Suppose you just got a tattoo. It is mid-summer and the ink is still steaming. In fact, you want nothing more than to soak up that vitamin D with your whole body and put on your t-shirt and shorts to show off your fresh tattoo.
When you have had a tattoo applied, you naturally want to keep it fresh in color for as long as possible. After all, it is an investment for life. So let's talk about how a shame it would be if the sun threw a spanner in the works of your fresh tattoo.
Influence of the sun on your tattoo
It has been on your to-do list for some time. A visit to the tattoo artist. Made a decision, made an appointment and walked in. After careful consultation with yourself and the ink maestro, you have finally had your favorite design placed on your upper arm. The sun is shining, the sky is blue, but what exactly do those fine rays do to your tattoo?
That beautiful brown color on your skin that you get after a few hours of baking is due to the UV radiation of the sun. Nice to have, but not for your fresh tattoo. UV radiation causes your skin to produce melanin. This is the substance that allows your skin to produce pigment (and therefore gives you a tan). When this radiation hits your tattoo, it will also become darker, and you just don't want that. When the UV light hits the skin layer in which the ink molecules are located, it immediately attacks those same molecules. The ink is then worked out of your body through your liver, causing your tattoo to fade. The contours will expire, your tattoo no longer looks sleek, and suddenly your favorite design is no longer so beautiful. Don't want to.
Does sunscreen protect your tattoo?
Even if you don't have a tattoo, sunscreen naturally helps to protect your skin against harmful UV radiation. Let alone what it does to protect your beloved tattoo, because without sunscreen your tattoo would fade much faster.
So always use a sunscreen. One with a high SPF that protects against both UV-A and UV-B radiation. UV-A radiation penetrates to the deeper skin layers, where it will also encounter and attack your ink. A fight you don't feel like.
Sun Block Sticks
Sunscreen is now no longer only available in the recognizable large tubes or sprays. To make it a lot easier for you, sunscreen sticks have now come onto the market. These sticks, which are extremely popular within the surfing community, have quite a few advantages. They are compact and therefore easy to carry in your pocket. Do you want to go to the beach, the swimming pool, or simply explore the terrace extensively? No problem, put the stick in your (swim) pocket and you're equipped again.
Even though the sticks are small in size, the protection they offer is all the greater. These sticks all contain SPF50, with protection against both UV-A and UV-B radiation and are also water resistant.
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Tanning with a new tattoo?
It is always a challenge for yourself to get your tattoo in the summer. Of course you want to show it off to the world, and not cover it under a layer of clothing. But you still have to challenge yourself to protect your tattoo as much as possible.
So has your tattoo just been done? Then avoid the sun completely. For the first three to four weeks, your skin is still healing your freshly applied tattoo. Exposure to the sun can then lead to blistering on your tattoo. You can imagine what this will do to the end result. Not recommended, let's keep it at that.
Are you stubborn and still want to be in the sun? Then make sure that you cover your freshly applied tattoo with clothing as much as possible. So if you are tattooed on your arm, for example, wear long sleeves.
In the first few weeks it is important to keep your tattoo well hydrated. So invest in good tattoo aftercare products . When the four weeks after getting your tattoo are over, keep in mind: smear, smear, smear in the sun. Everything for the long term and preservation of your artwork!
Dos and don'ts
Do's:
- Keep your new tattoo out of the sun for the first four weeks
- Covering your tattoo with clothing (e.g. long sleeves)
- Once you are allowed in the sun, lubricate well with sunscreen
- Use a sunscreen with an SPF above 30
- Checking the ingredients of your sunscreen
Don'ts:
- Sit in the sun with your new tattoo
- Do not apply a good SPF 30+
- Buying an SPF without protection against UV-A radiation
- Buy sunscreen with petroleum extracts
Your tattoo artist will definitely give you some tips about healing your skin, aftercare and maintaining the tight lines. If you have any questions, always ask your tattoo artist. They know best what your tattoo needs. If you have any questions about aftercare products or good SPFs for your fresh tattoo? Then please let us know.
Take care of your ink!
Your friends, The Alpha Men.