How Soon Can You Work Out after Getting a Tattoo?
Written by Olena Lastivka
Olena is a nutrition and healthcare writer, runner, and gym enthusiast. She is keen on health and fitness research, modern studies on sports and nutrition, and various physical activities.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Olena Avdiievska, MD, RDN
Dr. Olena Avdiievska is a nutritional and medical expert at Unimeal. She is an MD and RDN in Dietology and nutrition and a university professor with 76 scientific publications.
Tattoos are back in style, and there are more and more emerging tattoo artists. In fact, high-quality tattoos were never out of fashion. There are many contradicting recommendations regarding doing sports with a new tattoo. That is why we decided to explain how to combine body art and sports. In this article, we will explain how to work out and stay active so it doesn't harm your fresh tattoo.
Working out after getting a new tattoo: possible risks and how to avoid them
The very first days of getting a tattoo are the most important. That is why it is essential to take precautions so your body art stays as close as possible to the initial sketch and how it looked when you just got it.
Some common recommendations for taking care of a new tattoo include showering only with a wrap film and not sweating in the first two days. But it is not as simple as that. It depends on such factors as the size of a tattoo, the intensity of exercise, your body's reaction to the ink, and how fast your skin heals.
In general, you need to avoid sweating with a new tattoo to make sure that it heals in a sterile environment. Exercising in the open air can be damaging too, as new ink is more sensitive to sunlight and prone to fading1Hauri, U., & Hohl, C. (2015). Photostability and breakdown products of pigments currently used in tattoo inks. Current problems in dermatology. DOI:10.1159/000369225.
In how many days after getting a tattoo you can work out
You will most likely need to wait for at least 48 hours before working out. However, it does not apply to all kinds of sports. Below, we will discuss how to do sports right with a fresh tattoo and what activities you should avoid.
Working out and exercise
Strength training that doesn't involve much sweating is safe as long as you don't touch the tattoo with gym equipment or the floor. Don't perform exercises that stretch your skin in the tattooed area until it's healed. Better stick with low-intensity bodyweight training.
Don't work out the first 24 hours when your tattoo is wrapped. Then you can gradually return to your pre-tattoo workout routine.
Avoid HIIT workouts, Crossfit, martial arts, and any high-intensity cardio. And choose loose clothes made of smooth material so it doesn't touch the tattoo while it heals.
Running after tattoo
As running is a rather "sweaty exercise," try to put it on hold for at least a week. In addition, you might rub and irritate your tattoo with clothes, which is also troublesome for wound healing.
Don't run for at least two days with a fresh small tattoo. Wait for a minimum of 3-4 days if you have a bigger design.
If you don't want to skip your cardio, replace running with walking at a moderate or fast pace. Uphill walking can be a rather intensive exercise too but not cause so much sweating as running. In any case, don't forget to apply sunscreen before going outside if your tattoo is not covered with clothes.
Swimming
Swimming is not the best idea in the first month after getting a tattoo.
This period can last shorter if the tattoo is small or heals fast. In any case, we recommend staying away from swimming and taking a bath until your tattoo is fully healed.
Chlorine and other chemicals that pool water contain can lead to unpleasant consequences. The water you swim in can't be completely sterile. This activity has health risks in addition to harming the look of your tattoo.
Yoga
Yoga might seem pretty safe, but there are some pitfalls too. However, hot yoga or intensive stretching is still not the best option. Stay away from poses that stretch your tattoo and high-intensity yoga variations.
Balance exercises are safe after 24 hours. You can do hot yoga in 4-5 days. Stretching is recommended only after full healing.
Risks of working out with a fresh tattoo
Hundreds of little punctures damage your skin when you get a tattoo. The tattoo needle is so tiny that it might be invisible, but it still needs up to a month to heal fully.
Here are the main dangers of working out with a fresh tattoo:
- Your risks of getting an infection are higher. As any tattoo is an open wound, your protective skin barrier cannot perform its main function2Serup, J., Bäumler, W. (2017). Tattoo Infections, Personal Resistance, and Contagious Exposure through Tattooing. Diagnosis and Therapy of Tattoo Complications. DOI:10.1159/000450777.
- Harmful bacteria can easily reach your body. Sweating with a tattoo, especially with a wrap film, creates favorable conditions for bacteria growth3Dieckmann R, Boone I, Brockmann SO, Hammerl JA, Kolb-Mäurer A, Goebeler M, Luch A, Al Dahouk S. (2016, October 7). The Risk of Bacterial Infection After Tattooing. Dtsch Arztebl Int DOI:10.3238/arztebl.
- It can cause bleeding. Stretching a new tattoo can create additional skin cracks, which can cause bleeding. The wound will also heal longer.
- The tattoo can fade or leak. The ink might react on your sweat, pool water, or gym clothes. Also, don't forget to wear an additional layer of sunscreen.
- Skin irritation is also an unpleasant side effect. Itching can be a part of healing in some cases, but a rash is a result of skin contamination. In such cases, we recommend consulting medical specialists immediately as it can spread to other body areas or be an indicator of a more serious health condition4K. Hutton Carlsen, J. Serup. (2014, July 26). Patients with tattoo reactions have reduced quality of life and suffer from itch. Dermatology Life Quality Index and Itch Severity Score measurements. DOI:10.1111/srt.12164.
Final words
Tattoos of any size are fully compatible with sports and active lifestyles in general. Make sure you follow your tattoo artist's advice. When it comes to working out, showering after a tattoo is completely safe and even recommended. Gently wash your tattoo with soap, and don't forget to moisturize it. Carry an antibacterial cream or ointment with you. You should apply it every 4-8 hours. Once the wound is healed, you can return to a normal workout routine. To prevent an uncovered tattoo from fading, apply an extra layer of sunscreen when you do outdoor sports.
Unimeal does not diagnose or suggest treatments. Any description of the diet, training plan or supplement should be discussed with your current physician or nutritionist. This article does not address specific conditions and is simply meant to provide general information on healthcare topics. Following any advice is at your own initiative and does not impose any responsibility on the blog authors for your health and safety.
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