English 
Magyar 
When can I exercise after a tattoo?
HOME > Blog
When can I exercise after a tattoo?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to when a new tattoo and training go hand in hand. It depends very much on where on your body you have had your tattoo done. After that, it also has a lot to do with what sport you play. It’s important to remember – although we understand it’s difficult – that it’s easier to get back into a training rhythm than it is to restore or repair a damaged tattoo.
Below you can read more about what you need to do before you start training after getting a new tattoo.
What can happen if you train after a new tattoo?
We recommend that you stay completely away from exercising for two days after you have been tattooed. At this stage, the tattoo is still an open wound, and it is especially important that the tattoo is taken extra care of and that the healing process takes its course. That means you should clean it thoroughly – but gently – and give it a regular coat of aftercare. Last but not least, it just needs to be left alone.
You can also read about where it hurts most to get a tattoo.
Avoid your blood pressure rising
One of the reasons exercise can be harmful to your new tattoo is that your blood pressure rises when you exercise. Higher blood pressure means that your blood is pumped around your body faster. So, when your tattoo is still an open wound, you risk that your tattoo will start bleeding when you exercise. We therefore recommend that you start out with a light workout after your tattoo has been done.
Skin stretching can do damage to your tattoo
After the first few days, a crust will begin to form on your tattoo. This crust may make your tattoo look a little different, but that’s perfectly normal. You may also notice that it bulges a little – again, this is normal. It is important that you take good care of the wound that forms during these days.
When you exercise, you naturally use your body in a very flexible way. This can be by running, strength training or cycling. In all disciplines, you move almost your entire body, stretching your skin in the process. This stretching is not healthy for your tattoo. You run the risk of cracking the wound that has formed on your tattoo. This is not good for the healing process of your tattoo.
Resuming your training after you have been tattooed depends on your sport
The reason why it is difficult to give a concrete answer on when you can resume your training after you have been tattooed is that it depends on the sport you play. If you do strength training every day, you have full control over whether your tattoo is touched or stretched. For example, if you have a tattoo on your leg, you can isolate your training to upper body exercises for the first few weeks. That way, you still get exercise while taking care of your new tattoo.
However, if you play handball or football, your tattoo is more likely to be damaged. It is quite likely that an opponent could touch your tattoo during a fight. In doing so, you may risk the wound being torn off. So ask yourself what makes the most sense before you start playing your sport again.
Avoid all water-related exercise after you have been tattooed
We recommend that you avoid all water-related exercise. This means swimming or other water sports. It is generally not good for the tattoo if it is exposed to a lot of moisture. First of all, it is unhealthy because exposure to bacteria is higher in water, both in the pool and in the sea.
In addition, your wound will also soften if exposed to a lot of water. This makes the wound fall off again, for example when you wipe your body with a towel. This in turn stops the healing process and increases the risk of infection in the open wound.
Wear loose clothing when you start training with your new tattoo
When you start your training again, your clothing is also important to take into account at the beginning. We recommend that you train in a loose training set. A tight-fitting training shirt can be harmful to your tattoo. The sweater may rub on the wound, which can cause the wound to be scratched. The bacteria from the sweater will then settle in the wound if you are unlucky.
In general, we recommend that you wear soft clothes after you have been tattooed. The soft cotton glides over the wound nicely, whereas a pair of tight jeans rubs more on the wound. In addition, letting your new tattoo get as much air as possible will help the healing process.
