Is it allowed to go to the sauna or steam bath with a fresh tattoo?
Here the clear answer is NO! It should be an absolute no-no for sauna-goers to visit the sauna with a fresh tattoo. The healing process of a tattoo depends on your age, the placement of the tattoo, the type of tattoo, the skill of your tattoo artist and the adherence to the care instructions and can take between 2 and 5 weeks.
When you take a sauna, a lot of sweat and moisture accumulates on your skin. If you have a large scab on your skin, the excess moisture can cause the scab to become infected, burst open, and leave an open wound. In a tattoo, the tattoo artist injects the ink into the skin by making thousands of tiny puncture wounds. It bleeds from these tiny wounds and a scab forms.
Can I go into a steam bath with a new tattoo?
After a fresh tattoo, you should avoid not only saunas but also steam baths until your tattoo is completely healed. A tattoo is an open wound. If it is not properly cared for and is further stressed by external conditions such as heat and sweat, infections can spread and damage your tattoo. Since the body has a natural tendency to heal itself, it has a natural aversion to heat and humidity. The last thing you should do now is cause further damage to the body while it is healing.
How long does it take for a tattoo to heal completely?
Each wound heals at a different rate. Typically, the healing time of an injury, including a skin lesion, increases with age. A wound that would heal quickly at age 20 may be virtually impossible to heal at age 50 and older. For this reason, it is recommended to wait until the tattoo is completely healed before visiting a sauna or steam bath. You should also avoid dry and infrared cabins, because the sweat alone can damage the scab. Even sports should be avoided if they make you sweat.
Proper tattoo care shortens the healing process
With proper tattoo care, however, you can significantly shorten the duration of the healing phase and the associated discomfort. Among the most important aspects of proper tattoo aftercare is keeping the surface clean, protecting the area from physical trauma and sun exposure. Use an aftercare ointment to protect and moisturize the skin area. Aftercare products such as moisturizers, ointments and salves help reduce scabs, keep the skin hydrated and protect the wound from infection.
So that you can soon enjoy your next visit to the sauna to the fullest, we have put together some valuable care tips for you.
- Tattoo artists want a tattoo to heal perfectly and leave no scars. Therefore, you should consult your tattoo artist about the healing and care of your tattoo. Because he is the professional and has experience with what is best for their tattoo.
- Remove the bandage the day after the tattoo. Wash the area with a pH neutral soap (antibacterial) and lukewarm water. Use a fresh towel or clean paper towel to dry off. However, it is important that everything you bring into contact with the tattoo is clean. This includes clothing and bedding. Also, make sure that hair from animals such as cats and dogs do not come into contact with the tattoo. Animals are carriers of germs and can be a factor of infection if you are not careful.
- A fluid will form from the tattoo in the first few days. This can usually be clear or colored. But don’t worry, this is normal in the beginning. This causes the body to reject the excess ink.
- Special tattoo ointments are available in stores, which you apply to the pierced skin after washing. During the healing process, it is important to keep the tattoo slightly moist. If the skin is dry, the tattoo may heal worse and the quality of the work will also be affected. Therefore, you should always apply a healing cream in a thin layer on the tattoo.
- If you touch the fresh tattoo, wash your hands thoroughly beforehand. The same applies before applying the cream or ointment.
- If the skin area is itchy, do not scratch it. Itchy skin and crusting are part of the normal healing process. In fact, it is very important for the dead skin of the tattoo to come off.
- Pay attention to the healing time and avoid sauna sessions, swimming pools, seawater and tanning salons. Of course, you can take a shower, but avoid direct water jet on your tattoo. Also avoid rubbing, shaving or even waxing the skin area until it is completely healed.
- A tattoo is always an open wound, so you should also avoid strength training and visits to the gym. Body sweat could make healing more difficult.
- Avoid direct sunlight on fresh tattoos. The UV rays can reduce the intensity of the colors and deteriorate the stitched image. The sun’s ultraviolet light attacks the skin and the tattoo loses color intensity. In the worst case, it can also smudge. Therefore, it is very important that you always apply a sunscreen after getting a tattoo and also afterwards.
- Depending on the size, skin area and skin type, healing takes between 2 and 5 weeks. A simple writing will heal faster than a large colored tattoo on the back.
- Once the tattoo is completely healed, you must continue to moisturize it. Use a milk or body butter cream daily to maintain the skin’s elasticity.
- If you notice redness, strong odor or pus on the skin, inform your tattoo artist immediately or see a doctor or dermatologist right away. As a rule, however, it is very rare for an allergic reaction to the ink or cream to occur.
- To enjoy your tattoo for a long time, use a moisturizer regularly after the skin has regenerated to prevent it from drying out.
