While the skin heals after getting a new tattoo, it is best not to over-stretch the tissue. However, any type of physical activity can cause muscle contractions underneath the skin that lead to a bulging or stretching of the overlying skin. This can disrupt the healing process and prevent proper scab formation.
After getting tattooed, always wait at least 48 hours before exercising to prevent issues related to skin pulling, sweat, and bacteria exposure.
Make sure to keep the tattoo covered (no need to re-wrap, your clothing should be fine), and wipe down any equipment you used during your workout. Sweat won't hurt your new tattoo, so don't worry about that. Just shower up when you are done with your workout. Proper tattoo aftercare is a must even if you don't workout.
Sweating Can Affect The Tattoo Healing Process
The ideal healing conditions for new ink could be affected by your sweat being present. Microorganisms or dirt infiltrating your new tattoo through the sweat could also disturb the healing process and extend your healing time.
Drunken behaviour could ruin your new tattoo
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.
Drinking after a tattoo is not a good choice as well. It's okay to have a beer or half a glass of wine with dinner after your tattoo, but it should be limited to that. Because even directly after the appointment you should create the circumstances in your body that your tattoo can heal perfectly.
If you're serious about getting an amazing tattoo, then we'd advise not to drink any alcohol for at least 24 hours beforehand. Then afterwards we'd ask that you avoid it for 48 hours more.
Tattoo flu explained
So while you might be super chill mentally, your immune system might charge in like there's a four alarm fire. When the needle hits your skin, your pain receptors go into overdrive, giving you a nice jolt of adrenaline which then makes your ticker beat a bit faster.
For most people, you can workout 2-3 days after your tattoo. Just make sure to wear loose-fitting clothing, shower immediately afterwards, and be conscious of your body movements.
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.
Working Out After Getting a New Tattoo
As a general rule, it's recommended to wait 2-3 days before any high intensity training. Then, it's recommended to wait slowly with light exercise programs until the new tattoo is completely healed (2-3 weeks after getting the tattoo).
DO NOT sweat excessively- this can push ink out and weaken the adhesive- sweat will collect under the Saniderm and smell bad and clog your sweat glands resulting in bumpy skin, raised scarred tissue, color loss, and possible infection.
Depending on the size and complexity of the tattoo, the process can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. The constant needle pricks can be physically draining for the body. As a result, the body can go into “fight or flight” mode and release adrenaline, which can cause feelings of fatigue and exhaustion.
Your tattoo will ooze and bleed for a few days after you get it. Avoid sleeping on the tattoo at this point since it needs air circulation. Once the new layer of skin has formed over your tattoo, usually after 4 to 7 days, you can begin to sleep on it.
Tattoos and body piercings provide an opening in the skin that may allow germs to enter your body and cause infections. These infections could cause sepsis. It is for this reason that anyone who receives a tattoo or piercing must take special care to reduce the risk of contracting an infection.
As for gym attire, just cover your tattoo with loose fitting clothing for the first week to prevent any type of direct contact with anyone or anything, like laying on a bench.
If the tattooed area looks flawless with no signs of peeling, including thin dead skin cells that look like sunburn, then it's most likely healed.
Even though the average tattoo needle is only poked ⅛ of an inch into the skin, some tattoo ink contains heavy metals like mercury, arsenic, and lead. These ingredients can pose a threat to your developing baby, particularly in the first trimester when the main organs are developing.
Drink a lot of water during the week; avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours before getting tattooed. Please do not shave the area; we will do it for you at your appointment. Avoid aspirin or blood thinning medication at least 24 hours before your tattoo; ibuprofen, acetaminophen, & other NSAID pain relievers are OK.
With that said, don't take painkillers before getting a tattoo either. Painkillers like Advil and Ibuprofen also thin the blood, which will lead to similar issues that alcohol has. Acetaminophen may potentially be fine to take, but should be discussed with the artist beforehand.