New tattoo... how long until I can roll again?

S

String Bean

Yellow Belt
@Yellow
Joined
Aug 10, 2008
Messages
169
Reaction score
0
Hey guys. I'm sorry if this question has already been asked. I searched the forums for a bit and found nothing.

I recently got a new tattoo. Naturally, I expected some downtime to allow the tattoo to heal properly. How much downtime is appropriate?

I figured that I would wait until the scabbing heals over completely (1-2 weeks), but I don't know if i should wait longer. I wouldn't want to do some rolling with anyone is my tattoo isnt completely safe and sanitary for my partners (nor would I want to roll if I thought the tattoo was at risk).

I'm sure alot of people here have some experience with new tats and BJJ, so please share your thoughts and opinions. Basically, I'm hoping that someone can convince me to get back to training ASAP :icon_lol:

Thanks.
 
String Bean said:
nice one. got me for about 2 seconds.
Click to expand...

Yeah. Wait until it's healed (not scabbed over). Otherwise, you can:

a. Mess up the ink.

b. You'll be even more susceptible to infection.

Shouldn't be terribly long though...two or three weeks tops.
 
After mine it took about two weeks for it to heal fully but I went after a week and it was ok. Mine isn't too intricate, though so I mightn't have noticed any blurring.

I guess it depends on how big your tattoo is, how intricate it is and how fast you heal.
 
Mr. Switch said:
After mine it took about two weeks for it to heal fully but I went after a week and it was ok. Mine isn't too intricate, though so I mightn't have noticed any blurring.

I guess it depends on how big your tattoo is, how intricate it is and how fast you heal.
Click to expand...

Also, where is the tat? Some places experience more friction than others during a roll. For instance, if it's on your back...just wait.
 
I had 9 hours done on my ribs and it won't mess up the ink at all to roll, might be a little sore though. I was ignorant to roll with fresh ink.

However, There is nothing but infection rolling around on mats and unwashed gi's. So imagine you getting a nice ring worm or staph in that brand new beautiful piece of ink that swells up and scars over and now you really can't tell what it is......wait until it's 100% healed. trust me. My friend got a tat and rolled and got staph in it and now it looks jacked up!

Just remember it's one big open wound.
 
something i have to recommend is a product called aquaphor. wash your tattoo gently with a warm washcloth and apply a thin layer of aquaphor a couple to a few times a day and it will heal nicely and quickly. it also cuts down on the scabbing and allows the tattoo to heal smoother.
 
Jagcorps_esq said:
Yeah. Wait until it's healed (not scabbed over). Otherwise, you can:

a. Mess up the ink.

b. You'll be even more susceptible to infection.

Shouldn't be terribly long though...two or three weeks tops.
Click to expand...

You're not gonna mess up the ink, once it's in the skin for a couple of days, it's in. Your risk would be scarring and not allowing it to heal properly. But the ink itself isn't gonna get messed up.

I got a fairly large one on my shoulder a few weeks ago. For a few days it was completely sore and I couldn't even think about training. 3-4 days after getting it, I went in to teach a beginners class that I usually assist with, but I didn't roll or train with anyone, I just lightly showed a technique. After about 5 days I came in to class, but I wore a rash guard under the gi, and took it easy. Then day by day I gradually stepped it up little by little. Tattoo came out just fine. Main things you have to worry about is putting the appropriate cream on it, and keeping it clean.
 
SuperSuperRambo said:
You're not gonna mess up the ink, once it's in the skin for a couple of days, it's in. Your risk would be scarring and not allowing it to heal properly. But the ink itself isn't gonna get messed up.
Click to expand...

Poorly worded on my part. You can scar the skin, which is going to mess up the look of the tat. I've seen this in BJJ and in other instances (motorcycle scarring...football scarring). I would think that the skin is more susceptible to scarring while it's still scabbed over.

Would you agree with that statement?
 
Jagcorps_esq said:
Poorly worded on my part. You can scar the skin, which is going to mess up the look of the tat. I've seen this in BJJ and in other instances (motorcycle scarring...football scarring). I would think that the skin is more susceptible to scarring while it's still scabbed over.

Would you agree with that statement?
Click to expand...

Definitely.

Personally I've never had my tattoo scab over at all.
 
I usually wait a couple days and just wrap it up with a bandage and some A&D ointment.
 
I had one on my back, and I waited about three weeks before I got back on the mat cause I didn't wanna mess it up. A guy at my gym his is all messed up cause he started rolling before it was healed.
 
If it's one the ribs, two or three weeks minimum. Do not get it infected. I repeat: DO NOT GET IT INFECTED.

Work on your hands and your cardio.
 
I was back on the mat the very next day. It just feels like a brutal sunburn. I had mine covered with plastic wrap so it didn't irrate any forming scabs too bad.
 
I have 9 tattoos, some are quite large. 10-14 days before you get on the mat again (I'd wait 14), do not start rolling any sooner. Aquaphor is definitely the way to go, too.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
1,280,617
Messages
58,305,376
Members
176,000
Latest member
Furigo94

Share this page

Back
Top