Is It Safe To Sauna After A Tattoo?

Whether you’re planning to get a tattoo or you’ve recently got one, you have already scrolled through a lot of dos and don’ts. Moreover, your tattoo artist would also have explained the best tattoo care routine for safe and long-lasting body art. 

But the one question that you may still have is this: Is it safe to go to the sauna after a tattoo? 

In fact, if you’re a regular sauna bather, this might be the biggest question you have on your mind. After all, there are plenty of forums with people claiming their tattoos faded after being exposed to sauna heat. 

And while there’s some truth to the claim, let me tell you that it is absolutely safe to sauna after getting a tattoo. Moreover, if you take the right precautions, there’s no chance your tattoo will discolor after sauna or steam bathing. 

Now, I am sure you’re curious about the best practices for a safe sauna session after getting a tattoo. So, read on as I’ve discussed everything about sauna after tattoo work. 

Is it safe to sauna after a tattoo or not? 
Let’s start with the million-dollar question, i.e., whether or not it is safe to sauna after you’ve got the tattoo. 

A short answer to this is yes, it is safe to sauna with a tattoo. 

But it isn’t that straightforward either, as you’ll still need to take some precautions. That’s because exposing a new tattoo to the high heat and moisture conditions of a sauna isn’t the best idea. 

For starters, your tattoo needs some time to heal completely. And during this time, you should avoid any exposure to water, moisture, heat, dirt, etc. 

So, the fact that your skin, including the tattooed area, is exposed to most of these conditions in the sauna means it’s a no-go area for some time. 

That said, you can go to the sauna without any worries once your tattoo has healed completely. 

How long after a tattoo can you sauna?
Now that you know it’s safe to sauna after your tattoo has healed, you might ask: How long after a tattoo can I have a sauna?

In fact, this is one question that I am often asked by sauna goers who’ve gotten tattooed recently. 

To answer this, I’ll say you should wait till the time your tattooed skin has not entirely recovered. And while your skin might recover early, I suggest you wait for at least 2-3 weeks (or 15-20 days) before having a sauna bath. 

You see, both tattoo experts and skin specialists agree that it generally takes between two and three weeks on average for a tattoo to heal. Not to mention, your skin also regenerates during this time. 

Meaning, you can rest assured of a risk-free sauna session by waiting for a couple of weeks after getting a tattoo. 

Can you sauna before the 2-3 week timeline? 
For regular sauna bathers, the 2-3 week wait period may be way too long. So much so that some of you might even be wondering: How soon can I sauna after a tattoo? 

Now, the good news is that you can indeed go back to the sauna before the 15-20-day period. 

How? 

Well, it is possible for your tattooed skin to recover faster depending on the size and type of tattoo. For instance, a smaller wrist tattoo will heal much faster compared to a full-back tattoo. 

Also, your tattoo can heal faster depending on your body’s natural healing capabilities. 

In such cases, you need not wait for the next 2-3 weeks. All you need to do is consult a skin care professional once you feel that your tattoo has healed. 

And it goes without saying that you can get back to your regular sauna routine as soon as your skin specialist gives the go-ahead. 

Curious if you can go to the sauna while you’re sick. 

You can read my blog - Is It Good To Sauna When Sick? 

How long after a tattoo can you go in a steam room? 
Like saunas, steam rooms also have hot and humid conditions, which makes them unsafe for those who’ve recently gotten a tattoo. 

However, just like sauna bathers, there’s a huge number of steam room enthusiasts who want to get back to steam bathing rather quickly. And if you’re one such steam bath enthusiast, you might be wondering how soon you can take a steam shower after a tattoo. 

Well, even though tattoo and skin professionals suggest a 2-3 week wait, my advice is that you wait for at least 3 weeks before steam bathing. 

You see, as a steam bath expert, I can tell you that the humidity conditions in steam rooms are close to a hundred percent. And this is different from the dry to low moisture conditions in a sauna. 

Now, even if it’s been a couple of weeks and your tattoo appears to be healed, it may not be good to expose it to such levels of moisture. Moreover, exposure to high humidity might even cause it to partially fade and blur. 

So, it’s best to wait for 3 weeks than risk a faded tattoo. 

What are the risks of going to the sauna after a fresh tattoo? 
The one thing we’ve got clarity about so far is that you should avoid the sauna for a few weeks after a new tattoo. 

But why exactly should you do so, and more importantly, what are the risks of sauna bathing after getting tattooed? 

Well, there are two reasons why you should avoid a sauna: 

1. Sauna bathing can risk a skin infection. 
2. Sauna heat will fade the tattoo. 

Let’s have a closer look at the facts behind these risks. 

#1. Sauna bathing risks skin infection 
One of the main risks of sauna that online sources or even your tattoo artist will tell you is the increased chances of skin infection. And I can’t agree more, as it is possible for your skin to get infected in a sauna if your tattoo has not healed. 

How? 

As you sit in the sauna, the warm ambiance induces excessive sweating throughout your body. This induces those areas of your skin where you’ve got the tattoo. 

And excessive sweating through recovering skin disrupts the process of recovery, thus creating the perfect condition for skin infection. 

To add to the problem, the dilated blood vessels in a hot sauna can also cause bleeding around the tattoo, further increasing the chances of an infection. 

Lastly, exposure to high heat also reduces the overall speed of recovery. Meaning your skin, which could otherwise recover in a couple of weeks, can now take up to a month. 

#2. Sauna can fade the tattoo prematurely 
Apart from infection risks, early exposure to the sauna can cause your tattoo to discolor and fade away. 

