The heat can cause your skin to dry out, which in turn can affect the healing process and the overall look of your tattoo.
Heat itself won't affect your tattoo, other than making it more uncomfortable, but more sweat will get in the tattoo, so maybe wash it slightly more often, and definitely after any strenuous activity.
The general recommendation is to wait at least two to four weeks before immersing your tattoo in water, particularly in a hot tub.
As soon as the ink has settled inside your skin, then small influences like cold temperature doesn't effect it much anymore. Only your body's immune system, scarring of the skin or light breaking down the ink particles can damage the quality of the tattoo.
Extreme heat can cause pigment separation, while freezing temperatures can alter the consistency of the carrier solution. Exposure to Light: Direct sunlight and UV exposure can degrade the pigments in tattoo ink, causing them to fade or lose vibrancy over time.
Lukewarm water is ideal. Hot water may irritate the skin, while ice-cold water can slow the healing process. Wash your tattoo gently twice a day for the first two weeks to remove plasma, excess ink, and bacteria.
By getting your tattoo in spring or summer, you will miss out on the benefits that come with getting tattooed in the winter. At the same time, there are higher chances of infections when the fresh tattoo is exposed to the sun.
Sun Protection for New Tattoos
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.
It's generally recommended to wait at least 24 hours before jumping into the shower. This initial waiting period gives your skin time to begin healing. When you do shower, try to minimize direct contact with the tattooed area and limit its exposure to water.
Without proper care, your tattoo could get infected, fade, or lose its sharpness. This is especially true for tattoos in the summer when your skin is exposed to UV rays, heat, and moisture, all of which can slow down healing.
If you're outdoors, seek shade or cover your tattoo with loose-fitting, breathable clothing. Fabrics like cotton are preferable as they allow air circulation while providing protection from UV rays. Next, sunscreen is your best friend.
Dry skin can make a tattoo look blurred or faded. Keeping your skin moisturized is your best bet for a fresh look. While you can buy lotions that are marketed as tattoo lotions, you don't need to spend the extra money. Avoid lotions with additives and fragrances, which can dry out your skin.
Hot water opens the pores on your skin and causes more ink to seep out, which can also cause fading and blurring of your tattoo. While you shower after a tattoo, refrain from keeping the main flow of the water on your tattooed area; instead, rinse gently with your finger tips and the shower will not hurt.
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.
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.
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.
Avoid Summer Heat: - Sun Exposure: Fresh tattoos should be kept out of direct sunlight to prevent fading and damage. Excessive sweating can also affect the healing process.
If you have a medical problem such as heart disease, allergies, diabetes, skin problems like eczema or psoriasis, a weak immune system, or a bleeding problem, talk to your doctor before getting a tattoo. Also, if you get keloids (an overgrowth of scar tissue) you probably should not get a tattoo.
Hot and Humid Weather Tattoo Aftercare Hot and humid weather, with temperatures above 30°C (86°F) and high humidity levels, can complicate the tattoo healing process. Excessive heat can increase sweating, which may introduce bacteria to the tattooed area, raising the risk of infection.
Heat, sweat, and sunlight can irritate or damage your tattoo. It's better to get tattoos during the winter to avoid these issues.
In the immediate aftermath, and for the next few days, the site of a new tattoo can feel stingy and sore, maybe a bit like sunburn or a light graze. Slight inflammation and soreness is normal for skin that has been broken and needs to heal.