Tattoos are works of art on our skin that we want to protect and preserve. But what about sun protection? In this article, you'll learn how to protect your tattoos from harmful UV rays and which products are particularly suitable for sun protection for tattoos.

Tattoos & Sun Protection:
The most important things summarized for you

To give you a quick overview of sun protection for your tattoos, we have summarized everything you need to know here:

• Tattoos require reliable sun protection to protect them from UV rays and prevent the colors from fading.
• Freshly tattooed skin should not be exposed to the sun! The skin is especially sensitive and prone to sunburn before it heals. Cover your tattoo or keep it in the shade.
• Wait at least 2 to 4 weeks before applying sunscreen to a freshly tattooed area to avoid slowing the healing process.
• Choose a high-quality sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (SPF 30 to 50+) that is suitable for tattooed skin.
• Make sure you use waterproof sunscreen to ensure adequate protection even when swimming or sweating.
• After your tattoo has healed, you should use skincare products that provide plenty of moisture to keep the colors vibrant.
• Remember to apply sunscreen regularly, especially if you are spending long periods outdoors or if your tattoos are exposed to strong sunlight.

If you take good care with sun protection for your new tattoo from the start, you can preserve the vibrant colors for a long time. At the same time, you'll protect your skin from UV damage. In this article, we'll show you what to look for when caring for your tattoo, how to best protect your tattoo from the sun, and what to do if your tattoo gets sunburned.

Tattoo care: General tips for tattooed skin

Before we get into sun protection for tattoos, there are a few general things you should keep in mind when caring for tattooed skin. Proper skin care is crucial for maintaining the color intensity and contours of your tattoos over the long term.

When cleaning your skin, make sure that no shower gel or shampoo comes into contact with the tattoo until it has healed – water is perfectly sufficient. After your tattoo has healed, you should clean the area with a mild, fragrance-free shower gel to prevent irritation. Your skin was injured during the tattooing process and therefore needs time to heal. You should also avoid rough washcloths and scrubs on your tattoo.

In addition to gently cleansing your skin, applying moisturizing lotions is also a must-have in tattoo care. After the wound has healed, you should moisturize your tattoo regularly. Here, too, it's important to avoid products with irritating ingredients and instead choose lotions without perfumes, fragrances, parabens, and silicones.

For freshly tattooed skin, it's also important to avoid bathing and swimming for 6 to 8 weeks . This is especially true for salt and chlorinated water, as these can also severely irritate your tattoo and impede healing. You should also avoid excessive sweating (e.g., in a sauna). 

Tattoos and UV radiation – do they go together?

Irritating fragrances, chlorinated water, and sweat can all negatively impact the healing and subsequent appearance of your tattoo. But did you know there's another factor that can damage your tattoo?

You may have noticed that older tattoos sometimes look faded, washed out, or even discolored. In many cases, this is not only due to lack of care, but also because these tattoos have been exposed to the sun too often and for too long without protection.

Tattooed skin is even more sensitive to UV radiation and therefore requires extra care in protecting it. This is the only way to prevent the following effects of the sun on your tattoos:

• Color fading: UVB rays can react with the color pigments in your skin and destroy them, causing your tattoo to fade. Dark colors like black or dark blue typically last longer, while light colors like yellow or pink can fade more quickly.
• Premature skin aging: UV rays accelerate the skin's natural aging process, causing a loss of elasticity and the development of wrinkles. On tattooed skin, this can cause your tattoo to appear older and blurry overall.
• Sunburn and swelling: Even tattooed skin is not safe from sunburn – the resulting swelling and blisters can distort the contours of your tattoo.
• Discoloration: Prolonged exposure to the sun without UV protection can also lead to discoloration of your skin, which in turn affects the color of your tattoo. Black tattoos often appear bluish after unprotected sun exposure.
• Increased risk of skin cancer: Excessive and unprotected sun exposure can increase the risk of skin cancer. Tattooed skin is just as susceptible to skin cancer as non-tattooed skin. It's important to protect your skin from harmful UV rays to minimize this risk.

How long should a freshly tattooed tattoo not be exposed to the sun?

