How Long Until Tattoo Can Be In Sun?
How to Protect Your Tattoo From the Sun – @ girlknewyork Wear sunscreen: Sunblock is the number one form of protection for your tattoo. Applying sunblock will help prevent skin cancer, wrinkles, blotchy complexions, and other skin-caused damage. Any sunblock is better than no sunblock when it comes to preparing your ink for the sun, but most artists will suggest using a fragrance-free sunscreen with 30-50 SPF (try to stick to natural ingredients if possible, too).
Whatever sunscreen you would normally use without a tattoo is fine — whether chemical or physical. According to Nussbaum, SPF is a critical part of protecting your tattoo against UV rays. “The most important thing when choosing a sunscreen is to make sure it is broad-spectrum, meaning it protects against both UVA, which penetrates deeper than UVB rays, causing free radical damage, and UVB rays, which damage the cell’s DNA and burn the skin,” she says.
“Sunburns and chronic UV exposure can damage the appearance of tattoos over time and lead to fading, wrinkles, and dullness/dryness. ” Nussbaum also says it’s safe to put sunscreen on a healed tattoo, but fresh ink will need to heal first (instead, cover it with a bandage or loose clothing).
Be sure to reapply your sunblock every two hours to ensure a continuous and solid layer of protection. Cover up: If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of reapplying sunscreen , the second-best option for sun protection is to ultimately keep your new ink out of the sun.
At the very least, make sure not to expose a new tattoo to direct sunlight for the first month of having it—especially the first two weeks. Not only will sun exposure cause the tattoo’s colors to fade, as previously mentioned, but it may also burn your skin and scar it from sun damage.
- Keeping your tattoo out of the sun doesn’t mean you have to stay inside all day, though;
- Maintain your ink’s vibrant colors and linework by always wearing at least one layer while in the sun;
- It can be light—as long as it covers the tattoo design completely;
Get your tattoo during the winter : One of the easiest ways to prevent sun damage to your tattoo is to consider what time of year you’ll be getting inked. Getting your tattoo in the winter will reduce your bare exposure to sun, as chilly weather means more clothing to cover up with.
However, the winter season also means dry skin. If your skin tends to feel dry, flakey, and itchy during the colder weather months, load up on moisturizing lotions. To protect your new tattoo, we love the original, unscented Aquaphor formula.
Slather on day or night for intense moisture and protection. (Or, try one of these tattoo artist-approved lotions ). If you get the tattoo too close to a vacation or beach day, you’ll spend the whole time out of the water with your ink-covered. While saltwater may seem like it’ll help ( chlorine water —not so much), any kind of soaking during your initial healing period may cause infection and damage the design work you paid for.
If you really want to get a tattoo during the summer, at least wait until you know you won’t be going on vacation for a month or so. And if you want to get tattooed while on vacation ? Just wait until the latter half of your trip, so you can still have fun in the sun and worry about aftercare once you’re home.
Moisturize often, inside and out: Nussbaum also suggests moisturizing often and drinking water every day. “Keep your skin well hydrated so that it can protect itself from external damage and maintain your skin’s natural moisture barrier,” says Nussbaum.
She also notes that hydration doesn’t mean more showers, though. “Skip the long, hot showers, which can strip the skin of its natural oils and lead to dry skin, and instead opt for a shorter shower (five minutes maximum) with lukewarm water.
” Check-in with your skin: Another essential thing to do if you expose your tattoo to the sun is to check your skin for any visible signs of damage. Aside from spot-checking regularly for any mole additions or changes (this should be a weekly thing, regardless of the season!), make sure to give your tattoo a good once over to ensure that the design hasn’t majorly warped.
Contents
- 1 Can I tan 2 weeks after getting a tattoo?
- 2 How long do you have to keep your tattoo out of sunlight?
- 3 What happens if new tattoo is in sun?
- 4 How do I know if my tattoo is healed?
When can my tattoo be in the sun?
Sun Protection for New Tattoos – If your tattoo is very new , it is best to keep it completely covered for the first few months if you are going to be out in the sun during the Spring or Summer. New tattoos fade very quickly when exposed to sunlight.
Can I tan 2 weeks after getting a tattoo?
How to Know When to Tan & If the Tattoo is Healed – If the tattoos are healed, you have got fewer things to worry about. Typically, 2 weeks after the tattoo the skin should be mostly healed and going for a tan can then be possible. Though it’s a good idea to wait a bit a longer if you plan on sitting in the sun for a longer time.
How long do you have to keep your tattoo out of sunlight?
