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You may be very excited for vacation season this year but also wondered how closely you can pair your swimming with your tattoo sessions. In this post, we'll go over some of the concerns you may have around getting tattooed in the summertime. Oceans, Lakes and Pools We can't discuss summer activities without discussing swimming. If you have a fresh tattoo and you're considering taking a dip, I highly recommend to postpone until the tattoo is fully healed. Fully healed can mean a minimum of 2 weeks have passed since you've been tattoo, the tattoo has been through the peeling phase and has no visible open wounds or scabs, and the skin is beginning to take on the texture of "normal" skin. If your tattoo still has a bit of a shiny, dry look to the skin, you may not be ready for swimming. Keep in mind that 2 weeks is generally the minimum amount for healing a tattoo and areas like feet and hands may take much longer. Aside from potentially sabotaging the look of your tattoo, swimming too early can also have serious repercussions to your health. Bodies of water are often filled with bacteria and pathogens that can use your tattoo as an entryway into your body. Take, for example, this 2017 case of a man contracting vibrio vulnificus, or flesh eating bacteria, through his fresh tattoo after swimming in the Gulf Coast. While this is obviously a worst-case scenario, it serves as a reminder that a preventable tragedy like this is within the realm of possibility. If you think that a pool may still be a safe option, think again. I'd like to present a quote from this CNN article: "The burn you feel in your eyes after a dip in the swimming pool is not because of chlorine. It is because pee, poop and sweat from fellow swimmers (and maybe you) react with chlorine and form chloramine compounds, and this combination is what really stings your peepers." The same article cites a 2010 CDC report stating that 1 in 10 pools do not maintain sufficient chlorine levels. If you're still interested in swimming after this post, then I think we can all agree that it's best to wait until your tattoo is healed. The Sun (I do have some product links in this section. As an Amazon Associate, I do earn from purchases made via these links. A lot of these products can be found in drugstores and supermarkets. As long as you are protecting your tattoos, I don't care where you buy from.) If you're hoping to get tattooed and soak up some vitamin D shortly after, then you may want to consider arranging your appointments in cooler months. New tattoos are highly sensitive to UV rays, so they tend to burn and accrue damage very easily. While your tattoo is healing, you are unable to apply sunscreen to it. During this time, you need to take other preventative measures to protect it. If you have outdoor events that you simply can't miss, I recommend considering a UV shielding umbrella like this G4Free model which provides UPF 50+ protection. If you're looking to protect your arms, even post-healing, these Amoray arm sleeves also serve up UPF 50+ protection. Once your tattoo has stopped peeling, it will still be sensitive for several weeks. However, at this stage you will be able to use sunscreen over it. This 2023 consumer report review of the best sunscreens recommends several quality options. Their best budget recommendations are Coppertone Water Babies Lotion SPF 50 and Everyday Humans Oh My Bod! Lotion SPF 50. If you're up to splurge for a higher end formula, consumer reports also recommends La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Milk Body & Face Sunscreen SPF 60. If you prefer a spray sunscreen, Neutrogena Beach Defense Water + Sun Protection Spray SPF 50 was also highly rated. This next product wasn't mentioned in the 2023 Consumer Report testing, however, we're a fan of it in my house: Neutrogena Beach Defense Water + Sun Protection Sunscreen Stick. These are super handy to throw in a purse, bag or even in your pocket. Lastly, I can't say I've tried this one but it did peek our interest at the shop, Sun Bum Premium Moisturizing Sunscreen Roll-On Lotion SPF 50. Travel Healing a fresh tattoo can be a hassle sometimes regardless of what your plans are, but healing while traveling can be especially taxing. If you're on the road or in the skies, make sure that you carve out time in your itinerary for your aftercare. Be sure to have your aftercare products accessible and check TSA Guidelines on what products you're allowed to carry with you. Lastly, of course... If you're able to schedule your tattoo appointments with ample healing time before vacation or travel, this is the ideal scenario. If you have any questions or concerns about upcoming travel, be sure to check with your artist. Your artist wants your tattoo to heal just as great as you do, so we're always glad to offer whatever assistance we can. Have a safe and happy summer! Comments are closed.
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AuthorSummer Hamrick at Now or Never Gallery |