If you have a freshly tattooed area, it's especially important to protect it from direct sunlight. The skin around the tattoo is sensitive and vulnerable to sun damage for the first few weeks, as it loses its natural protection due to the trauma caused by the tattooing process. This protection is only restored once the tattooed area has completely healed.

Every tattoo and every healing process is unique and depends on the size and placement of the tattoo, as well as the care provided during the healing process. A new tattoo typically takes about 2 to 6 weeks to fully heal.

During the healing process, a scab forms on the skin, protecting it from external influences. However, direct sunlight can disrupt the scab formation and delay the healing of your tattoo. Furthermore, the sun can irritate your fresh tattoo, drying it out and causing irritation. In the worst case, it can even become infected—especially if your new tattoo is sunburned. So, keep your tattoo out of the sun during the healing phase!

Therefore, protect your freshly tattooed tattoo from the sun so that it can heal optimally and retain its colors and details in the long term.

When can you apply sunscreen to a freshly tattooed tattoo?

Protecting a freshly tattooed person from sunlight is especially important for the healing process and long-term color intensity. However, as long as your tattoo is still an open wound or has a scab, you shouldn't use sunscreen, as this can also hinder healing. Therefore, for the first few weeks, wear loose, breathable clothing over your tattoo.

Once the protective scab has fallen off and the tattoo begins to heal, you can carefully begin applying sunscreen. Avoid harsh rubbing or pulling to avoid irritating the skin, and make sure your tattoo is completely and evenly covered with sunscreen.

What should you pay attention to when protecting healed tattoos from the sun?

Even with healed or older tattoos, sunscreen is still important. Make sure your sunscreen has a high SPF and covers both UVA and UVB rays. Apply generously and spread evenly. Don't forget to apply sunscreen to all areas of skin not covered by clothing—even those without tattoos.

And with tattoos, the same applies: the less exposure to UV radiation, the better! Therefore, you should also avoid visits to tanning beds and artificial UV radiation.

Which sunscreen is suitable for tattoos?

When choosing a sunscreen to protect tattoos, there are some important factors to consider when choosing the right sunscreen:

1. Broad-spectrum protection: Make sure your sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays can lead to premature skin aging and tattoo fading, while UVB rays can cause sunburn. Broad-spectrum protection ensures comprehensive protection for your tattooed skin.
2. High sun protection factor (SPF): Use a sunscreen with a high SPF. The higher the factor, the longer your skin is protected from harmful UV rays.
3. Waterproof: A waterproof formula ensures that the sunscreen stays on your skin and maintains its protection even when it comes into contact with water or sweat.
4. Skin compatibility: Make sure your sunscreen doesn't contain any irritating or allergenic ingredients. A formula without silicones, parabens, and perfume will keep you safe.
5. Extra moisture: Sunscreen with moisturizing ingredients protects your skin from drying out and helps maintain the color intensity of your tattoo.

What is the minimum sun protection factor that should be to optimally protect your tattoo from fading and sunburn?

Sun protection factor (SPF) plays a crucial role in protecting your tattoo from fading and sunburn. A sufficiently high SPF ensures that your skin and tattoo are protected from the harmful effects of UV rays.

To optimally protect your tattoo, it is recommended to use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. A higher SPF, such as 50+ , offers even more intensive protection against harmful UV rays.

This factor indicates how long you can stay in the sun protected by the sunscreen compared to the time you could stay without protection before your skin gets sunburned. With an SPF of 50+, this means you can theoretically stay in the sun 50 times longer without getting sunburned.

The optimal sun protection for your tattoo: daily sunscreen 50+

To effectively protect your tattoo from UV radiation, we recommend our daily sunscreen 50+ , which stays in place even when exposed to water and is sweat-resistant. Since it's also perfume- and fragrance-free, you don't have to worry about potential skin irritation.

Our vegan sunscreen offers a high SPF of 50+ and reliable broad-spectrum protection against UVA/UVB rays and blue light. It absorbs quickly and leaves no greasy residue on your skin. Its formula also contains moisturizing and firming ingredients like L-carnosine, which help keep your tattooed skin supple and hydrated.

