First and foremost, do NOT head to the beach, pool, or lake without protecting your new tattoo. If you are still wrapped, then cover the area with lighweight, loose, 100% cotton clothing – period. Stay out of the sun as best you can and definitely stay out of the water.
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.
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.
Apply sunscreen generously to the tattooed area at least 15-30 minutes before sun exposure. Reapply every two hours, or more frequently if swimming or sweating. If possible, keep the tattoo covered with loose clothing when exposed to direct sunlight.
A fresh tattoo is essentially an open wound, and exposing it to the elements can increase the risk of infection and prolong the healing process. Additionally, sand and saltwater can irritate the skin and cause discomfort.
Apply a waterproof bandage to cover your ink while in water: "If it isn't possible to wait until the tattoo is fully healed before swimming, then use a waterproof dressing such as Saniderm and limit the amount of time in the water and with the dressing on as much as possible," Dr. King says.
If it's very fresh, you should cover it with bandages and wear loose clothing to protect it from direct sunlight until it has fully healed. However, it would be best never to expose a fresh tattoo to direct sunlight because sunburn slows the healing process.
The Sunscreen by Curology offers broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection. It has a quick-absorbing and non-greasy formula that contains 9.4% zinc oxide, effectively reflecting UVA and UVB rays without clogging pores. This sunscreen can confidently shield your tattoo from harmful sun damage.
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.
According to experts, it is not advisable to use saran wrap on a new tattoo. "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."
Clothing and shade are your first line of defense. Consider using lightweight, breathable tattoo covers or wraps if you'll be spending extended time in the sun. Even old tattoos require vigilant sun protection to maintain vibrancy and prevent fading.
Reliable material: the tattoo cover up tape is made of medical-grade skin-friendly material, safe and non-toxic, soft and comfortable to the skin, not easy to fade or deform, and can be used for a long time. Ideal bandages for covering tattoos.
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.
There is no way to fully waterproof a tattoo, but there are some methods swimmers have tried: waterproof bandages that can fully wrap and cover the tattoo, heavy layers of Vaseline, or even plastic press n' seal wrap.
Apply aftercare cream twice a day for 1-2 weeks (amount of application will vary due to skin type). You do not need to re-bandage the tattoo unless you work or play in a dirty environment. If this is the case, use clean, dry gauze to cover the tattoo. DO NOT USE SARAN WRAP!!
It's best to apply sunscreen every few hours for optimal tattoo sun protection. Sunscreen can sometimes be the easiest way to cover your tattoo if your tattoo is located somewhere you cannot easily cover with UPF 50+ fabric, like your ankles, or feet—as long as you are diligent about reapplying.
KEEP IT SHADY
Keeping your sunscreen handy is a lifesaver, but if you forget from time to time, opt for the shade whenever possible and cover your ink with a towel or clothing if you need to. You may have a funny tan, but your ink will still be poppin'!
You can protect your new tattoo from water with a waterproof bandage. There are a variety of clear, waterproof bandages specifically designed for tattoos that will keep the area sealed and (mostly) free from water exposure. Ensure the entire tattoo is completely covered and sealed before getting it wet.
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.
Ocean and saltwater: The salt and minerals can irritate healing skin that hasn't fully settled. Saltwater requires a minimum 3–4 week wait. Even after healing, limit your first exposure to 15 minutes. Hot tubs: A hot tub session introduces heat and bacterial infection risks.
You can shower 3-4 hours after getting a tattoo, if you have a Saniderm bandage on, however, if you have a plastic wrap wait 24 hours to unwrap your tattoo and shower. In either case, shower in cold or lukewarm water and avoid prolonged soaking or submerging your tattoo in water for 3-4 weeks.
Apply Aquaphor ointment or a specialty tattoo-healing product to the tattoo as needed, massaging a very small amount into the skin to keep the tattoo slightly moist, but NOT smothered. Use just enough ointment to make the tattoo slightly shiny, and blot off any excess.