Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsRisk FactorsHow to Choose the Best SunscreenHow to Treat Tattoo SunburnFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Risk Factors
How to Choose the Best Sunscreen
How to Treat Tattoo Sunburn
Frequently Asked Questions
Tattoos and sun are not a match made in heaven! If you have a tattoo, you’ve probably heard the whole tattoo care spiel, which includes sun protection. And sun safety is no joke, especially if you’re inked. Sun exposure can cause serious damage to the skin throughout a lifetime, including premature aging and even skin cancer.The sun can cause tattoo ink to fade, making your ink look old and washed out. Sun protection is key to keep it looking its best.
Since the sun’s UV rays aredamaging to the skin, many people with tattoos choose to apply sunscreen to their body art to prevent it from fading. Professional tattoo artists recommend covering your tattoo with an opaque dressing to prevent UV exposure for the first three months. Once the healing period ends, sunscreen should be carefully applied before going outdoors.
To find out more about which sunscreens to choose and what to do in case of a sunburn, read on!
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All tattoos fade over time, but sun exposure can speed up the fading process. Generally speaking, the lighter the ink, the more quickly the tattoo will fade. Dark colors like black, blue, and purple take the longest to fade, while colors like red, pink, yellow, green, and orange are more prone to fading and require more attention.
Placement is also an important factor to consider. It’s easy to forget about protecting your tattoo if it’s located on a part of the body you can’t see, such as your shoulder or back. Your tattoo might be out of sight, but it shouldn’t be out of mind. If it’s in a hard-to-reach spot, have someone else apply the SPF if that helps.
There are quite a few sunscreens labeled as special tattoo sunscreens but don’t fall for marketing terminology. Any sunscreen will work just fine. The best sunscreen for a tattoo is the same as what you would use for the rest of your body. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using anSPFof at least 30 for maximum sun protection and is water resistant.
You also want to use a sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum protection, which protects againstUVAandUVBrays. SPF denotes protection from UVB rays or the rays that burn. A broad-spectrum sunscreen also protects the skin from UVA rays or the rays that cause premature aging and skin cancer.
If you have a sunburn on your tattoo, there are ways to treat it. Redness and irritation around a tattoo are usually indicative of a burn.The first thing to do, if you notice it while you’re outside, is to seek shade or cover up, to stop any further damage.
Keep the area moisturized. Avoid those with artificial colors or scents. Stay hydrated anddrink at enough water dailyto keep your skin moist from the inside.
If you have pain, over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers can help. OTC hydrocortisone cream can also help reduce inflammation from sunburn. But if the inflammation is significant, call your tattoo artist and a dermatologist to get treatment information. See a healthcare provider immediately if you have blisters, dizziness, or fever.
Summary
When you have tattoos, taking care of them is important, especially with the sun. Good skin care is especially important with tattoos, and there are some easy things you can do to keep your ink looking its best. Minimizing sun exposure, choosing the proper sunscreen, and promptly taking care of any sunburns can help keep your tattoo looking fresh and vibrant.
A Word From Verywell
When you get your tattoo, don’t be afraid to talk with the tattoo artist about proper care of your skin and ink. Most artists love talking about these topics, and this is their work—they want to ensure it looks good for a long time! Even if your tattoo isn’t new, if you have any skincare or tattoo care questions, don’t hesitate to call a tattoo shop and set up an appointment to discuss good tattoo care. You’ll be glad you did.
Frequently Asked QuestionsNo, it doesn’t. Sunlight fades tattoos. You can use any sunscreen, but it’s recommended to use one with an SPF of at least 30.You can use spray sunscreen, but even for general sun protection, spray sunscreen makes it harder to ensure adequate coverage and sun protection. It’s best to use a cream or lotion-based sunscreen to know your tattoo is properly covered and protected from the sun.There are sunscreens marketed for tattoos, but you don’t need to buy any special sunscreen; make sure it has an SPF of at least 30. If your tattoo is new, you should use the products recommended on the tattoo care sheet your tattoo artist gave you. If you don’t have the sheet, call them to find out what products you need to use.
No, it doesn’t. Sunlight fades tattoos. You can use any sunscreen, but it’s recommended to use one with an SPF of at least 30.
You can use spray sunscreen, but even for general sun protection, spray sunscreen makes it harder to ensure adequate coverage and sun protection. It’s best to use a cream or lotion-based sunscreen to know your tattoo is properly covered and protected from the sun.
There are sunscreens marketed for tattoos, but you don’t need to buy any special sunscreen; make sure it has an SPF of at least 30. If your tattoo is new, you should use the products recommended on the tattoo care sheet your tattoo artist gave you. If you don’t have the sheet, call them to find out what products you need to use.
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.D’Orazio J, Jarrett S, Amaro-Ortiz A, Scott T.UV radiation and the skin.Int J Mol Sci. 2013;14(6):12222-12248. doi:10.3390/ijms140612222Vasicek BE, Szpunar SM, Manz-Dulac LA.Patient knowledge of sunscreen guidelines and frequency of physician counseling: a cross-sectional study.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2018;11(1):35-40.Wild Tattoo Art.Causes and treatments for sunburn on a tattoo.Skin Cancer Foundation.Tanning.
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.D’Orazio J, Jarrett S, Amaro-Ortiz A, Scott T.UV radiation and the skin.Int J Mol Sci. 2013;14(6):12222-12248. doi:10.3390/ijms140612222Vasicek BE, Szpunar SM, Manz-Dulac LA.Patient knowledge of sunscreen guidelines and frequency of physician counseling: a cross-sectional study.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2018;11(1):35-40.Wild Tattoo Art.Causes and treatments for sunburn on a tattoo.Skin Cancer Foundation.Tanning.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
D’Orazio J, Jarrett S, Amaro-Ortiz A, Scott T.UV radiation and the skin.Int J Mol Sci. 2013;14(6):12222-12248. doi:10.3390/ijms140612222Vasicek BE, Szpunar SM, Manz-Dulac LA.Patient knowledge of sunscreen guidelines and frequency of physician counseling: a cross-sectional study.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2018;11(1):35-40.Wild Tattoo Art.Causes and treatments for sunburn on a tattoo.Skin Cancer Foundation.Tanning.
D’Orazio J, Jarrett S, Amaro-Ortiz A, Scott T.UV radiation and the skin.Int J Mol Sci. 2013;14(6):12222-12248. doi:10.3390/ijms140612222
Vasicek BE, Szpunar SM, Manz-Dulac LA.Patient knowledge of sunscreen guidelines and frequency of physician counseling: a cross-sectional study.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2018;11(1):35-40.
Wild Tattoo Art.Causes and treatments for sunburn on a tattoo.
Skin Cancer Foundation.Tanning.
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