Does Sweat Affect A New Tattoo?

Is It Bad to Sweat With a New Tattoo?

Getting a new tattoo can be scary, especially for a first-timer. There are many things to consider before getting inked, and just as many things to consider after. The aftercare process is critical to the long-term health of your tattoo, and you should follow any instructions given to you by your artist.

For many people, the most confusing aspect of the aftercare process is sweat. Questions you may have include:

• Will sweat ruin a new tattoo?
• What happens if I sweat too much?
• Will my tattoo turn into a shapeless smudge after a single gym session?

Let’s take a look at the facts to calm those fears!

The Power of Sweat

Sweating is a crucial part of the body’s temperature regulation system. It is produced in sweat glands located all over our skin (but especially the hands and feet), and the evaporation of sweat on the skin’s surface releases heat from the body and prevents overheating. People unable to sweat have a hard time staying cool. But studies have shown that tattoos can disrupt the cooling process.

Ink vs. Sweat

Researchers at Alma College in Michigan and several other schools have found that the tattooing process can disrupt the normal function of sweat glands. Because the sweat glands and tattoo ink are found at similar skin depths, the ink can block sweat glands from absorbing sodium from the skin. This can make it harder for the body to cool down during exercise, potentially affecting performance.

So tattoos can affect sweat, but can sweat also affect tattoos? Let’s take a look at some of the problems that can arise when sweat and ink mix and how to best mitigate the damage.

Will Sweat Affect a New Tattoo?

Excessive sweating can happen when you are in the sun for too long, doing strenuous exercise or even eating spicy foods. Sweat can interfere with a new tattoo’s healing process. Discover how sweat can impact your ink with some common questions about sweat’s effect on a new tattoo.

Can Sweat Infect a Tattoo?

It can be easy to forget that a tattoo is an open wound, and like all wounds, you want to keep outside substances out of it as much as possible. Sweat is no exception. While sweat contains water and salts, it also contains urea — the main component of urine. Excess moisture, including sweat, that pools in a tattoo wound provides a home for all kinds of microbes to grow and multiply. These bacteria can easily lead to skin irritation and a nasty skin infection.

Can Sweat Damage a Tattoo?

Infection isn’t the only risk sweat can bring — it can also disrupt the tattoo healing process. It’s important to keep in mind how tattoo healing functions. As the wound heals, immune cells called macrophages absorb the ink into themselves, trapping it there and keeping the tattoo intact. If sweat invades the wound, it can break apart the ink before this process has finished, distorting the tattoo’s shape and causing it to blur or fade.

How to Safeguard Your Ink From Sweat

All of these facts can seem overwhelming and a little scary, but the reality is that only a large amount of sweat will cause significant problems. Here’s how to protect your tattoo from excessive sweat.

Stay Out of the Sun

In general, you want to stay out of the sun and cover up your tattoo with pants or long-sleeved tops to avoid sun damage — but also note that wearing these kinds of clothing can lead to excessive sweating. It’s best to wear breathable, cotton clothing and stay out of the heat.

Keep Exercise Mild and Sweat-Free

Avoid physical activity for at least 48 hours after your ink session. After 48 to 72 hours, you can get back to exercising, but opt for light exercises while your tattoo heals. Keep in mind that certain movements can stretch your skin and delay the healing process. After your workout session, quickly clean any sweat off of your tattoo.

Practice Good Aftercare

Proper aftercare products and techniques will help keep your tattoo safe and sound throughout the healing process. So go ahead and hit the gym! Just keep an eye on your new ink, and treat it with the respect it deserves. Making the right aftercare decisions is a critical component in the healing process. H2Ocean’s Ultimate Tattoo Care kit is the ultimate choice in healing your tattoo. The products were designed for sensitive skin and encourage fast healing. This complete system is water-based and covers all steps in the healing process, ensuring your tattoo will be nourished and moisturized.

Shop Organic, All-Natural Tattoo Aftercare Products

H2Ocean’s products help quicken the healing process and keep your ink looking new for the life of the tattoo. Our Ultimate Tattoo Care Kit includes:

• Blue Green Foam Soap: We’ve formulated this fragrance-free soap with natural ingredients, including sea salt and aloe vera leaf juice, to speed up the healing process and moisturize the skin.
• Ocean Care Skin Moisturizing Cream: This vitamin-enriched cream featuring 82 trace minerals from Red Sea Salt protects new ink with its anti-inflammatory properties.
• Ocean Foam Skin Moisturizing Foam: This unique protective foam product helps lock tattoo ink into your skin by creating a moisturizing barrier on the skin.

With our products and good aftercare habits, you can side-step the negative effects of excessive sweat. Order your kit today to unlock the secrets of the sea and help your tattoo heal.