Can You Get Tattooed While Sunburned? No, you absolutely should not get a tattoo on sunburnt skin. At tattooat.com, we understand your eagerness to get inked, but tattooing over damaged skin can lead to complications. Prioritizing your skin’s health ensures a vibrant and long-lasting tattoo. To explore tattoo aftercare, tattoo healing, and sun protection tips, read on.
1. Understanding the Risks: Tattooing Sunburned Skin
Tattooing sunburnt skin is a bad idea for several reasons. Sunburn damages the outer layers of your skin, making it inflamed and sensitive. Attempting to tattoo this area can lead to a host of problems.
1.1. Why Sunburn and Tattoos Don’t Mix
Here’s a breakdown of why you should avoid tattooing sunburnt skin:
- Skin Damage: Sunburn is essentially skin damage caused by overexposure to UV rays. Tattooing further traumatizes the already compromised skin.
- Pain and Discomfort: Sunburnt skin is highly sensitive. Tattooing it would be significantly more painful than tattooing healthy skin.
- Healing Issues: Sunburnt skin is already trying to heal. Adding a tattoo to the mix complicates the healing process, increasing the risk of infection and scarring.
1.2. Expert Insight
Hannah Gehrke, a tattoo artist, strongly advises against tattooing sunburnt skin. She notes that sunburn affects the outer layers of your skin, making it inflamed and sensitive. Tattooing over it is not only painful but also detrimental to the healing process.
2. The Technical Difficulties: Stencils and Peeling Skin
Even if you were willing to endure the pain, tattooing sunburnt skin poses technical challenges for the artist.
2.1. Stencil Application
Tattoo stencils are designed to adhere to healthy skin. When skin is peeling from sunburn, the stencil won’t stick properly.
- Flaky Skin: The stencil sticks to the outer layers of flaky, dead skin.
- Stencil Removal: A single wipe can remove the stencil entirely, making it impossible to follow the design accurately.
2.2. Alternative Solutions
If you arrive for your appointment with sunburnt skin, your artist may offer a few options:
- New Placement: Move the tattoo to an undamaged area of your body.
- Reschedule: Rearrange the booking until the sunburn has fully healed.
3. Open Communication: Informing Your Tattoo Artist
Honesty is the best policy when it comes to your skin’s condition. If you’ve been sunburnt, let your tattoo artist know as soon as possible.
3.1. Why You Should Tell Your Artist
- Professional Assessment: Your artist can assess the severity of the sunburn and advise you on the best course of action.
- Rescheduling Options: They can help you reschedule your appointment or find an alternative placement for your tattoo.
- Avoiding Complications: It’s better to be upfront about your sunburn than to risk complications during the tattooing process.
3.2. How to Contact Your Artist
If you’ve been communicating with your artist via email, send them an update on the same thread. If they accept DMs, you can also reach out through social media.
4. The Healing Timeline: How Long to Wait After Sunburn
Patience is key when it comes to tattooing after sunburn. You need to allow your skin to fully heal before undergoing any further trauma.
4.1. Complete Healing
Wait until your skin has completely healed from the sunburn. This means:
- No Blisters: Ensure there are no blisters present.
- No Discoloration: The skin should return to its normal color.
- No Peeling: There should be no peeling skin.
4.2. Accelerating Healing
You can help your skin heal faster by:
- Aftersun: Applying aftersun lotion to soothe the skin.
- Daily Moisturizer: Using a daily moisturizer to keep the skin hydrated.
Generally, your skin should be back to normal within a week.
5. Artist Discretion: Peeling or Blistered Skin
Even if the sunburn seems minor, your tattoo artist may still refuse to tattoo you if your skin is peeling or blistered.
5.1. Why Artists Decline
- Soreness and Damage: Sunburnt skin is sore, red, and damaged, which is not ideal for tattooing.
- Increased Blood Flow: The added redness is due to blood flooding the skin as the body tries to repair the damage.
- Risk of Infection: Tattooing sunburnt skin significantly increases the risk of infection.
5.2. Avoiding “Skin Infection City”
Hannah Gehrke emphasizes that tattooing over blistered skin can lead to a skin infection. It’s best to avoid any areas with considerable skin damage.
Tattoo of two yellow lemons with leaves and white flower on a arm
Lemon tattoo by Hannah.
6. Long-Term Effects: Sunburn and Tattoo Fading
Sunburn not only complicates the tattooing process but also affects the longevity and appearance of your existing tattoos.
6.1. How Sunburn Fades Tattoos
- Blistering and Scabbing: Sunburn causes the lines of the tattoo to blister, burst, and scab.
- Patchy Appearance: The scabs eventually fall off, resulting in a patchy-looking tattoo.
- Accelerated Fading: Sun exposure fades tattoos, and sunburn speeds up this process by causing the skin to shed layers faster.
6.2. Protecting Your Tattoos
To keep your tattoos looking vibrant, avoid sunburn by taking these precautions:
- Sunscreen: Apply a high SPF sunscreen to your tattoos.
- Protective Clothing: Wear clothing that covers your tattoos when exposed to the sun.
7. Debunking Myths: Do Tattoos Protect Against Sunburn?
Contrary to popular belief, tattoos do not protect against sunburn. Tattoos are just as susceptible to sun damage as any other part of your skin.