Why is it important to protect your tattoo from the sun? – Your tattoo is a part of your body now — treat your skin and your ink right, and you’ll have some real permanent beauty. Fading will, of course, happen no matter what, but whatever defenses you can employ for your tattoo against the sun will save you later.
- ? How important is sunscreen to my tattoo? Very;
- Even minimal sun exposure breaks down your skin and does damage to your tattoo;
- Always wear sunscreen when exposing your tattoos to the sun;
- ? What sunscreen should I use for my tattoo? Look for the term ‘broad spectrum’;
Use at least SPF 3o. Anything over 50 isn’t necessary, after that the protection plateaus. ? How often should sunscreen be applied to my tattoo? Put sunblock on before you find yourself in glaring sunlight, ideally in your house or in the shade. Once you’re out and about, reapply sunscreen every two hours.
? Can I put sunscreen on a new tattoo? Your fresh tattoo shouldn’t be laying out in the sun. Until the tattoo has scabbed and peeled completely (typically 3-4 weeks), it is best to protect your tattoo from the harsh rays as well as the sunscreen itself.
You wouldn’t put sunscreen on a fresh cut so don’t put it on your fresh tat. ? Can I go for a swim with my new tattoo? No! Wait until your skin is done flaking completely, no scabbing and no roughness, and then you’re good to go..
Does the sun ruin tattoos?
UV Light Makes Your Ink Fade If so, in order to keep it in that condition you need to keep UV rays away from your ink. ‘The sun does fade your tattoos,’ says Alana Robbie, a tattoo artist of 13 years in an email to Bustle. ‘UV rays from the sun are absorbed and break up the pigment particles in your tattoo.
What happens if new tattoo is in sun?
UVB rays – UVB rays are primarily responsible for causing damage to the very top layers of skin. UVB rays are most responsible for causing sunburn. Sunburned skin can do a lot of damage to tattoos, especially if your tattoo is new. New tattoos are essentially open wounds that shouldn’t be exposed to direct sunlight until they’re healed.
How do I know if my tattoo is healed?
You will know that your tattoo is completely healed when there are no scabs, the texture of your skin where the tattoo was placed is the same as a similar surface of skin, and the colors on your tattoo are no longer faded.
Can I put sunscreen on a 3 week old tattoo?
When Can You Put Sunscreen on a New Tattoo – Experts advise waiting 4 to 6 weeks before applying any sunscreen on your tattoo. This time is given for the tattoo to heal fully, so that the epidermis recovers to protect the much more sensitive dermis layer of the skin.
Will one sunburn ruin a tattoo?
However, Ray explains, ‘But generally, a well-applied tattoo can withstand several good sunburns in a lifetime. ‘ So if you’ve got a good quality tatt, there’s no need to panic if you do forget your sunscreen on a rare occasion, because your tattoo won’t disappear after one sunburn; unless it’s a white ink tattoo,.
How do I protect my new tattoo in the sun?
Getting A Tattoo In The Summer | How to Protect Your Tattoo From The Sun
Be Careful During Healing – However, coming out of the tattoo salon it is very important to be careful for the first 4 to 6 weeks. There are many risks, starting with possible alteration of the tattoo or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation that causes unsightly dark spots that persist for months and are not easy to get rid of.
During the healing process, it is best to keep it out of the sun. If you have to, double up your protection. Cover the tattoo with clothing or a bandage, and use sunscreen, preferably with mineral screens.
Indeed, unlike chemical filters, they block UV rays at the surface of the skin. As your skin has recently been damaged (by the tattoo needle, itching…) the sun can tarnish or degrade your tattoo. 
Finally, while it is healing, do not go in the ocean and apply reparative care generously. Our Reparative Tattoo Aftercare Cream is perfect because it repairs, sanitizes, and protects thanks to its exclusive ingredient, Alga Sendatu® made from red seaweed. 
.
Can I put sunscreen on a fresh tattoo?
So, the final conclusion would be; DO NOT put sunscreen on a new, healing tattoo. You’ll risk damaging and painful infections and might completely mess up the tattoo design. Wait until the tattoo is completely healed. Only then can you truly enjoy being outside in the sun, but with proper sunscreen protection.
How do I know when my tattoo is healed?
You will know that your tattoo is completely healed when there are no scabs, the texture of your skin where the tattoo was placed is the same as a similar surface of skin, and the colors on your tattoo are no longer faded.
How do I protect my new tattoo at the beach?
Nexcare Waterproof Sterile Bandages – Bandages, $7. 44, jet. com Applying a bandage over your new tattoo prior to heading to the beach is a great way to prevent water, sand, and bacteria from infecting the site.
