Sun Protection for New & Old Tattoos: A Complete Guide

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Plus, sunscreen & product recommendations from folks with ink
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If you have a tattoo, you’re probably wondering about the best ways to care for it and prevent it from fading. Whether it’s brand new or fully healed, one of the most important things you can do for your tattoo is protect it from the sun. Luckily, we’ve compiled a complete guide on how to do just that, including expert advice from tattoo artists Michelle Myles and Grant Lubbock. Keep reading for everything you need to know!

Best Sun Protection for Tattoos

Keep a new tattoo out of direct sunlight for 3-4 weeks (or until it fully heals). If you need to spend time outside, cover the area with loose, protective clothing. When the healing period ends, wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher on a regular basis to prevent the ink from fading.

Section 1 of 4:

How to Protect Tattoos from the Sun

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  1. 1
    While a new tattoo is still healing, avoid direct sunlight altogether. If you’ve just gotten a fresh tattoo, it’s important to keep it out of the sun, explains Myles. Your skin will still be healing from all the tiny pricks of the tattoo needle, which makes it more inflamed and more sensitive to the sun than usual. It’s not safe to put sunscreen on while it’s still healing , so the best course of action is to stay out of the sun as much as possible during this period. [1]
    • How long do you need to stay out of the sun after getting a tattoo? The amount of time it takes for a tattoo to heal depends on its size and location, but in general, it takes about 3-4 weeks for the skin’s surface to heal. You should try to avoid the sun for about this long. [2]
  2. 2
    Cover your new tattoo with clothing if you’re spending time outside. If you need to be outside during this 2-4 week healing period, cover your tattoo with clothing so it’s not exposed to direct sunlight. Regular clothes work well, but you can also purchase sun protective UPF clothing for some extra protection. [3]
    • These garments are specifically designed to protect you from UV radiation, and some of them can block out up to 98% of the sun’s rays. This protects your new tattoo and also prevents skin cancer, so it’s a win-win situation! [4]
    • Just make sure to pick loose garments, rather than tight or form-fitting ones, as your tattoo continues to heal. “You want to be careful that your clothes don't rub on it. That will definitely irritate a tattoo,” says Myles.
    • Light fabrics like linen work well if it's summer or you live in a hot climate.
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  3. 3
    Once your tattoo has healed, protect it from the sun with sunscreen. “After a new tattoo is fully healed, which I generally say is about three weeks to a month, you can start to apply sunscreen ,” says Lubbock. “So when you're out and about in daily life, go ahead and apply a small coat of sunscreen if you're going to be exposed to the sun,” he says. The same sunscreen rules that you'd follow for your regular routine apply for tattooed skin, but here are some specific tips:
    • Pick a product that says “broad-spectrum” on the label. This means it protects from both UVA and UVB rays.
    • Make sure that it’s SPF 30 or higher and water resistant.
    • Apply your sunscreen 15 minutes before you go outdoors (it takes your skin about this long to absorb the product and get the protective effects).
    • Rub a generous amount into your skin to make sure it’s thoroughly covered.
    • Reapply your sunscreen every two hours. [5]
    EXPERT TIP

    Alina Goldenberg MD, MAS, FAAD

    Board Certified Dermatologist
    Dr. Alina Goldenberg is a Board Certified Dermatologist. She specializes in allergic contact and atopic dermatitis, patch testing, skin cancer screening and treatment, and medical and cosmetic dermatology. Dr. Goldenberg has published numerous peer-reviewed publications, textbook chapters and received grants and awards from organizations such as the National Institutes of Health and the American Skin Association. She holds a BA in Public Health from The University of California, Berkeley, a MAS in Clinical Research, and an MD from The University of California, San Diego.
    Alina Goldenberg MD, MAS, FAAD
    Board Certified Dermatologist

    A daily skincare routine should always include sun protection. UV radiation is known to mutate skin cells and lead to skin cancer, premature aging, and skin discoloration. To protect your skin, wear broad-spectrum sunscreens, hats, and/or UV-protective (UPF) clothing, and stay out of the sun between 10am-2pm.

