Completely cover your tattoo with a waterproof dressing (products like Saniderm are available in various sizes). Limit the amount of time your tattoo is submerged. Remove any covering, rinse your tattoo with fresh water immediately after swimming, and gently pat it dry.
Tattoos shouldn't be fully submerged in water (in the way they would be while swimming) until they are fully healed. This usually takes about 6 weeks.
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.
Waterproof bandages are key when it comes to caring for a fresh tattoo. Your new ink will need to be protected for the first 4-5 days, remember, a new tattoo is essentially an open wound and it needs to be cared for as such.
Because petroleum jelly is moisture-trapping, applying a thin layer of it on top of your waterproof bandage adds an extra layer of protection between the water and your tattoo. If petroleum jelly is too harsh on your skin, coconut oil, cocoa butter, and other water-based lotions can offer the same protection.
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.
You should never submerge a new tattoo in water for any length of time directly following a tattoo. If you're wondering just how long after getting your tattoo you can take a bath: the answer is only after your tattoo has healed completely which typically takes 3 to 4 weeks, and in some cases longer.
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.
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.
Until the surface of the tattoo is healed (at a minimum of two to three weeks), wash the area gently 2-3 times per day. After cleaning the tattoo during this two to three week period, gently apply a thin coat of a lotion-based care product. We recommend After Inked tattoo moisturizer and aftercare lotion.
According to tattoo artists, you should begin using lotion on a tattoo once it begins to dry. It is a waiting game, in a way. You don't want to apply lotion while the ink is still wet. How long it takes the ink to dry is dependent on your body, the size of the tattoo, and environmental factors such as humidity.
Salt and chlorine are both particularly harmful as they can pull ink from fresh tattoos and cause them to heal blurred or patchy.
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.
Natural migration of pigment in the skin is manifested by: lines become visually wider; a small (about a millimeter) shadow may appear near the tattoo lines; there will be less empty space between the lines.
This is primarily attributed to poor injection techniques by the tattoo artist. However, it's not solely limited to inexperienced artists. Even those who neglect some fundamental aspects of the technique can inadvertently cause a blowout.
Apply a waterproof bandage to cover your ink while in water: "If it isn't possible to wait until the tattoo is fully healed before swimming, then use a waterproof dressing such as Saniderm and limit the amount of time in the water and with the dressing on as much as possible," Dr. King says.
What should you do if you accidentally submerge a new tattoo? If you've somehow got your tattoo wet by submerging it in water, there are steps to take that can potentially help. Dr. Shirazi recommends cleansing it with a gentle cleanser, patting it dry, and applying a healing ointment from Aquaphor or CeraVe.
The general rule of thumb is to wait at least 24 hours after getting a tattoo before showering or washing your tattoo.
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.
When you use Saniderm to heal your tattoo, you will find the process much easier. While we don't recommend taking a bath or going swimming after applying your Saniderm, taking a shower isn't an issue. If you get your Saniderm wet, it's no big deal! Saniderm stays on skin even when wet.