Tattoo sun protection: tips and recommendations

Sunlight contains UV rays that can penetrate deep into the skin and damage cells. Sunburn is the first sign that your skin has overdosed on sun. UV rays can cause skin damage, accelerate skin ageing and, in the worst case scenario, cause skin cancer. Skin that is tattooed is particularly sensitive, so it needs protection from the sun, and the same applies to the tattoo itself.

• Colours can fade: UV rays break the chemical bonds in the tattoo's colour pigments, which can cause the colours to fade more quickly. Tattoos with bright colours such as red, yellow or pastel shades are particularly prone to fading. But even black tattoos can appear bluish and less intense in colour after exposure to too much UV light.
• The tattoo can become distorted: The sun can change the structure of the skin, which can cause the tattoo to appear distorted. Lines or shapes may start to look different and changing the appearance of the carefully chosen motif.

To keep your tattoo looking beautiful for a long time, be vigilant about protecting it thoroughly from the sun.

Immediately after getting a tattoo, the skin is injured, sensitive and irritated. This impairs its ability to protect itself against UV rays and freshly tattooed skin can quickly become sunburned and inflamed. Here's what to do to protect your new tattoo from the sun:

• Avoid the sun completely for the first 6–8 weeks after getting the tattoo.
• You need to treat the tattoo wound for the first 14 days after getting it to prevent it from becoming infected – and the tattooed area should not be exposed to sunlight during this time.
• Even after the first 14 days you should stay in the shade because sunscreen can't be applied to a new tattoo for at least 4 weeks so as not to impair the healing process. Wear clothing that completely covers and protects your new tattoo from the sun during this time.

The time to start applying sunscreen to your tattoo depends on how well it heals. Generally speaking, you can start using sunscreen four to six to eight weeks after getting the tattoo.

It's best to use a sunscreen with a high SPF (at least 30), even if you have dark skin. On days with intense sunlight, you should reapply the sunscreen at least every two hours because sweating causes the sunscreen to come off the skin. If you are lying on the beach or swimming the water and sand will also make it harder for the sunscreen to stay on your body.

Other ways to protect your tattoo from the sun include:

Sun protection clothing provides shields the skin from solar radiation with up to 50+ SPF. This clothing is lightweight, breathable and provides very reliable protection.

• Pros: The skin and tattoo are protected at all times if you wear sun protection clothing. You rule out skin reactions to the sunscreen and there's no need to reapply it every two hours. -Cons: Sun protection clothing can be uncomfortable in hot weather and your choice of clothing is limited.

Even garments without special UV protection can protect your skin and tattoo from the sun. Long sleeves, long trousers, hats or caps protect your tattoo and your skin. Synthetic fabrics or tightly woven cotton provide the best protection.

• Pros: You don’t have to buy extra sun protection clothing and you benefit from continuous protection.
• Cons: Synthetic fabrics and tightly woven cotton can be very warm and trap heat.

Shade is a reliable form of protection and a good choice, whether you use a sunshade or stay in the shade of buildings.

• Pros: Your entire skin will benefit from staying in the shade.
• Cons: Not all shade provides real UV protection. UV rays can still get through trees or sunshades and burn you. So always wear sunscreen, even in the shade. The safest thing to do is to stay indoors.

There are special protective films that have been developed for tattoos and have integrated UV protection. They are an effective way of protecting the tattoo when you can't avoid direct sunlight.

• Pros: They provide good sun protection for fresh tattoos, as well as protection from water or sand, and they keep the tattoo moist, which is good for the skin.
• Cons: Wearing them can be uncomfortable and if you're very active you'll have to change the film often.

Tattoos make it more difficult to detect skin changes. The dye makes it more difficult to see moles or signs of skin cancer, so it's really important to apply sunscreen regularly, not just to protect your tattoo from the sun, but to protect all of your skin.

Always bear in mind that tattoos look more beautiful on well-cared for and supple skin than on scaly, dry skin. So moisturise regularly and protect your skin from sunburn that causes your skin to peel.

Tattooed skin is just as susceptible to skin cancer as non-tattooed skin. Always remember that when you expose yourself to the sun.