The Sun is Your Tattoo's Worst Enemy - Protect Your Ink!
by Karen L. Hudson
Ultraviolet rays, while adding a nice bronze tone to your skin, drain the life out of a tattoo. The more you tan, the more the ink fades and slowly goes from brilliant to boring. If you absolutely must go soak up some rays, use sun block. Find the highest SPF level you can find and re-apply often if you're going to spend a lot of time outside.
Most of us spend more time exposed to the sun than we realize. Ever get home and find your left arm sunburned from resting your arm on your car window while driving? Any time that your tattoo is going to be exposed to the sun, cover it! You can cover it with clothing or sunscreen, or stay in the shade.
Don't put sunblock on a new or fresh tattoo - follow your tattoo artist's aftercare instructions and keep your tattoo covered or shaded with clothing for the first few weeks. You can use sunblock once your tattoo has finished peeling and has grown it's first protective layer of skin. A tattoo is usually considered well-healed after about 3 months.
Once your tettoo is completely healed, you can use sunless tanning lotions for a tanned effect. However, depending on the shade and color of the particular sunless tanning lotion you use, it may create an odd effect to your tattoo's appearance. To be on the safe side, avoid putting the lotion directly over the tattoo.
Your tattoo is an investment, so don't gamble on that investment by not properly caring for it. It takes very little effort to either cover up or safeguard your tattoo with sunscreen. Proper care can keep a tattoo looking vibrant for years to come.
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