The inspiration for writing this article came from the increasingly common opinions we’ve been hearing that getting a tattoo in the summer is outright forbidden. We are going to do our best to debunk most of the myths surrounding this topic.
First of all, let’s not classify getting a tattoo during the summer season as something that is “forbidden”—the way we would classify drunk driving, for example.
Driving under the influence of alcohol is forbidden; getting a tattoo is definitely not.
Everything is for people, and if you approach getting a summer tattoo wisely, the process won’t be any different than if you had done it at any other time of the year.
Why do people even get the impression that it is a bad idea in the first place?
It is mainly about UV radiation, specifically exposing the tattoo to the sun.
At this point, you need to realize that you shouldn’t suntan any tattoo, regardless of the season it was done.
We protect a healed tattoo using UV sunscreens—SPF 50 minimum. We highly recommend pharmacy-grade products to ensure that SPF 50 is actually 50, not 30.
A fresh tattoo is nothing less than an open wound, which must not come into contact with external factors like the sun. The best way to protect it is by wearing loose, non-stick clothing.
How long should you keep a tattoo out of the sun?
The duration of this protection will depend on how fast your skin heals. This, in turn, is influenced by the size and type of the tattoo. A small, delicate fine-line design will heal differently than a large, color-heavy piece.
On average, keeping it completely out of the sun for 2 to 3 weeks should be enough.
Is that a lot?
In our day-to-day lives, there are only a few body parts that are constantly exposed to the sun: forearms, hands, the neck, the face, and on women, the calves.
Now, let’s look at the climate we live in. We can’t exactly count on Greek or Spanish weather here. The number of sunny days is much lower, and the temperatures are too.
Even so, avoiding the sun can still be a bit of a hassle for some people. But you have to ask yourself: is healing a tattoo during other seasons actually easy and pleasant?
In winter, autumn, or even early spring, we tend to bundle up in several layers of clothing, which is also far from comfortable when you have a fresh wound. When you think about it, healing a tattoo might actually be easier in the summer.
And what about going on vacation?
Of course, if you are planning a vacation somewhere warm, we do not recommend getting tattooed a month or less before your trip.
As for swimming in the sea, pools, etc., we advise skipping it for 2 to 3 weeks, just like with sun protection.
I'm back from vacation. What then?
Another issue is getting a tattoo after heavy sun exposure. You’re back from vacation, you’ve had enough of the sun, and you want to get inked. Just don’t do it right away—give your skin some time to rest.
Skin is often very dry after a holiday. Give yourself 1 to 2 weeks to properly rehydrate it. Drink plenty of water and use moisturizing lotions. Keep in mind that tattooing on a heavily tanned skin can also make the process more difficult for the artist.
In conclusion, you shouldn’t blindly believe the popular opinion that getting tattooed in the summer is bad. Let’s look at this on an individual basis. There are plenty of people out there—even those without any tattoos—who make it a rule to avoid direct sun exposure anyway.
In our opinion, the absolute key is properly planning your healing process and staying disciplined. Even if, right in the middle of it, you get a massive urge to hit the lake with your buddies, stay consistent. The way your tattoo heals now will directly impact its quality for years to come.
P.S. Why do you think all the biggest and most prestigious tattoo conventions take place during the summer?