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.
To swim with a new tattoo, cover it and waterproof it as best as possible right before you get in the water, remove the covers after, and gently wash it with warm water and antibacterial soap, then let it air dry and heal. Continue using the aftercare cream throughout the post-tattoo healing process.
If you have to go swimming, you should make sure your tattoo is fully covered with a waterproof dressing, plus you can add some Vaseline too. Once you're out of the water, it's best to remove the dressing straight away and rinse the tattoo with warm, fresh water.
Bottom line: Don't swim or submerge your tattoo in water for at least four weeks after getting it. A dip before then is not worth the risk.
You can protect your new tattoo from water with a waterproof bandage. There are a variety of clear, waterproof bandages specifically designed for tattoos that will keep the area sealed and (mostly) free from water exposure. Ensure the entire tattoo is completely covered and sealed before getting it wet.
Get the weekly insider's guide to skin care. According to tattoo guidelines, you're supposed to wait two weeks before swimming in the pool or ocean to allow the ink to heal — up until that point, your tattoo is still an open wound and needs to be cared for like one.
In conclusion, you can shower after getting a tattoo, but don't submerge the tattoo in water for any prolonged period of time. Follow the instructions your tattoo artist gives you, and if you're bandaged with Saniderm, you can keep the covering on your tattoo while you shower because it is waterproof.
- Wash your tattoo in warm water every day, and apply a thin layer of Bepanthen cream 2-3 times per day. Continue for at least 2 weeks or until fully healed. - If your tattoo is itchy, do not scratch it.
Color Fading
Pool water containing chlorine can essentially drain the ink from your tattoo. Not only will your ink fade, but it won't last as long overall as it would if you avoided chlorine exposure. This chemical can dry out and irritate newly tattooed skin, causing even further damage to an already-injured area.
You need an advanced waterproof bandage so your tattoo will have the best chance of healing properly and vibrantly. New liquid indicating technology in certain waterproof bandages helps you monitor the healing process by changing color when wetness occurs from both the outside and from the wound itself.
You'll want to keep the tattoo wrapped for at least the first night because it will take a while for it to settle down and stop leaking. You don't want an open wound like that touching your bed sheets, getting blood everywhere, or dirt and dust getting into the wound itself.
The golden rule for diving back into the deep blue after getting tattoo is to wait at least two weeks, although the facts state it can commonly take up to four weeks to fully heal.
Weeks 5 and 6: completely healed
You'll know you're in this phase — and that your tattoo is fully healed — because all the dry skin and scabs have sloughed off to reveal new, smooth skin with a vibrant tattoo and you no longer feel the burning and itchiness because the body has repaired itself.
For most tattoo shops the answer is two to three weeks because they use the old method of tattoo aftercare. At Panumart Tattoo we use a special “second-skin” healing wrap that allows for faster, safer healing. This is why we generally advise our customers to wait 7 days before swimming.
When Can You Put Sunscreen on a New Tattoo. Experts advise waiting 4 to 6 weeks before applying any sunscreen on your tattoo. This time is given for the tattoo to heal fully, so that the epidermis recovers to protect the much more sensitive dermis layer of the skin.
If need be, you can use more than one measure of protection to ensure your tattoo is covered, such as use of a breathable bandage as well as loose, sun-protective clothing.
You need to be aware of keeping your tattoo clean and dry while it is fresh, so a night out might not be the best option. It's generally recommended that you wait at least 48 hours after your new tattoo before you start drinking alcohol again.
The outer layers of your skin will heal in about two to four weeks, while the deeper layers where the ink sits will take about 4 months to heal.
If you're wondering which is the best way to care for your new tattoo, we strongly recommend wet healing over dry healing.