In general, you should keep a new tattoo completely protected from the sun for at least three to four weeks.
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.
Sunscreen is your partner in the fight against the sun's rays and helps protect your tattoo ink from fading. Taking the time to apply sunscreen to your ink can help you avoid unnecessary touch-up visits from your tattoo artist.
You need to wait at least 6--8 weeks before you actively sunbathe and even longer to go into a tanning bed, especially if you have light colors on the tattoo. Conversely you can use a tattoo safe tanning lotion that will darken your skin without having harmful UV rays pierce your tattoo and break down the ink.
During sunburn, your skin calls in extra immune cells and fluid to kill off and break down cells that have too much UV damage. This inflammation can affect the tattoo ink deposits. You might not get the look you were after, with too much ink removed by your immune cells or swelling distorting the lines.
At best, a sunburn on a new tattoo will extend the time needed for the tattoo to fully heal. In extreme conditions, it can distort the lines and coloring of the tattoo. Ink loss and distortion is most likely to occur as a result of a blistering sunburn.
Rubbing aloe vera over a tattoo isn't going to do anything other than hydrate your skin.
A minimum of two days and as much as a few weeks are generally recommended to hold off on more moderate and intense activity. Yet even yoga and other low-intensity exercises could be in risky territory if they lead to friction, sweating, or stretching the tattoo.
It's best to wait at least 2-3 weeks (or as long as your tattoo artist advises) before going near a tanning bed. If you absolutely must tan, cover the area with a bandage, wrap, or medical tape to shield the tattoo from UV exposure.
Apply Sunscreen Regularly
The next best option for how to protect fresh tattoos from the sun is to wear broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen. It's best to apply sunscreen every few hours for optimal tattoo sun protection.
Swimming in saltwater with a new tattoo is not recommended. Saltwater can irritate the healing skin and increases the risk of infection, so it's best to wait at least 2-4 weeks until your tattoo is fully healed before swimming.
Use the Aquaphor for the first 2-3 days then switch to a regular FRAGRANCE-FREE lotion such as Lubriderm, or any other fragrance-free brand. 5. Fresh tattoos sometimes “weep” during the first couple of days, meaning that plasma and ink form a thin moist coating on the skin. This can be DABBED with a clean paper towel.
Until your tattoo is fully healed, you cannot apply any type of sunscreen, and it's really best to just avoid exposing the area to any direct sunlight whatsoever. If you plan to be outside in the sun with a new tattoo, then your best and safest protection is to keep the area covered with loose clothing.
Apply a quality sunscreen to protect your sensitive skin from UV damage, a waterproof dressing, and ensure your tattoo does not come in contact with sand. Chlorine is drying for the skin, but applying barrier creams or ointments and a waterproof bandage can help divert chlorine from affecting your new tattoo.
Is it OK to wear clothes over a new tattoo? Yes, but try not to after the few initial days after application. If you do, make sure you change your clothes frequently. In our experience, tattoos can weep onto the clothes and if you don't change them, it can cause infection.
Provided the wearer does not have an allergy to adhesives, second skin is arguably the greatest game-changer in the tattoo industry, making the healing process faster, safer and more efficient!
Most people are advised to wait at least two full days before resuming exercise after a tattoo. However, many athletes choose to wait for two weeks or even a month before attempting to work out. The amount of time you should wait will depend on your unique circumstances.
New tattoos fade very quickly when exposed to sunlight. In addition, if your tattoo has not completely healed yet, exposing the area to sunlight could result in blistering. In general, you should keep a new tattoo completely protected from the sun for at least three to four weeks.
Apply the Aquaphor or Bacitracin 2-3 times a day (Remember, keep it light!) for the first 5-7 days or until your tattoo starts to flake/peel like a sunburn. When the peeling begins, switch to a regular FRAGRANCE FREE lotion such as Lubriderm, or any other fragrance free brand for an additional 2 weeks.
We too were surprised to learn that certain moisturizer formulas can actually have a negative effect on your tattoo. The AAD states that petroleum-based products, like petroleum jelly itself, can actually cause your tattoo ink to fade.
When getting a tattoo alcohol and caffeine should be avoided for 24 hours prior to the tattoo session and 3 days after the tattoo session. Both alcohol and caffeine thin the blood. They both can increase bleeding which can causes the ink not to stay as well resulting in a blotchy tattoo.
Apply a cold pack.
This can help reduce swelling, bruising or itching. Never apply ice directly to the skin as it can cause tissue damage. Instead, put a layer of fabric between the cold pack and the skin.