My Findings on Body Art and Modification

Most everyone who has gotten a tattoo while in their right mind knows the aftercare drill. Rub on the stuff they tell you

This one kept me out of the pool for 2 weeks in June 08

to rub on until the scabbing is done, keep it clean, don’t itch and no swimming in the ocean or pools for 2 weeks or until healing seems to be done. Meaning, if you enjoy swimming, get your tattoos at a time you won’t be swimming, like fall and winter. I do not know about the rest of you, but I have seen some people go swimming in a chlorine filled pool go swimming barely a week after their tattoo is done. So, what I wonder is what are the exact, negative effects that may happen?

Australian Website TattooWorld.au.com says

During the healing process can I :
go swimming?
No. Swimming can expose your new tattoo to elements that are harmful to the healing process eg: chlorine (this is a bleaching agent and can drastically increase color loss), salt water (dries the skin and can lead to heavy scab formation and loss of color), bacteria (your new tattoo should be treated like a wound, exposure to bacteria can lead to infection).

What does salt water or chlorine have to do with a tattoo that is healing?
Both salt water and chlorine can leach the pigment out of the skin, which will compromise the integrity of the colour. After the procedure has completely healed, the client may go into a pool and into sea without complications.

While it is not guaranteed to wreck your new tattoo it is still a good idea to stay out of pools and oceans probably to be safe. I mean, you just paid something that hopefully turned out really awesome, why risk it. Either way summer is a great time to show off tattoos so get you tattoos a few weeks before big beach trips or pool parties or stay out of the water.