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Tattoos and Swimming
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 2010-01-11 11:32 AM |
Expert  1164    Roswell, GA |  Subject: Tattoos and SwimmingSo Im strongly considering getting my second tattoo very soon, but was concerned on how the healing time would impact my time in the pool. For my first one, I got it while I was on a bit of a hiatus from training last year while I was job hunting, but now that my training has started back for the year, I dont want to be out of the pool for a month waiting for the ink to heal. Anyone have experience with healing tattoos and chlorine water? Do you try to cover it up and still get in the pool? Suggestions? |
| 2010-01-11 11:41 AM in reply to: #2607656 |
Member 44 | Subject: RE: Tattoos and Swimming In the UK we have a medical dressing called "Tagaderm" which comes in different size sheets. Its waterproof and sticks really well. I,ve used it a couple of times to cover new tat`s. |
| 2010-01-11 11:42 AM in reply to: #2607656 |
Melon Presser 52116  | Subject: RE: Tattoos and Swimming Well ... just curious ... you're going to have this tattoo for the rest of your life, so why not wait until you have at least a couple weeks when you don't have to swim? But if you really want it, NOW, you could seal up the area with a waterproof bandage. Much easier to do if it's on an arm or a leg than say across your back. |
| 2010-01-11 11:53 AM in reply to: #2607656 |
Veteran 297 | Subject: RE: Tattoos and Swimming we have tegaderm here in the us, works great! you can find it at any pharmacy and that should work but check with the tat artist. not worth having it messed up for a lifetime! |
| 2010-01-11 12:04 PM in reply to: #2607656 |
Science Nerd 28760 Redwood City, California | Subject: RE: Tattoos and Swimming Don't do it. Wait until you have the time to let it heal properly. |
| 2010-01-11 12:04 PM in reply to: #2607656 |
Member 98 Rocky Mountain High | Subject: RE: Tattoos and Swimming Let it heal!! You'll be happy in the future. Rememmber, Tattoos last for a lifetime!! The healing time varies. It all depends on how much work you have done and the amount of shading and coloring. Normally after 2 weeks of healing you can get back in the water. 1 week is pushing it. Swimming isn't the best thing for the healing process. It causes your tattoo to scab, and that's the last thing you want to happen. Scabbing leads to loss of color and sometimes ruining a tattoo with thick scar tissue. I don't suggest it. FYI. Make sure after you break the seal from your bandaging and take your first shower, rub the tattoo until there is NO plasma (slimy, slick stuff) left on the tattoo. Meaning use soap and rub it firmly, and then rub it firmly with just water. It will feel like you are dry rubbing it (painful), but it will help you heal better and faster. I takes normally 1 week before it starts to peel like a sun burn. Then after you peel you can start to swim. I have a sick artist in Colorado Springs, CO if your in the area. I can get you a killer deal with the best talent out there!! I'll post some pics of my work. Cheers! -Nick www.tigereyetattoo.com |
| 2010-01-11 12:21 PM in reply to: #2607656 |
Expert 897 South Jersey | Subject: RE: Tattoos and Swimming I have always been told 2 weeks to heal. I got my last one 3 weeks before we went to Florida last year for vacation and I was fine. I know I was itching to get it and I would have skipped the pool for 2 weeks. Swimming is my strongest of the three so I would be fine skipping a couple of swim workouts. |
| 2010-01-14 2:26 PM in reply to: #2607656 |
Veteran 155 Pittsburgh, PA | Subject: RE: Tattoos and Swimming As a person without tattoos -- I have to ask those who do - Why ? I've always been curious to see why you'd want something to be with you for the rest of your life - an inquiring mind would like to know. Thanks! |
| 2010-01-14 2:47 PM in reply to: #2607656 |
Expert 792 Leicester | Subject: RE: Tattoos and Swimming Body modification... Why do we cut our hair? Why does half the guys at my gym want to build muscle regardles of health/fitness? Why do women (or men!) wear make up? It's not tribal status anymore, it's personal image. (I'm not dissing, yes I have tattoo's) |
| 2010-01-14 3:12 PM in reply to: #2614354 |
Expert 1164 Roswell, GA | Subject: RE: Tattoos and Swimming laundryking - 2010-01-14 3:26 PM As a person without tattoos -- I have to ask those who do - Why ? I've always been curious to see why you'd want something to be with you for the rest of your life - an inquiring mind would like to know. Thanks! Its more of an act of branding for me than anything else. I already have one on my back, with a deep meaning to me (spiral themed). The one I am thinking of getting is a personal mantra. When it comes to the "why", for me its that I never want to forget. I am reminded every time I see my tattoo why I do what I do and to not loose sight of my goals. A constant reminder, if you will. |
| 2010-01-14 3:34 PM in reply to: #2614354 |
Master 2429 Falls Church, Virginia | Subject: RE: Tattoos and Swimming laundryking - 2010-01-14 3:26 PM As a person without tattoos -- I have to ask those who do - Why ? I've always been curious to see why you'd want something to be with you for the rest of your life - an inquiring mind would like to know. Thanks! Its like getting married, but my tat never leaves dirty socks in the living room. Some relationships just work, like me and my tattoo.  |
