Suppose you just got a tattoo. It's mid-summer and the ink is still fuming. 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 a tattoo you obviously want to keep it freshly colored for as long as possible. After all, it's an investment for life. So let's take a moment to talk about how it would be a shame if the sun threw a spanner in your fresh tattoo.
Influence of the sun on your tattoo
It's been on your to-do list for some time. A visit to the tattoo artist. Knotted the knot, made the appointment and stepped inside. After careful consultation with yourself and the ink maestro, you 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 nice tan on your skin that you get after a few hours of baking, you get from the sun's UV rays. Nice touch, but not for your fresh tattoo. UV radiation causes your skin to produce melanin. This is the substance that makes your skin produce pigment (and thus gives you your tan). When this radiation hits your tattoo, it will also darken, which is exactly what you don't want. When the UV light hits the skin layer where the ink molecules are, it attacks those same molecules. The ink is then worked out of your body through your liver, causing your tattoo to fade. The contours will fade, your tattoo will no longer look smooth, and suddenly your favorite design is no longer as beautiful. Shouldn't want that.
Does sunburn protect your tattoo?
Even if you don't have a tattoo, sunburn obviously helps protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Never mind what it does to protect your beloved tattoo, because without a sunburn your tattoo would in fact 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 into the deeper skin layers, where it will attack your ink. A fight you don't want.
Sunblock Sticks
Sunblock nowadays does not only come in the recognizable big tubes or sprays. To make things easier for you, sunblock sticks have come onto the market. These sticks, which are extremely popular within the surfing community, bring with them quite a few advantages. Namely, they are compact and thus easy to carry in your pocket. Want to go to the beach, the pool, or just explore the terrace at length? No problem, just put the stick in your (swimming) pocket and you're good to go.
Even though the sticks are small in size, the protection they offer is all the greater. In fact, these sticks all contain SPF50, with protection against both UV-A and UV-B rays and are also water-resistant.
 |
 |
 |
Sunbathing with a new tattoo?
It's always a challenge for yourself to get your tattoo in the summer. You obviously want to show it off to the world, and thus not cover it under a layer of clothing. Still, you have to challenge yourself to protect your tattoo as much as possible.
So has your tattoo just been done? Then avoid the sun altogether for a while. For the first three to four weeks, your skin is still healing from your freshly placed tattoo. Exposure to the sun can lead to blistering. You can probably imagine what this will do to the end result. Not recommended, let's leave it at that.
Are you stubborn and want to go out in the sun anyway? Then make sure to cover your freshly made tattoo with clothing as much as possible. For example, if you are tattooed on your arm, 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 especially: lubricate, lubricate, lubricate in the sun. Anything for the long term and preservation of your artwork!
Do's and don'ts
Do's:
- Keeping your new tattoo out of the sun for the first four weeks
- Cover your tattoo with clothing (e.g. long sleeves)
- Once you can go out in the sun, apply sunscreen.
- Use a sunscreen with an SPF higher than 30
- Check the ingredients of your sunscreen
Don'ts:
- Going out in the sun with your new tattoo
- Not applying a good SPF 30+.
- Buying an SPF without protection against UV-A radiation
- Buying sunscreen with petroleum extracts
Your tattoo artist will be sure to give you some tips on healing your skin, aftercare and maintaining tight lines. If you have any questions, always ask your tattoo artist. They know best what your tattoo needs. Do you have any questions about aftercare products or good SPF's for your fresh tattoo? Please let us know.
Take care of your ink!
Your friends, The Alpha Men.