Protecting a tattoo from the sun means following a few rules that help keep its colour and sharpness for years. UV light fades ink and speeds up skin ageing, and a fresh tattoo is particularly sensitive to it.
How to protect a fresh tattoo
Throughout healing, keep the tattoo out of the sun and do not tan, including on sunbeds. The best protection is loose clothing that covers the area. Sunscreen does not replace this rule on fresh, healing skin. Agree the details with your artist after the session.
How to protect a healed tattoo
- Use a high-SPF sunscreen and reapply it, especially in the first year after getting the tattoo.
- Cover the skin with clothing when the sun is strongest.
- Remember the places that are often exposed: forearms, calves and the back of the neck.
General sun safety advice is available from pacjent.gov.pl: 5 rules of sun protection (in Polish). We explain how to plan a tattoo around a trip in Summer tattoos: sun and swimming. Delicate fine line work and light colours are especially sensitive to the sun.