Is it bad to get tattoos in summer?

Author: Corene Hoppe  |  Last update: Wednesday, July 30, 2025

While it's fine to get tattooed in any season, tattoo aftercare during the summer has more elements to consider and you should think about how getting tattooed may impact your favourite summer activities until it has fully healed.

Is it a bad idea to get a tattoo in summer?

We all miss the summer, but the heat can make healing new ink so much harder. Sweating a lot can mean your new tattoo is harboring bacteria that you really don't want in a fresh wound, so to avoid any unwanted infections, wait until the sweaty season is over and opt for cooler autumn days to get tattooed.

Is hot weather bad for a new tattoo?

Yes, heat is a concern due to the fact that heat opens your pores and with a very fresh tattoo this could affect your skins ability to heal back over quickly and can expose you for more days to possible contaminants. It can also make you sweat (let's save that for the next section).

Is it best to get a tattoo in winter or summer?

Generally-speaking, Winter is best for large projects because the cooler temperature makes the healing process more tolerable. Fresh tattoos are essentially an open wound, so if you've got a lot of skin vulnerable, you don't wanna be stuck in a heat wave with plasma oozing everywhere.

When should you avoid getting a tattoo?

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.

Getting Tattoos In The Summer Is A BAD Idea, Heres Why

What season is best to get a tattoo?

Considering all that's been said, WINTER IS AN EXCELLENT TIME TO GET A NEW TATTOO . The cold weather creates the ideal environment for tattoo healing and can help reduce the risk of damaging the new tattoo. With winter clothing and less sun exposure, you can relax and enjoy your new tattoo with fewer worries.

Do tattoos affect your bloodstream?

In 2011, in a study in The British Journal of Dermatology, investigators reported the discovery that nanoparticles are found in tattoo inks. Nanoparticles are ultramicroscopic, making them able to penetrate through skin layers into underlying blood vessels and then travel with the bloodstream.

Do tattoos heal faster in summer?

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.

What is the best age to get a tattoo?

All in all, the best age to get a tattoo is when you can afford to invest in a high-quality design you are happy with and when you feel mature enough to know you will be happy with your choice in the long term.

Does temperature affect 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.

How to protect a tattoo in summer?

Avoid Sun Exposure:

Covering up using clothing with built-in UPF, as previously mentioned, adds an additional layer of protection. Plus, keeping your tattoo covered by clothing this summer can also help keep out sand and other particles that may irritate your tattoo and lead to infection.

Does sweat ruin a new tattoo?

Excessive sweating while exercising can break down and fade the ink, as well as potentially lead to irritation and infection.

Does heat ruin tattoos?

You may experience more or less challenges depending on the time of year you get your tattoo. Heat, sweat, and sunlight can irritate or damage your tattoo. It's better to get tattoos during the winter to avoid these issues.

How can I hide my arm tattoo in summer?

Easy Ways to Hide a Tattoo

For a quick fix, wear long sleeves or pants, a scarf, a hat, jewelry, or tall socks. Use makeup to cover tattoos you can't hide with clothing. For small tattoos, place a bandaid over them. If you want to permanently hide a tattoo, get it professionally removed or cover it up with new ink.

Is it OK for tattoos to be in the sun?

It's recommended that tattoos remain out of direct sunlight for at least the first month, but that doesn't mean you're in the clear once that time is up. Sun exposure can still cause colors to fade, which is why it's always best to protect your tattoo from sun exposure whenever possible.

When should you not get a tattoo?

Before you get a tattoo, think carefully about it. If you're not sure about getting a tattoo or you're worried that you might regret it, you may want to wait. Don't let other people pressure you into getting a tattoo. And don't get a tattoo if you've been drinking alcohol or using drugs.

Where do tattoos fade the most?

The locations that are commonly known to fade, blow out, or not heal correctly include:
  • hands.
  • fingers.
  • feet.
  • palms.
  • elbows.
  • armpits.
  • inside upper arms.
  • inside the lip/mouth.

What tattoos don't age well?

Unfortunately, tiny tattoos may not age well. Tiny tattoos are small and have lots of detail in one concentrated space. These intricate details will be lost with time as your skin changes.

Why not get a tattoo in the summer?

The sun's ultraviolet rays (UV) make all these symptoms more intense, increasing the risk of infection. Besides that, the sun can have a major effect on the way your tattoo heals. Excessive direct sunlight can cause pigments to fade rapidly, reducing the much-loved vibrancy of a fresh piece.

Does hot water fade tattoos?

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.

What makes tattoos fade faster?

And the UV frequencies in sunlight are energetic enough to break down the ink molecules over time, so tattoos that are always exposed – such as on the fingers or face – fade quicker than those covered by clothing.

Can I donate blood if I have tattoos?

Yes, you can donate blood if you have tattoos

The same rules also apply to ear and body piercings. Remember, tattoos also include tattoo “touch-ups” and permanent cosmetic tattoos.

Is black tattoo ink toxic?

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), a group of chemicals which are known carcinogens, was found in a fifth of the samples tested and in 83% of the black inks tested by NICNAS. Other hazardous components included barium, copper, mercury, amines and various colourants.

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