Whether you are considering getting your veryfirst tattoo or you have a full bodysuit, taking proper care of your skin thissummer will ensure that your tattoos will keep looking great for years tocome. These tips won’t just help youkeep your tattoo looking great, they will also keep anyone considering a newtattoo safe in the sun, sand, and surf!
How do I take care of my healedtattoos?
The good news is that with proper care, people with healed tattoos can enjoyall their favorite summer activities. To keep your tattoos looking their best,it is important to take a few precautions. A few things to remember:
WearSunscreen:
For anyone going out in the sun, theSkin Cancer Foundation recommends wearing abroad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30. Make sure to choose a broad-spectrum (protects against UVA and UVB rays)mineral sunscreen free from parabens,and phthalates. The higher the SPF, thebetter!
Cover Up: While sunscreen is measured in SPF (sun protection factor), clothingis measured in UPF (ultraviolet protection factor). Most clothing has the equivalent protectionof SPF/UPF 5. However, clothing designed specifically for sun protectionusually has a UPF of 50 or higher. Socovering up with lightweight clothing made for sun protection can offer thebenefits of sunscreen without the mess or the need to reapply. Cleveland ClinicDermatology Residency Program Director,Alok Vij M.D. recommends choosing “a mixture of both sunscreen and clothing to get the bestpossible protection.”
Opt for UV Free Tanning:
If your tattoo is fully healed, spray tanning is a greatsafe alternative to spending time in the sun without any damage to yourtattoo. While it may make the colors inyour tattoo look a little darker temporarily, there are ways to avoidthis. You can use a barrier cream onyour tattoo before you tan to keep the spray away from the tattooed area. Youcan also wipe the tanning solution off of your tattoo as soon as it is appliedto make sure it does not tan the tattooed area. Even if you do nothing and your tattoo colors darken a bit, your tattoowill return to normal after about a week as the tan fades. If your artist used bright, vibrant colorsfor tattoo ink, they should still look great that week even if they are alittle muted. However, it is important to note that spray tanning is NOT anoption with a fresh tattoo.
Stay Hydrated:
While this is generally good advice all around,it is especially true for those with tattoos. It is especially important to remember to hydrate in hot weather whenyou lose extra fluid due to sweating. Make sure to drink plenty of clear fluidsto keep your skin looking its best.
Use Moisturizer:
When you are exposing yourskin to environments that may be drying or damaging like sun, sand, salt water,or chlorinated pools, it is especially important to use a good moisturizer. Pay careful attention to tattooed areas wheredryness can cause a faded or cracked look. Using a natural product with bothmoisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties can keep your tattoo in topshape, even after exposure to the elements.Quantum Natural Tattoo Aftercare can also be used on healed tattoos to help keep yourskin moist and radiant and your tattoo looking great.
What if I want to get anew tattoo this summer?
Tattooing is not off-limitsduring the summer, but it may mean that you have to wait to participate in someof your favorite summer activities until you heal. In addition to following any aftercareinstructions given to you by your tattoo artist, these tips will help ensurethat your new tattoo heals well and looks great this summer:
Stay Out of the Water:
Having a new tattoo is essentially like having an openwound. Not only will submerging your tattoo right away make it fade faster, butit can also compromise the healing process and lead to infection. While chlorinated pools have harsh chemicalsthat can lead to more pain, swelling, peeling, and bumps, open water (like theocean, rivers, or lakes) contains bacteria that can lead to infections andscarring.
While many artists willtell you that you can submerge your tattoo 2-3 weeks after you get it,dermatologists disagree.Dr. Sherber,a Dermatologist and assistant professor at George Washington University,advises “The general recommendation is to wait at leastfour weeks (or until your tattoo is fully healed) before submerging it inwater. If you have a compromised immune system, due to medications orillnesses, you may need to wait longer, since your risk of infection is evengreater.”
Use an Aftercare Product & Stay Hydrated:
We mentioned usingQuantum Natural Tattoo Aftercare anytime to keep your tattoo looking great. This product is specially formulated to besafe to use on freshly tattooed skin. It will help ensure that your skin staysmoisturized throughout the healing process and beyond.
When you are about to getor have just gotten a new tattoo, it is more important than ever to make sureto drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated and promote healing.
Avoid Sun Exposure:
Sunscreen is not an option when a tattoo is brand newand most likely to be extra sensitive to UVA and UVB rays. Staying in the shade or bringing an umbrellaare great ways to protect your new tattoo from the sun. Covering up using clothing with built-in UPF,as previously mentioned, adds an additional layer of protection. Plus, keepingyour tattoo covered by clothing this summer can also help keep out sand andother particles that may irritate your tattoo and lead to infection.
Do Your Research:
It can be incredibly tempting to get a tattoo as asouvenir from your vacation. Especiallyif you will be in a location that is unfamiliar to you, it is vital to do yourresearch before you go. Research the artist, the studio, and the availabilityof medical attention if something were to go wrong. Make sure that wherever you go, the tattooartist that you choose is usinghigh-quality ink for tattoos,machinery, needles, and other supplies. Regardless of the location and the tattoo style you choose, make surethat the artist uses the best black tattoo ink. If your destination is inEurope, make sure that the artist is usingEU REACH Approved tattoo ink.
Key Takeaways
Having a healed tattoo istotally compatible with participating in all of your favorite summeractivities. However, getting a brand new tattoo may mean you have to pauseactivities that take place in water and take extra precautions this summer. If you plan to get a new tattoo this summer,it is vital to think ahead and keep in mind the activities that you haveplanned like drinking, hiking, swimming, surfing, diving, boating, etc., andmake sure that they are possible and advisable with a brand new tattoo.
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