With warmer months quickly approaching, our shop is frequently asked how to care for tattoos during summer. Many people want to show off their tattooed skin during summer. If doing so, you must still be mindful to care and protect your tattoo. On normal un-tattooed skin, the sun poses numerous risks. Premature aging, certain cancers, sun burns/sun poisoning are among the most common. For tattoos, fresh or healed, prolonged sun exposure can cause tattoos to fade more rapidly. Fresh tattoos should not be in direct sunlight as it can compromise the healing process, and ultimately affect the longevity of your tattoo.

Wear protective clothing

We recommend covering your tattoo whenever possible. Light, breathable fabric and UV protective clothing are best. If covering your healed tattoo is not a viable option, we recommend limiting the amount of time spent in the sun as well as a high SPF sunblock. Additionally, there are several brands of protective patches or sleeves you can purchase to protect tattoos that are already healed.

Refrain from tanning

We do not recommend tanning with healed tattoos, and especially do not recommend tanning with fresh tattoos. As mentioned above, the sun can greatly speed up the skin’s aging process. Natural sun or artificial sun (tanning beds) can greatly impact the overall appearance of your tattoo and how well it holds up over time. If you absolutely must have that ‘warm summer glow’ – and as long as your tattoo is well healed – tinted lotions or self tanners can be used instead.

Do NOT swim or submerge a fresh tattoo

Tattoos are flesh wounds, technically speaking. Proper healing routines should be followed with care and attention, as instructed by your tattoo artist. With fresh tattoos, the skin has not yet healed and is still open and vulnerable to exposure and contaminants. Therefore, you should NOT go swimming or fully submerged your new tattoo until it is completely finished healing. Natural bodies of water such as lakes and rivers typically contain natural bacteria that would impede the healing process and potentially cause harm or infection to your fresh tattoo. Man made bodies of water, such as hot tubs or swimming pools, contain strong chemicals to keep the water clear and fresh. Those chemicals can also be incredibly harmful to your fresh tattoo.

SUNBLOCK!

Use sunblock whenever you’re outside during the summer, if possible. Natural based, high SPF sun blocks are best. Be sure to follow the product’s instructions and reapply sun block as recommended. For fresh tattoos, your tattoo artist will be able to recommend a safe and effective option. Be sure to mention any allergies you may have to avoid any reactions to the product.

Stay hydrated

Make sure that you’re drinking plenty of water, in order to keep your skin hydrated. Dehydrated skin is much more likely to burn or be damaged by the sun. Staying hydrated will also keep your tattoo looking fresher longer, as it will essentially be moisturized from the inside out. You can also increase your hydration by eating moisture rich foods, such as cucumbers or watermelon.

Eat nourishing foods

There are actually foods that can increase your skin’s natural defenses against UV harm. Foods rich in vitamin A help the body to fight inflammation (such as sunburns) and increases collagen production, which decreases the skin’s normal signs of aging.

Foods rich in vitamin A include:

• Fish products – such as tuna or salmon
• Meat and dairy – such as beef, lamb or poultry
• Eggs
• Dark leafy greens – such as spinach or kale
• Orange and yellow fruits and vegetables – such as sweet potatoes, bell peppers, mango, papaya or squash

Foods rich in vitamin C are known to boost skin’s natural sun protection, such as:

• Citrus fruits – such as oranges or grapefruits
• Green vegetables – such as spinach, broccoli or brussel sprouts
• Bell peppers
• Tomatoes

Vitamin E is another great idea for fighting the signs of aging by increasing skin’s natural defense against harmful UV. Foods rich in this vitamin include:

• Nuts – such as peanuts, sunflower seeds and almonds
• Certain oils – such as wheat germ oil
• Avocados
• Dark green vegetables – such as swiss chard, spinach and beet greens
• Certain fish and seafood – such as abalone, trout or salmon