How to Protect a Tattoo Using Sunblock

One of the biggest threats to the quality of your tattoo is direct sunlight. Repeated exposure of a colorful tattoo to the sun can lead to fading, in addition to skin damage to the tattooed area. You need to plan ahead and find the right sunblock in order to protect your tattoo from the sun.

Things You'll Need

• Camera

Instructions

1. Avoid the use of sunblock on a new or recently improved tattoo to ensure proper healing. Most experts agree that a waiting period of 1 month after a tattoo parlor visit is ideal in order for the skin to properly withstand direct sunlight.

2. Schedule an application of sunblock on your tattoo every 30 minutes for proper protection. You should have applied four layers of sunblock to your tattoo by the time you add another layer of sunblock to the rest of your body.

3. Safeguard your tattoo from sun damage by adding lotion to your body after finishing a swim. Water washes away lotion, which makes the full application of sunblock a necessity to protect an expensive tattoo.

4. Utilize a mixture of moisturizers, lotions and sunblock on your tattoo to protect your skin from sunburn. The skin beneath your tattoo needs to be healthy for future visits to the tattoo parlor for recoloring and touch-ups.

5. Search for sunblock that adheres to your skin quickly when looking for protection for your tattoo. Greasy lotion that stays on the skin without dissolving will be difficult to apply every time you head out into the sun.

6. Anticipate immediate damage from sunlight by using sunblock on your tattoo at least 30 minutes before heading outdoors. Sunblock needs time to dissolve into the skin for broad spectrum protection.

7. Choose a traditional lotion instead of a spray when using sunblock on your tattoo. Spray-on sunblock dissipates too quickly to provide full protection against UV rays.

8. Snap a photo of your tattoo after each exposure to the sun to track discoloration and fading while using sunblock. Compile these photos in chronological order and bring it to your tattoo artist to assess the effectiveness of sunblock.

Tips & Warnings

• Create a frame on the outside of your tattoo with high SPF sunblock before heading into the sun. Use a thin layer of sunblock with an SPF higher than 30 just outside the borders of your tattoo to avoid fading of sharp lines. Spread sunblock on the rest of your tattoo with a light layer of sunblock of the same SPF.