Can I Go in the Sauna With a New Tattoo?

Dry saunas are a relaxing way to reap a variety of potential health benefits in numerous areas, from cardiovascular to skin, but one thing is inevitable: You will sweat. While this bodily reaction is typically no big deal and can feel refreshing and renewing in itself, it can become a problem when you've just been tattooed.

Caring for a brand-new tattoo is no easy task, but it's essential if you want your ink to look just as fresh as it did when first done, with no infections, fading, or blurring along the journey. So, to answer the question of whether it's safe to bask in the dry heat of the sauna with your new tattoo, we tapped board-certified dermatologist Anar Mikailov, MD, FAAD, as well as tattoo experts Danielle Skye and Sydney Smith.

Keep reading to learn more about saunas and tattoos, plus where else you shouldn't go until fully healed.

What Is a Sauna?

Originating in Finland over two thousand years ago and often referred to as a bathhouse, saunas produce a dry heat that can be used for both recreational and therapeutic purposes. Most saunas are built from aromatic wood and reach temperatures of up to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. While in the bathhouse, aromatic stones are splashed intermittently with water to produce steam meant to help increase circulation and metabolism.

On a mental level, many people experience a sense of relaxation and peace when frequenting a sauna. If you are under the weather or are suffering from a cold, a sauna might help alleviate your physical symptoms, including a stuffy nose and body aches. A sauna can also help your skin by opening pores and increasing blood circulation, often resulting in a temporarily clearer, more glowing complexion.

Can I Go in a Sauna With a New Tattoo?

Just as you've been advised to keep your tattoo away from moisture, including swimming and immersion in water, you should also stay away from saunas. Your body and new tattoo need time to heal before you expose the skin to excessive sweat and moisture. "[Same as] with hot tubs, pools, or the ocean, it's important to wait until the tattoo is completely healed. You want to minimize any potential to irritate the skin as it's healing, and you also want to avoid introducing any microbes that can potentially cause an infection," Mikailov tells Byrdie.

Potential Side Effects

If you were to use a sauna before your new tattoo healed, against doctor and tattoo artist recommendations, you could encounter a few side effects, including:

• Infection
• Premature peeling
• Redness and tenderness in the tattoo area past the typical sensitivity period
• Color fading
• Ink smudging

When Can I Go in a Sauna After Getting a New Tattoo?

Once your tattoo is fully healed, you can throw some steam on the rocks and enter the sauna. "(How long the healing process takes) is different for each person and each tattoo, but usually, it ranges from three to five weeks," Mikailov says.

Since saunas can interrupt the tattoo healing process, Skye says, "Always defer to your artist’s recommendations for your specific tattoo, skin, and their process." When in doubt, call your tattoo artist or visit their shop for feedback on your tattoo's individual healing progress. You are always better off waiting rather than risking the fading or peeling of your new tattoo. With proper aftercare, your tattoo will remain a beautiful piece of body art that you can wear proudly for a lifetime. Patience is a virtue.

Once healed, you'll want to follow all sauna rules and regulations—which likely include advising no more than ten minutes at a time in the bathhouse—and to avoid use entirely if you are pregnant or have a heart condition. Never enter a sauna under the influence of drugs and or alcohol or on a full stomach. You should also avoid taking prescription drugs until after your sauna session. While in the bathhouse, slowly increase your visiting sessions over time. If you feel dizzy, lightheaded, or sick, exit the sauna immediately.

Is It Safe to Use an Infrared Sauna Instead of a Traditional Sauna?

Though infrared saunas work differently than traditional saunas, using one with a new tattoo is still unsafe. While a regular sauna uses heat to warm the air, which warms your body, an infrared sauna (which works by emitting infrared radiation or light) heats your body directly without warming the air around you. "It’s always best to avoid excessive heat until your tattoo heals to err on the side of caution," Smith says.

Is It OK to Sweat After Getting a New Tattoo?

"Sweating excessively after getting a new tattoo can lead to ink smudging or potential infection, so it's very important to protect your tattoo during the healing process from unnecessary sweat—especially during the first two weeks," Smith says.

If you naturally sweat a lot or know you'll be going into an extra hot climate, there are a couple of ways to protect your new tattoo. First, Smith says, "Consider wearing loose, breathable clothing and keeping the area clean and dry to protect your tattoo."

Skye agrees that choosing clothing that keeps tattoos out of the sun is a great option, adding, "Excessive washing will help protect the tattoo in these types of cases." She suggests cleaning your new artwork with Hustle Butter's Hustle Bubbles ($20) cleanser, as its gentle antimicrobial formula helps wash away any bacteria on the skin that could hinder the healing process.

"Once your tattoo is clean and dry, apply a pea-sized amount of Hustle Butter Deluxe tattoo balm over the tattooed area and gently rub into the skin. Continue to use Hustle Butter Deluxe ($22) daily, even post-healing, for bright, vibrant tattoos and soft, moisturized skin," she says.

The Final Takeaway

Though traditional saunas and infrared saunas promise numerous health benefits and can be extremely relaxing, it is not safe to go in one after getting a new tattoo. Excess sweating, heat, and light can cause numerous roadblocks in your tattoo healing journey, including infection, premature peeling, and ink fading or smudging. Experts recommend waiting to go in a sauna until your tattoo is healed, which typically takes around three to five weeks. However, deferring to your tattoo artist's aftercare instructions is best. If you have any questions regarding your tattoo healing process, contact your tattoo artist or a trusted physician so they can advise based on your medical and tattoo history.