Getting a summer tattoo is an exciting opportunity. Summertime is the time for new adventures and new experiences. But, what should you know about getting a summertime tattoo?
Today we’ll discuss 8 tips that will help you understand what to expect when getting a tattoo in summer and summer tattoo care.
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8 Tips for Summer Tattoo Care and Tattoo Protection
Taking into account these 8 simple tips will set you up for success when getting a tattoo in summer and what to consider regarding your tattoo and the sun.
Tip #1: Keep Your Tattoo Covered
Wear something that will cover your tattoo from the sun without suffocating it. The UV rays from the sun can break up your ink. Your skin is especially sensitive when it is healing. Until it’s fully healed, protect tattoo from the sun as much as you can until it’s healed enough to use sunscreen for tattoo protection.
Tip #2: Keep It Hydrated With a Lotion
Keeping your tattoo hydrated with a lotion or moisturizer is important. A healing tattoo that isn’t hydrated will crack and peel (more than usual). Apply lotion morning and night, as well as after showers.
Tip #3: Use Sunscreen When Appropriate
Sunscreen is super important for tattoos. After 4 to 6 weeks, applying sunscreen to your tattoo whenever it’s exposed to sunlight is important in protecting the ink from UV rays. Over time, UV rays break up the ink in your skin and hasten tattoo fading. Even if you don’t have a tattoo, regularly wearing sunscreen is great for keeping your skin young and healthy.
Tip #4: No Baths or Pools
During your tattoos healing phase, you won’t be able to enjoy things like swimming at the beach, or even in swimming pools. The bacteria in water can enter your tattoo and infect it. Infections prolong healing and can leave permanent scarring if severe. Avoid submerging your tattoo in water and always use a scent-free and antibacterial soap when showering to keep your tattoo clean.
After three to four weeks should be a good time to enter pools, swimming holes, and baths again.
Tip #5: Limit Exercise
When you get a new tattoo, you won’t be able todo much intense exercise for a few weeks, depending on the size of your tattoo. The reason being is the amount of sweat you will produce. While sweating comes naturally (and is unavoidable), it’s smart to control it where you can to ensure you’re not sweating more than you need to. For example, hitting the gym in the middle of summer is going to make you a lot sweatier than it would during the winter.
Sweat can trigger an infection of the tattooed area and can disrupt the healing process.
Tip #6: Keep It Clean
With regard to the basic care for a newly done tattoo, it isnecessary to clean the area daily with a scent-free soap. Scented soaps contain chemicals that could burn the tattooed area, and cause excessive dryness in the healing area. Using a scent-free soap with warm water around the tattooed area will ensure it stays free of bacteria.
Tip #7: Don’t Scratch
Some people often experience strong itching sensations when they get tattooed (especially in summer). Itching is usually experienced when the tattoo begins healing andstarts to peel. It is better to avoid scratching as it can irritate the skin, delay healing, and lead to infections. Dirt and bacteria can build up under your fingernails, and when you scratch your tattoo, you’re putting yourself at risk of infection.
While it may seem intolerable at first, trust me — we’ve all been there.
Tip #8: Eat Good Foods
While it may be hard to believe, the foods you eat during your tattoo healing phase can contribue to a healthier tattoo. Bell peppers, carrots, and tomatoes contain beneficial vitamins that aid with repairing damaged skin. Other foods, like watermelon and cucumber, contain high contents of water that also help keep you and your skin hydrated.
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Conclusion
When choosing the design of your tattoo, you have to take into account your skin tone, since light skin is not the same as dark. For light skin, it is advisable to use soft colors; however, darker skin needs stronger colors. That will also determine the design of your tattoo. Not all tattoos are for everyone; each person is different. After all, you wouldn’t want to paybig money for a tattoo you don’t like, right?
Wait until your tattoo is completely healed before exposing it to the sun. Three to four weeks after receiving the tattoo should be enough time for it to heal. Premature exposure to the the suns UV rays can break up the ink and delay healing.
Protect your tattoo from the sun while it’s healing by wearing clothing that covers it without suffocating it. If you have a forearm tattoo, wear a loose long-sleeved shirt. Once it’s completely healed, using a sunscreen regularly is a great way to protect the ink from breaking up.
You should keep your tattoo out of sunlight until it is completely healed, often around three to four weeks. Until healed, wear clothing that will cover your tattoo. Once the tattoo has healed, it’s a good idea to apply sunscreen whenever your tattoo is going to be exposed to sunlight to protect it from harmful UV rays.
