How to protect your skin before and after tattooing
The sun is one of the biggest enemies of tattoos. Although we all enjoy the summer, ultraviolet rays can affect both the health of your skin and the intensity of your tattoo's colours. So knowing when and how to expose yourself to the sun before and after tattooing is key to keeping your skin healthy and your tattoo flawless.
Why can the sun damage a tattoo?
The tattooing process leaves an open wound that takes two to four weeks to heal. During this time, the skin is very sensitive and any exposure to the sun can cause inflammation, irritation or loss of pigment.
Even when the tattoo is healed, UV rays are still harmful: they penetrate the skin and degrade the pigments over time, causing the colours to fade or the black to turn greenish or bluish.
Before getting a tattoo: prepare your skin
- Avoid sunbathing the days before. If you arrive with tanned or burnt skin, the tattoo may hurt more and heal worse.
- Moisturise the skin well during the previous week. Healthy skin absorbs the ink better and recovers faster.
- Do not use self-tanning lotions or oils before tattooing: they alter the texture of the skin and make the tattooist's work more difficult.
- If you are planning a beach or pool holiday, it is best to get tattooed after, not before.
After tattooing: the sun, absolutely forbidden
During healing, the tattoo should be kept out of direct sunlight. Radiation can:
* Damage tissue and cause burns to an already sensitive area.
* Affect the pigment, causing the ink to be ejected earlier.
* Cause scarring or discoloured areas if the skin does not heal evenly.
👉 Recommendation: during the first 3-4 weeks, avoid sunbathing and UV sessions completely.
Long-term protection
Once healed, the care does not end: tattoos need constant protection to stay alive over the years.
* Use sunscreen SPF 50 whenever the tattoo is exposed.
* Reapply sunscreen every 2-3 hours if you go to the beach, play sports or sweat a lot.
* Prefer alcohol- and fragrance-free creams: they are less aggressive towards the ink.
* In summer, cover the tattoo with light clothing whenever possible, especially during peak radiation hours.
What to do if your tattoo has been exposed to the sun
If you have accidentally burned yourself or your skin is irritated:
- Wash the area with cold water and neutral soap.
- Apply a soothing or moisturising cream without perfume.
- Do not scrape or pick off scabs.
- Consult your tattooist or a dermatologist if blisters or discoloured areas appear.
Remember: a well-kept tattoo can last a lifetime, but a poorly protected tattoo can be ruined in just one summer.
1 thought on “Tatuaje y Sol”
The sun is like ink, this is a classic.