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 radiation and which products are particularly suitable for sun protection of tattoos.

Tattoos & sun protection:
The most important information summarized for you

To give you a quick overview of sun protection for your tattoos, we have summarized all the important information here:

• Tattoos need reliable sun protection to shield them from UV rays and prevent the colors from fading.
• Freshly inked tattoos should not be exposed to sunlight! The skin is particularly 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 inked tattoo to avoid interfering with the healing process.
• Choose a high-quality sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (SPF 30 to 50+) that is suitable for tattooed skin.
• Use waterproof sunscreen to ensure adequate protection even when swimming or sweating.
• Once your tattoo has healed, you should use care products that provide your skin with plenty of moisture to keep the colors vibrant.
• Remember to apply sunscreen regularly, especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors or if your tattoos are exposed to strong sunlight.

If you take good care of your new tattoo's sun protection from the very beginning, you can maintain the vibrancy of the 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 consider when caring for your tattoo, how best to protect it from the sun, and what to do if your tattoo gets sunburned.

Tattoo care: General tips for tattooed skin

Before we delve into sun protection for tattoos, there are a few general things you should keep in mind when caring for tattooed skin. Proper skincare is crucial for maintaining the color intensity and definition of your tattoos in 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. Once 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 regenerate. You should also avoid using rough washcloths and scrubs on your tattoo.

Besides gentle cleansing , moisturizing with lotions is a must-have in tattoo aftercare. Once the wound has healed, you should regularly moisturize your tattoo. Here, too, it's important to avoid products with irritating ingredients and instead opt for lotions without perfume , fragrances, parabens, and silicones.

With freshly inked tattoos, 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 severely irritate your tattoo and disrupt the healing process. 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 – all of these can negatively affect the healing and eventual 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 a lack of care, but also because these tattoos were exposed to the sun too often and for too long without protection.

Tattooed skin is even more sensitive to UV radiation and therefore needs to be protected especially carefully. This is the only way to prevent the following effects of the sun on your tattoos:

• Fading of colors: UVB rays can react with and destroy the color pigments in your skin, causing your tattoo to fade. Dark colors like black or dark blue usually 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 decrease in elasticity and the formation of wrinkles. On tattooed skin, this can make your tattoo look 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 sun exposure 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 is important to protect the skin from harmful UV rays to minimize this risk.

How long should a freshly inked tattoo be kept out of the sun?

If you have a fresh tattoo, it's especially important to protect it from direct sunlight. The skin around the tattoo is sensitive and prone to sun damage in the first few weeks because it loses its natural protection due to the injuries sustained during the tattooing process. This protection only returns 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 aftercare provided. A new tattoo typically takes about 2 to 6 weeks to heal completely.

During the healing process, a scab forms on the skin, protecting it from external influences. However, direct sunlight can disrupt scab formation and delay the healing of your tattoo. Furthermore, the sun can irritate your fresh tattoo, causing dryness and other irritations. In the worst-case scenario, it can even become infected – especially if your new tattoo gets sunburned. Therefore, your tattoo must be kept out of the sun during the healing phase!

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

When is it safe to apply sunscreen to a freshly done tattoo?

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

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

What precautions should you take when sun protection for healed tattoos?

Even with healed or older tattoos, sun protection remains important. Make sure you use a high SPF and that your sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Apply it generously and spread it evenly. Don't forget to apply sunscreen to all areas of skin not covered by clothing – even those without tattoos.

And the same applies to tattoos: the less contact with UV radiation, the better! Therefore, you should also avoid visits to tanning salons 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 selecting 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 formulation ensures that the sunscreen stays on your skin and maintains its protection even when in 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 is a safe bet.
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 (SPF) needed 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.

The SPF factor indicates how long you can stay in the sun protected by the sunscreen, compared to how long 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 ideal sun protection for your tattoo: daily sunscreen 50+

To effectively protect your tattoo from UV radiation, we recommend our daily sunscreen 50+ , which is water-resistant and sweat-resistant. Since it also contains no perfumes or fragrances, 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 the daily sunscreen 50+ generously to your tattoo and the surrounding skin and let it absorb for about 15 to 20 minutes before going out in the sun. Remember to reapply regularly to maintain UV protection – especially after swimming and drying with a towel.

Note: Please be aware that even a higher SPF of 50+ does not 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 regeneration and long-term colorfastness. 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, which keep your tattoo supple, while panthenol and bisabolol help strengthen the skin's natural protective barrier.

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

Intensive regeneration with the newkee body lotion intensive

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

Cactus extract and licorice root, combined with coconut oil and hyaluronic acid, form a protective layer over your skin when applied as a cream, 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 might forget your sunscreen and get a sunburn on your tattoo. Here are some tips to help your skin heal from the sunburn, which will also benefit your tattoo:

1. Cooling: Cool the affected area of ​​skin with cold water or cooling compresses to relieve the heat and soothe the skin. However, you should not apply ice directly to the tattoo, as this can further irritate your skin.
2. Moisturizing lotion: Apply a moisturizing lotion to the burned tattoo to hydrate the skin and support 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 subsided.
5. No home remedies: Avoid using home remedies like vinegar, lemon juice, or aloe vera on the burned tattoo unless explicitly 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 if there are signs of infection (e.g., blisters), you should have your tattoo examined by a dermatologist. They can assess the situation and recommend appropriate treatment options.

Remember: Every sunburn can affect the color and appearance of your tattoo in the long term. Making sunscreen application a daily routine and reapplying regularly can significantly reduce the risk of UV damage.

Conclusion – how important sun protection is 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 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 some important measures: These include regularly using a high-quality sunscreen with an appropriate sun protection factor and broad-spectrum protection, as well as avoiding excessive sun exposure. Furthermore, proper skincare 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. Be aware of other potential sources of damage, such as chemicals, friction, and excessive moisture.

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

Remember that caring for and sun-protecting tattooed skin should be an important and long-term habit so that your tattoos still show vibrant colors and a firm image even after many years.