Sport after the tattoo
Sports not only stress the body, but also the skin. With every movement there is also a movement of the skin. Depending on where the tattoo was stung, there is less or more stress during a movement.
Since a fresh tattoo is a wound, overstraining it can lead to further damage. During the initial healing of the tattoo, therefore, no sports should be done. Due to the fact that the healing process can take different lengths of time for each person, a waiver of five days to two weeks may be necessary.
Sweat-inducing sports are particularly included. Sweat irritates the wounded skin and this can lead to inflammation. The ban on sports applies especially to pictures on the arms and legs, i.e. the parts of the body that are most stressed during sports activities.
If the tattoo becomes briefly moist during its healing phase, this is no problem. However, if it is confronted with moisture over a longer period of time, this is not good for the skin. Chlorine-containing water, such as that found in swimming pools, puts a strain on the skin and dries out faster after bathing.
In addition, the healing speed is reduced. Salt water and sauna sessions must also be avoided for the time being. In the first two to four weeks, softening of the skin should be avoided.
Although regular washing of the tattoo is necessary, personal hygiene must be reduced to showers in the beginning. Baths also soften the skin. All these measures prevent the skin after the stay in the water to dry out and tear open, which can negatively affect the tattooed image, as well as the post-treatment or healing.
VaselineBepanthen
After the completion of a tattoo, the skin should be creamed. This serves both to keep the skin moisturized and to accelerate the healing process.Most tattoo artists have their own ointments or care creams in this context, which they apply to the picture after the work is done. Often Bepanthen® ointment is used here.
Bepanthen® is a brand name and comes from the group of ointments containing dexpanthenol. All ointments or skin creams with this ingredient have basically the same effect on the skin – they promote the formation of moisture and improve wound healing. The latter happens because the cells in the skin regenerate faster.
The skin care products of the various manufacturers may, however, differ in their ingredients in addition to dexpanthenol. This can result in individually different tolerance levels. Care lotions should be avoided.
The word “lotion” means that these products contain perfumes. This represents an additional source of irritation for already stressed skin. In addition to Bepanthen® cream or dexpanthenol-containing ointments, classic Vaseline can also be used.
The advantage here is that it is a care product that can be sold over the counter and is available independently of pharmacies. In addition, Vaseline does not usually contain any additives – i.e. no other irritants. However, this type of care product is not a medical product – healing is not supported and can even be hindered if applied too thickly.
Not everyone has sensitive skin and there are differences in wound healing. More resistant tattoo wearers can therefore confidently use Vaseline, whereas people with sensitive skin should rather choose a healing supporting ointment. Besides Vaseline and Bepanthen® there are numerous other care products especially for tattooed skin. In the decision can be built on the experience of the tattoo artist. In the first 4 to 5 days the tattoo should be washed carefully and rubbed in again regularly (if possible, every four hours).