Summer can be an exciting time to try out something ‘new’, and for many tattoo lovers, it is to opt for another interpretation of their imagination by getting a tattoo inked on their skin.
New tattoos can appear crisp, vibrant, and impressive, to look at, but if you step out in the sun too quickly, you can end up ravaging its beauty in no time. Fresh tattoos are susceptible to sun damage, and it is vital to take care of them, so they don’t fade, burn, and leave an ugly scar on your skin forever.
Below we mention some useful, sun-safety tips to help you protect your new tattoo from the blazing sunshine outside this summer. But first, let’s discuss.
How the Sun Damages Tattoos?
It is easy for the UV rays coming from the sun to damage your skin regardless of whether it is tattooed or not. The damage, however, increases tenfold if you recently got yourself a new tattoo.
Fresh tattoos are open wounds, and if left in the direct sunlight for too long, the skin around it will not get a chance to heal properly and will instead begin to peel, crack, and form blisters. Too much sun exposure also causes UV rays to penetrate through the wounds, and break up the ink pigment in the skin. This will ultimately result in fading and scarring at the site of the tattoo. Here is what you can do to prevent this from happening:
Keep It Covered
If your tattoo is fairly new and hasn’t yet healed up, then the best thing you can do to prevent it from getting ruined is to cover up and not let it get exposed to sunlight at all. Fresh ink makes your skin incredibly sensitive, making the sun its biggest enemy. But, this does not mean that you can not go out and enjoy the summer. Instead, it means that you will have to cover up your skin when going out by wearing long sleeves or a light piece of cloth. This will allow you to avoid direct sunlight altogether.
Wear Sunscreen
Sunscreens are another top solution for protecting your new tattoo from direct exposure. Applying sunscreen will help prevent your skin from getting blotchy and wrinkly and will also prevent severe skin problems such as skin cancer and photoaging.
Wearing any sunscreen is better than wearing none at all when it comes to protecting your tattooed skin from the sun. Our most experienced artists suggest using a sunscreen that has natural ingredients and has an SPF of at least 30-50 that block 97% of the sun’s UVB rays or using a sunblock that has a broad-spectrum, meaning it can protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Before starting to apply the sunscreen on the tattoo, make sure it has healed. If it hasn’t, then let it get healed first and cover it with a bandage or a loose cloth.
Moisturize Your Skin, Inside and Out
Moisturizing your tattoo and drinking plenty of water should be your top priority after getting a new tattoo this summer. Staying hydrated is very important in hot weather, especially when it comes to clearing and detoxifying your skin and body. Drinking enough water, along with other tattoo aftercare practices, will help moisturize and heal your skin from the inside out.
Similarly, by using an external gentle and unscented moisturizer or body lotion, you can prevent your tattoo from getting too dry. Once the skin around the tattoo gets too dry, it begins to peel off. To avoid this, make sure you always have a moisturizer with you.
These are some of the most effective ways to preserve your beautiful new tattoo in the sun. For more information on tattoo aftercare, visit our website or contact us today at 825-510-5990.