Tattoos and the sun…
Protecting our skin from sun damage is important, whether you have tattoos or not. But sun safety is especially important if you’re tattooed - get sun smart - read our tips below for how to protect new and existing tattoos when heading outdoors for fun in the sun!
Getting a new tattoo is exciting, and we invest a lot of time and money into our tattoos. We want to preserve our tattoos and keep them looking great for as long as we can.
All tattoos fade to some degree over time, but UV is the biggest killer for a new tattoo and can also fade existing tattoos a lot quicker if care isn’t taken to look after your skin in the sun, on sun-beds and while you’re on holiday.
How to plan for your appointment during the holiday season and how to look after your tattoos during the summer months/year-round:
• Before your appointment: make sure you take good care of your skin, especially the area to be tattooed. If you arrive to your appointment with sun damaged/peeling skin, or sunburnt skin, we cannot tattoo you. Don’t risk being turned away and losing your deposit! Try to stay out of the sun and sun-beds at least a week before to reduce damage to your skin. Stay hydrated and slather on that factor 50!
• Healing period: the first two weeks are crucial for healing and avoiding the risk of infection. The healing period varies person to person and also depends on the saturation of ink and the size of your tattoo. You need to keep your new tattoo clean, moisturised and avoid submerging it in water, to heal properly. We recommend you plan in at least two weeks, minimum (ideally longer, especially if your new tattoo is large, highly saturated or full colour) before going on holiday after your tattoo and be sure to follow the aftercare instructions given by your artist carefully.
• UV rays: are the biggest killer for a new tattoo, and fade existing tattoos quickly if you don’t look after your skin in the sun or on sun-beds. Do not expose your new tattoo to the sun or a sun-bed whilst your tattoo is healing. You should not apply sun screen to a healing tattoo - keep it out of the sun/UV or wear loose, light clothing over your tattoo if you need to be outside. Too much direct sunlight or UV rays over time results in faded tattoos. To prevent this, make sure you use a high factor SPF on your skin, especially on your tattoos (once healed).
• Colour tattoos: bright and colourful tattoos look amazing and we want to keep them looking that way for as long as possible. Colour tattoos are also at risk of fading a lot quicker than black and grey tattoos. If you have any colour in your tattoos, sun exposure will lead to the tattoo fading if you don’t take precautions to protect your skin. Use a high factor sun screen (on healed tattoos only) to help keep the colours looking vibrant and to make sure it is protected from damaging UV rays.
• The sea and swimming pools: avoid submersing your new tattoo in water, such as pools, baths, the sea or spas, as this will affect the healing process and can risk potential infection. You also want to avoid getting sand and grit into a healing tattoo - so plan ahead if you’re off to the beach!
• Final note: although UV rays are highest during the summer months, we are still exposed to UV damage on cloudy days and throughout the year. So, the best advice is to keep new tattoos completely out of the sun/UV, water and away from sand and grit (never apply sun screen to a healing tattoo) - if you need to be outside during healing time, keep the area covered with loose, clean clothing. For healed tattoos… get that factor 50 on… year round!
Planning ahead can avoid the buzz kill… and hopefully save your deposit, and your tattoos!
We hope this information has been helpful. If there is anything you’re unsure of, you can ask your artist how best to care for your new (and old!) tattoo/s.
