Summer Tattoo Tips
Tattoos are a year-round adventure waiting to happen but making sure your summer plans align with your healing process is key. If you’re planning on getting a new tattoo this summer, make sure that you are prepared so that your new tattoo heals correctly, doesn’t get infected, and stays looking fabulous.
There are several questions and concerns people have when preparing for a new tattoo during the summer months:
Don’t worry! I have answers to your questions and can offer guidance to overcome these hurdles. My goal is to ease your mind about getting a tattoo in the summer, and to offer assistance and guidance, in the event you want to get a fresh tattoo in summertime.
There are several questions and concerns people have when preparing for a new tattoo during the summer months:
- How do I protect my tattoo from the sun in the summertime?
- Can I go tanning with a fresh tattoo?
- How long do I have to wait before I can go swimming after getting tattooed?
- Is it safe to travel with a new tattoo?
Don’t worry! I have answers to your questions and can offer guidance to overcome these hurdles. My goal is to ease your mind about getting a tattoo in the summer, and to offer assistance and guidance, in the event you want to get a fresh tattoo in summertime.
Sun exposure, UV rays, and tanning... Oh my!
Before you plan on getting a new tattoo, it is best practice to avoid the sun, tanning bed, and laser treatments. Your tattoo artist will be unable to tattoo you if your skin is excessively tanned (it’s like tattooing leather), you have sunburn or are peeling (we can’t tattoo over top of any already wounded area), or you have sun rash (like any other rash, we need it to be fully healed first). Make sure not to have your sunroof open or your window down with the arm/leg you plan on getting tattooed hanging out on your way to your appointment (yes, this really happened, and we had to switch the placement of the tattoo). Your skin should be as close to “normal” as possible and well-hydrated.
Exposing your fresh tattoo to sunshine is one of the fastest ways to destroy your new tattoo. UV exposure (through sunlight or tanning) causes damage to skin cells and can ultimately lead to skin cancer. Exposing your tattoos to direct sunlight, UV rays, and/or tanning will cause your ink pigments to rapidly fade (especially in color tattoos) and your linework to blur. Putting sunscreen directly on a fresh tattoo (open wound) can cause serious repercussions: chemical imbalances, irritation, discomfort, rash, skin burning, etc. Make sure your tattoo is fully healed before applying any sunscreen, tanning oils, or SPF lotions. Opt for a non-toxic sunscreen if/when you can find one. Some sunscreens on the market contain unsafe inactive ingredients that are harmful to your body, as well as the ocean/nature/animals you are exposed to. Always read the labels and do your online research!
When possible, avoid peak sun exposure by staying indoors during when the sun is at its highest, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. You should be extra cautious if/when wearing a clear film bandage like Saniderm, Tegaderm, or Recovery Derm Shield, as these adhesive bandages are not made to be UV protected and you can still get sunburn through them. Cover your tattoo with loose, breathable clothing. Shade yourself with an umbrella or stay out of direct sunlight. Avoid “fake” tanning through tanning beds/salons. If your fresh tattoo does end up getting sunburnt, tend to it with a tattoo gel that contains aloe vera (like InkAura). For all healed tattoos that end up getting sunburnt, apply regular aloe vera or your sunburn aftercare of choice. Talk to your dermatologist for additional ways to protect your skin from harmful UV rays.
How to protect your tattoo from the sun this summer:
Before you plan on getting a new tattoo, it is best practice to avoid the sun, tanning bed, and laser treatments. Your tattoo artist will be unable to tattoo you if your skin is excessively tanned (it’s like tattooing leather), you have sunburn or are peeling (we can’t tattoo over top of any already wounded area), or you have sun rash (like any other rash, we need it to be fully healed first). Make sure not to have your sunroof open or your window down with the arm/leg you plan on getting tattooed hanging out on your way to your appointment (yes, this really happened, and we had to switch the placement of the tattoo). Your skin should be as close to “normal” as possible and well-hydrated.