| 2010-01-14 6:11 PM in reply to: #2614473 |
| Member 255 Lafayette, LA. | Subject: RE: Tattoos and Swimming Daimyer - 2010-01-14 3:12 PM laundryking - 2010-01-14 3:26 PM As a person without tattoos -- I have to ask those who do - Why ? I've always been curious to see why you'd want something to be with you for the rest of your life - an inquiring mind would like to know. Its more of an act of branding for me than anything else. I already have one on my back, with a deep meaning to me (spiral themed). The one I am thinking of getting is a personal mantra. When it comes to the "why", for me its that I never want to forget. I am reminded every time I see my tattoo why I do what I do and to not loose sight of my goals. A constant reminder, if you will.Thanks! So your goals never change? Or do you get a new tat every time you set a new goal? |
| 2010-01-14 6:13 PM in reply to: #2607656 |
Expert 815 Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Subject: RE: Tattoos and Swimming I'm getting some ink done on monday, and i was told there is a 2 week "no swimming" time, then i should be ok, but i'll prolly baby it for a bit longer |
| 2010-01-14 6:39 PM in reply to: #2614796 |
Extreme Veteran 494 DC Metro area | Subject: RE: Tattoos and Swimming Take the time to let it heal. 1 1/2-2 weeks until you get back in the pool. I now have 3, and am going to start working on an upper back piece soon...Why take the risk of messing it up when it will be with you the rest of your life? Edited by fire34fighter 2010-01-14 6:39 PM |
| 2010-01-14 7:24 PM in reply to: #2614791 |
| Member 255 Lafayette, LA. | Subject: RE: Tattoos and Swimming kritra - 2010-01-14 6:11 PM Daimyer - 2010-01-14 3:12 PM laundryking - 2010-01-14 3:26 PM As a person without tattoos -- I have to ask those who do - Why ? I've always been curious to see why you'd want something to be with you for the rest of your life - an inquiring mind would like to know. Its more of an act of branding for me than anything else. I already have one on my back, with a deep meaning to me (spiral themed). The one I am thinking of getting is a personal mantra. When it comes to the "why", for me its that I never want to forget. I am reminded every time I see my tattoo why I do what I do and to not loose sight of my goals. A constant reminder, if you will.Thanks! So your goals never change? Or do you get a new tat every time you set a new goal? After re-reading this I saw that it can be taken as me being sarcastic. I apologize, it wasn't meant that way. |
| 2010-01-14 10:10 PM in reply to: #2614354 |
Member 85 | Subject: RE: Tattoos and Swimming laundryking - 2010-01-14 2:26 PM As a person without tattoos -- I have to ask those who do - Why ? I've always been curious to see why you'd want something to be with you for the rest of your life - an inquiring mind would like to know. Thanks! This is a big question that will have a lot of very individually nuanced answers, so I'm only speaking for myself. I have a large piece in black and grey (an asian style dragon) which goes from my right shoulder across my back down to mid calf on my left leg. I got it when I was 36 and it's still my only tattoo. I'm 40 now. I'd wanted to get this particular piece for quite a few years, but lacked any particular motivation other than I thought it was a cool piece of art, so I never pulled the trigger. When I was 36, I went thru a divorce and accepted a job on the other side of the world in China. I thought it was time to mark (literally) such huge changes in my life and get the tattoo I'd always wanted. It's also to mark changes in the direction of my life up to that point. It's a reminder to me to do my best to embody wisdom, honor, strength and patience as the dragon represents in the east. It's a big plus that I like the way it looks. |
| 2010-01-15 2:58 PM in reply to: #2615097 |
Veteran 155 Pittsburgh, PA | Subject: RE: Tattoos and Swimming aquabug - 2010-01-14 11:10 PM laundryking - 2010-01-14 2:26 PM As a person without tattoos -- I have to ask those who do - Why ? I've always been curious to see why you'd want something to be with you for the rest of your life - an inquiring mind would like to know. Thanks! This is a big question that will have a lot of very individually nuanced answers, so I'm only speaking for myself. I have a large piece in black and grey (an asian style dragon) which goes from my right shoulder across my back down to mid calf on my left leg. I got it when I was 36 and it's still my only tattoo. I'm 40 now. I'd wanted to get this particular piece for quite a few years, but lacked any particular motivation other than I thought it was a cool piece of art, so I never pulled the trigger. When I was 36, I went thru a divorce and accepted a job on the other side of the world in China. I thought it was time to mark (literally) such huge changes in my life and get the tattoo I'd always wanted. It's also to mark changes in the direction of my life up to that point. It's a reminder to me to do my best to embody wisdom, honor, strength and patience as the dragon represents in the east. It's a big plus that I like the way it looks. Thank you I appreciate the response. Are you still in China? By any change you in Shanghai? |
