I love this time of year. The sun is shining brighter, and the days are growing longer. Summer brings the perfect weather for showing off your tattoos, but extra care is needed in the warmer weather to keep them looking their best.
Whether your tattoos are new or old, let’s discuss how to care for them in the warmer months.
1. The Most Important Thing is- Don’t Skip Your SPF!
UV radiation from the sun is one of the biggest threats to the vibrancy and longevity of tattoos. The pigments in tattoo inks sit in the dermis layer of the skin, where they are vulnerable to the effects of UV rays. Over time, sun exposure can cause tattoos to fade, blur, and lose their sharpness.
For healed tattoos, we recommend you apply sunscreen regularly to prevent fading and sun damage.
For new tattoos, It’s best that sunscreen is not applied directly to the tattoo. Sunscreen in an open wound can cause irritation or adverse reactions.
There are many benefits to SPF, and by protecting your tattooed skin, you not only preserve the appearance of your tattoos but also maintain the overall health and youthfulness of your skin.
2. Don't Forget to Hydrate
Have you ever experienced your old tattoo feeling raised and swollen? If so, you're not alone. The solution to this? Hydrate.
When the weather is warmer and humid, scarred areas of your skin can swell slightly, making your tattoos feel raised. It may also feel itchy. Some people experience this more in the winter when their skin is dry or on rainy days when it’s humid. The best way to combat the itchiness is by keeping your tattoo hydrated. Hydration starts from within, ya know! It’s important to drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated from the inside out. Additionally, you can apply a gentle, unscented moisturizer or cooling aloe to your (healed!!) tattoo to prevent dryness and itching.
3. Avoid The Water
I’m sorry! Clients hate to hear this. But, the truth is that swimming with a new tattoo is strongly discouraged. The main reason is that the risk of infection is so high. Fresh tattoos are open wounds and vulnerable to bacteria and other pathogens found in water sources like pools, hot tubs, and natural bodies of water. Exposure to chlorine and other pool chemicals can irritate the skin, which can be uncomfortable and delay healing. And who really knows what’s in the lake? Fish poop for sure. Prolonged submersion in water can soften scabs, increasing the risk of ink loss or uneven healing. To ensure the best outcome for your new tattoo- avoid swimming and submersion in water until it's fully healed, typically two to four weeks. Most importantly, make sure to follow your tattoo artist's aftercare instructions diligently.
Some of these are things we know we should be doing anyway. We know we should be wearing sunscreen every day, and we should be guzzling water like it's going out of style. But let's be real, how many of us actually do? I encourage ya’ll to think of your tattoos like investments! You want to protect them. So this summer, show your skin and tattoos some love by slathering on that sunscreen and chugging that H2O. And I promise you can go swimming later. That’s all folks, enjoy the summer and don’t forget your sunscreen!
Are you guilty of neglecting to wear sunscreen? (I am) Let me know down below and let's talk about it.