Exposing your fresh tattoo to sunshine is one of the fastest ways to destroy your new tattoo. UV exposure (through sunlight or tanning) causes damage to skin cells and can ultimately lead to skin cancer. Exposing your tattoos to direct sunlight, UV rays, and/or tanning will cause your ink pigments to rapidly fade (especially in color tattoos) and your linework to blur. Putting sunscreen directly on a fresh tattoo (open wound) can cause serious repercussions: chemical imbalances, irritation, discomfort, rash, skin burning, etc. Make sure your tattoo is fully healed before applying any sunscreen, tanning oils, or SPF lotions. Opt for a non-toxic sunscreen if/when you can find one. Some sunscreens on the market contain unsafe inactive ingredients that are harmful to your body, as well as the ocean/nature/animals you are exposed to. Always read the labels and do your online research!
When possible, avoid peak sun exposure by staying indoors during when the sun is at its highest, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. You should be extra cautious if/when wearing a clear film bandage like Saniderm, Tegaderm, or Recovery Derm Shield, as these adhesive bandages are not made to be UV protected and you can still get sunburn through them. Cover your tattoo with loose, breathable clothing. Shade yourself with an umbrella or stay out of direct sunlight. Avoid “fake” tanning through tanning beds/salons. If your fresh tattoo does end up getting sunburnt, tend to it with a tattoo gel that contains aloe vera (like InkAura). For all healed tattoos that end up getting sunburnt, apply regular aloe vera or your sunburn aftercare of choice. Talk to your dermatologist for additional ways to protect your skin from harmful UV rays.
How to protect your tattoo from the sun this summer:
- Prior to getting a new tattoo, avoid being out in the sun.
- Keep out of direct sunlight during your healing process (3-6 weeks).
- After your tattoo is past the “peeling” stage, wear non-toxic sunscreen.
- Continuously care for your tattoo as you/it ages.
Keep your skin and body hydrated at all times.
Moisturizing your skin prior to your tattoo appointment is essential so that your skin takes the ink pigments quickly and efficiently. Dry, flakey, crusty skin is more challenging to tattoo because it is prone to splitting. After you receive your new tattoo, follow your aftercare instructions intensively. Always make sure you are keeping your tattoo clean and moisturized. Avoid lotions that have heavy fragrances, as they will dry out your skin and cause irritation.
Dehydration prior to tattoo appointment can lead to sickness, headaches, nausea, vomiting, shakes, or diarrhea during or immediately following your tattoo session. You can become dehydrated from excessive caffeine consumption (coffee, energy drinks, soda), alcohol consumption, through the medications you take, underlying illnesses or diseases you may have (like diabetes, a common cold, or the flu), or electrolyte imbalances (not enough or too much sodium). If you aren’t a typical daily water drinker, you must pay extra caution!
It is essential for you to drink plenty of water throughout the week leading up to your tattoo session, during your session, and following your tattoo for the coming weeks during your healing process. The more hydrated your body is, the faster the tattoo will take and easier your tattoo will heal. Remember to be consistent with your hydration, and not to overload your body all at once (like a gallon right away in the morning). It’s better to pace yourself and continuously drink water throughout the day (like finishing a bottle of water every few hours). If you’re feeling fancy, mix it up with some Mio, Salud, Liquid IV, or your favorite flavor of electrolyte drink mix.
How to keep your skin and tattoo hydrated this summer:
Moisturizing your skin prior to your tattoo appointment is essential so that your skin takes the ink pigments quickly and efficiently. Dry, flakey, crusty skin is more challenging to tattoo because it is prone to splitting. After you receive your new tattoo, follow your aftercare instructions intensively. Always make sure you are keeping your tattoo clean and moisturized. Avoid lotions that have heavy fragrances, as they will dry out your skin and cause irritation.
