoo is a few months old, you can probably get away with a quick swim, but it's still important to pat it dry afterward. So next time you're at the pool or beach, make sure to take care of your ink!
In lieu of applying a tattoo lotion after your tattoo is completed, try a thin layer of Vaseline® Healing Jelly. The triple-purified white petrolatum can protect skin by creating a sealing barrier, locking in moisture which can help your skin's natural recovery process.
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.
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.
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.
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.
You'll want to begin soon after you get the tattoo done and continue moisturizing the skin three to six times a day for about three weeks. In addition, wash the tattoo once or twice a day, avoid direct sunlight, and save that ocean dip for after it's healed.
For most patients, waiting time is about a month after surgery, or up to six weeks with certain procedures like a tummy tuck.
Eaves recommends allowing your new tattoo anywhere between two weeks to a month to fully heal before shaving (you can find his tattoo aftercare tips here) — this means no scabbing, peeling or shininess on or around the site of the tattoo. Once your tattoo is fully healed, however, shave as your heart desires.
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.
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.
“A good rule of thumb is to wait at least 48 hours after getting a tattoo before engaging in any physical activity,” shares board-certified, New York City-based cosmetic dermatologist Michele Green, MD, who offers laser tattoo removal at her practice.