how sun damage affects tattoos and what to avoid
As Summer is finally here and in full swing (albeit British summer so not so bright but alas) these points will need to be taken into consideration when getting a tattoo.
Lets talk about the ways in which the sun can affect your old and new tattoos, and the best way to prevent sun damage.
getting tattoos with sun damage
First, lets talk about sunburn and getting a new tattoo- it is not possible!! If you come for your appointment and are sunburnt in the place you wish to be tattooed, you will be turned away or have to choose an alternative place for the tattoo which is not sunburnt.
If you are someone who has used sunbeds and sunbathed a lot in general in your life, please take into consideration when getting a tattoo that it may not look as appealing as someone with no sun damage, due to how this damages your skin’s texture in the long run and can also make it harder for tattoo artists to work on your skin in general.
The best solution here is to make sure you stay as mo9sturised as possdible and use SPF whenever out in the sun.
a new tattoo and the sun
In terms of dealing with the sun when you have gotten a new tattoo, aftercare is very critical for your new tattoo. A fresh tattoo is basically an open wound, and therefore keeping it clean and using the appropriate aftercare as per your artists instructions is essential!
Keeping your new tattoo protected is very important as if it were to become sunburnt- it can significantly inflame any redness, itching or dryness. it can also even lead to blistering of the exposed tissue. A mildly irritated tattoo can become a weepy, swollen and painful disaster if it is exposed to the sun.
The best ways to look after your new tattoo in the sun are:
Keep tattoo covered up when you’re outside with light (clean clothing that is not itchy or irritating)
Avoid going out in direct sunlight if you are not able to cover the tattoo for any reason.
do not use sunscreen on the new tattoo- its an open wound and the chemicals in sunscreen can be irritating.
Do not go swimming! The sun can tempt you to want to go and cool off, but please try to avoid this as it is the worst thing possible for your tattoo.
long term maintenance
After the few months of getting your new tattoo, you will be able to do ordinary things in your life again, like swimming and wearing the clothes you want to- however sun damage is still a significant threat to your tattoo, and it will be for the rest of your life.
UV rays break down the pigments found in tattoo ink. This will cause them to fade more quickly than if they were protected from the sun.
A sunburn can cause your skin to peel so that it can get rid of damaged skin cells. This accelerated peeling can pull out tattoo ink which will make it look faded.
SPF
Wearing SPF is a very imporatn factor when caring for your tattoos and yoour skin in general. You sholdn’t be afraud to spend a bit more on a good sunscreen and you should make sure it is factor 50 SPF, as this is the best protection against sun damage on tattoos.
avoid sunbeds
Solariums are very damaging to your skin and generally it is recommended to stay away from the but especially if you’re planning to get or already have tattoos.
