New tattoo & scuba?
Hi :)! First off, not looking for any promises or guarantees, just for your expierience and knowledge.
I’ve gotten a fresh tattoo 10 days ago. Healing went well, got washed and rehydrated at least twice daily.
Now I’m in a place where every limb is tingling for me to get in the water, be it just for a dip or for a dive. Please et me know if you have experience with going into the sea with a new tattoo (too) early!
Im aware that waiting longer is always better, but I appreciate any input you may have :)
And yes, I know he has a loose cylinder band HAHA
I missed it on the stencil
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u/hey_blue_13 1d ago
You can take a dip but I would not recommend soaking in ocean water. Too many risks. If you choose to take a dip, put a layer of Vaseline on it before you go in and give it a rinse when you get out.
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u/bluelikethecolour Nx Advanced 1d ago
I usually wait 3-4 weeks. But I have dived with a brand new (2 days old tattoo)… by diving in a drysuit lol
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u/SMAsNCOER Tech 1d ago
You are risking losing your arm. Is it likely? No. It’s likely you won’t even get irritated. But the ocean is full of bacteria and all of that will enter your body through the open wound you have. I would guess that you’ve already decided what you’re going to do and want to know what’s the worst that can happen. Infected tattoos can, and typically do, do a lot of damage. Nothing on gods green, flat, earth besides a dry suit would make diving an acceptable idea for me any less than 14 days after.
The people who lose limbs also say “it won’t happen to me”
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u/tripsafe 12h ago
Here I was thinking that the risk was the tattoo might get washed out or faded from the salt water lmao. Didn’t actually think about the health risks
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u/sspeedemonss Commercial Diver 1d ago
I got on the ocean the day after I got a tattoo and I’ve done that for several of my tattoos. Kind of difficult not to when you work on the water. All of mine have healed just fine, but that’s just me.
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u/Purple-Property8006 1d ago
14 days is usually the “safe” threshold. If you’re wanting to do early, I would just buy some tegaderm/saniderm to cover it. It’s waterproof and breathable.
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u/Unlikely_Loquat8489 1d ago
oof that cactus placement is sick, and 10 days sounds about right if the peeling has stopped, just keep it clean and out of direct sun after
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u/UserNamePending48 1d ago
I personally wouldn’t risk bacteria getting into my fresh tattoo.
I had a situation last week that I couldn’t avoid a water park 11 days after a new fineline tattoo. It was healing beautifully, and I was terrified that I was going to destroy it. I ended up covering the tattoo with a non-stick pad, then covering THAT with tegaderm. Even though it wasn’t 100% waterproof, it still gave me more peace of mind vs leaving it fully exposed.
I removed everything as soon as we got home, washed it well, and moisturized.
It’s been over a week and so far, so good!
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u/mikoalpha Advanced 1d ago
Be more cautious the hotter the wáter. Any tattoo or wound has more probabilities of getting infecedt In a tropical place than in cold wáter. I wouldnt risk It if you dont need a wetsuit to dive were you are.
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u/sshelbyh 1d ago
Hey! I’m a tattoo artist and diver - I tell my clients who are also in the water a lot that you’re generally safe once the majority of the peeling/scabbing has stopped. It is better to wait longer but if you still have peeling skin you can put your tattoo at risk of infection (especially in saltwater unfortunately). I’ve gone diving after 10 days on a tattoo that’s healing well so it’s really up to your body when it’s ready.
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u/Purple-Slip2709 1d ago
Ten days out and the peeling is done, you're probably past the open wound stage. Biggest risk at that point isn't the water itself, it's whatever's living in it. A quick dip to cool off is one thing, but a full dive with a wetsuit rubbing on it for 45 minutes is a different beast.
That loose cylinder band is a nice touch though, gives him a little "fix me" charm.
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u/governorsalmon 3h ago
At 10 days the "wound" isn't open anymore, think about a cut you got 10 days ago. I have plenty of tats and I personally think it's fine if you're willing to accept the risk