Getting a beautiful tan can be great fun, and there are a number of wonderful fake tan products on the market right now. However, should you get a fake tan with a new tattoo? It’s important to be mindful of the damage that tanning products and sunlight exposure can cause to tattooed skin. Tanning after a tattoo is something that tattoo clients should be wary of. Be sure you know how to protect your tattoo from the sun!

As many of you reading this will already know, tattoo aftercare is one of the most essential parts of the tattooing process to be aware of. Whether you’re a fake tan fan or a regular beach goer, it’s good to note that your tanning routine will have to change when you get a new tattoo.

In this blog post, we’ll dive into the topic of tanning after getting a new tattoo in more depth. We’ll look at fake tan and tattoos, the impact of sunlight on tattoos and the best tattoo aftercare products on the market right now.

Can you fake tan after getting a new tattoo?

To put it simply, no.

Using a fake tan product straight after getting a new tattoo would be a bad idea for healing, and it could result in infections, too. When healing a tattoo, it’s essential to make sure that you follow your artist’s aftercare recommendations to the letter- and the vast majority will suggest avoiding tanning after a tattoo in any way.

In fact, there are plenty of tattoo artists who will not tattoo skin that has been freshly altered with fake tan. Tattoo artists have to spend a lot of time preparing the skin for a tattoo, and external products (like a fake tan) can make this very difficult.

Generally speaking, it’s important to avoid applying any products to your tattoo straight after getting it. Tattoo aftercare routines will vary from artist to artist, but the need for minimizing the risk of infection will stay the same. Tanning after a tattoo could lead to infections, or increase the risk of a bad healing process.

If you still want to get a fake tan after getting a tattoo, make sure to wait until your tattoo is fully healed. This will depend on the size and complexity of your piece, but tattoos can take anywhere from a few weeks up to 6 months to finish healing completely. Patience is key when healing a tattoo.

Can you expose a new tattoo to sunlight?

Following on from this, it’s important to note that new tattoos should not be on show in direct sunlight, either. While it can be tempting to try and get in a quick a tan - especially if you enjoy going to the beach - it’s essential to make sure that you leave this until your tattoo is fully healed.

Tanning after a tattoo in any way is never a good move. Make sure to cover new tattoos in soft, light clothing when in direct sunlight. This is why many tattoo artists will ask you if you’re planning to go on holiday when getting tattooed during the warmer months/ holiday months.

If you are looking for a way to keep your tattoo in good condition on the beach after it’s been healing, a tattoo sunscreen could be just the ticket. Our most popular item in this category right now is our tattoo sunscreen spray.

Still not sure about how to care for your tattoo in the sunlight? We’d suggest getting in touch with your artist. It’s always better to be safe rather than sorry when it comes to caring for your tattoo, and if you let your artist know that you’re thinking about tanning after a tattoo, they’ll be able to help you out.

What else should you be mindful of with a new tattoo?

It’s not just fake tan and sunlight that you should be mindful of when you’re looking at tattoo aftercare, of course. Looking after a tattoo properly requires a lot of thought, and it’s essential to pay attention to what’s in the aftercare instructions given to you by your artist.

One of the main things to be mindful of with a new tattoo is water. Getting a new tattoo soaked is a bad idea, and can lead to issues like a tattoo bubbling or getting infected. Swimming after a new tattoo is almost as bad as tanning after a tattoo, so it’s good to steer clear of pools, the sea or even the bathtub.

It’s also worth being cautious with what products you use when you’re looking to care for a new tattoo, too. Specialized tattoo aftercare products can help to soothe your skin and to encourage a smooth healing process. Unverified products can contain irritants, and could cause bad reactions.