

Their answer will probably depend on how they bandage your new ink. When it comes to showering or taking a bath after you get a new tattoo, it's best to ask your tattoo artist.

Graf says if you need to wash it, make sure you can use an antibacterial soap with lukewarm water.
#Submerge tattoo skin
recommends keeping dry for at least two weeks for the ink to set and the skin to fully heal.īut no need to panic if it gets a little wet. Board-certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of Dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine Dr. When getting a brand new tattoo, it’s important to keep it dry. Definitely be sure to ask them for any healing techniques you need to follow. Talk To Your Tattoo Artist Before You Leaveĭepending on the kind of tattoo you've gotten, your artist might have very specific aftercare tips. Skipping bubble baths for two weeks and swapping them for short, gentle showers doesn't sound so bad, right? Don't forget to follow the other tips below, too. do not use a washcloth or loofah as they can harbor bacteria." Make sure you avoid both for about two to three weeks after getting your new tattoo."Īs for taking a shower, the artists at Living Canvas Tattoo in Columbia, MO advised using "a mild, fragrance-free soap (Dove, Dial, and Neutrogena) gently wash all excess blood, ointment, ink, and plasma from your tattoo. The artists at Studio 8 in Houston, Texas explained, "Fully submerging your tattoo for any extended period of time into a body of water like a hot tub or bath will often cause serious damage. Though you most definitely can still take showers and stay clean, you’ll want to avoid taking a bath after a tattoo appointment. But as long as you keep your eyes on the prize and focus more on doing everything possible to make sure your tattoo heals properly, small tweaks in your beauty routine will be well worth it. If you're both a lover of tattoos and baths and find yourself wondering, "How long after a tattoo can you take a bath?" the answer might not be your favorite. Fading and scarring are also possible.Getting a tattoo is a pretty big decision, and nothing is more crucial in determining how well it will turn out than proper aftercare. See your tattoo artist if you notice signs of tattoo degradation, like bubbling, which happens when a new tattoo stays wet for too long. But if these things continue or worsen, it could indicate a problem. Some redness, tenderness, and peeling are normal in the first couple of days after getting a tattoo. That said, you’ll want to keep an eye out for any signs of trouble. That one case of death mentioned above is obviously concerning, but it’s not a common occurrence. So … you went swimming with fresh ink and didn’t take any precautions? Don’t panic. The result is a red itchy rash that may be accompanied by blistering, open sores, crusting, and swelling - all of which can affect how your tattoo looks down the line. This happens when chemicals like chlorine penetrate the skin and trigger inflammation. Exposing it to chlorine and other chemicals can cause stinging and pain, and may cause irritant contact dermatitis. Newly tattooed skin is already raw and sensitive. And it doesn’t sound nearly as bad as a gnarly infection or damaging your new and pricey art.īut skin irritation can actually contribute to both those risks, not to mention being really uncomfortable. Sure, some skin irritation is to be expected with a new tattoo anyway. This can also cause fading, patchiness, and blurred lines. Swimming can also dry out your skin and prolong healing, leading to more itching, flaking, and scabbing. Chlorine and salt water are especially hard on fresh tattoos, because both can leach ink from a tattoo, making the color less vibrant. Soaking your new tattoo could also cause fading and discoloration. The risk may be lower in the heavily chlorinated water of a swimming pool than in open water, like a lake or ocean, but chlorine doesn’t kill all the bacteria. This was the case for one man who contracted Vibrio vulnificus (also known as the flesh-eating bacteria) after swimming in the Gulf of Mexico with a new tattoo. Though rare, sepsis and death are a possibility. Infections can range from mild to severe.


Like with any open wound - which is essentially what a new tattoo is - submerging your tattoo could potentially expose it to harmful bacteria in the water. Risk of infectionĪside from gentle washing, immersing newly tattooed skin isn’t recommended, mostly because of the risk of infection. Here’s what can happen if you swim with a new tattoo that hasn’t fully healed. Giving your tattoo time to heal before swimming is just as important for your health as it is for your new body art.
