Summer is just around the corner and it makes us dream of outdoor activities, barbecues with friends and lazing around in the sun listening to the cool sounds of the ocean waves. It’s also the perfect time to show off your body art as the nice weather means you can trade in your sweaters and jeans for tank tops, shorts and swimsuits.
But for those with tattoos, new or old, the sun can be a cause for concern, including fears of fading the ink or other types of damage. When it comes to your ink, how do you protect it from the sun? Do you really need to wear sunscreen every day?
While it may not be the first thing that comes to mind, tattoos are highly susceptible to sunburn caused by harsh UV rays. Whether you’ve just finished a session with your favorite artist or you’ve had your favorite body art for years and want to minimize fading, there are some facts you should know and steps you can take. Read on to learn more about how to protect your tattoo from the sun.
New tattoo and sun
When you’ve just gotten a tattoo, the first 48 hours are very important. It’s important to take care of your new ink, and sunlight can have a negative effect on the healing process. Follow your tattoo aftercare instructions for the first few days to ensure any open wounds heal properly. This will help prevent scabbing and the formation of blisters on your tattoo. Tattoo aftercare is a separate issue, but by now you know that you should absolutely avoid sun exposure during this period.
Remember that it’s important to stay out of the sun until your tattoo is healed. At this point, your tattoo is still a wound, so wear protective clothing when you go outside, avoid direct sunlight, and avoid using sunscreen products.
As much as you may be tempted to get out in the sun to show off your new tattoo, to stay safe and ensure your tattoo heals properly, it will have to wait. Trust me, no matter how tough you are, you don’t want to go through the pain of a sunburn on top of the discomfort of a healing tattoo.
Additionally, your skin needs to heal by doing its best to flake, scab, and produce new skin cells to create a smooth, even layer of skin for your ink to shine through. You don’t want to ruin the look and feel of your new ink that you’ve invested a significant amount of time and money into. Don’t forget to use a soothing gel on any fresh tattoo to encourage healing and calm irritated skin.
So when do you feel it’s safe to go outside and sunbathe with your new tattoo? Once your tattoo is fully healed (usually 3-4 weeks), you can smear on some sunscreen (SPF) and relax on the beach or in a lounge chair. You’ll know it’s okay to sunbathe once your tattoo looks fully healed and there are no more flakes or “milky” appearance in the area.
This is a “safety first” situation, so don’t rush into the sun before your tattoo has healed. It’s wise to postpone any sun-related activities until you’re sure your skin is fully healed. That’s why it’s usually wise to wait until fall or winter before scheduling your tattoo, so you can be sure it’s 100% healed by the time the sun hits the ground running.
Fade and Protection
It’s best to stay out of the sun while your tattoo is healing. But when it comes to ink that’s set and healed, what can you do to minimize fading caused by the sun? Protecting yourself from the sun is always important, but what role does it play when it comes to body art? Can it really do that much harm to your tattoo?
The short answer is, yes, and here’s why: Sun damage contributes to skin cancer, sunburn, and premature aging. That’s right, the sun is responsible for most of the fine lines and wrinkles that start to appear on our skin as we age. This happens when a combination of oxidation, stress, dehydration, and other factors cause damage at a cellular level, especially in sensitive areas of the skin.
With tattoos, the same properties of skin and the sun come into play, but with the added consideration of ink particles trapped in the upper layers of your skin. Prolonged exposure to the sun will cause your ink to break down more quickly, blurring or fading sooner than you’d like. Some fading is inevitable with age, but with the right protection, you can prevent fading in the short and medium term.
For these reasons, you should always wear sunscreen when you’re outside, and it’s especially important to protect your tattoo from the sun. Applying sunscreen to your tattoo can help prevent premature aging, prevent skin discoloration, and keep your tattoo from fading. Even when the sun isn’t at its peak, protect your skin in the right ways and do the right thing for your tattoo, your skin, and your overall health.
Types of sun exposure
There are two types of UV rays that are the main culprits in causing sunburn and ultimately skin cancer. Ultraviolet A (UVA rays) cause skin aging, while ultraviolet B (UVB rays) are associated with skin tanning. Spending more time in the sun increases your exposure to these types of UV rays, increasing your risk of skin cancer. Invest in your skin early in life to avoid potential painful consequences down the road.
