Getting a new tattoo can be an exhilarating experience. However, the aftermath requires proper care and healing of the tattooed area. This leaves many fitness enthusiasts wondering if they need to take a break from working out while their tattoo heals. There are a few factors to consider when deciding if and when to resume your normal workout routine.
How Long Should You Wait Before Working Out After a Tattoo?
The general recommendation is to avoid sweating and submerging new tattoos in water like pools, hot tubs, and baths for 2-3 weeks. Exercise that causes sweating can lead to complications and infections in a healing tattoo. Here are some more specific guidelines on appropriate wait times:
– Strenuous Exercise (HIIT, running, weightlifting): Wait 5-7 days before resuming intense workouts that make you sweat heavily. The first week is when your skin is most vulnerable and needs time to begin healing before friction and sweat interfere.
– Light/Moderate Exercise (yoga, walking, elliptical): Wait 3-5 days. Less intense workouts that don’t cause heavy sweating can typically be resumed after a few days.
– Swimming Pools & Hot Tubs: Wait 2-3 weeks before submerging your tattoo in water. Chlorine and bacteria in pools and hot tubs present infection risks.
Keep in mind that recommended wait times also depend on tattoo size, location, your skin type, and healing process. Talk to your artist about their specific advice as well.
Signs Your Tattoo Is Healed Enough to Workout
Working out too soon can damage a fresh tattoo, but how do you know when it’s safe to resume exercise? Here are some signs that indicate your new ink is healed enough:
– The tattooed area is no longer sore or tender. There should be no pain, itching, or discomfort when touched.
– The tattooed skin has completed peeling. All scabbing and dead skin should have naturally flaked off.
– The color looks bright without any ink appearing scratched or faded.
– No more plasma, leaking fluids, or blood comes from the tattooed skin.
– No redness or swelling remains – skin appears normal.
If you don’t observe all of the above signs, hold off on hitting the gym or opt for low-impact workouts until your tattoo artist confirms it has fully set and healed. Rushing the healing process usually leads to poor outcomes.
Benefits of Waiting to Workout After Getting Inked
Waiting the recommended period before working up a sweat offers three advantages for a new tattoo:
1. Prevents Infection: Sweat, bacteria, and friction against equipment can get into open wounds while tattoos heal and cause infections. This leads to poor ink set, fading, and blowouts.
2. Allows Proper Healing: Intense exercise can pull scabs off prematurely and pull out ink not fully set beneath the skin. This can damage the tattoo design and necessitate touch-ups.
3. Reduces Skin Irritation: A healing tattoo is essentially an open wound. Rubbing, moisture, and contact against gym equipment can irritate skin and cause discomfort.
Keep in mind that everyone heals differently based on immune systems, age, skin type, tattoo size, and placement area. Be patient with the process and don’t rush back to the gym before your body is ready.
Can You Do Any Physical Activity During Tattoo Healing?
While strenuous workouts are ill-advised in the first week, not all physical activity needs to halt while your new ink heals. Here are some safe options:
– Walking: Low to moderate pace outdoor walking is generally fine a few days after getting tattooed. Avoid long distances that cause heavy sweating at first.
– Light Yoga & Stretching: Gentle, basic yoga and stretching keeps muscles loose without compromising new tattoos if precautions are taken. Avoid poses applying pressure on the area.
– Biking: Low to moderate intensity cycling on upright or recumbent bikes is possible in the first week. Just avoid leaning handlebars on new ink.
The key is choosing low-impact activities that don’t flex, bend, or apply friction to the tattooed area. Also wear loose, breathable clothing to prevent irritation and rubbing on the skin.
How to Workout Safely After Getting Tattooed?
Once your tattoo artist gives the green light to hit the gym, keep these tips in mind to continue the healing process safely:
– Clean the Area: Gently wash healed tattoos with fragrance-free soap before and after working out to prevent infection from sweat and bacteria accumulation.
– Apply Moisturizer: Use a gentle, fragrance-free lotion after showering to keep new tattoos hydrated and prevent dryness and itching.
