Sunburn on your Tattoo

11 January 2023
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Sunburn on tattoos: treatment and prevention

Hey, when the warm weather arrives, we see a lot of shirtless people with tattoos on the beach and at outdoor events! What they may not know is that the sun can be dangerous for those cool tattoos, and sunburn not only hurts and wreaks havoc in the short term, but if you get sunburned often over the years, you could completely ruin the look of your skin.

Sunburn on a fresh tattoo When you get a tattoo, your skin is more vulnerable. Basically, it's like a small wound with ink on it. Being out in the open without much protection, it's more likely to get damaged if you don't take good care of it. Exposing it to strong sunlight is a bad idea, as the sun can burn and damage a fresh tattoo very quickly. That's why you need to be careful in the sun.

Here's what can happen if your new tattoo gets sunburnt:

Slower healing: If your tattoo is damaged while it is healing, it will take longer to heal.
Burning: If you get too much sun, the tattoo could swell and blister, causing permanent damage (and increasing the risk of skin cancer).
Appearance problems: Sunburn can cause the ink to fade and look patchy, so you may need to go back to your tattooist to get it fixed.

And if you like the sun and don't take care of it, light-coloured tattoos are more susceptible to damage sooner.

What to do if you get burned If you find you have a burn around your tattoo, it is best to get out of the sun right away. Cool off with a cold shower or cold compresses on the area. If your tattoo is new, avoid swimming pools to avoid infecting the wound.

For pain relief, use moisturising creams, aloe Vera .... without colours or flavourings, and drink fluids. If the burn is severe, seek medical help!

How to prevent burns on your tattoo If you have a new tattoo, don't even think about exposing it to direct sunlight until it is completely healed (about 2-3 weeks). No suntan lotion or sunscreen on the area for now. Once healed, SPF 50 and reapply as needed.

Don't forget that even when it's cloudy, the sun does its thing, so always apply sunscreen. If you go in the water, apply sunscreen frequently, and if your tattoo is less than 2 weeks old, avoid the water.

Tanning salons and new tattoos Be careful, tanning is a bad idea if your tattoo is very new. They produce a lot of ultraviolet light that can ruin your skin and your tattoo, so think twice before you go into a tanning booth if you want your tattoo to look great!

Summary Sunburn on tattoos is avoidable. If you do get burnt, react quickly to cool the area. Always use sunscreen, not only when it is fresh, if you want to keep your tattoo looking like new, sunscreen has to go with you at all times.

With these tips, you should know how to actively protect your tattoo, ensuring it looks great for years to come.

Take care of the sun and enjoy it!!!.