Is it better to get tattoos in the summer or winter?

Author: Sydnee Goldner  |  Last update: Wednesday, July 30, 2025

In addition to avoiding water submersion, sweat also factors into why you should get tattooed in the winter. With lower temperatures, we're not working up a sweat walking from work to the car, which means sweat won't have damaging effects on your fresh tattoo.

What is the best time of the year 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.

Is winter a good time to get a tattoo?

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 not get tattoos?

It's not so much a chronological age as it is a quality of skin. You've heard the term ``thin skinned''. Well, quite literally as we get older out skin loses elasticity and become fragile. You do not want to get a tattoo if your skin is going to crack and break. There is no specific age when that happens.

Does temperature affect tattoo healing?

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).

WHY Winter's the BEST TIME to get a TATTOO

Is it good to get a tattoo in the summer?

The Risks Associated with Getting a Tattoo during Summer

At the same time, there are higher chances of infections when the fresh tattoo is exposed to the sun. In case you go to the beach, the sand, salty water and bacteria will be horrendous as your tattoo is healing.

Do tattoos heal faster in winter or summer?

During the warm summer months, a tattoo can be damaged by things like days at the beach in extreme sun. In the winter, a tattoo is covered up, and this can make it possible for a tattoo to heal faster.

Where should you avoid getting tattoos?

So what are the worst places to get a tattoo on the body? Areas like the feet, hands, stomach, chest, elbow, lips, and inner ear are not good tattoo locations. It's essential to consider a few things when choosing a proper placement, such as pain intensity, practicality, and visibility.

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.

Do tattoos hurt more in winter?

Since the wintertime comes with less sunlight, tattoo clients will experience less pain. Sunlight is also detrimental to a tattoo in other ways. UV rays will cause the pigment from your tattoos to fade, which can impact the final result of a healed tattoo.

What age do tattoos fade?

When done properly, a tattoo should show only a slight amount of settling within the first 6 months, which is totally normal. Depending on the style, location and lifestyle, a tattoo could show some early signs of fading in as early as 2-5 years although most tattoos won't show significant fading for 10-20 years.

What is tattoo slow season?

These slow periods, often seen as a challenge, are in fact hidden opportunities for growth and rejuvenation. While the tattoo slow season is typically thought of as the winter months, a periodic slow down in tattoo activity can happen anytime.

Why is it better to get a tattoo in the winter?

Less Exposure = the Best Time to Get a Tattoo

If you're bundling up in the winter, you're giving your healing tattoo extra protection with every layer you add. This includes exposure to sunlight as well as germs, dirt, physical contact with other people, and the general grime we encounter on a daily basis.

Where do tattoos age the best?

Tattoo Placements That Age Well

The upper arm, back, and chest are prime real estate.

What tattoo fades in a year?

How long do Ephemeral tattoos last for? Ephemerals are designed to last up to three years. 8% of clients can expect their tattoos to fade within one year, 76% within two years, and 98% within three years.

When should you not get 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.

Where do tattoos last the longest?

Areas less likely to fade
  • Ribs.
  • Torso.
  • Upper thigh.
  • Butt.
  • Back.
  • Back of neck or behind your ears, if you have long hair.
  • Any areas exposed to sunlight less often.

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.

What is the most regretted tattoo?

The types of tattoos people regret most are lettering/script (19%), symbols (16%), names (12%), animal designs (10%) and tribal tattoos (9%).

What is the downside of tattoos?

Tattoo ink can cause allergic skin reactions, such as an itchy rash at the tattoo site. This can happen even years after getting a tattoo. Red ink tends to be more prone to allergic reactions that other tattoo ink colors. Skin infections.

Is it smart to 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.

Is AC bad for tattoos?

A: Yes, air conditioning can dry out the air in a room and potentially lead to skin dryness. This may be particularly concerning for those with fresh tattoos, as dry skin can hinder the healing process and cause irritation.

Are hot or cold showers better for tattoos?

Use lukewarm or cold water, and keep the tattoo from heavy shower flow, instead opting to gently rinse the area of your tattoo. Make sure the bandage is secured to your skin before you expose it to water pressure from the shower.

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