New Tattoo vs Exercise

Redfieldr
Redfieldr Posts: 37
edited October 6 in Motivation and Support
Good Morning-

I'm one of the newer men on MFP and appreciate new friends; however, I have a question for the masses.

I have a new tattoo that is still healing, but the process is going slowly and it is getting in the way of me being able to exercise (without risk of damage to the ink).

Does anyone have any suggestions to improve healing time?

Thanks,

-R
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Replies

  • superhippiechik
    superhippiechik Posts: 1,044 Member
    let it dry and crack. I know that sounds crazy but I swear it is part of the healing process. Keeping it too moist slows things down and fades the ink... Good luck!
  • mikituba
    mikituba Posts: 60
    Where is the tattoo located? and how big is it?
  • LeanMeanFitnessMachine
    LeanMeanFitnessMachine Posts: 659
    Bump! I want to know this too. Hoping to get one before the New Year.
  • Redfieldr
    Redfieldr Posts: 37
    Where is the tattoo located? and how big is it?

    This particular one is from my left thigh to my abs (Session 1)

    It will be to my chest when complete.
  • Jennloella
    Jennloella Posts: 2,286 Member
    Where is the tattoo located? and how big is it?

    This particular one is from my left thigh to my abs (Session 1)

    It will be to my chest when complete.

    uhm first of all. pictures. heh. Try Origins precipitation extra, it's what I put on all my tats, it makes them feel good, keeps them hydrated. you could also try under armour compression underwear under your clothes, this would keep your pants from rubbing on it. I have one across my stomach from hip to hip, and it was a ***** when it was healing, wearing a seatbelt was unbearable!
  • mikituba
    mikituba Posts: 60
    Where is the tattoo located? and how big is it?

    This particular one is from my left thigh to my abs (Session 1)

    It will be to my chest when complete.

    Try only using lotion on it when you're just out of the shower. Do you take any vitamins? Being healthy should help speed up the process. I also use A and D diaper rash ointment on all of mine just when I get out of the shower. Some people hate that idea, but it has worked beautifully for me..I'm about 55% covered and even my old ones still look new. Do not over moisten, but do not let them crack...when they crack you risk them healing with weird streaks and faded areas.
  • Jennloella
    Jennloella Posts: 2,286 Member
    oh and, good ink is too expensive to risk, if you feel like it's stretching and it bleeds, it will kick out the ink. I don't think there's anything wrong with taking it easy for a little bit.......
  • Redfieldr
    Redfieldr Posts: 37

    uhm first of all. pictures. heh. Try Origins precipitation extra, it's what I put on all my tats, it makes them feel good, keeps them hydrated. you could also try under armour compression underwear under your clothes, this would keep your pants from rubbing on it. I have one across my stomach from hip to hip, and it was a ***** when it was healing, wearing a seatbelt was unbearable!

    I will post pictures on my profile when it is finished. Promise. :)

    I'm not new to tattoos... I've just never had one that got in the way while healing (where my pants rest on my hip/waist line is pretty annoying.
  • sweetheart03622
    sweetheart03622 Posts: 928 Member
    let it dry and crack. I know that sounds crazy but I swear it is part of the healing process. Keeping it too moist slows things down and fades the ink... Good luck!

    Please do NOT let it do this. This is the way that most artists recommend it healing, but it is AWFUL for the final outcome. I had al all black tattoo done on my foot and let it heal this way - ended up blotchy and awful. I got it redone and prevented this (which pretty much has to be done immeditately after it's done) and it's still completely flawless.

    As far as your original question goes, there's not a whole lot you can do to speed it up. =(
  • sweetheart03622
    sweetheart03622 Posts: 928 Member

    uhm first of all. pictures. heh. Try Origins precipitation extra, it's what I put on all my tats, it makes them feel good, keeps them hydrated. you could also try under armour compression underwear under your clothes, this would keep your pants from rubbing on it. I have one across my stomach from hip to hip, and it was a ***** when it was healing, wearing a seatbelt was unbearable!

