Can You Swim After Laser Tattoo Removal?

Everyone knows you must wait at least 3 months before swimming after getting a tattoo. It’s required to protect the integrity of the work. But what about when you’re getting a tattoo removed?

Given that you don’t care about protecting a design that you want to get rid of, does it really matter? Can you swim after laser tattoo removal sessions? There are various things to consider before you do. Let’s review!

What You Need to Know Before Swimming After a Recent Laser Tattoo Removal Session

Can You Swim in the Ocean After Laser Tattoo Removal?

Consider a laser tattoo removal as you would any medical procedure. While our advanced dual-laser method is certainly far less invasive than surgery and low-quality systems (e.g., Q-switched laser), your skin still needs to heal after a session.

Generally, after any premium laser skin treatment, it's recommended that a client wait at least 48 hours before swimming to allow the treated skin to heal properly and minimize irritation. However, this varies depending on where you plan to swim.

The ocean is a complicated beast. Given the saltwater composition and greater potential for friction from shore-breaking waves, we recommended waiting at least 72 hours (3 full days) up to 96 hours (4 full days).  If your skin is still sensitive to the touch, wait until it isn’t.

Of greater importance is the bacterial count in the ocean. If you are located near sewage runoff, in any major metropolitan area, or if there has recently been a heavy wind or rainstorm, you need to go online and check the water quality. Each town, city, and community has an online municipal resource with this information. Google accordingly.

Note: Some ocean swimming spots will never be OK for swimming after a laser removal session. For example, Vancouver’s Sunset Beach, English Bay, and Kits Beach frequently have bacterial count warnings and should be avoided for one full month after the FINAL laser removal session is completed.

Can You Swim in a Lake After Laser Tattoo Removal?

The same considerations for the ocean apply to lake swimming. Remote bodies of water in BC forests that have freshwater runoff (i.e. Buntzen Lake, et cetera) can be enjoyed after about 48 hours, as long as your skin is pain and irritation-free. Those near metropolitan areas should be checked for water quality, and because lakes are more stagnant, all urban region lakes should still be avoided for 96-hours or longer after a session.

Can You Swim in a Pool After Laser Tattoo Removal?

Swimming pools are cleaner due to chemical treatments, so swimming should be OK, right? Not quite. Chlorine in the water can irritate your sensitive, healing skin and potentially slow recovery.  Experts recommend waiting a full-week after a laser tattoo removal session before swimming in a chlorine-treated pool.

Do You Have Any Further Questions?

Or are you ready to move forward with laser tattoo removal before your next waterfront vacation or a visit to another swimming destination? If you are located within or are visiting the BC Lower Mainland, you can schedule a FREE consultation at our Vancouver studio today.