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.
How long after a tattoo do you have to wait before using a hot tub? The general recommendation is to wait at least two to four weeks before immersing your tattoo in water, particularly in a hot tub.
Tattoo Aftercare. Remember, the average tattoo needs approximately 2 weeks of special care including- Do not submerge your tattoo!! NO HOT SPINGS, tubs, saunas, pools, oceans, lakes, rivers, ponds, etc. Keep it out of direct sunlight!
After getting a tattoo, it's generally recommended to wait at least 24 to 48 hours before taking a hot shower. During the first few days, your tattoo is still healing, and exposure to hot water can increase the risk of irritation and may affect the healing process.
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.
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.
It's recommended to wait at least 2–4 weeks before taking a bath, or until your tattoo is fully healed. By this time, the scabs should have fallen off naturally, and the skin should no longer appear raw or irritated. However, healing times can vary depending on the size, placement, and individual skin type.
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.
In general, you should refrain from steam room or sauna use until your new tattoo is fully healed. Simply as the excessive sweating, excessive moisture, and enormous heat can have some negative effects on the healing of your skin cells and, in the worst case, cause infections or scar tissue on new tattoos.
"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.
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.
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.
Hot Tubs, Saunas, and Other Water Hazards
It's recommended to wait at least 3-4 weeks after getting a tattoo before entering a hot tub or sauna. By avoiding hot tubs, saunas, and other water-based environments during the healing process, you can protect your new tattoo and ensure it heals properly.
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.
Sun exposure, heat, and water activities pose unique challenges that, if not managed properly, can lead to fading, infections, or damage to your tattoo.
Black ink tends to outlast any other color because it is super pigmented. Other darker colors like dark blue, dark green, gray, and dark purple will have a similar lifespan to black ink. Lighter inks like yellows, reds, oranges, whites, and any pastel tones tend to fade a bit more quickly than darker inks.
Is it OK to wear clothes over a new tattoo? Yes, but try not to after the few initial days after application. If you do, make sure you change your clothes frequently. In our experience, tattoos can weep onto the clothes and if you don't change them, it can cause infection.
“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. That doesn't mean you can't shower.
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).