TATTOO SUNSCREEN 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!
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.
To protect a tattoo from fading, it's advisable to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF on the tattooed area when exposed to the sun, and to avoid excessive sun exposure whenever possible.
It's generally not recommended to tan with a new tattoo. Here are a few reasons why: Healing Process: A new tattoo is essentially an open wound that needs to heal. Sun exposure can irritate the skin and delay the healing process. Fading: UV rays can cause the ink in your tattoo to fade.
It's better to wait two months, because the dermis will take one to two months to heal perfectly. In the meantime, the best thing to do is to cover your tattoo or apply a bandage to it - even on a terrace.
Avoid Sun Exposure:
Staying in the shade or bringing an umbrella are great ways to protect your new tattoo from the sun. Covering up using clothing with built-in UPF, as previously mentioned, adds an additional layer of protection.
If you do not have Saniderm on: Step 1: Wash tattoo with lukewarm water and non-scented antibacterial soap, using only your hands, do not use any scrubbers or washcloths. Wash until the tattoo is completely clear of blood and plasma.
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.
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.
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.
Black ink tends to outlast any other color because it is super pigmented. Other darker colors like dark blue, dark green, gray, and dark purple will have a similar lifespan to black ink. Lighter inks like yellows, reds, oranges, whites, and any pastel tones tend to fade a bit more quickly than darker inks.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tattoos on the arms, upper torso, and areas that receive direct sun exposure tend to fade the fastest over time. 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.
How to waterproof a tattoo for swimming. If you have to go swimming, you should make sure your tattoo is fully covered with a waterproof dressing, plus you can add some Vaseline too. Once you're out of the water, it's best to remove the dressing straight away and rinse the tattoo with warm, fresh water.
Since oxygen itself plays a huge role in allowing the skin to heal properly, covering a new tattoo in plastic wrap or smothering it in petroleum-based products that limit oxygen supply can further complicate the healing process.
Saniderm does not contain any kind of sun protection, so you should avoid prolonged sun or UV ray exposure. In fact, we do not recommend exposing your new tattoo to sun or UV rays, with or without Saniderm. And, even after your tattoo is fully healed, it's important to continue to use sun protection.