It’s summer, it’s hot, and your tattooed body is even hotter. It goes without saying that you shouldn’t hide your beautiful tattoos under your clothes! However, tattooed skin is extremely sensitive to the sun. This is especially true for designs that have just been inked. Make sure your skin stays healthy! Protect your tattoo in the summer! We’re going to tell you what you need to keep in mind when it comes to the sun and tattoos.
The sun and tattoos – what exactly happens?
High levels of sunlight are the main cause of tattoo fading. This is because it causes the pigments to fade. You’ve probably noticed this with your outdoor furniture and T-shirts—anything that sits or hangs in the sun for a long time loses its color. The same thing will happen to your tattoo.
UVA and UVB rays can penetrate deep into the layers of your skin. As a result, photochemical processes are triggered that break down pigments. Less pigment means less color intensity. Under the influence of UV rays, collagenase—an enzyme that breaks down collagen fibers in the skin—is produced. Consequently, the skin becomes drier and less elastic. This also accelerates the aging process of your tattoo.
It is best not to expose freshly inked tattoos to the sun at all. Once they have healed, tattoos can be exposed to the sun, but you should always apply a special sunscreen to them.
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Tips for applying sunscreen to tattoos
Effective sun protection is extremely important for your tattoo. Please note once again that only fully healed tattoos can be exposed to the sun. For this reason, you should only apply sunscreen to fully healed tattoos.
Make sure to use a high sun protection factor (SPF 50+). This is also important if your skin is darker or already tanned. Apply sunscreen generously to your tattoo and reapply it several times a day. This applies not only when you’re spending a lot of time in the sun at the beach, but also when you’re playing volleyball in the park with friends, going for long walks with your dog, or strolling through pedestrian zones with your girlfriend.
The sun dries out your skin. That's why you need to moisturize it in the evening. Ideally, you shouldn't just use after-sun lotion, but a special tattoo care product.
Freshly inked tattoos – best to avoid the sun
If your tattoo has healed completely, you can go out in the sun about eight weeks after getting it. Before that, you should definitely avoid doing so. This is because you must not apply sunscreen to open wounds—it should only be applied once the tattoo has completely healed.
Direct sunlight is not good for a fresh tattoo. Cover your tattoo with loose-fitting clothing. The sun and tattoos simply don’t mix, which is why you should also avoid swimming outdoors. Since open wounds can easily become infected, taking a bath at home is not a good idea either, and indoor pools are also off-limits. It’s best to avoid tanning beds.
Swimming or the tanning bed – not so easy!
Wait until your tattoo has completely healed before swimming. The healing time varies from person to person, but it usually takes about six weeks. If you want to be on the safe side (and this is what we recommend), wait eight weeks after getting the tattoo before swimming again. This applies to outdoor pools, indoor pools, the ocean, and lakes, as well as your home pool and bathtub. Chlorine and salt water irritate the skin and cause the ink to fade. Tap water also contains chlorine.
You should also avoid going to the tanning salon if your tattoo hasn't fully healed yet. The sun and tattoos don't mix well because of high UV radiation, and tanning beds emit UV radiation as well. Artificial light sources emit a particularly high amount of UV radiation, which can severely damage tattoos.
Is getting a tattoo risky in the summer?
With freshly inked tattoos, you should avoid wearing tight clothing over them. Open wounds heal best in the fresh air, so you might conclude that summer is the best time of year to get a new tattoo.
No, it’s actually the opposite. Every tattoo is a large open wound. High temperatures and sweating don’t help the healing process. Getting a tattoo causes circulatory problems for many people due to the pain, and summer temperatures make this much worse. Therefore, summer is a bad time for large tattoos in particular.
The sun and tattoos don't mix either. Do you really want to give up swimming outdoors and sunbathing for two whole months? Get your tattoo in the fall or spring instead. The milder temperatures are still perfect for wearing loose, light clothing, and your tattoo will heal better.