How to Protect Your Tattoo from the Sun This Summer

Protect your ink while you soak up the sun this holiday season; keep your tattoos vibrant with proper care.

Fresh Ink? Avoid sun & water at All Costs

A new tattoo is an open wound. That means no direct sunlight, no ocean, no pools, and no long baths for at least 3-4 weeks. Chlorine, salt, and bacteria can cause infections, slow healing, and pull ink from your skin—leaving patchy results that can’t always be fixed.

For Healed Tattoos: Protect from over exposure to sunlight.

Once healed (about 4–6 weeks), your tattoo’s less fragile—but still needs care:

• Use SPF 30/50+ (fragrance-free, mineral sunscreen is best)

• Reapply every 2 hours, especially after swimming or sweating

• Cover up with loose clothing when possible

• Avoid peak sun (10 AM–4 PM)

• Moisturize daily to keep the skin healthy and ink vibrant

Sunlight breaks down pigment over time, what causes the tones to were off. Fading is slow but real and if you want your piece to stay crisp for years, sunscreen isn’t optional.

Quick Don’ts

• No tanning oils or tanning beds

• Don’t rely on “base tans” for protection

• Don’t skip sunscreen just because it’s cloudy

Final Word

Your tattoo is custom work—one of one. Keep it crisp by treating it like the art it is. Protect it from the sun, avoid water while healing, and don’t cut corners on aftercare.