Dehydration prior to tattoo appointment can lead to sickness, headaches, nausea, vomiting, shakes, or diarrhea during or immediately following your tattoo session. You can become dehydrated from excessive caffeine consumption (coffee, energy drinks, soda), alcohol consumption, through the medications you take, underlying illnesses or diseases you may have (like diabetes, a common cold, or the flu), or electrolyte imbalances (not enough or too much sodium). If you aren’t a typical daily water drinker, you must pay extra caution!
It is essential for you to drink plenty of water throughout the week leading up to your tattoo session, during your session, and following your tattoo for the coming weeks during your healing process. The more hydrated your body is, the faster the tattoo will take and easier your tattoo will heal. Remember to be consistent with your hydration, and not to overload your body all at once (like a gallon right away in the morning). It’s better to pace yourself and continuously drink water throughout the day (like finishing a bottle of water every few hours). If you’re feeling fancy, mix it up with some Mio, Salud, Liquid IV, or your favorite flavor of electrolyte drink mix.
How to keep your skin and tattoo hydrated this summer:
- Moisturize your skin leading up to your tattoo appointment.
- Drink plenty of water, before, during, and after your tattoo session.
- Keep your fresh tattoo clean and moisturized throughout the healing process.
Do not pick, itch, or scratch at your skin.
Just as you would avoid itching a rash, peeling your sunburn, getting poison ivy and scratching at it (causing it to spread), or peeling at a scab (creating a scar), you want to avoid these same sentiments when healing a new tattoo. If you get an eczema outbreak on the area you planned on getting tattooed, avoid itching, get the tattoo in an alternative area, or reschedule your tattoo for a date/time you’re no longer experiencing a rash. If you are someone with seasonal allergies, take allergy medicine and avoid the outdoors so that your new tattoo is not exposed to additional extenuating circumstances during the healing process. If you fall down and scrape your leg, causing road rash, a cut, bruise, or scab on the area you intended on getting tattooed, you will need to wait until you are fully healed first, or move your tattoo to a different area of your body.
Tattoos can (and often do) get itchy during the healing process, when your skin is flaking/shedding. Scratching and itching can be extremely damaging to your new tattoo. Not only does itching and scratching cause additional redness, swelling, and irritation; it also slows the healing process of your tattoo. Exposing your tattoo to bacteria and contaminants that were under your nails could cause serious infection. When possible, soothe your tattoo with unscented lotion, use an ice pack (with some form of barrier to protect your open wound), or gently tap at your tattoo with clean hands/fingers.
How to safely "scratch your itch" this summer:
Just as you would avoid itching a rash, peeling your sunburn, getting poison ivy and scratching at it (causing it to spread), or peeling at a scab (creating a scar), you want to avoid these same sentiments when healing a new tattoo. If you get an eczema outbreak on the area you planned on getting tattooed, avoid itching, get the tattoo in an alternative area, or reschedule your tattoo for a date/time you’re no longer experiencing a rash. If you are someone with seasonal allergies, take allergy medicine and avoid the outdoors so that your new tattoo is not exposed to additional extenuating circumstances during the healing process. If you fall down and scrape your leg, causing road rash, a cut, bruise, or scab on the area you intended on getting tattooed, you will need to wait until you are fully healed first, or move your tattoo to a different area of your body.
Tattoos can (and often do) get itchy during the healing process, when your skin is flaking/shedding. Scratching and itching can be extremely damaging to your new tattoo. Not only does itching and scratching cause additional redness, swelling, and irritation; it also slows the healing process of your tattoo. Exposing your tattoo to bacteria and contaminants that were under your nails could cause serious infection. When possible, soothe your tattoo with unscented lotion, use an ice pack (with some form of barrier to protect your open wound), or gently tap at your tattoo with clean hands/fingers.
How to safely "scratch your itch" this summer:
- If you have a cut, scrape, bruise, or rash on the area to be tattooed, reschedule.
- Always handle your fresh tattoo with clean hands.
- Soothe your fresh tattoo by keeping it hydrated, moisturized, and cool.
