How Long Can A New Tattoo Be In the Sun?
Most people who get tattoos cannot wait for warmer weather and a chance to show off their unique ink designs. It is important to remember that a fresh tattoo is considered an open skin wound, and great care must be taken to avoid exposure of your new tattoo to the sun’s harsh UV rays known to damage the pigments in the inked design along with causing serious damage to the skin itself.
Many individuals wonder how long they need to wait before allowing their new tattoo to be in the direct sunlight. Additionally, they also question how long a sun exposure of a newer tattoo should be once they are allowed to sunbathe or otherwise have fun in the sunshine.
Oracle Tattoo Gallery has some sun related tips for both new and older tattoos that can shed some light onto these very important questions raised by tattoo enthusiasts who also adore spending time in the sun.
How Sun Can Damage Tattoos
Sun can do a tremendous amount of damage to overexposed skin, and this damage includes alterations in pigment, development of freckles, moles and sunspots and more extensive damage to the DNA within the skin cells that may result in serious burns or even skin cancer.
UV Rays of the Sun Penetrate Deeper into Skin & Can Breakup Ink Pigment of Tattoos
The strong and penetrating UV rays of the sun are the culprits in skin-related damage like sunburns or alterations in the melatonin within the skin itself. A tattoo is created by inserting different colors of ink into the skin. When any tattoo is exposed too long in the direct sunlight, the UV rays are absorbed deeper into the skin layers and will then begin to break up the pigment left within the skin that creates your tattoo design.
Sun Will Fade, Alter & Dull Tattoo Ink Colors Especially in New Tattoos
Sun exposure can cause fading of the ink colors and dulling of those vibrant colors of ink often altering the lines and shades of your tattoo design considerably. Although tattoos are eventually settled underneath two layers of skin, when the tattoo is fresh and new, those colors have not yet had time to take hold and set in.
Fresh Tattoos Are Vulnerable & Should Be Treated as Such Until Fully Healed
The upper layers of your skin at your tattoo site should be cared for and treated as if there were a visible open wound like a sunburn or badly chaffed skin. You more than likely would not want to get this type of skin into a vulnerable spot where it could be damaged and harmed even further. However, most individuals do not realize how vulnerable a new tattoo can be or understand why it should not be exposed to sunlight directly until it has completely healed.
Lighter Colored Ink Hues Fade Quicker Than Darker Shades
Although overexposure to sunlight will fade and can be dangerous to all tattoos, lighter colored ink hues tend to fade quicker than darker shades do in most cases. Other factors that come into play when determining risks of tattoo damage include size and placement of tattoo, age of tattoo and skin condition in general.
Overexposure of Fresh Tattoos to Sunlight Can Result in Scarring of Skin at Tattoo Site
A still healing tattoo site may not readily appear as if it were vulnerable at first glance. However, exposing the site to the harsh rays of direct sunlight can result in severe damage like deeper scarring of the skin after burning. This can dramatically impact the look of your tattoo design in a negative manner.
When Is A New Tattoo Considered Fully Healed?
On average, a new tattoo is not considered fully healed until about 4 to 6 weeks after the tattoo session. This time frame does vary due to differences in tattoo style, design, size and colors as well as differences of each tattoo enthusiast’s skin condition in general.
Every tattoo will go through different stages of healing. The first two weeks following a new tattoo are the most critical, and tattoos should not be exposed to sun even with sunscreen during these initial first stages. The tattoo site typically begins to scab over, and it is common for the skin at the tattoo site to become dry and flaky. Some tattoos will peel.
Never put sunscreen on newly tattooed skin during the first week or two to avoid irritating the skin even further. If the tattoo is in a visible area hard to cover up with clothing, the tattoo should be covered with a breathable bandage or gauze wrap so it will be protected from sunburn or worse.
How To Protect Your Tattoo From The Sun
Most professional tattoo artists that work in the various Philadelphia tattoo shops will have their own personal preferences for their tattoo aftercare instructions. These instructions should be followed for best end results.
Ideally, keep newer tattoos out of the direct sunlight for a few weeks or cover with clothing to protect the site. After the skin at the tattoo site has fully healed and is no longer reddened, scabbed, dry, flaky or peeling, a light covering of a natural based sunscreen block should be applied prior to going outdoors.
Choose a non-irritating sunscreen of at least 30 to 50 SPF and reapply at least every 2 hours if swimming or engaging in activity outside. Pick a broad-spectrum sunblock that works for both UVA and UVB rays to limit skin and tattoo damage.
Other Tattoo Protection Tips To Prevent Sun Exposure Damage
Remember to wear at least a light covering on new tattoos or stick to the shade. Moisturize skin regularly and avoid soaking or swimming in water until tattoo is fully healed. Dirt, germs and other debris in fresh water, chlorinated pools and hot-tubs and saltwater seas can increase risk of skin infections at new tattoo sites.
When Can I Expose My New Tattoo To Sun?
Wait until your new tattoo is at least 4 to 6 weeks old prior to exposing tattoo to sunlight. Treat your tattoo site gently and use sun protection measures until the tattoo is fully healed. This process may take longer in some circumstances.After healing, always moisturize and apply sunscreen religiously moving forward and limit time in direct sunlight when rays are strongest.
Conclusion
Enter “local tattoo shops near me” into a preferred search engine bar to find tattoo places in your local region. If you have more questions regarding tattoos and sun exposure or are interested in a tattoo, get in touch with Oracle Tattoo Gallery by calling 215-638-1601 during business hours.
