Tattoo Sunscreen and Other Sun-Safety Tips to Protect Your Body Ink
Summertime has people leaving their homes and heading for places where the sun shines. There is no denying that feeling the sun on your skin is therapeutic after the colder seasons, but that doesn’t mean you can let your guard down. Without protection from the sun, your tattoos could start fading right before your very eyes.
That’s why we’re going to share some sun-safety tips to protect your tattoos today.
How Does Sun Damage Tattoos?
As you probably already know, tattoos inevitably fade over time. You can stop the fading by getting touched up, but there is more to it than that. One thing you need to know is that sun exposure will accelerate the fading of your ink. Also, the lighter the tattoo, the faster it is going to disappear.
But why does this happen?
The sun has two kinds of ultraviolet radiation—UVA and UVB. Both can damage your skin. UVA rays will penetrate your skin further than UVB rays and cause premature aging, such as sagging and wrinkling. UVA rays will also cause light-colored tattoo inks to fade.
UVB rays are more responsible for superficial damage to the top layer of the skin. While this doesn’t sound as bad as UVA damage, it is UVB rays that will damage your tattoos, especially if they are new. You don’t want to get sunburned while a tattoo is healing, since it could mar the artwork.
Are New Tattoos More Susceptible to Damage?
Yes. There are a couple of reasons for this. First, a brand new tattoo is a lot like an open wound that needs to be protected from the elements. When a raw wound is left in the sun, the injured skin will burn faster than undamaged skin. In other words, if you go outside without any protection after getting a new tattoo, it could cause cracking, blistering, fading, or peeling. You could even experience a photosensitive allergic reaction.
Until your tattoo has scabbed over, it is considered an open wound. It will take about 2-3 weeks until the tattoo is healed. The process may take longer depending on the location and size of the body art.
What Kind of Tattoos Are at Risk of Sun Damage?
If there’s one thing the artists at Oracle Tattoo Gallery can’t stress enough, it’s this: fresh tattoos are the ones that you want to keep away from sunlight at all costs. But there are some other tattoos that need to be protected. Designs that use lighter colors and tints are definitely going to fade when in sunlight.
Black and other dark, cool colors, like blue, purple, and green are much more steadfast than lighter shades. If you want to preserve the lighter colors, you are going to need to apply sunscreen every time you plan on going outside.
What About Tanning With Tattoos?
Tanning isn’t recommended, whether you have body art or not. Even if you apply sunscreen outdoors, heading to the tanning bed puts you at risk of skin cancer and also deadly melanoma.
If you want to get a sun-kissed look without sitting in the sun, then you should choose a topical tanning product. There are plenty of self-tanning creams, bronzers, and spray tans that will give you a tan without exposing yourself to UV damage. Plus, all self-tanning products are safe to use on tattoos and don’t cause colors to fade.
Tips to Protect Your Tattoo From Sun Damage
Even if your tattoo is usually covered by clothing, protecting your ink is the best way to keep the colors bold and vibrant. Use the following tattoo care tips this summer:
- Use sunblock. Liberally apply sunscreen whenever you are outside or when driving. Otherwise, your tattoo will fade and the details will be lost. The minimum SPF is 30, but anywhere up to SPF 50 is recommended. Reapply frequently.
- Don’t expose new tattoos to the sun. As excited as you are to show off your new ink to the world, you need to be careful. Listen to the professionals from Philadelphia tattoo shops and beyond. Wait 10-14 days after getting a tattoo so that it can heal. Follow the aftercare instructions. Remember, you should never expose a new tattoo to direct sunlight.
- Cover your tattoo with clothing. Wear lightweight, breathable fabrics when outside, especially if you can’t stay in the shade.
- Always check for skin cancer. Regardless of your age, family history, or race, anyone can get skin cancer. Be sure to keep a look out for the signs of skin cancer by using ABCDE, or Asymmetrical, Borders, Coloring, Diameter, and Evolved. Moles that are asymmetrical, raised, jagged, or oddly shaped; have blotchy, uneven coloring and borders; are larger than a pencil eraser is wide; or changes dramatically needs to be checked by a dermatologist.
- Moisturize. By drinking plenty of water and using a moisturizer, you can keep your skin healthy. The more hydrated your skin, the better it will protect itself from damage.
What to Look For in Sunscreen
While you don’t have to go out looking for sunscreen that is formulated for tattoos, you should have a checklist ready.
Cream sunscreens are the best choice for protecting your ink, because you can see where you have already applied it. You don’t want to miss any part of the tattoo and cause damage. That said, you can use any kind of sunscreen—powders, oils, sprays—as long as it provides adequate protection from UVA and UVB rays.
You also want to look for sunscreen that uses safe ingredients. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide (cream type) are excellent choices. Mineral-based sunscreens are excellent for protecting tattoos, and they are also safer for the skin and environment.
Avoid sunblocks with chemicals such as oxybenzone and octinoxate, both of which are harmful to coral reefs and marine life. If you are at risk of allergic dermatitis, avoid para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA).
Bottom Line
The best way to preserve your tattoo is to keep it from the sun. Doing so will also prevent burning, wrinkling, and skin infections that could affect your body ink. Don’t forget to pick up some SPF 30-50 and find some shade during your next weekend outdoors.
Ready to get a new tattoo? Stop searching for local tattoo shops near me and head to Oracle Tattoo Gallery. Give us a call at 215-638-1601 to set up a consultation or get a quote for your dream tattoo.