7.1. Sunscreen is Essential
Always use sunscreen with SPF50+ on your healed tattoos. Remember that you can’t apply sunscreen to a new tattoo, so keep it covered with loose clothing and avoid direct sunlight while it heals.
7.2. Aftercare is Crucial
Follow the aftercare instructions provided by your tattoo artist to ensure your new tattoo heals properly and remains protected from the sun.
8. First Aid: Treating Sunburn on a New Tattoo
If you’ve accidentally sunburnt your new tattoo, don’t panic. Here’s how to treat it:
8.1. Hands-Off Approach
The best thing you can do is to leave it alone. Avoid irritating the tattoo further.
- Let it Dry: Allow the tattoo to dry out naturally.
- No Touching: Resist the urge to touch or pick at the tattoo.
- No Bursting Blisters: Do not pop any blisters that may form.
- No Creams: Avoid applying any creams or ointments to the sunburnt area.
- Light Clothing: Keep the tattoo covered with light, loose clothing.
8.2. Monitoring for Infection
Keep a close eye on your new tattoo for any signs of infection:
- Yellow/Green Fluids: Watch for any weeping of yellow or green fluids.
- Inflammation/Redness: Be alert for increased inflammation or redness (beyond the sunburn itself) that spreads over time.
If you notice any of these signs, consult your doctor immediately.
9. Prevention is Key: Protecting New Tattoos from Sunburn
Preventing sunburn on a new tattoo is crucial for ensuring proper healing and maintaining the tattoo’s appearance.
9.1. Protective Measures
- Light Clothing: Keep the tattoo covered with light, loose clothing.
- Avoid Direct Sunlight: Stay out of direct sunlight as much as possible.
- Sunscreen (Once Healed): Once the tattoo is fully healed, apply sunscreen regularly.
- Avoid Swimming: Avoid swimming, as chlorine and other chemicals can irritate the healing tattoo.
9.2. Moisturizing and Hydration
Continue using your chosen moisturizer and keep the tattoo under wraps. Avoid getting your healing tattoo soaking wet and take steps to cool yourself down in the shade.
10. Summer Tattoo Tips: Keeping Your Ink Vibrant
To ensure your tattoos look their best for years to come, follow these summer tattoo tips:
10.1. Sun Protection
- High SPF Cream: Always wear a high SPF sunscreen.
- Reapplication: Reapply sunscreen consistently while you’re out and about.
- Seek Shade: Seek shade to avoid burning prior to your appointment.
10.2. Skin Care
- Largest Organ: Remember that your skin is your body’s largest organ, and you should take steps to look after it.
- UV Rays: The less UV rays your body absorbs, the better your tattoos will look years down the line.
Sun cream is fantastic for helping your tattoos age well.
Pink and yellow peony tattoos on arm
Peony tattoo by Hannah.
FAQ: Tattooing and Sunburn
1. Can I get a tattoo if I have a mild sunburn?
No, even a mild sunburn can compromise the tattooing process and increase the risk of complications. It’s best to wait until your skin has fully healed.
2. How long should I wait after a sunburn to get a tattoo?
Wait until your skin has completely healed, with no blisters, discoloration, or peeling. This usually takes about a week.
3. What happens if I get a tattoo on sunburnt skin?
Tattooing sunburnt skin can lead to increased pain, difficulty with stencil application, poor healing, and a higher risk of infection.
4. Will sunburn fade my tattoo?
Yes, sunburn can cause tattoos to fade by causing the skin to blister, scab, and shed layers faster.
5. Can I use aftersun on a new tattoo?
No, avoid applying any creams or lotions, including aftersun, on a new tattoo that has been sunburnt.
6. What should I do if my new tattoo gets sunburnt?
Leave it alone, keep it clean, and protect it from further sun exposure. Monitor for signs of infection and consult a doctor if necessary.
7. Does tattoo ink protect my skin from the sun?
No, tattoo ink does not provide any protection from the sun. You still need to use sunscreen on tattooed skin.
8. Can I swim after getting a tattoo if I have a sunburn?
No, avoid swimming until both the tattoo and the sunburn have fully healed.
9. How can I protect my tattoo from the sun in the summer?
Wear loose clothing, stay in the shade, and apply sunscreen with SPF50+ to healed tattoos.
10. Is it okay to get a tattoo in the winter to avoid sunburn?
Getting a tattoo in the winter can reduce the risk of sun exposure during the initial healing phase, but you still need to protect your tattoo from the sun year-round.
We at tattooat.com hope we’ve answered all your questions about getting tattooed when you have sunburn and how to avoid getting sunburn on any new tattoos.
Remember that taking care of your skin is the best way to ensure your tattoos look their best for years to come. Protect your skin, folks!
Ready to explore stunning tattoo designs, connect with talented artists, and dive into a wealth of tattoo knowledge? Visit tattooat.com today to discover inspiration, find the perfect artist for your next piece, and learn everything you need to know about tattoo aftercare and maintenance. Your dream tattoo awaits!
Address: 1825 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97201, United States.
Phone: +1 (503) 725-3000.
Website: tattooat.com.