    I will post pictures on my profile when it is finished. Promise. :)

    I'm not new to tattoos... I've just never had one that got in the way while healing (where my pants rest on my hip/waist line is pretty annoying.

    SOLUTION: Don't wear pants :-p
  • horndave
    horndave Posts: 565
    I just got one a couple of weeks ago on my leg and it was healing slowly too. Literally had to let it dry out and crack, but I kept exercising. Calf muscles get a good work out running and doing squats. Finally got to the point 2 weeks after where it is all good.
  • Jennloella
    Jennloella Posts: 2,286 Member

    uhm first of all. pictures. heh. Try Origins precipitation extra, it's what I put on all my tats, it makes them feel good, keeps them hydrated. you could also try under armour compression underwear under your clothes, this would keep your pants from rubbing on it. I have one across my stomach from hip to hip, and it was a ***** when it was healing, wearing a seatbelt was unbearable!

    I will post pictures on my profile when it is finished. Promise. :)

    I'm not new to tattoos... I've just never had one that got in the way while healing (where my pants rest on my hip/waist line is pretty annoying.

    SOLUTION: Don't wear pants :-p

    well, there you go!!!
  • Josee76
    Josee76 Posts: 533 Member
    You could buy a couple workout DVD's and workout at home in your underpants till it heals :)
  • carrie_eggo
    carrie_eggo Posts: 1,396 Member
    I have a tattoo and I used Original A & D ointment (diaper rash cream). That was 4 years ago and I really don't remember how long it took to heal, but it looks great and I don't remember having too much trouble. I wasn't working out very much then either though...
  • darkrider42
    darkrider42 Posts: 5,424 Member
    When I got mine on my arm years ago, I put Bacitracin ointment on it *religiously*, several times a day, and it healed flawlessly. Not sure how you might do that and cover/protect one that covers as much of your body as yours though...that might be tricky. Sorry, I don't have any actual useful advice...
  • AmyLRed
    AmyLRed Posts: 856 Member
    wear a dress=No friction on your waist! :o)

    In all seriousness though, you may have to let it heal more before you can work out. Bummer, but like a previous poster said, you dont want to ruin good ink.
  • tattooedtwiin
    tattooedtwiin Posts: 246
    If you rush it, you will be sorry. Exercise by walking or? something that doesn't interfere. I do have some experience in the tattoo department.
  • Redfieldr
    Redfieldr Posts: 37
    wear a dress=No friction on your waist! :o)

    In all seriousness though, you may have to let it heal more before you can work out. Bummer, but like a previous poster said, you dont want to ruin good ink.

    Wow... just wow.

    When I'm at home I actually do lock the doors and run around naked as much as possible, but exercise for me is walking/jogging. I do like the idea of using workout dvd's, but the image of me doing jumping jacks in the nude sounds very... Unattractive (even for just me being at home).

    <3 I love the help. I guess I'm just going to be patient.

    I do expect 1 or 2 more sessions (including any touchup I may need).

    I honestly will post pictures on my profile when it's is all done (and healed)
  • Redfieldr
    Redfieldr Posts: 37
    If you rush it, you will be sorry. Exercise by walking or? something that doesn't interfere. I do have some experience in the tattoo department.

    It crosses my thigh/hip/waist/abs so all clothing rubs in one way or another... (except socks haha... I'm probably safe in those).
  • langababy
    langababy Posts: 43 Member
    I know it might sound crazy, but when I got mine (on my hip, right where the waistline of my pants hits) the tattoo artist told me that I could put Bacitracin on it and then cover it with plastic wrap so that it didn't rub against my clothes. I taped plastic wrap to myself every time I wore pants for about 2 weeks and it healed perfectly. Just make sure to tape the plastic wrap on really tight so it doesn't rub and to clean it as soon as you're done working out.

    hope this helps!
  • Redfieldr
    Redfieldr Posts: 37
    I know it might sound crazy, but when I got mine (on my hip, right where the waistline of my pants hits) the tattoo artist told me that I could put Bacitracin on it and then cover it with plastic wrap so that it didn't rub against my clothes. I taped plastic wrap to myself every time I wore pants for about 2 weeks and it healed perfectly. Just make sure to tape the plastic wrap on really tight so it doesn't rub and to clean it as soon as you're done working out.

    hope this helps!