Avoid sweating and humidity when possible.
Exposing yourself to high humidity and extreme temperatures is uncomfortable as it is, but adding on sweat can make healing your tattoo even more challenging. Sweat is made up of water, salt, and bacteria… All of which are what we want to avoid getting into a new tattoo. Have you ever poured salt on an open wound? Ouch! Sweating over your fresh tattoo is going to cause swelling, redness, irritation, itching, burning, rash, and could lead to infection if not properly maintained/cared for.
Take a rest week from your gym routine, running schedule, and hard labor. The first week of healing your tattoo is the most important part and where you should take the most precaution. Not only is exercise strenuous on your body, but it also contains repetitive motions that push and pull at your muscles and skin (a little counterproductive to healing your skin, if I do say so myself). Enjoy your break and relax… Let your body heal!
Be extra cautious sweating or exposing yourself to humid temperatures when you’re wearing a clear film bandage. If/when you sweat under your tattoo bandage, you are building a cove of bacteria that your new tattoo is marinating in. Do not let your tattoo attempt to heal with bacteria from your sweat trapped inside your wrap! Immediately go home and shower. Take your bandage off and begin your aftercare process. Wash your tattoo and surrounding area thoroughly with antibacterial/antimicrobial soap and lukewarm water. Then, follow your aftercare instructions provided to you by your tattoo artist.
Take some rest this summer:
Exposing yourself to high humidity and extreme temperatures is uncomfortable as it is, but adding on sweat can make healing your tattoo even more challenging. Sweat is made up of water, salt, and bacteria… All of which are what we want to avoid getting into a new tattoo. Have you ever poured salt on an open wound? Ouch! Sweating over your fresh tattoo is going to cause swelling, redness, irritation, itching, burning, rash, and could lead to infection if not properly maintained/cared for.
Take a rest week from your gym routine, running schedule, and hard labor. The first week of healing your tattoo is the most important part and where you should take the most precaution. Not only is exercise strenuous on your body, but it also contains repetitive motions that push and pull at your muscles and skin (a little counterproductive to healing your skin, if I do say so myself). Enjoy your break and relax… Let your body heal!
Be extra cautious sweating or exposing yourself to humid temperatures when you’re wearing a clear film bandage. If/when you sweat under your tattoo bandage, you are building a cove of bacteria that your new tattoo is marinating in. Do not let your tattoo attempt to heal with bacteria from your sweat trapped inside your wrap! Immediately go home and shower. Take your bandage off and begin your aftercare process. Wash your tattoo and surrounding area thoroughly with antibacterial/antimicrobial soap and lukewarm water. Then, follow your aftercare instructions provided to you by your tattoo artist.
Take some rest this summer:
- Pause your gym routine and take time to recover after getting a new tattoo.
- Don’t leave your bandage on your tattoo after exercising.
- If you get sweaty, wash your tattoo.
No swimming until your tattoo is healed.
The most common question I receive is “when can I go swimming?” after I finish a new tattoo. The answer is, it varies from person to person and from size of the tattoo. Obviously, someone who has gotten a small linework tattoo is going to be healed much faster than someone who has gotten a half sleeve. The best way to guide you is that if your tattoo is still peeling, you’re not ready to swim yet. If your tattoo is flaking, your skin is still considered an open wound. Once it’s past the shiny/glossy stage, and the crusty/flakey stage, and your tattoo has a “dull” look to it, then you are safe to hit the water. This can be anywhere between 2 and 8 weeks, so plan accordingly! Give yourself ample amount of time before you plan on going on any trips.
This “no swimming” rule applies to any submergence in water or extended period of time where you’re “soaking”. You don’t want to “prune” your open wound. So, no baths, hot tubs, rivers, lakes, pools, waterparks, ponds, oceans, beaches, floats, etc. until that tattoo is fully healed. This also means no water activities, like waterskiing, wakeboarding, surfing, water polo, water exercise, etc. There are also extenuating risks that come with swimming: bacteria in the water, swimming itches from lake or sea water, allergens, chlorine, bodily fluids from people and animals. All of these happenstances and circumstances can lead to (at best) itching, burning, rashes, or hives, and (at worst) infection or death.
