Last Updated on June 22, 2024 by ClinicNearMe
Getting your dream tattoo is an unforgettable experience. If you are showing off a clean tattoo, stay away from swimwear until it is healed. It is because when you first get a tattoo, your skin is healing, and the tattoo is an open wound. Swimming in dirty water can introduce bacteria to the wound and lead to an infection.
So, how to waterproof a tattoo for swimming?
Waterproofing your tattoo is a must if you’re going for a swim or want to protect your new ink from the elements. In this post, we’ll show you how to waterproof a tattoo for swimming. Follow these simple steps, and your tattoo will look great no matter how often you hit the pool or beach.
Here’s how to do it!
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Does a Tattoo Prevent You from Swimming?
The artist makes an open wound on your skin when you get a tattoo. The incision is susceptible to infection just like any other open wound. The presence of bacteria is present in any type of water, whether it’s a pool or open water. An unhealed cut on your skin can become infected with that bacteria. Tattooed skin is also more sensitive to the sun, so it’s important to apply sunscreen and avoid extended sun exposure until your tattoo is fully healed. In short, it’s best to avoid swimming with a new tattoo until it’s completely healed.
When you swim with an unhealed tattoo, here’s what can happen:
Possibility of Infection
Think again if you’re considering taking a dip in the pool or ocean with a new tattoo. Submerging your fresh ink can increase your risk of infection, so it’s best to avoid water altogether until your tattoo has completely healed.
Your tattoo is essentially an open wound, and exposing it to bacteria in the water can lead to a whole host of infections, ranging from mild to severe. In rare cases, sepsis and death have even been reported.
So if you’re itching to take a dip, it’s best to wait until your tattoo has healed completely before getting wet. Your tattoo artist will usually give you specific instructions on how long to wait. In the meantime, you can enjoy the sun and sand from the safety of dry land.
Damage to Tattoos
If you’ve just gotten a tattoo, keeping it clean and dry is important to prevent infection and allow it to heal properly. However, this doesn’t mean you have to miss out on summer fun. There are plenty of ways to enjoy the water without damaging your tattoo.
If swimming in a pool, avoid getting chlorine water on your tattoo. Chlorine can cause fading and discolouration. Saltwater is also hard on new tattoos. So, if you’re swimming in the ocean, rinse off your tattoo as soon as you get out of the water.
You should remember that swimming can cause your skin to dry out, prolonging healing and leading to more itchiness, flaking, and scabbing. You can enjoy the water without damaging your new tattoo with a little care.
Itchy Skin Condition
When you get a new tattoo, it’s important to protect it from chemicals and infection. But did you know that swimming with an unhealed tattoo can also cause skin irritation?
Exposing your newly tattooed skin to chemicals can cause stinging and pain and may even lead to irritant contact dermatitis. It happens when chemicals like chlorine penetrate the skin and trigger inflammation.
So, to avoid any discomfort (and to keep your tattoo looking its best), wait until it’s fully healed before taking a dip!
When Can You Swim With a New Tattoo?
If you’ve just gotten a tattoo, you’ll need to wait a few weeks before hitting the pool. It gives your skin time to heal properly. How long the healing process takes varies from person to person, but it’s important to give your tattoo the time at least two to four weeks it needs before exposing it to water. It can take up to 6 months for a tattoo to fully heal. In addition to your lifestyle, how diligent you are when it comes to aftercare can also affect your healing time.
After you get your tattoo, it will be bandaged by the artist. Once you get home, you can remove the bandage (following your artist’s instructions). Gently clean the area with warm water to remove any excess ink or blood.
Within a few days, you’ll notice your skin shedding. It is normal, and bits of ink may flake off. Once the shedding has stopped, you should be good to go for a swim! Just make sure to dry off your tattoo afterwards to keep it healthy.