    Very helpful! Thanks!
  • oneIT
    oneIT Posts: 388 Member
    I only used lotion on all my tats. Covering it with plastic wrap seems to be the best idea. Maybe wear biker shorts and a hugging shirt too. You can wear some regular clothes over the top.

    Make sure you wash it!!
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    I have a tattoo and I used Original A & D ointment (diaper rash cream). That was 4 years ago and I really don't remember how long it took to heal, but it looks great and I don't remember having too much trouble. I wasn't working out very much then either though...

    I use A&D also, and have had three tattoos in the past little over a year. They all healed quickly. I did the Warrior Dash a week after the one on my back, but there was no friction from clothes in that area. My first was on my belly, but that was before I exercised. Still, I think it was mostly healed within a week. None ever scabbed. They just peeled like a sunburn.
  • lorac321
    lorac321 Posts: 614 Member
    I used A & D and plastic wrap too.
  • madameduffay
    madameduffay Posts: 166 Member
    Good Morning-

    I'm one of the newer men on MFP and appreciate new friends; however, I have a question for the masses.

    I have a new tattoo that is still healing, but the process is going slowly and it is getting in the way of me being able to exercise (without risk of damage to the ink).

    Does anyone have any suggestions to improve healing time?

    Thanks,

    -R

    When I got my tattoo, they suggested I put Prep H on it. Sounds weird but it healed in no time at all.
  • luvJOJO
    luvJOJO Posts: 1,881 Member
    Aquaphor (made by Eucerin) ----> best thing in the world for a new tattoo
  • Bentley2718
    Bentley2718 Posts: 1,689 Member
    I know it might sound crazy, but when I got mine (on my hip, right where the waistline of my pants hits) the tattoo artist told me that I could put Bacitracin on it and then cover it with plastic wrap so that it didn't rub against my clothes. I taped plastic wrap to myself every time I wore pants for about 2 weeks and it healed perfectly. Just make sure to tape the plastic wrap on really tight so it doesn't rub and to clean it as soon as you're done working out.

    hope this helps!

    I did the plastic wrap thing sans the bacitracin for workouts. You get funny looks, but it beat the hell out of having the thing rubbing on my pants (it was back of thigh, right below my *kitten*).
  • stayxtrue
    stayxtrue Posts: 1,186 Member
    Good Morning-

    I'm one of the newer men on MFP and appreciate new friends; however, I have a question for the masses.

    I have a new tattoo that is still healing, but the process is going slowly and it is getting in the way of me being able to exercise (without risk of damage to the ink).

    Does anyone have any suggestions to improve healing time?

    Thanks,

    -R

    Hi mate and welcome!

    first of all over moisturising will make the ink run and fade, if it is your first lot of ink, it will take longer to heal as your body is not going to be used to it. You dont want it to dry out but you dont want it to moist either.

    For me I am right to exercise after a day or 2 and I go back into the full swing of things. Also is it colour or black and greay wash?
  • honeysprinkles
    honeysprinkles Posts: 1,757 Member
    follow the aftercare instructions of the person who did it and wait it out. tattoos really don't take too long to heal, you should be fine within a week!
  • TamsinEllis
    TamsinEllis Posts: 293
    Bepanthen (yeh it's used for nappy rash, makes it great at keeping your tattoo hydrated and soft!) and plastic wrap is good if you think it needs it since it keeps the air off and moisture in. And for the person I saw saying to let it dry and crack, never when I have gotten a tattoo have I been advised that, in fact I've always been advised the opposite to keep it hydrated (and obviously clean) and when it is nearly healed it will still be soft but bits will start to flake off naturally and to not 'help' them flake off.
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