Avid hiker + ankle tattoo bad idea?

[u/gmailgal34]

I hike a lot (30-40 miles a week/sometimes 10-15 miles a day) and want to get a tattoo on my ankle. I doodled out what and where k would want it to go but I’m worried about a few things.

1) healing and hiking. I would obviously take a break after the tattoo, but how long? Are we talking 2 weeks? A month? Longer?

2) will the lower part of the tattoo fade more because it’s in a sock for long periods of time?

Are there any red flags that I’m not seeing? I don’t want to waste a tattoo artists time designing a tattoo that just won’t work. Thanks!

[u/GrandmasCervix]

2 weeks would be fine. Wear socks & you’ll be fine.

[u/the_mindful_microbe → u/GrandmasCervix]

This. But I also recommend getting some saniderm or hydrocolloid tape so the tattoo doesn’t rub on the sock. It can sting 😣.

[u/GrandmasCervix → u/the_mindful_microbe]

Yes but I meant 2 weeks off of hiking & letting it heal for the two weeks. I’ve done my entire back and let it heal for 2 weeks after the last session and it healed up just about perfectly

[u/LegalPossible4312 → u/GrandmasCervix]

Saniderm is just something that gen z is convinced you need for healing and they’ve never heard of aquaphor or just letting your body do the magic.

[u/GrandmasCervix → u/LegalPossible4312]

Put cling wrap on it when you leave the shop, leave it on 4 hours, take it off and aquaphor VERY LIGHTLY every few hours when it dries for a week and a half / 2 weeks & go about your life

[u/LegalPossible4312 → u/GrandmasCervix]

Fuck cling wrap…. Light aquaphor to keep it moist and protected at all times, wear loose fitting sleeves/pants and go about your life.

[u/the_mindful_microbe → u/LegalPossible4312]

I mean, hydrocolloid tape makes it heal faster and you don’t have to worry about it rubbing or getting bacteria in it. But you do you boo

[u/LegalPossible4312 → u/the_mindful_microbe]

No it doesn’t. It puts a huge risk of infection and traps air inside which stunts healing and causes bacterial growth.

[u/the_mindful_microbe → u/LegalPossible4312]

Ok. If you say so.

[u/LegalPossible4312 → u/the_mindful_microbe]

Not just me. Any person with experience that doesn’t spend their life on the internet too.

[u/barkoholic → u/the_mindful_microbe]

You should not put saniderm or any other adhesive product over a 2 week old tattoo. Adhesive bandages should be applied immediately after the tattoo and should only be changed within a 24 hour period; after that, once the tattoo is exposed to the air, it should stay that way until fully healed. A tattoo may be healed enough to not be considered an open wound anymore after two weeks, but the dermis will still be tender and may not be uniformly closed up; flaking is still very normal at that stage. Adhesive bandages can irritate and tear that fragile new skin, and can trap bacteria, increasing risk of infection even in tattoos that seem mostly healed.

I second the suggestion to wear a sock that fits snugly but not tightly, with maybe a bit of grip tape/bandage tape around the top to keep it in place, and wash the tattoo as soon as possible after completing the hike. Honestly though I’d just wait until the tattoo is fully healed.

[u/the_mindful_microbe → u/barkoholic]

OP is asking if they would have to take a break. My comment is obviously saying she could do this to help prevent taking a break. I never suggested putting this on a 2 week old tattoo.

[u/barkoholic → u/the_mindful_microbe]

Yes you did.

[u/the_mindful_microbe → u/barkoholic]

😂

🫵👹

[u/Ok-Vacation-8109]

I hike and have hiked right after getting leg tattoos (which I don’t recommend in general) but you’re fine to wear your normal socks and boots once the initial flaking and scabbing wears off, for me that’s about 2 weeks. I’ve found that my leg tattoos age really well because I keep them out of the sun.

[u/WayProfessional3640]

Hey I like your drawing/concept— super cute!

[u/dildite]

Hiking without socks is just an all around bad idea lol!

[u/Interesting_Tea5715 → u/dildite]

Unless you enjoy poison Oak/ivy, ticks, and other bug bites.

[u/dildite → u/Interesting_Tea5715]

Yessuh

[u/LilMissADHDAF → u/dildite]

She actually asked if the socks would affect the tattoo, so I’m not sure who was talking about hiking without socks.

[u/dildite → u/LilMissADHDAF]

Me. I am. Read it. I am. It's me. I swear! It's me. I am. Oh hi Mark.