I’ve been asked several times if you can swim with your tattoo bandage, and the answer is absolutely not. Those bandages are not water-proof and will get water underneath them. They are not made to protect your tattoo from water submersion (in fact, we actually recommend taking them off in the shower because they peel better). So, please do not think you can swim with these on to protect your tattoo! No bandage, waterproof or not, is inherently “safe” for you to swim in and I highly recommend you just wait and exercise some patience. It’s a great life skill to have. 😉
Please (I'm begging you) don't swim with a fresh tattoo this summer:
The most common question I receive is “when can I go swimming?” after I finish a new tattoo. The answer is, it varies from person to person and from size of the tattoo. Obviously, someone who has gotten a small linework tattoo is going to be healed much faster than someone who has gotten a half sleeve. The best way to guide you is that if your tattoo is still peeling, you’re not ready to swim yet. If your tattoo is flaking, your skin is still considered an open wound. Once it’s past the shiny/glossy stage, and the crusty/flakey stage, and your tattoo has a “dull” look to it, then you are safe to hit the water. This can be anywhere between 2 and 8 weeks, so plan accordingly! Give yourself ample amount of time before you plan on going on any trips.
This “no swimming” rule applies to any submergence in water or extended period of time where you’re “soaking”. You don’t want to “prune” your open wound. So, no baths, hot tubs, rivers, lakes, pools, waterparks, ponds, oceans, beaches, floats, etc. until that tattoo is fully healed. This also means no water activities, like waterskiing, wakeboarding, surfing, water polo, water exercise, etc. There are also extenuating risks that come with swimming: bacteria in the water, swimming itches from lake or sea water, allergens, chlorine, bodily fluids from people and animals. All of these happenstances and circumstances can lead to (at best) itching, burning, rashes, or hives, and (at worst) infection or death.
I’ve been asked several times if you can swim with your tattoo bandage, and the answer is absolutely not. Those bandages are not water-proof and will get water underneath them. They are not made to protect your tattoo from water submersion (in fact, we actually recommend taking them off in the shower because they peel better). So, please do not think you can swim with these on to protect your tattoo! No bandage, waterproof or not, is inherently “safe” for you to swim in and I highly recommend you just wait and exercise some patience. It’s a great life skill to have. 😉
Please (I'm begging you) don't swim with a fresh tattoo this summer:
- Wait until your tattoo is fully healed to enjoy swimming and water activities.
- Stay out of hot tubs and baths until you’re past the peeling stage.
- Be risk aware of the bacteria, chemicals, and allergens in various bodies of water.
- Don't trust the word "waterproof" on bandages and wraps.
Stay off the beach, out of the dirt, and keep traveling to a minimum.
Getting sand or dirt in an open wound isn’t just painful, it’s a nightmare waiting to happen. Bugs, bacteria, and allergens live and thrive in nature. When you’re exposing your new tattoo to alternative sceneries and climates, you’re playing with fire. Germs can be found everywhere – planes, trains, public restrooms, Uber/Lyft rideshares, etc. The more you’re traveling around in unknown areas, the riskier it is to heal your new tattoo. Not to mention, the friction and/or suffocation you could cause from the clothing you are wearing for extended periods of time traveling from place to place.
Always protect your tattoo, and plan for the vacation you are going on. Flying, hiking at high elevations, or exposure to the extreme cold can cause skin dryness or frostbite. Locations with extreme heat can cause dehydration, skin irritation, and/or sunburns. Public restrooms, outhouses, and porta-potties are not the ideal scenario for cleaning and maintaining your fresh tattoo. Plan on healing your tattoo for at least 4 weeks (minimum) before you go camping, to a music festival, on a beach, to the lake, to a foreign country, etc.
