In fact, you shouldn't tan after your tattoo until it has fully healed past the scabbing phase. The recommendation of how long this time period is differs, depending on the tattoo studio's advice, with the most common recommendations being anywhere from 8 weeks to 3 months.
After getting a tattoo, it's generally recommended to wait at least 2 to 4 weeks before exposing it to direct sunlight and water. Here are some guidelines to consider: Sun Exposure: Initial Healing (2-4 weeks): Avoid direct sunlight to prevent fading and protect the tattoo from sunburn.
Exposing a fresh tattoo to the sun or tanning beds can cause infection, scarring, and fading of the ink. Be mindful of your tattoo's location: Tattoos located in areas that are frequently exposed to the sun, such as the arms, legs, and back, are more susceptible to fading and damage than tattoos in less exposed areas.
Sunbathing before and after treatment
Well, it's advisable to wait at least 6 weeks before and at least 4 weeks after treatment.
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.
At MINIMUM two weeks but three is ideal. If it's still peely I would not reccomend tanning.
Don't tan with a new tattoo
In fact, you shouldn't tan after your tattoo until it has fully healed past the scabbing phase. The recommendation of how long this time period is differs, depending on the tattoo studio's advice, with the most common recommendations being anywhere from 8 weeks to 3 months.
If sun exposure is unavoidable, whether it's because of your job or any other reason before or after your treatment, then try to keep your tattoo covered as much as possible when outside. Depending on the location of your tattoo, you can do this with loose clothing or even a bandaid.
There is also a chance that a blackout tattoo could affect vitamin D synthesis, Leger says, i.e. your body's ability to get and break down vitamin D from sun exposure.
Consider Alternative: Spray Tanning and Lotions
If you love your tattoos and want to avoid the risks that come with tanning beds, spray tanning and self-tanning lotions are fantastic alternatives. These options give you the bronzed glow you're after without exposing your ink to UV rays.
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.
Tanning beds are NOT safer than the sun.
Science tells us that there's no such thing as a safe tanning bed, tanning booth, or sun lamp. Indoor tanning can increase the risk of developing the two most common types of skin cancer — squamous cell carcinoma by 58% and basal cell carcinoma by 24%.
Sunscreen is going to be your best friend when it comes to protecting your tattoo in the tanning bed. Visiting a tanning bed will fix your paleness, but it may also cause your healed tattoo to fade. Taking a cotton swab and applying sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher, on the tattoo can help prevent it from fading.
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.
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.
Can I Go to the Tanning Bed after I Have My Tattoo Removed by Laser? It is not recommended to go tanning at a sunbed following your treatment because of a chance of additional pigmentation if you need to undergo additional treatments. You may also experience discoloration of the treated area.
You shouldn't wear sunscreen for the first four weeks after getting a tattoo. 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.
Tattoos typically take two to four weeks to heal on the surface, but it can take three to six months to fully heal. The tattoo healing process typically involves a week of redness and oozing, followed by two to three weeks of itchiness and peeling. After about a month, the skin still internally heals.
Avoid fake tanning over healing tattoos. Allow 2/3 weeks for tattoo to heal before applying any fake tan or having a spray tan. The chemicals can cause reactions to the skin and healing tattoo, leading to touch ups being needed or worse case scenario infection in the tattoo.
Eaves recommends allowing your new tattoo anywhere between two weeks to a month to fully heal before shaving (you can find his tattoo aftercare tips here) — this means no scabbing, peeling or shininess on or around the site of the tattoo. Once your tattoo is fully healed, however, shave as your heart desires.
While spray tanning can darken light-colored or delicate tattoos, the effects are only temporary and can be wiped off after your session. If you do not want your tattoo exposed to a sunless tanner, cover it as best as possible or just avoid that area of the body.
“A good rule of thumb is to wait at least 48 hours after getting a tattoo before engaging in any physical activity,” shares board-certified, New York City-based cosmetic dermatologist Michele Green, MD, who offers laser tattoo removal at her practice.