Undercover: Tattoo Sunscreen

Congratulations! You are the lucky owner of a tattoo. The master probably warned you that in the next few days it is forbidden to go to the gym, drink alcohol, rub and steam the drawing. And for at least a month it will be impossible to sunbathe – and in the future you will have to use sunscreen for tattoos.

How to protect your tattoo from the sun with sunscreen

For owners of drawings on the body, sunscreen should be almost the number one remedy. The questions “is it possible to smear a tattoo with sunscreen” and “should I smear a tattoo with sunscreen” are not even worth it – of course, you can and should! First, sunscreen will protect barely healed skin from sunburn. (Just imagine what will happen to her if she also burns!) And in the future it will protect the tattoo from fading: in the sun, the ink drawing turns pale, the colors become not so bright. And, of course, sunscreen is the best prevention of skin cancer, regardless of whether it has a tattoo or not.

It is impossible to apply sunscreen for tattoos immediately after the salon – for the first days only a protective film or healing ointment is used. To protect a fresh tattoo from the sun, the drawing is simply covered with clothing or a scarf made from natural fabrics. And only when the skin is completely healed, it will be possible to lubricate (or spray) it with sunscreen. You need to do this both in the sun and in the solarium.

How to choose a tattoo sun protection cream

Do not believe those who say that there is some “best” sunscreen for tattoos. The choice of brand and format depends only on your preferences (and a little bit on the size and localization of the picture). As for the composition, it would be good if, in addition to sunscreens, the products contain caring components. To protect the tattoo from the sun will help:

  • panthenol, which enhances the regenerative processes in the skin and softens it (it does this both in winter and in summer);

  • moisturizing ingredients – glycerin, aloe vera extract, hyaluronic acid;

  • antioxidants – vitamin E, green tea extract, resveratrol and others, they fight free radicals that can be produced by exposure to sunlight.

Sunscreen will protect barely healed skin from sunburn and protect the tattoo from fading.

What is the best sunscreen for tattoos?

Tattoos are best done in autumn, winter or early spring, when there is no active sun. But the clouds still let in ultraviolet rays, and the skin after the tattoo becomes very vulnerable, and in the absence of proper protection, burns and age spots may appear on it (and the tattoo itself, as we have already said, may begin to fade). Therefore, in winter, and in the off-season, and especially in summer, you need to apply a cream with a high protection factor to the drawing – anyone with SPF50 and above is suitable for a tattoo. Here at Healthy-Food, we like the following products – maybe you can choose sunscreen for your tattoo among them.

In stick form

This sunscreen is ideal for protecting small tattoos from the sun. It is convenient to carry in your bag and use as needed.

Anthelios XL Sun Stick, SPF50, La Roche-Posay

Among its active ingredients – ricin oil, shea butter and cocoa, they soften and nourish the skin, soothe it. Soy glycerin hydrates while vitamin E provides antioxidant protection. And all this is a pleasant and useful addition to sun filters that reliably protect against UV radiation.

Spray

Great for both small and large tattoos. And for ink drawings on the back of the head, on the hips, on the back. If there is no one nearby who can “anoint the back with cream”, take a spray – with it you can treat hard-to-reach areas yourself.

Capital Soleil Super Waterproof Sun Spray, SPF 50+, Vichy

Designed for kids, it’s great for adults too. Including – to protect tattoos. The spray absorbs quickly and provides excellent UV protection. And the effect of UV filters is complemented by glycerin, vitamin E and Vichy thermal water.

Sun Spray-Veil Ambre Solaire “Solar Water”, SPF 30, Garnier

It does not contain fragrances and dyes, it is easy to apply and literally dissolves on the skin – after a couple of minutes it is no longer visible, no shine and whitish streaks! In addition to effective sunscreens, it contains aloe vera juice, which gives an additional moisturizing effect.

Milk and cream

It seems that due to the denser texture, they protect the skin from UV better than the same spray or solar water. But it only seems: modern tools are effective in any format. So choose what is more convenient for you. Protective sun cream and protective milk are suitable for lovers of the classics – and for those who have tattoos on their arms, chest, legs, stomach (if you have to apply it yourself). What sun cream to use for a tattoo?

Light Sun Milk “Expert Protection” Ambre Solaire, SPF 50+, Garnier

This milk, as the name implies, provides expert-level protection – which is necessary for a tattoo. However, it does not leave whitish marks on the skin. The high SPF 50 index speaks of the quality of UV protection. And vitamin E additionally softens the skin and protects against free radicals.

Anthelios Sunscreen Moisturizer for Face & Eyes, SPF 50+, La Roche-Posay

Combined photostable filter, reinforced with antioxidants, perfectly protects against sunlight. The tool is easily and evenly applied, it is not felt, but at the same time creates a dense protective layer on the skin. And the thermal water in the cream additionally softens and soothes the skin.

How to apply sunscreen to a tattoo

After we figured out how to smear a tattoo in the sun, we’ll figure out how to do it and how often. No surprises here:

  1. Tattoo sunscreen should be applied before sun exposure. If you do not apply sunscreen at home, you can get sunburned on the way to the beach.

  2. It is recommended to renew the product every 2-3 hours, since the applied product with physical filters can be washed off due to contact with clothing, water, sand (if it happens at sea). And for products with chemical filters, over time, the period of effective work simply ends – in two to three hours their resource for neutralizing the action of UV rays is exhausted.

  3. It’s not worth saving: any sunscreen must be applied quite generously, in a dense layer (read more here).

Sunblock should be applied to the tattoo before sun exposure.

Summary results

And now briefly about the main thing.

Should I put sunscreen on my tattoo?

Necessarily! It will protect the skin from sunburn, pigmentation and the appearance of moles, and tattoos from fading and fading. By the way, sunscreen is also used to protect permanent tattoos.

Can I use sunscreen immediately after the salon? 

No, only a protective film or healing ointment is applied to a fresh, new tattoo. But when the skin area is completely healed, you can and will need to lubricate (or spray, if you choose a spray) with sunscreen if the tattoo is not covered by clothing.

What is the best sunscreen for tattoos? 

Tattooed skin is very vulnerable, so it’s best to use a product with a high UV index. How much? SPF 50 and above. For reference: SPF 50 neutralizes the effect of 98% of UV radiation, even SPF 100 does not protect 100%.

What gives the best sun protection – spray, stick or cream? 

Modern tools are effective in any format. Which one to choose depends only on your personal preferences, as well as on the size and location of the tattoo. Let’s say if she’s on her back, it’s more convenient to use a spray. If very small – stick. And if on the chest, on the arms, legs or stomach – cream.

How often should you apply sunscreen to your tattoo in the summer? 

If you are in the sun, the funds should be renewed every 2-3 hours, since the applied product with physical filters is gradually erased due to contact with clothing, water, sand (if it happens at sea). And for products with chemical filters, over time, the period of effective work simply ends.

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