Swimming With A New Tattoo? How To Protect It In Right Steps
It is impossible to fully waterproof a tattoo for swimming, but you can take some precautions to prevent it from getting damaged. Listed below are steps; on how to keep a new tattoo at the beach from becoming infected; these steps can also help protect your tattoo.
Wear a Waterproof Dressing
If you’re in the water with a new tattoo, it’s important to waterproof the tattoo cover for swimming. A waterproof dressing can help keep your tattoo clean and dry.
Cover the entire tattoo with the dressing and apply it before getting in the water. Remove the bandage as soon as you’re done swimming.
Too much time with a healing tattoo can interfere with the healing process, so it’s best to tattoo cover for swimming and keep the dressing on for a short time.
Apply Vaseline
If you’re planning on swimming with a new tattoo, you’ll want to protect it properly. Applying a layer of Vaseline on a tattoo for swimming can help create a barrier between the water and your skin, keeping the tattoo from getting too wet. Just be sure to wash the vaseline off afterward, so your tattoo can breathe and heal properly.
Immediately Clean Your Tattoo
No matter how careful you are, a new tattoo is always susceptible to infection. Cleaning the tattoo as soon as you’re done swimming is important.
To clean the tattoo, start by gently rinsing it with warm water. Then, apply mild soap and use your fingers to massage it into the tattoo. Rinse the tattoo again with warm water and pat it dry.
Once the tattoo is dry, apply a thin layer of moisture to the tattoo. It will help to keep the tattoo from drying out and prevent the colour from fading.
You will also receive some aftercare cream from your tattoo artist. Apply some of this cream to your tattoo after you have washed it after swimming.
Wear Sunscreen
Applying sunscreen to a new tattoo when swimming is important since the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage the tattoo and cause it to fade.
The best way to protect a new tattoo when swimming is to cover it with a waterproof sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Be sure to reapply the sunscreen every two hours after swimming or sweating.
Swimming Tips For Tattoo Care
If you’re a swimmer with a tattoo, there are some things you need to keep in mind to make sure your ink stays healthy and vibrant. Here are a few tattoo care tips for swimmers:
- Make sure your tattoo is completely healed before you jump into the pool. Otherwise, you risk infection.
- When your tattoo heals, it will scab and flake away, sometimes itching, but never scratching because it can damage the tattoo. Tattoo scabs should never be picked or removed; they should always remain dry.
- Apply sunscreen to your tattoo before swimming to protect it from the sun’s harmful rays.
- Rinse your tattoo with clean water after swimming to remove any chlorine or other chemicals that could potentially damage your ink.
- You should use the aftercare cream your tattoo artist gave you twice a day.
- If you notice any redness, swelling, or other unusual symptoms, consult a doctor to ensure your tattoo is healthy.
With these tattoo care tips for swimmers, you can enjoy your time in the pool without worrying about your ink. Just be sure to take care of your tattoo, and it will take care of you.
What is the Best Way to Shower With a New Tattoo?
If you’ve got a new tattoo, the last thing you want to do is ruin it by not taking proper care of it. So, how do you shower with a new tattoo?
If your tattoo has been wrapped in a waterproof bandage, you can shower around 3 or 4 hours after getting inked. However, this can depend on a few factors. The best thing to do is go by your tattoo artist’s advice.
Regarding the shower, there are a few things to bear in mind. The new tattoo should never be left under running water or submerged underwater for a while. Scrubbing it with a sponge or loofah is a big no-no until the tattoo is fully healed.
So, take care when showering with a new tattoo and follow your tattoo artist’s aftercare instructions to ensure your tattoo stays looking fresh for years to come.
Conclusion
If you’re planning on spending time in the water this summer, it’s important to know how to waterproof your tattoo. Swimming is a great way to stay cool and have fun, but it can also be tough on your skin, including your tattoo.
Waterproofing your tattoo before swimming is the best way to protect it from the sun, chlorine, and salt water. As mentioned above, there are a few different ways to do this, but the most important thing is to ensure you do it properly.