You see, an electric sauna can be heated anywhere between 150°F and 195°F. And while the same can’t be said for an infrared sauna, the amount of heat your body receives is pretty much the same. 

Now, as your newly tattooed skin is exposed to such high levels of heat, the pigments in the tattoo start to break and disperse. This causes the tattoo to fade and discolor in no time. 

To understand this in simple terms, you can think of it as the laser procedure for tattoo removal. That’s because the hot sauna ambiance works exactly like laser heat for fresh tattoo pigments. 

The worst part: Sauna bathing with a new tattoo can also leave scars around the tattooed area. 

You might also want to read - Sauna For Sinus Infection: Is It Any Good? 

How can you safely sauna after a tattoo? 
While avoiding the sauna for the first few weeks after getting a tattoo is one thing, I also suggest bathers take precautions after they get back to the sauna. 

After all, these precautions only work as an extra layer of protection and help you increase the longevity of your tattoo. 

So here are my top two tattoo care and safety tips for sauna bathers: 

#1. Wrap a waterproof bandage or film around the tattoo 
The first important tattoo care step that you can take when going back to the sauna is wrapping the tattoo. And to do so, I suggest you use a waterproof bandage or film after consulting with your tattoo artist. 

The idea is simple: While your tattoo has healed, it is still better to avoid exposing it to heat and humidity. In fact, this is an essential part of tattoo care, something both tattoo artists and skin specialists agree with. 

Note: It is important to ensure that the bandage or film you use is suitable for tattoos. Also, my advice is that you should carefully read the instructions for application and removal before use. 

#2. Spend less time in the sauna 
My second safety tip is that you reduce your sauna session duration for at least one month after you get back to the sauna. 

For instance, suppose your average sauna duration is 30 minutes. In this case, you can reduce the duration to anywhere between 15 and 30 minutes. 

That’s because by doing so, you’ll reduce the heat exposure of your new tattoo. And this will ensure the tattoo pigments settle well without being affected by high heat conditions. 

Ever wondered about the risks posed by infrared saunas? 

Learn all about the risks and safety tips through my blog - Infrared Sauna Dangers: Points You Must Know to Be Safe. 

Frequently asked questions about sauna after a tattoo

Can I sauna after a tattoo? 
The one question that I am mostly asked by sauna goers is this: Can I go in a sauna after getting a tattoo? 

And the answer is yes, you can go in the sauna after getting a tattoo. 

But the only caution that you should take is to wait for the tattoo to heal completely. And this can take anywhere between 15 and 20 days. 

Meaning you can have sauna sessions with absolute safety after this time period. 

Can I go in the sauna with a week old tattoo?
No, you can’t sauna with a week old tattoo without risking a skin infection or tattoo discoloration. 

It might look like your tattoo has recovered after a week, tempting you to start your sauna routine. Moreover, some online resources might even suggest certain precautions to keep your days or week old tattoos safe in the sauna. 

Nevertheless, I strongly suggest you don’t fall for such temptations or assurances and wait until 2-3 weeks. 

As I discussed earlier, sauna bathing with a fresh tattoo has its own risks. So, it is better to avoid putting yourself at such unwarranted risks. 

Can sauna fade tattoos?
Yes, it can. 

If you’ve got a new tattoo that’s still healing, there’s a good chance it will fade in a sauna. That’s because tattoo pigments disperse in high heat conditions, causing the tattoo to discolor in no time. 

Even worse, the sauna heat can also cause scarring around the tattoo. 

Can I sauna after tattoo removal? 
Yes, you can. 

But like with a new tattoo, I suggest you wait for 2-3 weeks before you can sauna after tattoo removal. 

You see, it takes time for your skin to heal and recover after a laser treatment for tattoo removal. 

So, sauna bathing before complete skin recovery can put you at risk of an imminent skin infection. 

Not to mention, you might even experience itches and rashes almost instantly after sauna bathing. 

Is heat bad for a new tattoo?
Yes, it is. 

Tattoo pigments are still settling in a new tattoo. And exposing it to high heat conditions works just like a laser for tattoo removal. 

Meaning heat in general and sauna heat in particular can fade your sauna. 

Is it OK to sweat after getting a tattoo?
I am often asked questions like: Can I sweat 2 days after tattoo? 

In fact, this is one curiously that fitness enthusiasts mostly have on their mind. 

And the answer is yes, it is okay to sweat after you’ve got a tattoo. However, you should avoid sweating profusely. 

For instance, while you can go for a walk or jog, avoid hitting the gym or going to the sauna. Also, I suggest you cover your tattoo with a waterproof bandage or film when you exercise. 

You might also want to read - Does Sauna Help Detox? 

Conclusion 
As you can see, it is safe to sauna after a tattoo when you’ve let the tattoo heal completely. 

In fact, no matter how much you feel tempted to sauna, it is essential to give your tattoo the time to heal. That’s because it isn’t a faded tattoo that you’re risking but also the chances of skin infections that come along. 

Moreover, it is also important you follow the safety and tattoo care tips after going back to the sauna. 

Want to know more about tattoo and sauna bathing tips or looking to build a sauna instead? 

You can reach out to us!

At Steam and Sauna Experts, we are a leading sauna storefront with an extensive inventory from industry leaders like Amerec, Steamist, and Mr Steam. Also, we boast a seasoned sauna installation team with an impressive portfolio of top-notch saunas. 

In short, we’ve got all your sauna bathing needs covered.