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How Long Does It Take to Get Into A Hot Tub After A Tattoo?

Published on
4 min read
How Long Does It Take to Get Into A Hot Tub After A Tattoo? image

Best Tattoo Aftercare Products to Buy in October 2025

1 Tattoo Goo Aftercare Kit Includes Antimicrobial Soap, Balm, and Lotion, Tattoo Care for Color Enhancement + Quick Healing - Cruelty-Free, Petroleum-Free, Tattoo Artist Gifts (3 Piece Set)

Tattoo Goo Aftercare Kit Includes Antimicrobial Soap, Balm, and Lotion, Tattoo Care for Color Enhancement + Quick Healing - Cruelty-Free, Petroleum-Free, Tattoo Artist Gifts (3 Piece Set)

  • COMPLETE CARE KIT: EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR VIBRANT TATTOOS IN ONE SET!

  • GENTLE CLEANSING: ANTIMICROBIAL SOAP THAT PROTECTS WITHOUT IRRITATION.

  • FAST HEALING LOTION: SOOTHES ITCH AND SPEEDS UP THE HEALING PROCESS!

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$14.96
Tattoo Goo Aftercare Kit Includes Antimicrobial Soap, Balm, and Lotion, Tattoo Care for Color Enhancement + Quick Healing - Cruelty-Free, Petroleum-Free, Tattoo Artist Gifts (3 Piece Set)
2 Hustle Butter Tattoo Aftercare 5oz Tattoo Balm, Heals + Protects New Tattoos and Rejuvenates Older Tattoos - 100% Vegan Cream No-Petroleum

Hustle Butter Tattoo Aftercare 5oz Tattoo Balm, Heals + Protects New Tattoos and Rejuvenates Older Tattoos - 100% Vegan Cream No-Petroleum

  • PIONEER IN TATTOO CARE: TRUSTED FOR OVER 10 YEARS BY ARTISTS.
  • VEGAN, CRUELTY-FREE INGREDIENTS: SAFE FOR ALL SKIN TYPES.
  • ENHANCES HEALING: #1 RECOMMENDED BALM FOR NEW AND OLDER TATTOOS.
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$23.99
Hustle Butter Tattoo Aftercare 5oz Tattoo Balm, Heals + Protects New Tattoos and Rejuvenates Older Tattoos - 100% Vegan Cream No-Petroleum
3 Mad Rabbit Tattoo Aftercare Soothing Gel & Moisturizer As Seen on Shark Tank - Premium Tattoo Supplies for New Tattoo Care, Anti-Itch - Tattoo Care Gel Made with Clean Ingredients

Mad Rabbit Tattoo Aftercare Soothing Gel & Moisturizer As Seen on Shark Tank - Premium Tattoo Supplies for New Tattoo Care, Anti-Itch - Tattoo Care Gel Made with Clean Ingredients

  • NOURISH NEW TATTOOS: LIGHTWEIGHT BOTANICALS SOOTHE AND PROTECT INK.
  • QUICK SKIN RECOVERY: HYDRATING GEL RESTORES SKIN'S MOISTURE BARRIER FAST.
  • FAST, GENTLE RELIEF: COOL GEL ALLEVIATES ITCHINESS WITHOUT HARSH INGREDIENTS.
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$21.39
Mad Rabbit Tattoo Aftercare Soothing Gel & Moisturizer As Seen on Shark Tank - Premium Tattoo Supplies for New Tattoo Care, Anti-Itch - Tattoo Care Gel Made with Clean Ingredients
4 Tattoo Aftercare Butter Balm, 2.6 oz, Old & New Tattoo Moisturizer Healing Brightener for Color Enhance, Natural Organic Tattoo Cream

Tattoo Aftercare Butter Balm, 2.6 oz, Old & New Tattoo Moisturizer Healing Brightener for Color Enhance, Natural Organic Tattoo Cream

  • MESS-FREE APPLICATION: EASILY GLIDE ON BALM WITHOUT RESIDUE OR FUSS.
  • RICH, NATURAL INGREDIENTS: ORGANIC FORMULA DELIVERS MAXIMUM HYDRATION.
  • REVIVES VIBRANCY: BRIGHTENS OLD TATTOOS WHILE SOOTHING SENSITIVE SKIN.
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$13.99
Tattoo Aftercare Butter Balm, 2.6 oz, Old & New Tattoo Moisturizer Healing Brightener for Color Enhance, Natural Organic Tattoo Cream
5 Hustle Butter Deluxe – Tattoo Butter for Before, During, and After the Tattoo Process – Lubricates and Moisturizes – 100% Vegan Replacement for Petroleum-Based Products – 1 oz

Hustle Butter Deluxe – Tattoo Butter for Before, During, and After the Tattoo Process – Lubricates and Moisturizes – 100% Vegan Replacement for Petroleum-Based Products – 1 oz

  • PIONEER IN TATTOO AFTERCARE FOR OVER 10 YEARS-TRUST THE ORIGINAL!

