How long to wait before diving after tattoo?

[JRScuba]

I heard some people say they put vitamin E on it. Makes it heal faster.

 

[DiverBuoy]

Doesn't it depend on the base material used in the ink in terms of setting time, to avoid early fade, smearing, smudging etc ..? Also there is the issue of the "open' wound and the time your body needs to fully heal, before exposing your bloodstream directly to bacteria and other things in open water.

 

[waynne fowler]

Thinking about getting a small tattoo over the holidays. Any tattoo artists on this board? How long should I stay out of the water? Does it make any difference if it's salt water versus fresh water? I've heard that you need to keep a new tattoo out of the sun for a few weeks, and that's no problem, but I haven't heard anything about water, wetsuit/gear rub, etc. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

Brian

I have 2 sleeves and a breast plate.. you flirt with disaster if you hop in the ocean under 4 weeks.. My bicep cost me $800 and 6hrs under the needle and I just about lost it because of an infection from the pool.. sea water is no issue as I dive dry.. but if your in the ocean in a wetsuit it's dirtier then a pool with a lot more dangerous bacteria. Ink is for life... make sure you start it out right by letting it heal properly before you hop in the water.

 

[waynne fowler]

would the same time limit apply if I was in a dry suit??
(this is a serious question).


GB

no

 

[waynne fowler]

Nice ink Batedstorm!

I like the diveflag as the sun

 

[DiverBuoy]

standard varies depending on how fast of a healer you are...etc. most folks tell you 2-4 weeks after you get the paint. need to keep it dry and out of the sun initially. i'm a fast healer. i've got 2 and went diving after about 10 days with the first one, and about 8 days after the second one. haven't had a problem either time. i dive wet. a truly dry, dry suit is a different story. think you'd be good if you put a waterproof bandage over it with some waterproof tape in a dry suit.

nothing beats experience

 

[drglnc]

strait from the artist, i was told once the scabing is gone its ok. that can be 1-6 weeks depending on the person. i was also told by the same artist that vasaline globbed on and then cover in saran wrap ad a properly fitting wetsuit or rash gaurd and your good to go. just be certain there are no open wounds and wash really well after the dive

 

[rawls]

Just got my tattoo...blue-ringed octopus...see thread in non SCUBA topics forum and let me know what kind you have...I just got mine this past Friday...Instructions...
Take bandage off after 2 hours, then wash with mild soap. Do not rebandage.
Apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment and massage into the tattoo. Use an ointment like Bacitracin...Do not use triple antibiotic ointment.
Wipe off excess ointment so tattoo can breathe.
Do this over the next 5 days
The first 5 days a thin scab will form and will fall off naturally.
Do not pick or scratch it.
After scab falls off,switch to hand lotion to condition the new skin.
Keep tattoo clean to avoid any chance of infection
For two weeks...
Do not expose to direct sunlight or tanning beds.
Do not soak in sauna, steam or tub...short baths are ok
Do not swim in chlorine pools, fresh or salt water....

Just wish I knew how to post a pic of it. How do you go about posting a pic?

 

[scubajoh44]

I have three from three different people and was told to wait at least 4 weeks and then it's only ok if the scab has fallen off! It's for life, so WAIT. Nice tat!

 

[El Orans]

Just wish I knew how to post a pic of it. How do you go about posting a pic?

Use the Manage Attachments button...