| 2010-01-15 3:04 PM in reply to: #2614876 |
Expert 1164 Roswell, GA | Subject: RE: Tattoos and Swimming kritra - 2010-01-14 8:24 PM kritra - 2010-01-14 6:11 PM Daimyer - 2010-01-14 3:12 PM laundryking - 2010-01-14 3:26 PM As a person without tattoos -- I have to ask those who do - Why ? I've always been curious to see why you'd want something to be with you for the rest of your life - an inquiring mind would like to know. Its more of an act of branding for me than anything else. I already have one on my back, with a deep meaning to me (spiral themed). The one I am thinking of getting is a personal mantra. When it comes to the "why", for me its that I never want to forget. I am reminded every time I see my tattoo why I do what I do and to not loose sight of my goals. A constant reminder, if you will.Thanks! So your goals never change? Or do you get a new tat every time you set a new goal? After re-reading this I saw that it can be taken as me being sarcastic. I apologize, it wasn't meant that way. Haha no, youre fine. Yes goals, change for me, as do everyone. But I guess for me its more about a common theme. The tat on my back specifically means (to me) "reject common sense to make the impossible, possible" That is a theme in life I dont ever want to loose sight of, because I feel that many of my endeavors are a bit crazy (triathlons for instance). Sometimes you just have to kick out common sense and reason to do what your heart tells you. So instead of engraving a goal on my skin, its more of a mentality I dont want to loose. |
| 2011-04-23 6:51 PM in reply to: #2607656 |
Expert 1053 Culpeper, VA | Subject: RE: Tattoos and Swimming Thinking about getting one... have a race roughly four weeks out, so it looks like I'm going to have to make a choice. Take two weeks off or wait till later... it's way early in the season so I might just be fine with 2 weeks off. |
| 2011-04-23 7:25 PM in reply to: #2607656 |
Pro 6011 Camp Hill, Pennsylvania | Subject: RE: Tattoos and Swimming The 2 weeks quoted several times above is the rule of thumb, but everyone heals differently. If you're a quick healer, you can be back in the water within 10 days. If you heal slowly, it could be 2 1/2 weeks. |
| 2011-04-23 7:38 PM in reply to: #2607656 |
Extreme Veteran 833 Strong Beach, CA | Subject: RE: Tattoos and Swimming You really should wait till the first peeling/scabs fall off....which is about 7-10 days. After that just put a layer of vaseline on it while you are in the pool and wash it off when done.
For me, I have tattoos (lots and lots) because I prefer the way my skin looks with them, enjoy collecting the art, and I love the process of getting them. |
| 2011-04-23 9:44 PM in reply to: #2607656 |
Expert 1053 Culpeper, VA | Subject: RE: Tattoos and Swimming Will be my first... trying to work out the art I want but somewhat excited. |
| 2011-04-23 11:07 PM in reply to: #3462629 |
Science Nerd 28760 Redwood City, California | Subject: RE: Tattoos and Swimming xeon - 2011-04-23 7:51 PM Thinking about getting one... have a race roughly four weeks out, so it looks like I'm going to have to make a choice. Take two weeks off or wait till later... it's way early in the season so I might just be fine with 2 weeks off. Just wait! My tattoo artist won't even do them during training/race season because of the sweat and the swimming. I really don't understand why you don't want to give it the best chance to heal given that it's going to be on you for the rest of your life. |
| 2011-04-23 11:59 PM in reply to: #2607656 |
Veteran 214 Far South Burbs of Chicago | Subject: RE: Tattoos and Swimming I waited a couple of weeks for mine to heal. I used A&D ointment and never scabbed or peeled on the first and only light peeled near the end on the 2nd two.
I've got one on each arm for each of my boys. Each design is symbolic of what each of my boys mean to me. I've dealt with depression on and off and when my first came into my life I felt like he was a gift of strength from God. When my 2nd was born I felt like he was light sent from God and pulled me back from a dark place. When I see them in the mirror or when getting dressed it reminds me of different times in my life, how thankful I am to get to spend another day with them and mainly gives me strength and hope to continue on through the that $hit life deals us. The 3rd is a memorial portrait.
Personally I would never get a tattoo just to get one. It would have to have some sort of significant meaning to get it. That's just me though. Edited by coolshock1 2011-04-24 12:01 AM |
| 2011-04-24 8:26 AM in reply to: #3462832 |
Champion 10668 Tacoma, Washington | Subject: RE: Tattoos and Swimming xeon - 2011-04-23 7:44 PM Will be my first... trying to work out the art I want but somewhat excited. Um... Okay, I'm gonna get on a bit of a soap box here. "Thinking about getting one" and "trying to work out the art I want" to me means you're nowhere NEAR ready to GET the tatt done. Take your time. If you don't have the artistic skill yourself to draw out the design, then have some one else do it. Then put that artwork up where you can see it OFTEN, and wait a while. Six months isn't unreasonable. If you still like it, and still want it done then, by all means, go ahead and find the tatt artist and schedule the ink. This isn't something to do on a whim. |
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