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Section 2 of 4:

Best Sun Protection for Tattoos

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  1. Any broad-spectrum SPF 30 (or higher) sunscreen protects tattoos.
    However, there are some sun protection products out there that tattoo lovers prefer over others. Here’s a list of a few popular ones to choose from:
    • Mad Rabbit Defend Tattoo Sunscreen SPF 30
      • Pros: Formulated specifically for tattooed skin, doubles as a soothing moisturizer for dry or irritated skin, includes antioxidants for anti-aging properties
      • Cons: Not the highest level of SPF protection you can get
      • Customer Ratings: 4.5 star average on Amazon.com
    • EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
      • Pros: Non-greasy formula, safe for acne-prone skin, doesn’t leave a white cast
      • Cons: Pricier option, smaller bottle because it’s technically a face sunscreen
      • Customer Ratings: 4.6 star average on Amazon.com
    • Sun Bum Sunscreen Face Stick SPF 30
      • Pros: Vegan, lower price, stick formula if you don’t like cream or spray
      • Cons: Lower SPF, some people might not like the tropical scent
      • Customer Ratings: 4.7 star average on Amazon.com
    • Coppertone Sport Sunscreen SPF 70
      • Pros: High SPF level, water resistant, affordable
      • Cons: Some reviewers mention that the formula is a bit thick, so you can feel it on your skin for a while after it’s applied.
      • Customer Ratings: 4.7 star average on Amazon.com
    • Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist SPF 70
      • Pros: Spray formula for easy application, high SPF, water resistant
      • Cons: Some reviewers feel that the product leaves their skin a bit greasy or shiny.
      • Customer Ratings: 4.7 star average on Amazon.com [6]
Section 3 of 4:

Why Sun Protection Is Important for New & Old Tattoos

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  1. 1
    Newly tattooed skin is extra sensitive. A tattoo is essentially a wound. The tiny needle makes little pricks all over the area, which leaves your skin extra sensitive and prone to irritation. In general, wounded skin and scars are more vulnerable to the negative effects of sunlight, which is why it’s important to keep your tattoo covered and protected while it’s still scabbing and healing. [7]
  2. 2
    Excessive sun exposure can cause older tattoos to fade. When it comes to preserving your tattoos, “the sun is your worst enemy,” says Lubbock. The UV radiation from sunlight can cause the ink to fade prematurely, so if you want to keeping your tattoos looking fresh and vibrant for years to come, things like sunscreen, protective clothing, and staying out of the sun during the harshest hours of the day (10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.) are key. [8]
    • If your tattoo fades a little bit due to sunlight, don’t panic. Lubbock suggests visiting your original artist for a touch-up.
  3. 3
    Sun exposure can also cause wrinkling, which affects your tattoo. When you spend a lot of time out in the sun, your skin can start to age prematurely. The UV rays from the sun cause the breakdown of collagen and elastin in your skin, leading to wrinkles, looser skin, and discoloration. [9] These things can affect the way your tattoo looks, which is another reason to prioritize sun protection.
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Section 4 of 4:

General Care Tips for a New Tattoo

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  1. “The first step is to always follow your artist's instructions, because we each do a tattoo a little bit differently. It's a good idea to follow exactly what the artist says,” Lubbock explains. However, there are some universal tips most tattoo artists will tell you to follow after getting a new tattoo . Here are a few:
    • Wash your tattoo with warm water and a gentle cleanser twice daily.
    • Apply a thin layer of gentle moisturizer to the area to keep it hydrated.
    • Keep the tattoo out of the sun and don’t put sunscreen on it until it’s fully healed.
    • Don’t scratch or pick at scabs.
    • Don’t wear tight clothing that rubs at the scabbed area.
    • Avoid immersing yourself in water (swimming, going in the hot tub, taking a bath, etc) for at least 10 days. [10]

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      Warnings

      • Do not wear a bandage or tight wrap to shield a new or healing tattoo from the sun. Your skin needs to breathe to heal properly, plus the rubbing of the bandage could irritate the sensitive skin.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7442309/
      2. ↑ https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/blog/how-to-care-for-a-new-tattoo
      3. ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7442309/
      4. ↑ https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-prevention/sun-protection/sun-protective-clothing/
      5. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/sun-protection/shade-clothing-sunscreen/how-to-select-sunscreen
      6. ↑ https://www.glamour.com/gallery/best-sunscreens-for-tattoos
      7. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/tattoo-aftercare
      8. ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7442309/
      9. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/5240-sun-damage-protecting-yourself
      1. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/tattoo-aftercare

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