Swimming after getting a tattoo is not the best idea. Your new tattoo is an open wound that needs to heal effectively before you can submerge it in water for long periods.

The following article will explain why chlorine is bad for your new tattoo and outline why waiting four weeks is a safe amount of time before heading back into the water.

Swimming in chlorine with new ink is a bad idea

Swimming after getting a new tattoo is not recommended. Your tattoo is a fresh wound that needs to be kept clean and looked after during the entire healing process. 

Submerging your tattoo in water for long periods can cause significant damage to your new tattoo by affecting the ink underneath your skin before it’s had a chance to heal.

Before you consider anything else regarding swimming with a new tattoo, it’s important to remember that chlorine is a very strong chemical, and there’s a lot of it in both personal and community swimming pools.

Do you want to introduce something known to be harsh and abrasive to damaged and healing skin?

Sure, the likelihood of an infection is likely lowered by chlorine, but that shouldn’t matter given how many people encounter chlorinated swimming pools every day.

You don’t want anything nasty to get into your open wound.

What problems does swimming in chlorinated water cause new tattoos?

Chlorine can create a range of problems after you go swimming. These include:

• Itchy skin
• Red bumps and lumps
• Rashes
• Fading and discoloration
• Discomfort and pain

If a large quantity of the chemical enters the body through the wound, it could potentially end up entering the blood, leading to blood poisoning and wider health issues.

Even after the first week, when the fresh wound is knitting and your tattoo is scabbing, peeling, and itching, swimming in chlorine remains a pursuit to avoid.