How to enjoy the sun without damaging your tattoos?

If your skin is a magnificent canvas that easily undergoes bodily changes, you should not forget that it is primarily a vital organ and therefore must be protected.

In order to optimize healing and avoid any changes in your tattoo (ink that flashes, becomes pale, etc.) or even annoying reactions during this phase (itching, burning, etc.), you should follow the post-tattoo = healing = caring for your work of art ”literally.

And among the elementary rules that absolutely must be followed, there is a sacred chapter concerning sun exposure. And yes, at the beginning of the school year I had to get a tattoo!

Why is it necessary to protect a young tattoo from the sun's rays?

• The tattoo may warp or fade in some places and become unsightly (the ink may melt or, in other words, the tattoo may become completely washed out, it may also fade in some places, making it look 100 years old ...) 
• Sunburn on an unhealed tattoo can trigger an infection in the tattooed area, with the risk of purulent discharge and severe burning.

In the second case, consultation with a dermatologist will be mandatory. In the former case, if you're lucky, your tattoo artist (or others) can catch up, but keep in mind that they can pass on some soap to you!

LThe healing time of the area after tattooing varies depending on the subject. In general, this takes three weeks to two months. During this period, the ingress of sea water and chlorine into the pool should be avoided.

But if, despite everything, you do not plan to do aprème without covering up your tattoo, there are still some workarounds.

• Your SPF 50+ sunscreen (yes, very thick and very white) will be your best friend anytime, anywhere;
• When you are in the sun, it is best to protect the tattoo site with clothing (loose and preferably cotton);
• Direct and “unfiltered” sun contact of the tattoo should be avoided at all costs.

A small note, but still important: a thicker layer of cream does not protect "better" from the sun, like the healing cream recommended by your tattoo artist. It is also recommended to massage the skin during application so that the tattoo does not remain under the wet and suffocating layer, but "breathes" for better healing. The principle is the same when you apply sunscreen: don't drown the tattoo, it's the other way around - let it breathe!

If you go to the sea or swim in the pool, you must also protect the tattoo while swimming (if you cannot resist, otherwise resist). remember this baths during the first 3 weeks after the tattoo are strictly prohibited.

If you do want to do one or two dives (be it in a pool, lake or sea), it is absolutely imperative to avoid getting water on the tattoo, which is a wound.

Tattoos that already have scars do not blend well with the sun either: it can make colors look dull (light colors are the ones that smudge the most, a white ink tattoo can fade completely) and reduce the sharpness of the edges.

Of course, the rate is not the same as with the recent tattoo. You don't need to run away from the sun like the plague, but even after a few weeks, months, or years, it is highly recommended that you protect your tattoos from the sun. In particular, it will age your tattoo.

1. If the tattoo was done recently, avoid exposure to the sun if possible, otherwise, minimize the exposure time and protect the tattoo well from the sun.
2. Do not swim: It is forbidden to swim while the tattooed area has healed.
3. If immersion is unavoidable: use a product to allow water to drip onto it, rinse it out immediately after leaving the water, and then put on sun protection immediately.
4. With a tattoo with scars: always make sure that it is well protected from the sun to avoid premature aging of the latter.