Apply Daily Sunscreen 50+ generously to your tattoo and the surrounding skin and let it absorb for about 15 to 20 minutes before sun exposure. Remember to reapply regularly to maintain UV protection—especially after swimming and towel drying.

Note: Please note that even a higher SPF of 50+ doesn't mean you can stay in the sun indefinitely. You should still take the usual precautions and limit your sun exposure by seeking shade and wearing protective clothing, especially during the hottest hours of the day.

The right after-sun care for your tattoo

After a day in the sun, it's important to give your tattoo the right care to support its recovery and long-term color retention. After-sun care plays a crucial role in this.

Gentle care with the newkee body lotion soft

Our fragrance-free body lotion soft is a light and moisturizing lotion that soothes and regenerates your skin after a day in the sun. It contains coconut oil and shea butter to keep your tattoo supple, while panthenol and bisabolol help strengthen the skin's natural protective barrier.

Frankincense extract, licorice root and eyebright give your sun-kissed skin extra care and soothe irritations.

Intensive regeneration with the newkee body lotion intensive

For more intensive care for particularly dry skin, our intensive body lotion is just right for you and your tattoo. Its rich formula contains moisturizing ingredients like mango butter and macadamia nut oil to nourish the skin and help restore its natural elasticity and suppleness.

Cactus extract and licorice root, in combination with coconut oil and hyaluronic acid, form a protective layer over your skin when applied, leaving it feeling wonderfully soft and strengthened – even if you tend to have dry skin.

Sunburn on your tattoo? Here's what you can do

Despite all precautions, you may still forget to use sunscreen and get sunburned on your tattoo. Here are some tips to help your skin heal from sunburn, which will also benefit your tattoo:

1. Cooling: Cool the affected area with cold water or a cooling compress to relieve heat and soothe the skin. Avoid applying ice directly to the tattoo, as this can further irritate your skin.
2. Moisturizing lotion: Apply a moisturizing lotion to the burned tattoo to moisturize the skin and aid the healing process.
3. Avoid irritants: Avoid any irritants such as perfumes, alcohol, or other potentially irritating substances. These can worsen sunburn and further irritate the skin.
4. Avoid further sun exposure : Be sure to protect your burned tattoo from further UV rays. Cover it with clothing or a bandage and avoid direct sunlight until the sunburn has healed.
5. No home remedies: Avoid using home remedies such as vinegar, lemon juice, or aloe vera on the burned tattoo unless specifically recommended by a professional. These remedies can further irritate the skin or cause allergic reactions.
6. Consult your dermatologist: If the sunburn on your tattoo is severe or shows signs of infection (e.g., blistering), you should take your tattoo to a dermatologist. They can assess the situation and recommend appropriate treatment options.

Remember: Any sunburn can have a long-term impact on the color and appearance of your tattoo. By making sunscreen a daily routine and reapplying regularly, you can significantly reduce the risk of UV damage.

Conclusion – how important is sun protection for tattoos

Protecting your tattoo from UV radiation and sunburn is crucial to preserving the color intensity and beauty of your artwork. Both freshly inked and healed tattoos are sensitive to sunlight. UV rays can not only cause color fading but also damage the skin and the tattoo itself. Freshly inked tattoos can also react to excessive sun exposure with inflammation and infection.

To optimally protect your tattoo from the sun, you should take a few important measures: These include regularly using a high-quality sunscreen with an appropriate SPF and broad-spectrum protection, as well as avoiding excessive sun exposure. Proper skin care also plays a crucial role—both for freshly inked and healed tattoos.

Remember that the sun isn't the only factor affecting the healing and longevity of your freshly inked tattoo. Also, be aware of other potential sources of damage, such as chemicals, friction, and excessive moisture.

When choosing the right sunscreen and skin care products for your tattoo, you can rely on the daily sunscreen 50+ and the soft and intensive body lotions to protect and care for healed skin before and after sun exposure.

Remember that caring for and protecting your tattooed skin from the sun should be an important long-term habit to ensure that your tattoos retain rich colors and a tight appearance for many years to come.