Summer is a season of adventure as people try to come out of hibernation mode and enjoy the nicer weather.
It’s also the time of year when it’s spontaneous to go out with friends. What better way to celebrate the energy of summer than by getting matching tattoos with your friends while traveling to a beach town, a cross-country road trip, or somewhere new?
Unfortunately, summer may not be the best time to get a tattoo unless you’re willing to temporarily sacrifice some of the season’s free activities.
When it comes to summer tattoos, there are a few things to consider. Before you decide what’s best for you, let’s take a look at the important points.
Summer tattoo worries
Getting a tattoo in the summer seems like a great idea. It may have been a long time since you stepped outside to escape the cold winter days or spring storms.
If you’re planning on visiting a walk-in tattoo studio or making a summer tattoo appointment, there are a few things to consider.
Here are some of the main reasons why summer is not the best time to get a tattoo.
hit the sun
At the beginning of summer, everyone renews their energy and looks forward to the best season of the year. But the source of all that energy, the sun, has different effects on fresh ink.
When a tattoo is new, it’s basically an open wound. Your body is fighting hard to combat the trauma of the new ink. This causes pain, swelling, and itching as the healing process progresses. These challenges are evident even before considering solar exposure.
The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can worsen all of these symptoms and increase your risk of infection. In addition to that, the sun can have a big impact on tattoo healing.
Excessive exposure to direct sunlight can cause the pigments to fade quickly, reducing the vibrancy that makes your new item so popular.
swim in the pool
Taking a dip in a swimming pool is a great way to cool off from the summer heat, but it’s not so great for a fresh tattoo.
One of the big concerns is the chemicals in the pool. Chlorine is the main culprit. Chlorine can slow the healing process of your tattoo, causing irritation, irritation, and dryness, which can make your tattoo look blurry or distorted. Hot tubs have the same problem.
We highly recommend waiting at least a month before soaking your tattoo in water for an extended period of time, as any longer than this can cause the scab to fall off faster and leave a scar.
beach trip
Many of us can’t wait for our first day at the beach with our friends. We spend the winter dreaming of adventures on the boardwalk, tanning on the sand, and jumping into the ocean.
As already mentioned, the sun can do a lot of damage to your new tattoo, but there are other considerations when it comes to beach trips.
Touching sand while tanning can expose your new ink to physical irritation. Not only will this cause unnecessary pain, but it can also further irritate your skin and introduce bacteria to your tattoo.
Jumping into the ocean exposes your skin to salt water, which can cause dryness, scabbing, peeling, and peeling. All of these can interfere with the healing process and affect the final appearance of your tattoo. Wait until healing is complete before starting sun protection.
Sweat
You may have heard that strenuous exercise can have a negative effect on your new tattoo. In addition to potentially overexerting the tattooed area and wasting energy repairing the tattoo, sweat is another concern.
Sweat naturally contains water, salt, and bacteria, all of which have a negative impact on the proper healing of your tattoo. When sweat comes into contact with your tattoo, it can cause redness, dryness, and irritation.
humidity
Depending on where you live or visit during the summer, humidity can be an environmental factor that you have to deal with.
Humidity creates excess moisture in the air, creating an ideal environment for bacteria to breed and grow. New tattoos are most delicate and susceptible to infection during the first few weeks after healing, so avoiding moisture is essential.
trip
Finally, getting away from home is one of the most exciting parts of summer. Whether you’re checking a destination off your bucket list or taking a quick day trip, traveling can be fun.
When traveling to a new climate, environmental concerns arise. At your destination, your new tattoo may be exposed to high humidity and extreme temperatures, which can cause dehydration, irritation, and sunburn.
Also, when it comes to flying, the dry air and pressure changes in the cabin can cause excessive skin dryness.
how to get a tattoo in summer
Getting a tattoo is a year-round activity, and no one is saying you should avoid it completely during the summer months. Still, it definitely requires a little more planning and intention than other times of the year.
If you’re planning on getting a tattoo this summer season, here are some tips to help you do it right.
keep your tattoo clean
When you first get a tattoo, your body is fighting the trauma caused by the tattoo gun and trying to adapt to the tattoo pigment. Although it is still ongoing, the wound is open and proper hygiene must be practiced.
This can be even more difficult in the summer because you may be exercising, swimming, or doing other activities that make you sweat. Washing your new tattoo regularly with warm water and a gentle antibacterial soap can reduce the chance of infection.
stay hydrated
Hydration is important for our bodies all year round, but it becomes even more important in the summer when we are exposed to extreme temperatures. Drinking enough water is not only important for your overall health, but also for the tattoo healing process.
As our bodies heal from the trauma of a new tattoo, we need additional nutrients and hydration, so make sure you get enough H20 in the summer sun.
cover up
No one wants to wear layers under the hot sun. In fact, most of us are trying to liberate by doing the opposite. However, if you want a well-healed and vibrant tattoo, be sure to place it in the sun.
Loose-fitting clothing is preferred to allow the tattoo and skin to breathe while reducing undue irritation from a tight fit.
use sunscreen
Once your tattoo has healed, be sure to use a high SPF sunscreen to protect it from the sun. Sunscreen helps protect your tattoo and the surrounding skin from the harmful effects of intense UV rays.
Applying and reapplying sunscreen when out in the sun can reduce the risk of premature fading or discoloration of your tattoo.
Keep your tattoo moisturized
Moisturized skin is happy skin. The same applies to new ink. The challenge is that so many environmental factors threaten our skin with dryness and dehydration during the summer months.
Keeping your tattoo moisturized will speed up the healing process and reduce dryness, redness, and inflammation. The nutrient-rich botanical oils in our daily tattoo lotion help keep you hydrated throughout the day and can be reapplied as often as needed.
Do not scratch or rub
There is no getting around this. Healing a new tattoo involves some level of itching and discomfort. This situation can become even more frustrating when you add in the summer heat and the sweat and dryness sets in, not to mention the mosquitoes.
Resist the temptation to scratch or rub your tattoo whenever possible. Swelling and inflammation may increase, slowing the healing process.
Consider waiting until fall or winter
This is advice that many of us don’t want to hear. I understand that. This summer’s reunion may be the only chance for your group of friends to get the matching tattoos of your dreams, but consider waiting until at least fall or winter to get your new pieces. please.
As the weather gets cooler in the fall, we start wearing layers. Our clothing creates a barrier between your new tattoo and the sun, reducing the chance of UV exposure, sunburn, and pigment damage.
As the humidity decreases in the fall and winter, your tattoo will be exposed to less moisture and less bacteria. This is all good for healing.
Tim your tattoo session wisely
Summer isn’t the best season to get a tattoo, but it’s not all doom and gloom. With some preparation and good tattoo aftercare habits, which are always important, there are many ways to get a tattoo done correctly.
Mad Rabbit’s sunscreen and other aftercare essentials will help protect your tattoo from the elements this summer. That way, you won’t have to miss out on summer fun if you decide to get inked. And don’t forget to work with your tattoo artist to plan your tattoo perfectly.
source:
12 preventable summer skin problems | AAD
When will I be able to swim again if I get a new tattoo? | Birdie
What happens if a healing tattoo gets wet? | Bustle
Infectious complications of tattoos | JSTOR
