new Tatoo and Diving

[MercutioATC]

It was just the outline, and it healed quickly. I think you'll find a lot of different advice on how to care for a new tattoo (keep it gunked up, keep it dry, keep it covered, etc.) I went home from my shop with nothing on mine and was told to wash it with antibiotic soap with my fingers (not a washcloth) 2-3 times a day, keep it moisturized with a non-lanolin-based unscented moisturizer (I use Vaseline Intensive Care), wear loose clothing, and don't scratch at it. It healed in less than a week, it looks great, and I dived 8 days after getting it.

Sun exposure IS an issue, though, especially with certain colors. Use sunblock.

 

[JArsenal]

Firediver,

If you put on the shorty, you have to be very careful not to rub the tatoo. I know on all seven of my tatoo's one of the instructions was, dont wear tight clothing against it, keep it dry, wash it with no purfumed soap several times a day, and put the ointment on several times a day. Don't pick the scabs let them fall off on their own, this always happened when I washed it gently. The first few days they told me to spounge bath not to put water on it directly. Also keep it out of the sun and when you were going to be in the sun, use a high spf sun screen. I didn't do that on two of my tatoos, the first two I got, one has my name and I can't even read it anymore, the other has faded to the point I do need to get it colored again, the others I followed the instructions and they look as good as when they were first healed up.

With a dry suit, I would put the ointment over the top, use plastic wrap and then tape the ends, with ductape <smile> Then you won't have the chance of it falling off, but definately ask the advice of the person giving the tatoo.

Jane

p.s. if you are diving in salt water, should your tatoo get wet it'll fell like salt in a paper cut...

 

[hambleto]

One thing I do not know about and you might want to ask your artist about is the pressures of diving. Could the pressure “push” the ointment into the skin? Could the pressure cause other problems with the sensitive tattoo? I honestly do not know. I am very new to diving, but I am not to ink. I have over 150 hours in various chairs of various artists and they all have told me the same thing. Stay out of the water! I would put off the ink till later and not risk it. No matter what, be careful.
Take care!
Ben

 

[CameronMartz]

I had the Ironman logo tattooed on my ankle after finishing my first one. I waited a full week until getting back into the water (for swimming), coating it in antibiotic ointment and using a "waterproof" bandage. The tattoo still got a little soggy and now has a faded spot right in the middle. DOH!

Get your tattoo some time when you have at least 3 weeks where you can keep it dry. It is an open wound that needs to heal *perfectly* in order to look the best.

Cameron

 

[Firediver]

hambleto once bubbled...
If I
One thing I have seen done. Although I would NEVER do it myself. Is to put a very thick layer of ointment on the tattoo (do not rub it in, you want a layer thick enough that you can not see the ink through it). Put plastic wrap over the tattoo gently so that you do not squeeze the ointment away. Now, tape around the edge of the plastic wrap so that there is a tight seal on the flesh. (This is the most important lawyer of tape because it will keep the ointment inside and on the tattoo) Then run more layers of tape over the flesh and the plastic wrap so that it covers the entire plastic wrap and a good bit of the surrounding tissue. The idea here is that that plastic wrap and first layer of tape will keep the ointment on the tattoo and not let it soke into the surrounding tape.

That is one thing I considered doing.. but using a vaseline gause, sanwap just over the gause covered with a waterproof badage and then Duct tape for security..... I usually were cycling spans under my wetsuit<made of lycra and spandex> lets the suit slide on like SGS swim glide.... I will be waiting 6 days after getting the tatto....before diving again.. The tattoo artist has pushed the appointment once already and won't do it again.. if I don't go I am out $65.00....

I am kinda like Kupu.. NO diving isn't in my vocabulary.. I only have short time left before it's way to cold to dive in a wetsuit here in eastern canada<unless your a CRAZY Diver or own a dry suit>

I thank you for all the advice, and I also agree about the scab issue about the artist only going so deep....

I appreciate all the help.. THANKS.

 

[Boogie711]

You ask for their advice, and:

- nearly everyone says "Don't get it wet, don't go diving,"

- You're not going to be diving over the winter because you're not "a CRAZY Diver or own a dry suit."

YET you're still going ahead and getting a tattoo anyway?

Hey man, I can understand not wanting to lose the $65, because really, who cares about a disfigured tattoo? It's not like they're permanent, right? :wacko:

So why were you asking for advice then???

 

[Firediver]

Let me get this straight...
You ask for their advice, and:

- nearly everyone says "Don't get it wet, don't go diving,"

- You're not going to be diving over the winter because you're not "a CRAZY Diver or own a dry suit."

YET you're still going ahead and getting a tattoo anyway?

Hey man, I can understand not wanting to lose the $65, because really, who cares about a disfigured tattoo? It's not like they're permanent, right?

So why were you asking for advice then???

I have taken the advise.. I was wondering because I have heard so many different things to take care of a tattooo.. I do care about it and I do know it permenant.. I wouldn't get it if I didn't want too..... I got so much information on here.. I don't know who is right who is wrong.. so I am going to take all the advice I recieved on here.. and work with it.. Using post operative waterproof bandages.. keeping it dry in the shower sponge bathing the tatoo.. not scratching or picking scabs<which there shouldn't be much of one if the artist is a good one which the Red Lion tattoo artist is.> I got a lot of information on here and It's Great.. everyone on here is great.. and I appreciate all the help..

But when I am given a great Idea like the waterproof pre op bandage.... how can I pass up the possibly of still diving after a week of getting the tattoo?? I don't want to sound like I am throwing all the advice I was given here out the window.. as you have put it.. or have people think I am stupid.. cause I try to seek out all possibilities wouldn't you?? IF diving was that important would you not seek out all possibilities to dive.....

I will just keep to myself about questions.. that's all.. and ask locally around here.. if I don't find the answers around here.. then I will come here...

Thank you to everyone for the advice.

Bye for now..

 

[Tavi]

Firediver once bubbled...




keeping it dry in the shower sponge bathing the tatoo.. not scratching or picking scabs<which there shouldn't be much of one if the artist is a good one which the Red Lion tattoo artist is.


Bye for now..

Sorry I'm late to the party!

If the Tattoo scabs or not is a result of how well you take care of it, not how good the artist is.

Always keep a light coating of Bacitacin, Neosporin, A&D ointment, or vitamin e oil on it. This will keep it so you only get a light scab if any(I seem to heal much faster using vitamin e)

I have postponed getting Tattoos 'til after vacations and Diving.


A good Tattoo isn't cheap, and a cheap Tattoo isn't good!!
Take care of your investement.

My $.02

good luck with your decision.

 

[Firediver]

Thanks Tavi.

I got the tattoo today.. and it looks great....

Thanks for all the advice.. it will be 7 to 10 days before I am in the water again.. even after that time I will cover it before I dive..

Thanks everybody

 

[hambleto]

Do not forget to post pics of it, or pm me! Let us know how it holds up. Good luck and take care.
Ben