If you do get unwelcome exposure to dirt/grime, immediately wash your tattoo with anti-bacterial, or anti-microbial, soap and water. Carefully observe your tattoo over the next few days to make sure it is not contaminated or infected. If you are concerned about infection exposure, immediately consult a doctor.
How to keep your new tattoo out of danger this summer:
Getting sand or dirt in an open wound isn’t just painful, it’s a nightmare waiting to happen. Bugs, bacteria, and allergens live and thrive in nature. When you’re exposing your new tattoo to alternative sceneries and climates, you’re playing with fire. Germs can be found everywhere – planes, trains, public restrooms, Uber/Lyft rideshares, etc. The more you’re traveling around in unknown areas, the riskier it is to heal your new tattoo. Not to mention, the friction and/or suffocation you could cause from the clothing you are wearing for extended periods of time traveling from place to place.
Always protect your tattoo, and plan for the vacation you are going on. Flying, hiking at high elevations, or exposure to the extreme cold can cause skin dryness or frostbite. Locations with extreme heat can cause dehydration, skin irritation, and/or sunburns. Public restrooms, outhouses, and porta-potties are not the ideal scenario for cleaning and maintaining your fresh tattoo. Plan on healing your tattoo for at least 4 weeks (minimum) before you go camping, to a music festival, on a beach, to the lake, to a foreign country, etc.
If you do get unwelcome exposure to dirt/grime, immediately wash your tattoo with anti-bacterial, or anti-microbial, soap and water. Carefully observe your tattoo over the next few days to make sure it is not contaminated or infected. If you are concerned about infection exposure, immediately consult a doctor.
How to keep your new tattoo out of danger this summer:
- Plan your tattoo appointment around your travel plans.
- Keep your tattoo away from sand, dirt, and grime.
- Immediately clean your tattoo if you expect that it was exposed to unsafe circumstances.
- Consult a doctor if you are worried about infectious exposure.
When in doubt, wait it out.
If you don’t think you’ll be able to tend to your new tattoo during the summer, wait until the fall or winter to book your next tattoo project*. I have plenty of clients who take off the summer months to enjoy the sunshine, swimming, and being outdoors. The last thing they need to worry about is tending to a fresh, open wound while out and about. Getting a tattoo in the fall, winter, or spring might be the better route for you! If you are unsure of how long you expect to heal, talk to your artist before booking your appointment. If you have any travel or swimming plans in order, ask them when they think the best time for you to get a tattoo might be. Or wait until you’re back from vacation and are readily available to tend to your new piece of art.
Consider your options on the best time to get a tattoo:
If you don’t think you’ll be able to tend to your new tattoo during the summer, wait until the fall or winter to book your next tattoo project*. I have plenty of clients who take off the summer months to enjoy the sunshine, swimming, and being outdoors. The last thing they need to worry about is tending to a fresh, open wound while out and about. Getting a tattoo in the fall, winter, or spring might be the better route for you! If you are unsure of how long you expect to heal, talk to your artist before booking your appointment. If you have any travel or swimming plans in order, ask them when they think the best time for you to get a tattoo might be. Or wait until you’re back from vacation and are readily available to tend to your new piece of art.
Consider your options on the best time to get a tattoo:
- Getting a tattoo in an alternative season might be better for you, and that’s okay!
- Consult with your artist before booking a tattoo, especially a large one.
Getting a tattoo in the summer shouldn’t be scary, you just need to be aware of all the environmental factors you are subjecting yourself to. There are plenty of resources online that are available online, as your tattoo artist, primary care physician, dermatologist, and others who can help you decide the best time to get a tattoo. If you do decide to get a tattoo in the summer, you might want to get a small linework piece, rather than a large, elaborate thigh tattoo. That way, you can still enjoy the summer and have some “ink therapy” as well.
*If you're unsure when a good time to get tattooed is, check out my other blog article: the best time to get tattooed.