Can I exercise after I get a Tattoo?

Ok so you got a cool new tattoo and now you are wondering if you can go to footy practice or a hike with your dog.. Of course you have free will and can do whatever you want, BUT, if you want to not throw away all those hours in pain, money spent and also help your new tattoo to not look like crap this is a list of things that you can do and can’t do and how to to them safely.

• Can you work out after getting a tattoo?

NO :) but I know my gym rats and hyperactive buddies so let me explain.. You need to give your skin time to heal before resuming most types of exercise, particularly if you are going to be sweating or if the area of your body with the new tattoo will be rubbed, jostled vigorously, or are at risk of your open skin touching any of the nasty previously sweated equipment.

WHY?!:

Gym equipment harbors tons of bacteria, fungi, and viruses, it can be risky to work out with any sort of open wound, including a new tattoo. The risk of infection is high, and it can be nearly impossible to cover the tattoo thoroughly enough to prevent germ infiltration.

Exercise can stretch the skin on your new tattoo: Muscle contractions underneath the skin that lead to a bulging or stretching of the overlying skin can disrupt the healing process and prevent proper scab formation.

Sweating during exercise and/or submerging a tattoo while trying to swim can disrupt the healing process an the skin around the wound that is trying to close gets ‘soggy’ and may break again, potentially altering the visual appearance of your tattoo before the ink has fully set and making the healing process take longer.

• How long do you have to wait after getting a tattoo before working out?

Most tattoo artists suggest that you wait a minimum of 2-3 days before resuming vigorous activity and heavy sweating.

This would include exercises such as running, strenuous indoor cycling workouts, high-intensity resistance training, swimming, vigorous elliptical or stair climber use, etc.

Keep in mind that full healing can take upwards of 4 to 6 weeks, so even though you can resume your workout routine well before this time, you should still be mindful of your tattoo, particularly within the first week.

• What types of exercise can you do right after getting a new tattoo?

Depending on the location and size of the tattoo, low-intensity exercise may be possible within 24 hours after getting the new tattoo like gentle walking or cycling.

• What if you want to go exercise anyways?

If your tattoo is on your upper body, you should be able to perform lower-body strengthening exercises, particularly if you are not holding additional weights.

If your new tattoo is on your lower body, you should" be able to perform upper-body strengthening exercises.

Cover the tattoo with a sterile dressing when you exercise in public spaces like gyms.

Don’t wear tight clothing on the tattoo. The skin needs to be able to breathe.

Keep the tattoo out of the sun.

If something happens to your tattoo do not blame your tattoo artist because karma is a b*tch :)

Hidden Tattoo Studio