Do you have a friend who won’t let go of their tanning beds? Many people think that tanning beds are safe and different from sunbathing, but that’s not true. Think twice before going to a tanning salon. Tanning beds also emit strong UV rays. It’s no use getting glowing skin at the beach when your skin’s future depends on it. A little sun can lift your mood and give you a healthy glow, but too much of a good thing can quickly go bad.
But wait a minute. What if you just take a quick 15-minute walk outside? Even a short time outside can be damaging from exposure to sunlight. Of course, the longer you spend outside, the more susceptible you are to the sun’s harmful rays, but even a short break from the sun can have an impact.
If you have fair skin or a history of sunburn, it’s even more important to take precautions against sunburn no matter the time or place. Take a step back and apply a generous amount of sunscreen before heading outside.
Keeping your ink beautiful
As many of us know, tattoos will fade over time. We all want to maintain the vibrancy and colorful pigments of our tattoos to avoid the inevitable fading. In addition to your efforts to beautifully repair your tattoo, you should also take steps to protect your healed tattoo. Sunscreen is your partner in the fight against the sun’s rays and will help prevent your tattoo ink from fading.
Taking the time to apply sunscreen to your tattoo will help you avoid unnecessary touch-ups by your tattoo artist. Once your tattoo is fully healed (timing will vary depending on the size and complexity of your new tattoo), start applying sunscreen regularly (SPF 30 or higher is recommended). Make this a daily habit. Cloudy day? Don’t be fooled; the sun still does damage even when hidden. You’ve invested time, careful thought, and endured pain to get a tattoo on your body, so consider sunscreen an investment in your future and thank yourself later.
As we mentioned earlier, the sun is a big contributor to premature aging, fine lines, and wrinkles. No one wants that! It’s never too early to start taking care of your skin, as it’s much easier to prevent sun damage than to reverse it when it’s too late. If you have a highly detailed tattoo, like a hyper-realistic style or watercolor, it’s even more important to care for your tattoo with sunscreen and a nourishing skin balm.
Taking good care of your skin after a day at the beach, hiking, or rooftop party can also help your tattoo heal. Make sure you stay hydrated so your skin gets the moisture it needs from the inside out.
Wash the tattoo area thoroughly and consider using an all-natural tattoo balm to replenish important nutrients like Vitamin A. Ingredients like shea butter and cocoa butter can help lock in moisture in the tattoo area and support the healing process for a healthier tan while limiting the effects of damage.
Ultimately, enjoying your tattoo while maintaining its long-term health requires a big-picture approach to sun protection and skin care, and Mad Rabbit has all the tools you need to care for your skin and tattoos before, during, and after sun exposure, any time of the year.
The Key to Tattoo Sunscreen
What should you look for when choosing the right sunscreen for your body art? Choose a sunscreen with SPF 30+ and real, natural ingredients. Are there any toxic ingredients listed that are hard to pronounce? Ugh… add that to your don’t buy list. You want the best protection for your tattoo. Preferably a clean, effective, non-nano sunscreen to protect against harmful UV rays.
What makes our SPF 30 tattoo sunscreen the best choice for your tattoo and skin? It’s the ingredients that make the difference. This sunscreen contains zinc oxide which forms a protective barrier while nourishing the skin with antioxidants like aloe vera and vitamin C.
Carrot and chamomile extracts support the body’s natural defenses against external stresses and soothe itching and irritation.Whether you’re looking for vibrant traditional ink or detailed, realistic body art, this sunscreen will do the trick.
Remember, the sun isn’t the only stressor that affects your skin every day. This versatile sunscreen will keep your skin fresh and bouncy even on days without harsh UV rays. Pair it with a nourishing lotion and an occasional tattoo lightening balm for a balanced routine that will keep your tattoo looking its best.
Once you’ve found the best sunscreen for tattoos, what’s next? Make it a daily habit. This is essential for best results. Apply sunscreen often, about every two hours. If possible, avoid outdoor activities when the sun is strongest (10am-4pm in most areas). It’s always better to think ahead and prevent damage than to try to repair damaged skin after the fact.
Our SPF protection is designed to protect your tattooed skin without damaging the living art. Mad Rabbit makes tattoo aftercare easy with the best products for your tattoo journey. Protect your skin from the sun and preserve vibrancy and color before you expose yourself to harmful UV rays with our all-natural tattoo sunscreen.
source:
Ultraviolet (UV) and Sun Exposure | EPA
Sun Protection Factor (SPF) | FDA
Sun and Skin | NIH News
Sunshine on a Cloudy Day | American Scientist
