Flying With A Tattoo

If you’re considering getting a tattoo while on holiday or just before flying abroad, you might want to know how air travel could affect your fresh ink. In this guide, I’ll cover everything you need to know to make an informed choice and help your tattoo heal smoothly.

Is It Safe to Fly with a Fresh Tattoo?

That’s probably a good place to start. The short answer is: Yes, it’s generally safe to fly with a fresh tattoo. However, there are some essential precautions you should take for both comfort and safety and to prevent any complications for when you land.

1) Healing and Altitude Pressure

A fresh tattoo is, essentially, an open wound, and the change in air pressure on a plane can make your skin feel tight or irritated, which can also be the case if you’re landing somewhere at high pressure like Peru.

Flying can also slow down the healing process if you don’t take care of it properly, as the recycled air in planes is dry and can cause dehydration (a reminder to drink lots of water on a plane, even if you hate the idea of running to the toilet every five minutes). Staying hydrated is key — both for your tattoo and your general well-being.

2) Tattoo Aftercare on a Plane

Tattoo artists tend to recommend keeping fresh tattoos covered for at least the first few hours (I was told a week and stuck to it, but I’ve since learnt nobody sticks to that rule). On a plane, it’s especially important to do the following:

• Protect Your Tattoo: Keep your tattoo clean and covered with a breathable bandage or specialist tattoo film (available from Tattoo parlours or on Amazon). Avoid cling film for prolonged periods as it can trap moisture, leading to bacteria buildup and increasing the risk of infection (that’s what I used, but I’ve since learned it’s not the best).
• Avoid Touching the Area: Resist the temptation to touch or scratch your tattoo, even if it starts to itch. Plane surfaces aren’t the cleanest, and unwashed hands can introduce bacteria. Seriously, it does get a bit itchy, but hold the temptation.
• Keep It Moisturised: Pack a small, travel-sized bottle of your preferred tattoo-friendly moisturiser. Apply a thin layer to keep it from drying out, but don’t overdo it; excessive moisture can interfere with the healing process. I’d say this one is optional depending on how recently you got your tattoo, you don’t need to apply anything if it’s only just been done, better to just leave it covered.

Choosing The Tattoo Placement Before a Flight

Placement matters, particularly if you’ll be travelling with your tattoo shortly after it’s done. Think about where your bags will rest and how you’ll be seated on the plane. For instance, a back or shoulder tattoo may be irritated by a heavy rucksack or the plane seatback, while a tattoo on your leg could get rubbed if you’re seated for long stretches.

If you’re going backpacking, you may want to avoid tattoos on the areas that will be under constant pressure or friction. I got my tattoo on my back (as can be seen in the pics), therefore I switched to a duffel bag rather than a rucksack for my trips directly afterwards, which was frustrating but felt necessary.

Sun Exposure

If you’re thinking about getting a tattoo on holiday, remember it’s highly advised to protect the tattoo from direct sunlight (as with all your skin, you don’t want to be wrinkly in 10 years time). UV rays can damage the fresh ink on the tattoo, causing it to fade or even change colour in some cases (I’ve heard of some go orange coloured). Given that your tattoo is a lifelong mark on your skin, sun damage is the last thing you want. To protect it, you could cover up when outdoors, plus you could use a suntan lotion with a decent level of SPF, but only after the initial healing period.

Avoid Hot Tubs, Pools, and the Sea

Ok, this one sucks, you get on holiday and you want to jump in the hotel pool or swim while on the beach, but these both could cause issues, especially the bleach in a pool.

Fresh tattoos and water don’t mix well. Swimming pools, hot tubs, spas, and the sea all contain bacteria and chemicals that can irritate or infect a tattoo. Even if it’s tempting to take a dip while on holiday, it’s best to wait until your tattoo has fully healed, the general rule is to wait 2 weeks. Submerging your tattoo in water can also draw ink out, which may cause it to look faded or patchy.

Managing Tattoo Pain and Discomfort While Flying

Flying can be uncomfortable enough as it is, and a fresh tattoo can add another layer of irritation. Here’s how to keep any pain to a minimum:

• Dress Comfortably: Forget fashion for a day! Wear loose, soft clothing that won’t rub against the tattooed area. If it’s on your leg, for example, avoid tight jeans and stick with shorts/skirt or trackies if you want it covered up.
• Stay Hydrated: I’ve already covered this, but you want to stay hydrated on your journey. Bring an empty water bottle into the airport and you can fill it up for free at the water fountains they have near the toilets. Hydrated skin heals more efficiently and will feel less irritated.
• Carry Pain Relief: If you’re feeling particularly uncomfortable, having some pain relief on hand can make a big difference. I always pack some, as you don’t know what will be available abroad and how much or at what strength.

Addressing Allergy Risks

If it’s your first tattoo, consider testing for ink allergies beforehand, not many people do but it’s generally recommended, especially if you’re travelling soon after. Finding this out once you’re on a long flight is the last thing you want, so if you’re at all concerned, check with your tattoo artist about doing a small test patch.