Many of the most famous soccer players in the world sport at least one tattoo and while body art was a bit uncommon 2 decades ago, the popularity doesn’t seem to be waning anytime soon, especially among athletes like soccer players.
This article answers the question “Can I Play Soccer After Getting A Tattoo?” by discussing how long an athlete needs to wait to resume training and playing after getting inked. We also discuss various ways to keep the tattoo wound from getting infected.
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Can I Play Soccer After Getting A Tattoo?
Playing soccer is possible at least 48-72 hours after getting a tattoo when it begins to show signs of healing. Timeframes may differ based on factors like the size, location, and nature of the tattoo as well as the player’s healing rate. Avoid playing soccer if the tattoo wound still looks fresh and susceptible to infections.
Tattoos and ear piercings are treated like all open wounds by the body and they can take some time to heal. Playing soccer while the wound looks fresh and prone to infections may cause problems. Always consider the state of the tattoo wound to decide when is the right time to begin playing.
How Long Do Tattoos Need To Heal?
Tattoos can take up to 6 months of proper care to heal completely and the visible outer layer of the skin may take up to 4 weeks to return to normal depending on the location and size of the ink.
However, noticing the ink drying up on the outer layer of the skin does not mean the wound is completely healed. The healing occurs gradually in several stages and each may take anywhere from a week or two to a full month.
The first stage typically takes up to 7 days and involves healing the redness and swelling that immediately occurs during and after the inking. Burning sensations, pus discharges, and pain should minimize over this period as the body tries to recover from the open wounds resulting from the body art.
Flaky skin is normal during the second week after a tattoo and it is not uncommon for the inking to feel itchy which may tempt you to scratch. However, scratching could interfere with the healing so it must be avoided as much as possible, and keeping the skin hydrated with a moisturizer can reduce the itch.
The third to fourth week after getting a tattoo is when the ink typically begins to show signs of drying. Unless the wound suffers some infection, the itching should reduce with each day.
With a layer of new skin covering the tattoo, it might not look as conspicuous as desired but be patient with the skin because it is only a matter of time before the tattooed body part sheds the new skin to reveal the ink in all of its glory. Some form of redness may still exist at this point.
The final stage of the healing process could take anywhere from 2-6 months after the date of the tattoo. The wound may look completely healed but tender aftercare is still required to maintain its appearance and nurse the skin back to its previous condition. (Source)
Is It Okay To Play Sports After A Tattoo?
Nothing bars athletes from playing after a tattoo as long as they wait for at least 48-72 hours before resuming. Playing soccer or another sport immediately after a tattoo is a big no because the risks of blood-to-skin contact with teammates and opponents can be high.
The friction from putting on soccer jerseys, pants, socks, and other accessories may also cause irritation, rub off scabs, and delay the healing process.
Besides, failure to wait for physical signs of healing before resuming play could increase the risks of infecting the tattoo wound which can have a negative impact on your health and delay the healing process.
Can Sweating Ruin A New Tattoo?
Sweat may ruin a tattoo by inhibiting the body’s ability to trap the ink correctly resulting in discoloration and a blurry appearance. Sweating can indirectly ruin a new tattoo by exposing the wound to bacteria and other disease-causing organisms that could escalate the risk of infections.
Infected tattoo wounds take longer to heal and can cause severe discomfort that may delay the player’s ability to resume training and playing. Playing soccer, baseball, or other sports as well as gym visits should be placed on ice until the tattoo is showing signs of healing.
How Do Athletes Heal Tattoos?
Athletes can speed up their tattoo healing rate by staying out of training and games for at least the first couple of days. Following the aftercare instructions from their tattoo artists and team doctors also help enhance the healing process.
A tattoo is treated as an open wound by the body and there’s no magic formula to healing except taking some time out of the game and following the recommended routines including constant moisturizer applications.
How Do You Cover A New Tattoo For Sports?
Sports stars may cover new tattoos with sterile bandages during the first week or so after getting inked. The sterile bandage can be taped down with medical adhesive to ensure it stays in place throughout the duration of the training or game.
This is often critical for soccer and other sports stars that get inked mid-season when permission for more than a few days off to recuperate could be impossible.
Conclusion: Can I Play Soccer After Getting A Tattoo?
Soccer players may train and play 2-3 days after getting a new tattoo as the inking begins to dry up and heal. The wound may require covering during the first week or so since soccer is a high contact sport.
After a week, a new layer of skin should emerge over the tattoo wound to make playing possible without the need to cover up. It’s important to follow the tattoo artist’s aftercare instructions and your doctor’s recommendations to boost the healing process.
Contact your doctor immediately if signs of infections such as smelly discharges from the tattoo appear. You may be placed on antibiotics and other medications to enhance healing from the redness, itching, and other signs of discomfort.