New tattoo, when can I dive again?

[Dragon_Rckr_PR]

2 weeks to be safe. It's not just the infection you are worried about. Emersion in water can soften any scabs that you still have and cause them to come loose possibly lifting ink with them resulting in an uneven tattoo or at worst blank section where all the ink was lifted. This lifting of the scab also now provides you with an open wound and the potential for infection. As a nurse, i tell post op patients no swimming for two weeks to ensure the incision is healed. Tats are the same. Having quite a bit of ink work myself I wouldn't want to risk it by diving too soon. 2 weeks should be good.

AWESOME! Coming from a health professional, fellow inked diver to boot, is reassuring 2wks it is. The tattoo artist did give a 2mo guarantee for touch ups if required... hopefully not.

Guess I'll wait 2mo before getting the second one, which is 3x larger :surprised

 

[mtngoat2674]

Just got my first tattoo (of a few I'm planning on) this past Saturday 10/5. The scabbing is almost healed, just a few bit to go for new skin to come through. I'm a fast healer :cool2:

Done some googling and some sources say 4wks :shocked2: while other say as soon as 1wk or the scabbing process is complete...many conflicting feedbacks :/

Wanted to do a dive in the morning before getting the tattoo but weather conditions weren't that good and the sea had low visibility. We've been having a lot of rain these past weeks, hurricane season and all.

How much longer should I wait before going diving again?

It's been 3wks since I can't dive due to the weather and I'm having bad withdrawal symptoms Living 10min from a the coast doesn't help at all haha

I was tattooed in the midst of my OW certification trip about 10 years ago, so here's my experience. First, as has been mentioned, exposing your tattoo to the sun (ever) will likely cause it to fade. The extent depends on a lot of things, including location, skin type and texture, etc. It's all very individual. I discussed the issue of tattooing in general with a tattoo artist who was a former medical professional, a doctor of dermatology. Basically, the general consensus is that if you go out in the sun, it's going to fade, regardless how soon the sun exposure is after you got the tattoo. If you're a sun lover like me, it's one of the known risks of getting a tattoo in the first place, and is expected. However, getting a sun burn on a fresh wound (like a tattoo) WILL inhibit healing.

Now, sun issues aside, the biggest risk of infection is NOT the sea water itself (the following doesn't apply to deep or puncture wounds... This is specifically related to abrasions and tattoo type wounds). Frequently irrigating any wound with fresh, moving water isn't likely to cause an infection. This would apply to swimming and diving, regardless the length of the (reasonable) exposure. Now, here's a bit of info on how to keep your tattoo looking good even though you want to get wet.

1. Let it heal through the first scabbing stage. The process of the first scabbing stage is "setting" the ink. Significant moisture will loosen the scabs and cause them to pull free. This will take some of the ink with, causing a "blotchy" appearance. You are also at a higher risk of infection since the scab is a protective covering of the wound. Once removed prematurely, it's a fresh wound all over again.

2. Your artist likely told you not to moisturize your tattoo with Vaseline. Don't. However, DO apply a layer of Vaseline to a fresh tattoo before you get in the water. This is a protective coating, like what the artist may have applied before he sent you out the door. It keeps the water out. There are other products that will work (moisture barrier products designed for burn victims and used in the medical industry) but this is the most common product that's appropriate. You will wash it off with warm soapy water as soon as you are done with your dive. Don't use anything medicated for this, ie no neosporin or the like.

3. Cover your tattoo with a CLEAN piece of clothing NOT COTTON. A polyester or nylon or similar type of shirt would be appropriate. Something that is close fitting. This is to reduce RUBBING, and has nothing to do with sun exposure. You are trying to prevent any type of accidental bumping or friction on the tattoo. Also to keep the Vaseline from coming off too quickly. If you are wearing a wet suit, having a shirt on is even more important. Some of the ink and any residual skin or scabbing will almost positively come off and transfer to the shirt. Please don't wear a rented or borrowed wet suit over a tattoo without covering it. The residual skin and residue is just nasty if it's not your gear.

4. Wash the tattoo with warm soapy water as soon as you get out of the water. No going shopping first, no hanging out at the beach first, no nothing first. Just go wash it. Then leave it uncovered. It needs to dry out.

This was what I did 10 years ago, and with every tattoo I've gotten since. Sometimes my job requires me to be in the water, but I do like tattoos it's worked out quite well. The only time I had an issue with any of my tattoos was scabbing pulling out after wearing combat boots for hours on end during the summer. Most of my tattoo wound up affixed to my sock. Had I used the above process, it would have worked out better on that one. (The tattoo was on my ankle). Had it touched up and it's great now.

After all that, infection is always a possibility. Stay healthy, and if you see something oozing or looking funky, go see your artist or a doctor. You said that you heal quickly though, so you're probably not prone to infection. I'm the same way.

