If you can't avoid the beach or prolonged sun exposure, there are several things you can do to protect your new ink. First, wear clothing that offers UV protection over the tattooed area. If there's no way to cover the tattoo, you'll want to apply heavy-duty sunscreen (we're talking 60 SPF or more).
Limit sun exposure: Fresh tattoos should be kept out of the sun as much as possible. UV rays can cause significant damage, including fading the ink and increasing the risk of sunburn on the sensitive skin. Wear protective clothing, stay in the shade, and cover your tattoo with a breathable bandage if needed.
Like everyone here is saying, covering up the tattoo with a thin long sleeve shirt is the best option to keeping the sun off your new tattoo. Anything made from cotton or UV protective beach/fishing shirt will be your best bet. Both of these options should be available to you at a store like Walmart.
Use a Bandage or Gauze: After getting the tattoo, cover it with a sterile bandage or gauze for the first few days. Ensure it's breathable to prevent moisture buildup. Loose Clothing: If possible, wear loose clothing over the tattoo to avoid friction and allow it to breathe.
How to care for your tattoo with second skin. Once I put the Saniderm on your tattoo, leave it on for at least 3 days. Saniderm is water proof, so you can shower with it on, but please try and leave it out of the water as much as possible.
ACCELERATE THE TATTOO HEALING PROCESS – Saniderm tattoo care bandages help prevent scabbing, which means accelerated tattoo healing and less irritation. Less scabbing also means the risk of damaging your tattoo is greatly reduced.
Saniderm tattoo bandage in 8″ x 8 yard roll Clear Adhesive Antibacterial bandage - Walmart.com.
Seal with Clear Nail Polish
Clear nail polish can act as a durable sealant for your temporary tattoo. Apply a thin layer over the tattoo, and let it dry completely.
Easy Ways to Hide a Tattoo
Use makeup to cover tattoos you can't hide with clothing. For small tattoos, place a bandaid over them.
Once your tattoo heals, sunscreen should become your buddy for life! Whether you are at the beach, on a walk, or just working outdoors, be sure to keep sunblock near you at all times and reapply often. I personally use Inkeeze's Ink Shield Sunscreen and it works great!
In traditional tattoo care, covering the new tattoo with a household plastic wrap (i.e. Saran Wrap) is usually the first step in the healing process.
However, if you've had your new tattoo for over four weeks and it has healed, sunscreen is a great way to protect it in summer. Another way to protect your fresh tattoo against sun exposure is by wearing long-sleeved shirts or pants. Most clothing has the equivalent protection of SPF5.
Key Sun Exposure Tips
To protect tattoos from sun damage, always apply sunscreen when the tattoo is exposed. New tattoos should be completely covered while in the sun for at least four weeks.
Keep It Clean and Moisturized
Keeping your tattoo clean and moisturized is always important, but even more so when traveling. A fresh tattoo is vulnerable to bacterial infections, so wash it gently but thoroughly 3-5 times per day using fragrance-free soap and lukewarm water. Always wash your hands beforehand.
Arguably, the best makeup to cover tattoos is tattoo makeup—that is, makeup specifically formulated for tattoo coverage. That can be hard to find, though (not to mention pricey). If you don't have any tattoo makeup on hand, a color corrector, foundation, and concealer will get the job done, too.
Once your pick your medium, let the fake-ink flow. The final touch feels a bit obvious, but adding a setting spray or hairspray over the tattoo will create an anti-smudge seal.
Applying a coat of petroleum jelly can help create a seal over the tattoo and repel water. Water can cause the skin to dry out, which will increase the shedding of dead and dry skin.
"Plastic wrap or Saran wrap creates an occlusive layer over the tattoo," explains Camp. "While helpful to protect the tattoo from infection, a thick layer of plastic wrap prevents the exchange of oxygen and can affect wound healing." The idea is that this keeps all of the body fluids pooling on the skin's surface.
We recommend Aquaphor as the healing ointment for your tattoo. Apply a small amount to the tattoo, and rub it in thoroughly, as if you were applying lotion.
Primarily, Saniderm drastically reduces the risk of contaminants entering the wound site of a fresh tattoo. Wearing Saniderm protects the area from unwanted shear/friction and allows the body to keep itself moisturized. Plus, it conveniently eliminates sessions of washing and applying aftercare to a new tattoo.
You should note that saniderm/Recovery-derm/ Tegaderm are all the same thing, just different brands. Wash your hands and remove the original saniderm slowly, THOROUGHLY CLEAN THE TATTOO WITH ANTIBACTERIAL, FRAGRANCE FREE SOAP.
If you find the tattoo weeps into the second piece, remove it at the next 24 hour period. Then wash the tattoo, apply aftercare if needed, and apply a third piece. This third piece can be worn for up to 5 days. Saniderm should not be worn for more than 7 days total.”
Saniderm's adhesive will not attach to the weeping area (the oozy part) of a tattoo, therefore it can never damage or pull out ink.