Exercise and New Foot Tattoo?

Question

Hello.
I'm getting a tattoo done on the top of my right foot this Monday and I have a question. I know that it is best to only wear sandals(or have nothing rub on it) and keep it exposed and clean as much as possible. Here is my dilemma though. I am currently training for a 10km marathon that is in a month and therefore am running four+ times a week. Plus I am on a rugby team with practices twice a week and a game every second week. I am willing to keep my tattoo uncovered for a couple days but I was wondering if there was a way that I could cover it safely and still wear runners and cleats so I could continue training and practicing without ruining the tattoo. Has anyone had any experience w/ this?What did you do?What were the results? What would you suggest?
Thank you for your response in advance.

ps. It is not possible for me to push back the tattoo appointment seeing as rugby continues well into fall and even when I'm not training for a marathon I'm at the gym 3-4 times a week

Thanks for everyone who as answered thus far.
I just wanted to clairfy a couple things. I can't push back my tattoo appointment as it is a joint tattoo with my sister who is leaving in a month to live over seas for the next year. I appricate everyones concern and advice telling me to wait. However that is not an opition and I am willing to postpone some of my regular activities in order to get this tattoo. I am not worried about running as I have a pair of sports sandals that I could possible train in that will not rub the tattoo.

I am just curisous as to something I can do to protect my scab when wearing shoes is unavoidable?

ps. I'm curious as to how getting a tattoo in the winter would be better as I would therefore have to wear shoes everyday to protect my feet from the snow?

Answer 1

As cute as tattoos on the foot may be they take a bit longer to heal then most other places that you can get a tattoo, Leg being second to foot. My mother had a tat placed on her second toe a year ago, the skin there is very delicate had has a very very long healing time. My mothers was still giving her problems well into the six week mark. It hurts a bit more there as well, for the bones in the foot are more prominent. She also had a bit of the ink pulled up from her youngest son stomping on her foot while it was scabbed up. You have to make sure nothing comes into contact with it while it is the scabbing faze for this reason. Also when you have walk it pulls on it and that pretty much is the reason why it takes so long to heal. I would wait to have this done because irritating it by running will probably cause the healing to take longer. If you do have it done keep a very good eye on it because as much as it hurts to have done you probably will not want to have it retouched. My mother needs hers redone and she won't go do it. Hope this helps and Good luck to you=)

Answer 2

i cant really answer your question but i was in shock when reading some of the answers. For starters I got my second tattoo on my right foot not too long ago and you do not want to use plastic food wrap on it because it will trap the germs or bacteria in the air on the tattoo for the duration of the aplication and can increase the chance of infection. As for what you should put on it, I found that for a tattoo on your foot, it's best to use a small amount of triple antibiotic ointment, stay away from vaseline for it can suffociate the tattoo. You can still wear your shoes with it but it may hurt at first. Be sure to put the ointment on it and possibly cover it up with a bandage to protect it. It doesnt take that long for it to heal... close to 2 weeks. If you're wondering about the pain, its not that bad, but the closer you are to the toes, the more pain there is. I hope I helped you out some and that when you do decide to get your tattoo that you enjoy it.

Answer 3

YOU SHOULD NOT WEAR SHOES AT ALL FOR TWO SOLID WEEKS! not just when possible or when convenient. if you wear shoes or socks during yoru healing process it is very likely that your tattoo will heal poorly and look like crap. not to mention that you may get an infection from all of the sports activities done. your sweat and other people's sweat and dirt and the constriction of the tattoo will not be good at all. maybe you should consider getting the tattoo somewhere else? if not then obviously you care more about the other things in your life than the quality of your tattoo so you'll do what you want to do. but don't come complaining about your tattoo healing bad and looking crappy afterwards.

Answer 4

It depends on how well it has healed at this point you usually should wait about 2wks for complete healing.If you have no choice and you need to run put the ointment your using AD or tattoo goo whatever it may be then take some saran wrap and wrap your foot (tattoo) then place your sock over it, then tennis shoe. Do not leave the saran wrap on longer than 1 hr because it will need to breathe. Hope this helps!! Good luck on the race!!

Answer 5

I think tattoos on the foot are so cute! I am sorry that i cant help you with you problem. I have heard that a lot of feet tattoos fade really bad because of constant friction. I am not sure if it would be smart for you to get one, it might fade because you put a lot of friction on your foot when you run. Sorry I couldn’t be more help!

P.S. is you DO get it, send me a picture though email, I would love to see it! Good luck!

Answer 6

i have a tattoo on my foot. i also work out 3-4 times a week. you need to air it as much as possible. it will still fade no matter what you do to it. it's also going to hurt a lot! the best advice i can give is to put alot of lotion or tattoo gue on it before you put your socks on, wear soft socks, and don't tie your shoes tighter than you have to.

Answer 7

I have had both my feet tattooed and from my experience you will be lucky to be able to walk properly after about 5 days, let alone exercise!! It will swell up that much. The skin should have healed enough to be comfortable in socks and trainers after about 10 days. You are getting this tattoo for life so please take 10 days out to heal it properly, it'll be worth it!

Answer 8

I would wait if I were you.....I've been doing tats for quite a while and I keep telling everyone that, the winter is the best time to get a tat. Then when the warm weather comes, you don't have to worry about the sun, chlorine from pools, or bacteria from lakes, etc.
No one thinks about tats until their ready to get their skin out for summer.
Now, I'm not saying wait for the winter...........just wait til all
of your near events are finished.

Answer 9

Hi, I have foot tattoos and to be honest the main problem is when it scabs up. if your footwear rubs the scab off before its ready, you may lose the tattoo in that place and it will look uneven and may need re-doing.
Put loads of antiseptic cream (savlon) on it to keep it supple.

Answer 10

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