---------- Post added October 10th, 2013 at 11:21 AM ----------

Also, good luck on your ink. I'm planning my "big one" but a big dive trip is going to come first!

 

[Diver0001]

Just got my first tattoo (of a few I'm planning on) this past Saturday 10/5. The scabbing is almost healed, just a few bit to go for new skin to come through. I'm a fast healer :cool2:

Done some googling and some sources say 4wks :shocked2: while other say as soon as 1wk or the scabbing process is complete...many conflicting feedbacks :/

Wanted to do a dive in the morning before getting the tattoo but weather conditions weren't that good and the sea had low visibility. We've been having a lot of rain these past weeks, hurricane season and all.

How much longer should I wait before going diving again?

It's been 3wks since I can't dive due to the weather and I'm having bad withdrawal symptoms Living 10min from a the coast doesn't help at all haha

I went again after 3 weeks. The first part took a bit over 3 hours and was a little smaller than a dinner plate. Scabbing was finished although parts of it were still itching.

After round-2 (we didn't finish it in one go) I was under the needle for about 45 min and probably could have gone diving after a week.

I think the exact answer will depend on your skin, the size of the tattoo (ie, the size of the wound) and how quickly you're healing. My impression is that 3 weeks should probably be ok but that's only based on my own experience.

R..

 

[fjpatrum]

Everyone heals differently. Give it a few days and talk to your tattoo artist. If you can, show them how the thing is healing and get their opinion. Then err on the side of caution, especially if the tattoo is large/custom/expensive/important to you.

I went surfing about 30 minutes after one tattoo session but I wouldn't generally recommend that. My last session I waited a week before spending any significant time in the water.

---------- Post added October 10th, 2013 at 03:53 PM ----------

Please talk to your tattoo artist. I was told quite a while before salt water immersion, but don't know exactly why. Plus it was 10 years ago so I don't remember the exact amount of time. I do recall that my tattoos were more sensitive to sun even a year after getting them finished. I am sure you know to keep any work out of the sun for forever unless you want blown out line work.

For the record, blown out lines aren't caused by the sun, they're caused by the artist going too deep or too shallow. The sun will drastically fade your colors, though...

 

[Dragon_Rckr_PR]

I was tattooed in the midst of my OW certification trip about 10 years ago, so here's my experience. First, as has been mentioned, exposing your tattoo to the sun (ever) will likely cause it to fade. The extent depends on a lot of things, including location, skin type and texture, etc. It's all very individual. I discussed the issue of tattooing in general with a tattoo artist who was a former medical professional, a doctor of dermatology. Basically, the general consensus is that if you go out in the sun, it's going to fade, regardless how soon the sun exposure is after you got the tattoo. If you're a sun lover like me, it's one of the known risks of getting a tattoo in the first place, and is expected. However, getting a sun burn on a fresh wound (like a tattoo) WILL inhibit healing.

Now, sun issues aside, the biggest risk of infection is NOT the sea water itself (the following doesn't apply to deep or puncture wounds... This is specifically related to abrasions and tattoo type wounds). Frequently irrigating any wound with fresh, moving water isn't likely to cause an infection. This would apply to swimming and diving, regardless the length of the (reasonable) exposure. Now, here's a bit of info on how to keep your tattoo looking good even though you want to get wet.

1. Let it heal through the first scabbing stage. The process of the first scabbing stage is "setting" the ink. Significant moisture will loosen the scabs and cause them to pull free. This will take some of the ink with, causing a "blotchy" appearance. You are also at a higher risk of infection since the scab is a protective covering of the wound. Once removed prematurely, it's a fresh wound all over again.

2. Your artist likely told you not to moisturize your tattoo with Vaseline. Don't. However, DO apply a layer of Vaseline to a fresh tattoo before you get in the water. This is a protective coating, like what the artist may have applied before he sent you out the door. It keeps the water out. There are other products that will work (moisture barrier products designed for burn victims and used in the medical industry) but this is the most common product that's appropriate. You will wash it off with warm soapy water as soon as you are done with your dive. Don't use anything medicated for this, ie no neosporin or the like.

3. Cover your tattoo with a CLEAN piece of clothing NOT COTTON. A polyester or nylon or similar type of shirt would be appropriate. Something that is close fitting. This is to reduce RUBBING, and has nothing to do with sun exposure. You are trying to prevent any type of accidental bumping or friction on the tattoo. Also to keep the Vaseline from coming off too quickly. If you are wearing a wet suit, having a shirt on is even more important. Some of the ink and any residual skin or scabbing will almost positively come off and transfer to the shirt. Please don't wear a rented or borrowed wet suit over a tattoo without covering it. The residual skin and residue is just nasty if it's not your gear.

