Ocean after tattoo??

I got my first tattoo on Monday. Nice tribal dolphin on my shoulder. How long until I can get in the ocean? What risk is there of infection? Thanks in advance for the replies! Jim

Anybody?

Not a real expert on tattoos, more on the ocean, lol. Take it from me, same rules apply as if you had an open wound, most public beaches are nasty nasty places, tons of bacteria, just don't risk it.

2-4 weeks depending on how big the tattoo is. Your best bet is to get off the computer and call your tattooist. They won't care if you call and have a valid question, even tough that sorta thing should have been covered in the healing instructions. If you decide to go jumping around in the ocean, that's your problem if the tattoo ends up looking like ass. Ever have a scab on your leg and decided to take a bath? Scab pulls right off doesn't it? now apply that same theory to a tattoo which should be scabbing up here pretty soon (depending on a lot of factors) the only dieffernece is that everwhere that scab pulls off due to being waterlogged or yanked off prematureley, is gonna leave a nice little dead spot on your tattoo. Meaning you'll end up with a splotchy ass tattoo, for a very long time jsut because you wanted to go gallywagging in the ocean for a couple hours. take care of your tattoo and it will look pretty for a long time to come. The end.

dunno... salt water is actually really good for wounds in general, and whenever i go swimming in the ocean with a cut/scrape/whatever it tends to heal quicker. not sure how it affects tattoos tho *shrugs*

no now really tell us how you feel about it lizzie.,...........lol. to be honest she has alot of good advice dont risk a few hours of sun and ocean and end up with a ugly ass scar that you will have to have redone.

Excellent!! Exactly the kind of solid opinion I was looking for Lizzie. Thank you to all!

i got my name tatooed on my wrist on friday nite and sunday went to newport beach, it was on our vacation, the first day, It healed just fine. Even swam in the pool and then chilled in the hot tub, too. I kept my hand out of the water while in the hot tub, though. I think the salt water ,mighta helped it, I dont know. or the tattoo guy just did a good job.

You do NOT want to soak your new tattoo in water until AFTER it has healed. Salt water is good at healing wounds, it will also help the ink migrate out. H2Ocean is a healing "foam" that uses many of the properties of salt water to seal your tattoo and heal it right. Just ask your tattoo artist what they think about soaking tattoos or the sun...

Salt water is good for your tattoo. It is natural bactine. But the sun in time will make your tattoos fade

down here by the beach the 2-4 week rule is pretty standard, kinda sucks when the swells roll in but what is worse missing a day in the water or living with a crappily healed tattoo forever?

I risked it and went into the ocean everyday after having my last tattoo done, (kinda had to due to job) and my has no probs, but then mine is only a black celtic band, so not sure how it would affect larger designs or multiple colours. safest bet tho is still to take the tattoo artists advice and leave it til its healed to go into the ocean!

Hi I got this large tribal tattoo on my arm shoulder and chest. Can anyone tell me if it fades over time if you swim in the ocean under the sun. Dev