Working out is a fantastic way to stay healthy, but can you still exercise after getting tattooed? Most reputable tattoo artists agree, providing that you take certain precautions. A new tattoo should be treated like an open wound; therefore, specific workouts, locations, and equipment should be avoided until healing has been completed.
Wear the Right Clothes
Tattoos are highly susceptible to friction, so when working out, it is essential that the clothing does not rub against or chafe them. Furthermore, wearing a looser-fitting dress allows your tattoo to breathe; tighter clothing could pull on any new scabs as they form and may hinder its healing.
Even when working out at a highly hygienic gym, it’s still wise to clean any equipment used before and after your workout session – just in case bacteria buildup builds up on you, potentially infected with your freshly tattooed body! If left untouched, bacteria could quickly build up on you, potentially infecting the new tattoo design on your body and even spreading throughout your house!
Avoid gym pools, as submersion of your open wound can permanently change its image. When you can resume training post-tattoo depends on its size and placement and how crowded and accessible your gym is.
Don’t Sweat
Sweating can cause the scabs that form on a tattooed area to rub together, irritating and potentially fading the ink, so it is crucial that no excessive sweating occurs during workouts. To preserve the longevity and integrity of the ink, sweat should only appear as necessary and at rates that do not damage or fade your artwork.
Sweat can cause the skin to become dry, leading to itching and irritation. Scratching often exacerbates this discomfort and increases the chances of flaking scabs, which break open to cause infection.
Infection is a primary risk for those newly tattooed. Gym equipment, walls, and locker rooms may harbor bacteria-ridden surfaces, which could contaminate your tattoo – even if other patrons don’t directly touch it with dirty hands! Therefore, exercising at home during your healing period and cleaning any equipment before and after use may help minimize the risks of infection.
Keep Your Tattoo Clean
Always clean your tattoo before and after exercising to help promote faster healing time and keep scab-free results.
Keep your tattoo clean during workouts by wearing loose, breathable exercise apparel that won’t rub against it, advises Dr. Pertusa. Additionally, it is wise to disinfect any equipment before and after use to avoid picking up germs from other users and diseases from others.
Exercise. Also, avoid gym pools; submerging a new tattoo in dirty water could affect its healing process and expose it to harmful chemicals that could discolor or even destroy its color. This is particularly relevant with natural bodies of water, which might need to be cleaner and sanitary.
If you must exercise, he suggests applying an adhesive dressing like Tegaderm or Saniderm to protect the tattoo from sweat and germs; you can peel this off in the shower afterward to clean your tattoo.
Don’t Work Out Outside
Exercise can be especially harsh on fresh tattoos. Weight lifting, in particular, may irritate and itch the skin, and sweat from strenuous workouts can break down ink, causing infections to form on new tattoos.
Environment matters, too, when it comes to exercising. If you exercise at a gym, be mindful that even well-maintained equipment may harbor bacteria; locker rooms tend to be wet and must be cleaned more regularly.
After your tattoo has fully healed, consider alternatives to working out at the gym, such as walking and localized arm and leg exercises. Wear loose clothing that does not rub against its skin; use moisturizer; use Saniderm or Tegaderm adhesive dressings as barriers against germs and grime; purchase adhesive dressings like these when necessary.
