Protecting Your Tattooed Skin: Essential Guide to Protecting Your Tattooed Skin from UV Damage

April 30, 2025 Samantha Beedie

Protecting Your Tattooed Skin; A Tattoo Artist’s Spring Guide to Sun, Sea and Healing

Hey guys...
Spring is here, the sun’s starting to show up (finally), and everyone’s getting the holiday vibes. It’s that time of year when the jumpers come off, tattoos come out and I start getting a ton of messages about sun exposure, holidays, and whether now is a good time to get tattooed!

So let’s talk about protecting your tattooed skin, both fresh and healed. Whether you’ve just been tattooed, or you’re planning something soon, there’s a lot to think about this time of year. From sunshine and swimming to sunburn and booking dates, I’ve got you covered.

The Sun Is a Tattoo’s Worst Enemy (Especially When Healing)

We all love a bit of sunshine. But when it comes to Protecting Your Tattooed Skin, sun exposure is right at the top of the "bad idea" list, especially during healing.

Fresh tattoos are essentially open wounds. The skin is raw, sensitive, and actively trying to rebuild. Throw UV rays on top of that? Not ideal.

Here’s what the sun can do to your healing tattoo:

❖ Fade the colours (especially pastels, fine lines, and grey shading)
❖ Cause patchy or uneven healing
❖ Lead to peeling, blistering, or inflamed skin
❖ Increase the risk of infection or sun sensitivity

Even after your tattoo has healed, the sun can still damage it over time. Repeated exposure without protection breaks down the pigment in your skin — leading to duller colours, blurry lines, and a tattoo that looks older than it is.

Protecting your tattooed skin long-term means keeping it moisturised, covered where possible, and using a good tattoo-safe SPF every time you’re out in the sun.

Sea, Pools & Hot Tubs are Not Tattoo-Friendly

I get it, you’re on holiday, the beach is calling, and the pool looks dreamy. But if you’ve just been tattooed, this is one of the worst things you can do to your skin.

Here’s why swimming is a no-go while healing:

❖ Chlorine in pools is a chemical irritant — it dries out the tattoo and slows healing
❖ Salt water may seem natural, but it can sting like mad and strip moisture from your skin
❖ Hot tubs is basically a human soup of bacteria, which is not something you want on an open wound

To put it simply: water = bacteria risk + irritation. And you really want to avoid soaking your new tattoo for at least 2–3 weeks, even in the bath. Clean showers only until the skin has fully closed and settled.

Protecting your tattooed skin during this time is all about keeping it clean, dry, and out of anything that’s going to mess with the healing process.

Don’t Get Tattooed on Sunburned Skin (Please!)

This one comes up a lot around spring and summer. People come back from a holiday tanned or slightly crispy, and they’re keen to get booked in. But here’s the deal...

Sunburned skin is not tattooable skin

❖ If your skin is peeling, it can’t hold the tattoo pigment properly
❖ The healing process will be patchy, uneven, and much more painful
❖ You could end up with scarring or needing a touch-up way sooner than expected

If your skin has had a bit too much sun, it’s always best to wait. I usually say give it 1–2 weeks after sunburn before we even consider putting a needle near it and only once the skin feels completely back to normal.

I promise, I’d rather reschedule than risk giving you a tattoo that won’t heal the way it should. Protecting your tattooed skin starts before the tattoo even begins.

Thinking of Booking? Plan Around Your Holidays

Right now, I’m booking appointments for June and July, which means it’s the perfect time to plan around any summer travel or beach time.

Here’s what I recommend:

❖ Going on holiday? Book your tattoo for a few weeks before so it’s fully healed by the time you go and take some good SPF with you!

❖ Just coming back from holiday? Give your skin time to recover before you come in for a tattoo, try helping your skin out with some Aloe Vera gel or aftersun creams.

❖ If you’re unsure, message me and we’ll figure out the best timing for your skin and your summer plans.

A bit of planning makes a huge difference when it comes to protecting your tattooed skin and making sure your piece heals beautifully.

What Should You Use to Help Protect Your Tattoo?

Here are some products I always recommend (I’ll add the links below):

❖ Tattoo-safe sunscreen – high SPF, non-greasy, no harsh ingredients

❖ Aloe vera gel – great for post-sun hydration and soothing the skin

❖ Tattoo aftercare balm – keeps healing skin moisturised and calm

❖ After sun lotion – helps skin recover quickly after exposure

❖ UV-blocking clothing – perfect for keeping large pieces covered on sunny days

Whether you’ve just been tattooed or you’re showing off your healed work, having the right products on hand helps massively when it comes to Protecting Your Tattooed Skin.