  • #1 ARTIST-RECOMMENDED BALM FOR SAFE AND EFFECTIVE TATTOO HEALING.

  • VEGAN, CRUELTY-FREE, AND MADE WITH PREMIUM NATURAL INGREDIENTS!

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$14.99
Hustle Butter Deluxe – Tattoo Butter for Before, During, and After the Tattoo Process – Lubricates and Moisturizes – 100% Vegan Replacement for Petroleum-Based Products – 1 oz
6 After Inked Tattoo Aftercare Lotion – Moisturizing Balm for Inked Skin, As Seen on INK MASTER – Hydrating Cream with Grape Seed Oil, Skin Nourishment & Daily Maintenance – 3 Fluid oz Tube (1-Pack)

After Inked Tattoo Aftercare Lotion – Moisturizing Balm for Inked Skin, As Seen on INK MASTER – Hydrating Cream with Grape Seed Oil, Skin Nourishment & Daily Maintenance – 3 Fluid oz Tube (1-Pack)

  • ENHANCE TATTOO VIBRANCY WITH HYDRATING AFTER INKED LOTION!
  • VEGAN, CRUELTY-FREE FORMULA FOR SOOTHING, NOURISHED SKIN.
  • REFRIGERATE FOR A COOL, REFRESHING TATTOO AFTERCARE EXPERIENCE!
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$23.99
After Inked Tattoo Aftercare Lotion – Moisturizing Balm for Inked Skin, As Seen on INK MASTER – Hydrating Cream with Grape Seed Oil, Skin Nourishment & Daily Maintenance – 3 Fluid oz Tube (1-Pack)
7 Tattoo Aftercare Bandages 20 Packs - PEPAX 6 x 4 Inch Second Skin Tattoo Cover Up Patch Waterproof Tattoo Cover Up Tape Latex-Free Transparent Film for Tattoo Healing Protection Swimming Shower

Tattoo Aftercare Bandages 20 Packs - PEPAX 6 x 4 Inch Second Skin Tattoo Cover Up Patch Waterproof Tattoo Cover Up Tape Latex-Free Transparent Film for Tattoo Healing Protection Swimming Shower

  • FASTER HEALING WITH PROTECTIVE FILM - SHIELD TATTOOS FROM DIRT!

  • WATERPROOF & BREATHABLE - STAY ACTIVE AND WORRY-FREE AFTER TATTOOING!

  • GENTLE ADHESION FOR COMFORT - EASY APPLICATION, SECURE HOLD, NO IRRITATION!

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$13.29
Tattoo Aftercare Bandages 20 Packs - PEPAX 6 x 4 Inch Second Skin Tattoo Cover Up Patch Waterproof Tattoo Cover Up Tape Latex-Free Transparent Film for Tattoo Healing Protection Swimming Shower
8 Saniderm Original Tattoo Aftercare Bandage (Personal Roll, 10.2 in x 2 yd)

Saniderm Original Tattoo Aftercare Bandage (Personal Roll, 10.2 in x 2 yd)

  • ACCELERATE HEALING: PREVENT SCABBING FOR QUICK, VIBRANT RECOVERY!

  • STERILE & LATEX-FREE: ENSURE CLEAN HEALING WITH SEALED BANDAGES!

  • WATERPROOF DESIGN: SHOWER WORRY-FREE WHILE YOUR INK HEALS!

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$28.95
Saniderm Original Tattoo Aftercare Bandage (Personal Roll, 10.2 in x 2 yd)
9 Flatoedu Tattoo Aftercare Bandage Roll - Waterproof Transparent Film for Initial Healing and Skin Repair Adhesive Tattoo Supply Wrap, 6" x 2 Yard

Flatoedu Tattoo Aftercare Bandage Roll - Waterproof Transparent Film for Initial Healing and Skin Repair Adhesive Tattoo Supply Wrap, 6" x 2 Yard

  • PROTECTS TATTOOS: WATERPROOF FILM LOCKS IN COLOR & ACCELERATES HEALING!

  • HIGH-QUALITY ADHESIVE: KEEPS WOUNDS SAFE FROM DUST AND PROMOTES AIRFLOW.

  • EASY APPLICATION: GRID LINES FOR QUICK, CUSTOMIZABLE SIZING & PLACEMENT.