4. Wash the tattoo with warm soapy water as soon as you get out of the water. No going shopping first, no hanging out at the beach first, no nothing first. Just go wash it. Then leave it uncovered. It needs to dry out.

This was what I did 10 years ago, and with every tattoo I've gotten since. Sometimes my job requires me to be in the water, but I do like tattoos it's worked out quite well. The only time I had an issue with any of my tattoos was scabbing pulling out after wearing combat boots for hours on end during the summer. Most of my tattoo wound up affixed to my sock. Had I used the above process, it would have worked out better on that one. (The tattoo was on my ankle). Had it touched up and it's great now.

After all that, infection is always a possibility. Stay healthy, and if you see something oozing or looking funky, go see your artist or a doctor. You said that you heal quickly though, so you're probably not prone to infection. I'm the same way.

---------- Post added October 10th, 2013 at 11:21 AM ----------

Also, good luck on your ink. I'm planning my "big one" but a big dive trip is going to come first!

Thanks for the pointers! I'll keep in mind in case I can't fight the urge to dive this weekend...

---------- Post added October 10th, 2013 at 04:09 PM ----------

Just updated OP with a pic my tat, that was right after getting the ink done...

 

[mikeb21072]

I was always recommended to wait two weeks. One product you may want to try is called aquaphor, it is available in grocery/drug stores everywhere. Use it twice a day for the first three days, after that keep lotion on it. It is for cracked or dried skin, and was recommended by my tat artist. It makes a difference in the initial healing, especially on a large tat. My last one was a back piece that took three sittings, and I waited a month in between for it to heal.
Main thing with a new tat, keep it out of the sun, and do not let it dry out. Exposure to the sun or a sunburn in the first few weeks could bleach out the color.
The dive community is full of tat's, once the wetsuits come off, most everyone on the boat has at least one or a lot more.

 

[Wingy]

I assume your tatt was done with a machine and by the pic you posted your tattooist has done some nice light work. Mtngoat has given some good advice - I also had a tatt end up stuck to a tshirt although it was bamboo work so well and truly embedded ink - lesson, dont get 9 hours of bamboo work done on your back the day before a 7 hour flight. When i had my other shoulder done in F.Polynesia I had it done the traditional way (pig bone tools) and the older tatu man who held my skin tight actually poured salt water over it to rinse it and disinfect it (island style) when it was finished. As the polynesians invented tatu I assumed he knew what he was doing....quickest healing of all the tatts ive collected over a 30 year period.

 

[tracydr]

I just had surgery and hit the two week mark. My scabs are just now lifted and I'm going swimming tomorrow. I think two weeks is a pretty safe bet.

 

[button]

I always heard two weeks... nice ink!

 

[Dragon_Rckr_PR]

I was always recommended to wait two weeks. One product you may want to try is called aquaphor, it is available in grocery/drug stores everywhere. Use it twice a day for the first three days, after that keep lotion on it. It is for cracked or dried skin, and was recommended by my tat artist. It makes a difference in the initial healing, especially on a large tat. My last one was a back piece that took three sittings, and I waited a month in between for it to heal.
Main thing with a new tat, keep it out of the sun, and do not let it dry out. Exposure to the sun or a sunburn in the first few weeks could bleach out the color.
The dive community is full of tat's, once the wetsuits come off, most everyone on the boat has at least one or a lot more.

Aquaphor was the lotion he had recommended as his #1 choice, but then recommended Eucerin which is basically the same and 1/4 of the cost. I apply it 3x a day after washing it with soap/water, in the morn, after my daily walk with the dogs and at night before bed. It's been working well and moisturizes the skin pretty good. Only have a few very small spots with some scabbing to go...

My big one is going to be on the back, still have to figure out how I'm going to apply the lotion and care :/

---------- Post added October 11th, 2013 at 10:30 AM ----------

I assume your tatt was done with a machine and by the pic you posted your tattooist has done some nice light work. Mtngoat has given some good advice - I also had a tatt end up stuck to a tshirt although it was bamboo work so well and truly embedded ink - lesson, dont get 9 hours of bamboo work done on your back the day before a 7 hour flight. When i had my other shoulder done in F.Polynesia I had it done the traditional way (pig bone tools) and the older tatu man who held my skin tight actually poured salt water over it to rinse it and disinfect it (island style) when it was finished. As the polynesians invented tatu I assumed he knew what he was doing....quickest healing of all the tatts ive collected over a 30 year period.

Yeah, it was done my machine and the new disposable cartridge system and it took one session of 2hrs to get it done.

Wao! 9hrs with the traditional Polynesian method, must have been a bit gritty to bear with the pain... hat off to you! I saw a documentary a few years ago on the history of tats and how it was brought over, they also showed a few Polynesians going through the right of passage and it seemed very painful.