When the heat starts to make itself felt, it's time to take off layers of clothing and start showing off our skin. Precisely, that's the moment when most people think about getting a tattoo. The reason is obvious: we have more skin on display and we want to show off something new on it, in the form of a tattoo.
However, summer is not thebest time to get a tattoo: We sweat more and are constantly exposed to the sun's rays on our skin. Not only when we go to the beach or the pool, but also when we walk down the street.
NEW TATTOOS: MUCH BETTER IN WINTER.
In summer, temperatures are very high. In addition to the constant sweating we mentioned earlier, our skin suffers many more aggressions in the form of rubbing, chafing and sun.
Furthermore, when the thermometer goes over 30 degrees, something very common in summer in almost all of Spain, wearing a freshly made tattoo covered in a thin layer of protective plastic is not the most comfortable and, neither, the most advisable.
On the other hand, a recent tattoo requires very special care and extreme hygiene to avoid infections. In winter, most of us lead a more routine and orderly life, which helps us better meet all these requirements to promote better healing.
Sweat, friction and constant humidity can cause minor irritations or even infections or fungus on the skin. The latter is very common when we frequent swimming pools and spas and usually affects certain parts of the body, such as the feet or genitals. A newly made tattoo is an open wound and it is not advisable to expose it to this type of danger.
Also, when you get a new tattoo, you have to spend a minimum of 15 days away from the sea or the pool. So, if we can choose, why go through this in summer, when the heat invites us to swim and have fun in the water?
Finally, the action of the sun's rays on tattoos, whether recent or old, is always harmful. In winter, this is not usually a problem because we are more covered and the sun is not as strong. But, in summer, as we will see below, tattoo ink tends to deteriorate if we are not very careful when protecting our tattoos.
HOW AND WHY DOES THE SUN AFFECT TATTOOS?
When we get a tattoo, the ink is placed in the dermis. Above this layer, the skin tans as a form of protection when the sun hits us. Precisely for this reason, the pigmentation of the skin as a result of tanning directly affects tattoos.
In some cases, the ink can change tone and colour due to the effect of the sun. In addition, tattoos lose intensity and become visually poorer. UVB rays not only cause tanning, but also damage cells and the small portions of ink under the skin. In fact, the effect is similar to that produced by laser light, which is often used to erase tattoos.
Obviously, the effects of the sun on tattoos are different from one person to another. It will depend a lot on the type of skin, the tone of the skin and the ability to tan of each person.
The solution is to use a high sun protection factor to protect the tattooed skin, even if the tattoo is not recent. In fact, it is advisable to cover it with clothing andAvoid exposure to sunlight as much as possibleOn the other hand, it is advisable that you always keep itwell hydratedto facilitate the regeneration of the area. By the way, hydration will also protect your tattoos from the effects of chlorine in the pool.
For all these reasons, if you are thinking of getting a new tattoo, it is best to wait until autumn to do so. Make the most of the summer and the sun and water baths and leave this project for a few months from now. From October onwards, when the sun and heat are reduced and we no longer usually swim in the sea or in the pool, is when you should give free rein to your desire to get a tattoo.
Keep browsing and discover our articles on thetattoos in summer,how to care for a tattoo, and if it's inspiration you're looking for, browse our galleries oftattoo images.