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$8.99
Flatoedu Tattoo Aftercare Bandage Roll - Waterproof Transparent Film for Initial Healing and Skin Repair Adhesive Tattoo Supply Wrap, 6" x 2 Yard
10 Mad Rabbit Tattoo Balm & Aftercare Cream- Color Enhancement that Revives Old Tattoos, Hydrates New Tattoos, Made With Clean Ingredients + Petroleum Free, Daily Tattoo Lotion Moisturizer & Brightener

Mad Rabbit Tattoo Balm & Aftercare Cream- Color Enhancement that Revives Old Tattoos, Hydrates New Tattoos, Made With Clean Ingredients + Petroleum Free, Daily Tattoo Lotion Moisturizer & Brightener

  • BOOST INK VIBRANCY WITH OUR ULTRA-NOURISHING BALM!
  • FORMS A PROTECTIVE BARRIER TO SOOTHE AND MOISTURIZE SKIN.
  • ENHANCE AND MAINTAIN YOUR INK FOR LASTING BEAUTY AND COMFORT.
BUY & SAVE
$18.98
Mad Rabbit Tattoo Balm & Aftercare Cream- Color Enhancement that Revives Old Tattoos, Hydrates New Tattoos, Made With Clean Ingredients + Petroleum Free, Daily Tattoo Lotion Moisturizer & Brightener
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After getting a tattoo, it is generally recommended to wait until it is fully healed before entering a hot tub. The healing process typically takes about two to four weeks, depending on the size and location of the tattoo, as well as individual healing abilities. During the healing phase, your tattoo is essentially an open wound and needs proper care and protection to avoid complications.

Hot tubs can pose risks for fresh tattoos due to their high water temperatures and the presence of bacteria. The heat can cause blood vessels to dilate, potentially leading to increased bleeding or prolonged healing. Additionally, hot tubs are not always thoroughly sanitized, making them a breeding ground for bacteria and other microorganisms. These can enter the healing tattoo, causing infections and potential damage to the design.

To ensure optimal healing and to prevent any potential complications, it is advisable to avoid hot tubs until your tattoo is fully healed. Instead, practice proper aftercare, which typically involves keeping the tattoo clean, applying a healing ointment, protecting it from excessive sun exposure, and avoiding activities that can introduce bacteria or irritate the tattooed area.

If you're looking forward to enjoying a hot tub session, it's best to consult with your tattoo artist for specific aftercare instructions tailored to your tattoo. They have expertise in ensuring proper healing and can offer guidance on when it would be safe for you to indulge in a hot tub experience without compromising your tattoo's healing process.

What is the significance of tattoo aftercare instructions?

The significance of tattoo aftercare instructions is crucial for the proper healing and longevity of the tattoo. By following the recommended aftercare instructions, individuals can reduce the risk of infection, minimize scarring, and promote optimal healing. Tattoo aftercare typically involves cleaning the tattooed area, applying specialized ointments or creams, avoiding certain activities or substances (such as excessive moisture, direct sunlight, swimming pools), and maintaining good hygiene. Neglecting proper tattoo aftercare can result in complications, such as infections, color fading, ink spreading, and poor healing, which may ultimately affect the overall appearance and quality of the tattoo. It is essential for individuals to listen to their tattoo artist's advice and strictly follow the aftercare instructions to ensure the best possible outcome for their tattoo.

What is the average healing time for a small tattoo?

The average healing time for a small tattoo is typically around 1 to 2 weeks. However, it is important to note that healing time can vary depending on various factors, including individual healing capabilities, the location of the tattoo, aftercare practices, and the tattoo artist's technique. It is recommended to follow the aftercare instructions provided by the tattoo artist to ensure proper healing and minimize the risk of complications.

What is the difference between a fresh tattoo and a healed tattoo?

A fresh tattoo refers to a recently done tattoo that is still in the process of healing. The healing process typically takes around 2-4 weeks, depending on the individual's healing ability and the size and location of the tattoo. During this time, the tattoo will go through several stages:

  1. Immediately after getting a tattoo, the skin will be red, swollen, and sensitive. There may be light bleeding, and the tattooed area may feel warm to the touch.
  2. Within a couple of days, the tattoo will start to scab over. It is important not to pick or scratch the scabs, as this can lead to the loss of pigment and result in an uneven or faded tattoo.
  3. As the tattoo continues to heal, the scabs will naturally flake off, revealing the underlying layers of healed skin.

A healed tattoo, on the other hand, refers to a tattoo that has completed the entire healing process. The skin will have fully regenerated, the scabs will have fallen off, and the tattoo will look more settled into the skin. The colors may also appear more vibrant once the healing is complete.

It is crucial to follow proper aftercare instructions provided by the tattoo artist to ensure a healthy healing process and vibrant, long-lasting tattoo.

How long does it take for a tattoo to show its final color?

The final color of a tattoo usually shows within 2-4 weeks, although it can vary depending on various factors such as the individual's healing process, skin type, aftercare, and the colors used in the tattoo. Initially, the tattoo may appear slightly dull or faded due to the healing process, but as the skin heals, the colors should become more vibrant and settled. It's important to follow proper aftercare instructions provided by the tattoo artist to help the tattoo heal properly and maintain its color.