– Cover Up: Use breathable clothing, sweatbands, or ace bandages to keep new tattoos covered and protected during exercise. Avoid direct contact with equipment.
– Remove Sticking Clothing: Peel sweaty clothes and towels away slowly instead of letting the fabric stick and pull at tattooed skin.
– Avoid Pools & Hot Tubs: Do not fully submerge new tattoos in water for at least 2-3 weeks after getting inked because the moisture compromises healing.
Be extremely cautious working out in public gyms where surfaces may not be sanitized. Home workouts are best while a tattoo finishes healing. Always monitor for signs of complications and check in with your tattoo artist if anything seems off.
Best & Worst Exercises After Getting Tattooed
Not all workouts pose equal risks for new ink. Depending on placement, some are safer than others during the healing timeframe. Here are the best and worst types of exercise post-tattoo:
Best:
– Yoga & Pilates: Low-impact with minimal skin irritation. Refrain from applying direct pressure on the tattoo.
– Walking & Hiking: Gentle cardio that lets skin breathe if dressed properly.
– Cycling: Choose upright bikes and wear breathable clothing to allow airflow.
– Swimming: After 2-3 week healing period. Pool chemicals can damage healing skin.
Worst:
– Weightlifting: Barbell back squats, deadlifts, and other equipment contact risks skin irritation and infection.
– Rowing Machines: Pulling motions and friction against equipment can disturb healing.
– HIIT Workouts: Intense sweat and heat compromises an already inflammatory healing process.
– Hot Yoga & Sauna: Heat and sweat exposure should be avoided for at least 2 weeks.
Use common sense when easing back into exercise with a new tattoo. Opt for low-impact strength training, gentle cardio, and non-heated activities. Listen to what your body is telling you and don’t push past discomfort.
What Are Signs of Tattoo Damage From Working Out Too Soon?
It’s vital to recognize when workout intensity or type is hindering your tattoo healing early on. Stop exercising right away and call your tattoo artist if you notice any of these warning signs:
– Tattoo looks faded, patchy, or scratched, signaling ink loss
– Pain, discomfort, throbbing, or irritation flares up during/after sweating
– Gym equipment sticks to and peels off ink
– Scabs appear torn open or bleed after workouts
– Significant swelling, redness, plasma, or pus leaks from tattoo
– Rash-like skin reactions spread around the tattooed site
While mild sensitivity can happen as your skin adjusts, the above symptoms likely indicate working out too vigorously before tattoos have appropriately healed.
How Can You Speed Up Tattoo Healing?
There’s no definitive way to accelerate the post-tattoo healing timeline, but certain tips may help:
– Wash properly using mild unscented soap to prevent infection
– Apply a thin layer of fragrance-free moisturizer 1-2 times daily
– Drink plenty of water and eat nutrient-dense foods to aid skin cell repair
– Avoid sun exposure which can fade ink and dry out skin
– Get enough sleep since your body heals fastest during deep REM cycles
– Avoid picking scabs or scratching itchy skin which removes ink
Overall, letting your tattoo heal naturally by avoiding irritation and infection risks is best. Be patient with the process and consult your artist before attempting to speed things along.
The Takeaway
Can you workout after getting new ink? You’ll need to avoid intense exercise for 5-7 days minimum depending on factors like tattoo size, location, and your personal healing ability. Furthermore, activities causing sweating, friction, and bending should be minimized for 2-3 weeks post-tattoo.
This allows your fresh body art to set properly beneath the skin. Once the area appears fully healed with no pain, swelling or plasma, eased back into your normal gym routine cautiously. Listen to your skin and go slow, even after clearance from your tattoo artist. While exercise can technically continue, a healing tattoo takes priority over fitness in the immediate aftermath.
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Raghav Sethi is a renowned tattoo artist at specialyoutattoo.com, where he shares his expertise on tattoo artistry and answers queries related to the craft. With over a decade of experience, Raghav combines artistic innovation with technical precision to create unique, personalized designs. His extensive portfolio highlights his versatility and dedication to the art form. For inspiration and to connect with Raghav, follow his Instagram.