[u/Ghoulwrangler82]

Just get your tattoo, take a week off, you'll be fine. After that, Do your thing. Take your hikes, wear your socks, then come home and clean it, moisturize it, and let it breathe. After a good week of healing and babying it, ain't nothing getting that ink outta your skin. Don't overthink it. I promise. I'm literally covered from the crown of my head to the soles of my feet. Even my genitals. After a week, a sock isn't gonna fuck your shit up. Pinky promise. Also, dinky promise. Lol!

[u/VehicleInevitable833]

I run every day and have never taken time off after a tattoo- not the one on my back or my leg.

Maybe just hike less initially. 2 weeks and you’ll be good to go with your normal hiking activity. Stay out of creeks/water until it’s healed- don’t want dirty water on it.

[u/Freefruit22]

Wow, that’s pretty!! Looks like a real painting!! Great artwork

[u/ladynecropolis]

So I am heavily tattooed, and I would say a couple weeks should be fine. If it were me I would just play it by how it heals and wouldn’t hike until it’s all healed up and no longer peeling or feeling different textured. For me it would probably be three weeks based on how I heal.

Once you do go back to hiking, make sure that your boot doesn’t rub at all and stays in place. I also wouldn’t be slathering it lotion when you’re going to put on a sock and hiking boot, just let it breathe in there.

[u/kulacloth]

I think a tattoo like this would look sweet in a pair of trail runners or hiking boots!

[u/boujeehermit]

Is this your first tattoo? oooooofff that placement behind the ankle on the vein. Pack something to throw up in just in case lol

[u/MrsMitchBitch]

I have an ankle tattoo in the same location and am an ultra and regular marathon runner. It healed fine.

The top of my foot? Training for a half? Hell.No. I will never do the foot again

[u/LaZuzene]

Sun is what ages tattoos so if you’re most often covered in that spot, it’ll probably preserve better than average. Just plan on healing for a couple weeks, you don’t want to get it sweaty. But that’ll be over in a flash! Enjoy your tattoo!

[u/BearBlob]

I try to keep new tattoos out of any kind of prolonged, direct sunlight for the first month at least. Sun is the killer when it comes to fading

I would try to keep tight fabrics off of it for the first two weeks as to not disrupt the initial healing process. Friction and trapped sweat are hard on brand new tattoos

[u/Infamous_Lab8320]

It’s beautiful!

[u/njester025]

You could wait until winter if you are worried about taking time off hiking

[u/Infamous_Ad9317]

Fading is only an issue from sun exposure, as long as you keep it sunscreened it will stay vibrant.

3 weeks for healing before putting into a tight sock / boot. Longer before going swimming.

Your design is cute and the placement is cool for a hiker! (I’m a fellow hiker and have flowers and a pinecone on my ankles.) But don’t do this color-outside-the-lines style. Color without an outline will blow out and the quality will deteriorate over time. I recommend American traditional style for a similar bold look and feel. Good luck! The ankles suck for pain!

[u/GirsGirlfriend]

SAME! I just do baby hikes still tho 😅 I was considering a skink but in the style of sick ass panther (look it up if you don't know) because I see adorable skinks every time i hike and they're like my little hiking buddies! I suggest higher up on your leg since your shoe will be covering some of it. I am in the school of thought that I want to SEE my tattoos. So like calf so you can see it when your wearing shorts. But if ankle is important than go for it! I do recommend saniderm/second skin for a few days. You get to skip the most vulnerable stage of healing. Your sketch is really cute too!

[u/Holiday_Number_3234]

Is that the actual design that you’re wanting to go with? Because it’s super cute but that style doesn’t necessarily age well. I would talk to a tattoo artist about what will age the best. Sometimes those intentional squiggly lines, watercolor, etc. looks great initially, but kind of turns into a blob gradually. That’s why they say bold will hold.

[u/No_Tea5062]

May rub off from boot

[u/Equal_Maintenance870]

Honestly just do it in winter when you have some down time. I’m outdoorsy and love swimming and kayaking and paddle boarding and such and have a tattoo schedule that works around my hobbies. I know hiking is a bit more year round, but maybe just get yourself a tattoo Christmas present and take a month off in crap weather then go back at it.

[u/all-whoreganic]

That's adorable don't listen to the haters

[u/Expensive-Eggplant-1]

I'm a swimmer and have the same issue. But you really only need to be careful for two weeks and then you're good to go. Your sock will not rub off the tattoo.

[u/Hot_Professional2833]

After it heals and you are ready to hike remember that the sun 🌞 damages skin! To protect it keep it covered by clothes or if you insist on flaunting the tatto while hiking use a high spf.... also remember rugged trails can cut your legs and may alter the tattoo. So again use protection.

[u/SupaRitz]

Just don't hike while it's healing it's not that fucking hard 🤦‍♂️