I did a search and found no info on this...
Any ideas/tips out there to cover up fresh ink so as you are not benched from the pool for the minimum 2 week heal time?? I'm getting tattooed next week (Great White shark on my back) and also will be 7 weeks out from a OW race and I really can't afford 2 weeks outta the pool - but I sure don't want to wreck my tat. I booked this appt. back in January, long before I knew about this swim!
Thanks! Any advice is appreciated!
Check out the tat thread on the NSR threads. A bunch of people there have had tats, and could probably advise you. One person said stay out 3 weeks, and she stayed out on 2, and lost a bit of ink from it. Another said he swam right away and had no problems. If you can swim in pool that doesn't use chlorine, it might be better.
i got tattooed on a Saturday, got back in the pool on a tuesday. just black ink but no issues. I covered the whole area in a nice layer of vaseline. ymmv
Former Member
I've heard and seen that color ink fairs worse if you don't oblige by the rules...black just fades a few shades. Cover it up with lots of vasoline prior to swimming
I've gone back in the water 1-3 days after my three of my first four. I see nothing wrong with them now and the first one is 15yrs old.
my first I got on a thursdays during break and was back in the water on monday. the other 3 I saturday afternoon (after practice) and was back in the water on monday. I used what ever vitamin D cream they gave me, and just made sure to keep them clean after getting out of the pool.
with all of my tattoos, they have healed completly with in 5 days.
Former Member
Thanks guys,
I did some poking around online and found a bit more info. Bottom line I am going to see what my artist says, but it's looking like I'll be doing weights, stretching and yoga for 7-10 days minimum.
My tats are all black and gray detail work - lotsa shading. Looking forward to having my 3 sharks...
(Yeah, it would be nice to train in a pool with no chlorine/chemicals - regardless!!)
Thanks for the ideas!
Former Member
You will be given(should be) a bottle of lotion that you will need to put on the tattoo to keep it from drying out. I stayed out of the water for about 2-3 days...to let the skin heel a bit.
When I got back in, I just used the lotion more often and a bit heavier. Had no problems.
Former Member
As soon as you start to peel, you should be fine. This is usually in about 4-7 days, depending on your chosen healing method.
In its early stages, a tattoo is essentially an open wound. Its not so much for the color/art of the tattoo itself that we wait (as you really have to work hard to mess up a tattoo,) but more for the sake of germies and such things.
I would also take into consideration where you are swimming. Open water? Wait two weeks. A well kept indoor pool? Swim away.
Plastic Wrap is great for the first day/night of healing, but any time after that your tattoo needs to breathe. Its essential to healing process.
The press n' seal wrap was only for swimming and showering purposes to keep the incisions and bandages dry.
Former Member
Wow, that's a really good idea.
Former Member
Plastic Wrap is great for the first day/night of healing, but any time after that your tattoo needs to breathe. Its essential to healing process.
