How to waterproof a tattoo for swimming Reddit

DONT DO IT, reschedule your tattoo after your swimming classes are done. You have a good chance of really making a mess out of your tattoo if you submerge it in water during the first week.

I know a guy that had some beautiful work done on his arm by a well respected artist that does clean work. The day after he got it went to a pool party and went swimming. It really destroyed what was a damn good looking tattoo. The solid black lines healed up grey, almost looked like blown out lines from an amateur artist. The shading in the tattoo healed funky and blotchy. At less than two months old it looks like a 10 year old sun damaged prison tattoo.

The artist that did the original work is going to repair the tattoo for him, but the whole thing has to be gone over to fix it.

So if you get a tattoo, and swim after the first week then you can expect it to heal looking faded. You will have to re-do the tattoo a second time to fix it, and well if you have time to do it twice then you have time to just do it right the first time.

Join reddit

Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations.

Create an account

r/triathlon

Hey folks, i got my first tattoo this week. For those of you who have ink, how long after getting it did you start swimming?

level 1

As soon as it didn't peel anymore, depends on your skin. For me, I think I waited around two/three weeks.

level 1

If it's an IM tattoo, then immediately, they make you invincible....

Otherwise wait until it is healed pretty thoroughly and you aren't taking care if it every day. I think I was over a week of being careful.

level 2

This is the best answer 😂

level 1

I waited two weeks, I could’ve gotten in the pool within a week but I didn’t want to risk fucking up my ink.

level 1

I’d say three weeks minimum (source: boyfriend is a tattooist). I just had some work done on my leg and I won’t even have a bath with it for two weeks and keep it out of the shower except a quick rinse until it’s completely healed over and not scabbed. I imagine pool chlorine is quite drying. Give it more time than you think it needs if you want the tattoo to stay looking good!

level 2

generally people come to reddit for more personalized advice and additional questions that others may answer. I usually find the most complete answers on reddit.

level 1

I have a lot of tattoos, including a full sleeve, and I waited 2 and a half weeks after each session to get back in the water.

level 2

did they have alot of shading? currently 6 and 4 weeks on my tat (two sessions) but im pretty nervous.

level 1

My default is 2 weeks in the local YMCA pool unless it's just the outline which heals a bit faster.

level 1

My body is (almost) full tattoed. Wait at least 2 weeks. It could be less depending on the healing process, but rushing it is just taking unnecessary risks.

level 1

10 days -2 weeks - guy who worked in a tattoo shop - not a tattooer though. But I am covered with full sleeves, chest, back, leg

level 1

I waited a week and was perfectly fine. Think it depends on your skin though, wait till you don’t peel then you’ll be cool!

level 1

1-2wks, depending on how fast you heal and how much ink was deposited. Usually I wait until I’m at least done the peeling phase before I jump in the water. Unless it’s a big piece, then I wait 2 full weeks regardless just to ensure it’s healed.

level 1

I generally wait roughly 3 weeks, maybe 4. I tend to err on the side of caution and make sure its entirely healed. After all, theyre permanently on your body and would hate to fuck up the ink

level 1

It’s all about the chlorine. Wait 10-14 days of using a pool. Ocean or saltwater isn’t really a problem. You can wrap it in Saran Wrap under a wetsuit. I work in the ocean and saltwater and get in soon after. I have lots of tattoos.

level 2

Man I know this is so old but I just got my tattoo and it’s all black. It feels almost completely fine and I’m going to the lake unexpectedly. It will have been 5 days. So far it looks completely normal. My instructions were to leave a wrap on for 72 hours and then that was it. Do I need to be freaked out about sun and swimming?

level 1

No presents from Santa this year.

level 1

whatever your tattoo artist suggests. Generally 4 weeks.

How do you waterproof a tattoo for swimming?

Can you wrap up tattoo to go swimming?

How can I swim with a new tattoo?

Can you swim 1 week after getting a tattoo?