When Can You Swim After Getting a Tattoo? A Complete Guide
Updated: Aug 25
It's generally recommended to wait until your tattoo has fully healed before swimming. For many tattoos, this means avoiding swimming for at least the first few weeks and waiting until there is no remaining scabbing, peeling or broken skin. Healing time varies, so the condition of the tattoo matters more than following a fixed number of days. Swimming too soon can expose healing skin to prolonged moisture, bacteria and chemicals that may increase irritation. In this guide, we'll explain when it's generally safe to swim after getting a tattoo, why waiting matters and how to protect your tattoo during recovery.
For a complete overview of tattoo healing, aftercare and long-term maintenance, explore our Tattoo Care Guide.
When Can You Swim After Getting a Tattoo?
Wait until the tattoo has fully healed before returning to swimming. Rather than relying solely on a set number of days, look for signs that the skin has recovered: there should be no open areas, scabs, peeling or ongoing tenderness. If you're unsure, follow your tattoo artist's aftercare advice before returning to the water.
Formulator's Insight
"Tattoo aftercare is largely about protecting the skin barrier while it recovers. Prolonged soaking softens the outer layer of the skin, making it more vulnerable to irritation during the healing process. Waiting until the skin has fully recovered helps create the best environment for comfortable healing."
Why Should You Avoid Swimming?
Swimming exposes your tattoo to conditions that differ from a normal shower. Potential concerns include:
Prolonged soaking
Chlorine in swimming pools
Saltwater
Bacteria in natural bodies of water
Giving your skin time to recover helps create the best environment for healing.
Swimming Pools
Swimming pools are treated with chemicals such as chlorine to help maintain water quality.
Although chlorine is effective for pool hygiene, healing skin may be more sensitive during the early stages of recovery. Waiting until your tattoo has healed helps minimise unnecessary irritation.
The Sea
Many people assume saltwater naturally helps tattoos heal, but seawater also contains bacteria and prolonged exposure keeps the skin wet for extended periods. It's generally advisable to wait until your tattoo has healed before swimming in the sea.
Lakes And Rivers
Natural bodies of water can contain microorganisms and other contaminants that aren't visible to the eye. Because healing skin is more vulnerable, it's best to avoid lakes and rivers until your tattoo has fully recovered.
Hot Tubs And Spas
Hot tubs combine prolonged soaking with warm water and shared water exposure. They should be avoided while a tattoo is healing because the skin barrier has not yet fully recovered.
What If Your Tattoo Gets Wet?
Brief contact with clean water - such as during a shower or an accidental splash - is very different from soaking your tattoo for an extended period. If your tattoo gets wet unexpectedly:
Gently pat it dry with a clean towel.
Avoid rubbing the area.
Resume your normal aftercare routine.
Short exposure is rarely the same as swimming, bathing or spending extended periods in water.
How Do You Know When It's Safe To Swim?
Your tattoo should no longer have:
Open skin
Peeling
Flaking
Scabbing
Tenderness
Healing times vary, so use the condition of the skin rather than a fixed date as your guide. If the tattoo still has broken skin, scabs, peeling or significant tenderness, it isn't ready for swimming. If you're unsure, follow your tattoo artist's aftercare advice.
Learn more in Tattoo Healing Stages: What to Expect Day by Day
Recommended Product
Our Organic Tattoo Balm is formulated with 100% natural, COSMOS-certified organic ingredients in a concentrated waterless formula to help support the skin barrier, reduce dryness and keep healing skin comfortable throughout recovery.
Best for:
Supporting the skin barrier
Reducing dryness
Fresh tattoos
Long-term tattoo care
Final Thoughts
Swimming is best saved until your tattoo has fully healed.
Giving your skin time to recover before exposing it to pools, the sea or other bodies of water helps reduce unnecessary irritation and supports the healing process.
If you're unsure whether your tattoo is ready, it's usually better to wait a little longer than return to the water too soon.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I swim two weeks after getting a tattoo?
Two weeks may be too soon if the tattoo is still peeling, scabbed, tender or has any broken skin. Rather than swimming automatically after two weeks, wait until the tattoo has fully healed and follow your tattoo artist's aftercare advice.
Can I swim in the sea before my tattoo heals?
It's generally best to wait until healing is complete before swimming in the sea.
Is chlorine bad for a new tattoo?
Healing skin can be more sensitive to chlorine, so waiting until your tattoo has healed is generally recommended.
What happens if I accidentally get my tattoo wet?
Brief exposure, such as during a shower or unexpected splash, is usually different from prolonged soaking. Pat the tattoo dry gently and continue your aftercare routine.
Can I moisturise after swimming?
Once your tattoo has fully healed, moisturising helps support healthy skin. During healing, avoid swimming until recovery is complete.
Can I go in a hot tub after getting a tattoo?
It's generally recommended to avoid hot tubs until your tattoo has fully healed. Warm water combined with prolonged soaking can increase irritation during recovery.
Can I swim with a waterproof tattoo bandage?
A waterproof tattoo dressing doesn't necessarily mean a healing tattoo is ready for swimming. Unless the dressing manufacturer and your tattoo artist specifically advise otherwise, wait until the tattoo has fully healed before swimming.
Can I shower if I can't swim?
Yes. Gentle showers are generally encouraged during tattoo healing. Unlike swimming or bathing, showers involve brief contact with clean water rather than prolonged soaking.
How long after a tattoo can I swim in a pool?
Healing varies between individuals, but most tattoo artists recommend waiting until the tattoo has fully healed before swimming in a pool.
Can swimming affect tattoo healing?
Yes. Prolonged soaking, chlorine and microorganisms in natural bodies of water may increase irritation while the skin barrier is still healing.
