Fresh tattoo – When can I go to the sauna again afterward?
Tattoo and sauna visit. Saunas and steam baths give us a feeling of relaxation and tranquility. During the whole process, we sweat a lot, and that’s the point. Hopefully, your tattoo artist has advised you to keep your fresh tattoo away from moisture. Both your body and the new tattoo need plenty of time to heal now. Therefore, sauna visits, steam baths, hot tubs and swimming are forbidden during this time. Contact of the tattoo with moisture should also be avoided. What else you need to know we have summarized here in this article.
What happens to my tattoo when I go to the sauna?
We can take away one worry right away: Sweat cannot harm the color. After all, it is in the deep layers of the skin and cannot be washed away. The warm air also does not bleach the body jewelry, just as little as chlorinated water or brine. So if you have had a tattoo for a long time, nothing stands in the way of an extended day in the bath. But you should have an oily body lotion with you. Because just the many water dries out the skin.
And that can damage the color. But if you apply lotion after bathing, nothing can happen. In summer, remember that the sun shines outside the sauna as well. The UV rays are quite capable of turning the color pale. So protect your decorations with a sunscreen and do not expose your tattoo to direct sunlight for too long. Also, don’t lay on the tanning bed for too long – but you’ve probably heard that already, right?
A tattoo is always an open wound
However, it is different with a fresh tattoo. Each of the many small needle pricks has also caused a skin injury. Each of the open wounds carries a risk of infection. This is not yet due to the sweat itself. Your body produces it itself and it is therefore not a danger. But in the sauna there are always a lot of small microparticles floating around, which also settle on the skin.
The liquid sweat washes these particles into the wounds – and with them germs and bacteria. The result is severe inflammation that can harm your tattoo and hurt. In addition, a fresh tattoo is actually at risk of fading. The ink hasn’t penetrated the skin that far yet and can be washed out when you go to the sauna. The heat itself is also dangerous. It can attack the ink.
Observe healing time of 2 – 4 weeks
Good reasons, then, to pay attention to the healing time. Just like swimming, going to the sauna is strictly forbidden as long as your tattoo is freshly stung. How long the healing time is, your tattoo artist knows. Tell him that you plan to go to the sauna. He can tell you approximately how long you will have to wait. However, make sure that this statement can also only be a guideline. Everybody is individual. Examine the artwork before you enjoy the pleasant warmth. Is the skin really no longer swollen? Also test whether the area still burns on contact with salty water. If it does, there are still some open sores and you’ll have to wait a few more days, unfortunately.
So that you can soon fully enjoy your next visit to the sauna, we have put together some valuable care tips for you.
- Tattoo artists want your tattoo to heal perfectly and not leave any scars. That’s why you should take the advice on healing and caring for your tattoo from your tattoo artist. Because he is the professional and has experience on what is best for your tattoo.
- Remove your bandage the day after the tattoo. Wash the area using a neutral pH soap (antibacterial) and lukewarm water. Use a fresh towel or clean paper towel to dry it off. However, it is important that everything you bring into contact with the tattoo must be clean. This also applies to clothing and bedding. Also make sure that hair from animals such as cats and dogs do not touch the tattoo. Animals carry germs and can be an infection factor if you are not careful.
- In the first few days, your tattoo will form a liquid. This can usually be clear or colored like your inked tattoo. But don’t worry, this is normal in the beginning. It makes the body reject the excess ink.
- On the market you can get special tattoo ointments, you apply them on your pierced skin after washing. During the healing process it is important to keep the tattoo slightly moist. If the skin is dry, the tattoo might heal worse and also the quality of the work will 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, then you should not scratch it. Itchy skin and crusting are part of the normal healing process. In fact, it is very important that the dead skin of the tattoo comes 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 weight training and gym visits. Body sweat could make healing more difficult.
- Avoid direct sun exposure on fresh tattoos. The UV rays can reduce the intensity of the colors and deteriorate the stitched image. The ultraviolet light of the sun attacks the skin and the tattoo loses intensity of color. In the worst case, it can also smudge. Therefore, it is very important that you always apply a sunscreen after the scarring and also afterward.
- Depending on the size, skin area and skin type, healing takes between 2 and 3 weeks. A simple lettering heals faster than a large color 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 keep the elasticity of the skin.
- If you notice redness, strong odor or pus on the skin, inform your tattoo artist immediately or go to a doctor or dermatologist right away. But as a rule, it is very rare to cause an allergic reaction of the ink or cream.
- To enjoy your tattoo for a long time, always use a moisturizer regularly after skin regeneration to prevent the skin from drying out.
Our purchase recommendation: vegan tattoo care
1. Hustle butter deluxe
The optimal pre- and post-treatment for your tattoo! Because Hustle Butter Deluxe® is a 100% natural, organic, vegan replacement for all mineral oil products that are often used to prepare the skin before tattooing, as a lubricant during tattooing and for care after tattooing. Ingredients such as mango, coconut, papaya butter as well as shea butter are simply excellent care products for this purpose. It supports healing on contact, reduces redness, swelling and bleeding. This keeps the skin supple and the colors remain in the skin from the start.
2. SKIN STORIES Daily Lotion
For daily moisturizing care for intense tattoo color and color retention. With its nourishing formula, it provides color retention and increases the color intensity of your tattoo. InkGuard technology with the active ingredient combination of BerryFlux Vita, Panthenol and Vitamin E increases color intensity and smoothes the skin. Thanks to the light UV filter with SPF 6, the colors of the tattoo are protected in everyday life. The skin-soothing body lotion is easy to spread, absorbs in no time and leaves the skin feeling smooth after each application.
