Tattoo & Water Park?

[Claire-Bear]

Hi all

I arranged to get my little tattoo done next weekend, but as the tattooist is ill at the moment, he's had to put it back to 2nd June (means I have to take a day off *grumble*) - it will be on the left side of my lower back. DBF is also getting his largish arm-dragon done at the same time.

We're planning to go to Typhoon Lagoon on 24th June (3 weeks and 1 day later). Should I be ok for this? I've searched around and most people say it's ok after around 2 weeks, but I wanted to see if anyone has experience of going to a water park a matter of weeks after having a tattoo?

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

With all of my tattoos (I have six), I've waited about a month to get into chlorinated water of any kind. I suppose it's okay after a few weeks, but the combination of chlorine, salt and sun would make me leery.

I'd probably postpone your tattoo until after your trip. If you do get it and go to TL, be sure to take VERY good care of it. Keep it out of any exposure to the sun (SPF 30 or more), and dry it very well after you get out of the water.

 

[worm761]

The chlorine would scare me with a new tat. I agree with PP, postpone your tattoo.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I would ask your usual artist (assuming you have one) about this.

 

[Coach81]

Should be fine

 

[Claire-Bear]

Thanks for the info guys

Has anyone actually been to a water park 3 weeks after getting a tattoo done?

 

[pickles]

always consider what your tattoo will look like when you are 40, 50, 60 yrs old..what is cool and sexy now, may be downright hysterical then

http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4586326_what-happens-tattoos-as-age.html


good luck and enjoy!

 

[mousireid]

Initial healing from new tattoo to scabbed is about 3 days on average and the scab often falls off around days 7-10 but your individual skin healing can vary. The tattoo usually still has some dry skin on top (nicknamed "the saran wrap" phase by many because the tattoo can look shiny) after the heavy scab comes off and after two weeks the skin surface is often healed. The tattoo may be flat to the skin at this point, or it might take a little longer to become flush with the skin. Until the entire surface is healed you want to avoid any swimming or soaking in a hot tub!
Since tattoos are a healing surface wound, you really should to avoid hot tubs, swimming pools and soaking in bathubs of water during the healing period. Before the surface heals, the skin is susceptible to infection and public pools and water are easy sources of bacteria. Also, the soaking can cause the scab to come off too soon, which can also hurt your new tattoo. So don't go get tattooed the day before that beach vacation or cruise!

 

[Claire-Bear]

Thanks pickles but we've already decided to get them done, have been decided for over a year (DBF already has a couple), it was only the water park question

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Also, if your tat is small, you may be able to just cover it with a large bandage. It'll still get wet, but will at least have some protection. Maybe your DBF can wear a t-shirt into the water.

I'd be more worried about the sun, honestly. Good luck!

 

[pickles]

my dh has one on his arm he got when he was about 18 yrs old. It looks fine and he is still happy with it and had talked about getting others.
I am not anti tattoo, just making sure you had considered all angles before making the plunge

Hope you have a great trip!