Best Sunscreens For Tattoo Aftercare
A massive crowd of people can’t wait to hit their nearest beach or the gym as soon as they get their skin freshly inked. But that goes against what a talented tattoo artist or a medical professional would recommend. When you get a new tattoo, it helps to take great care of it, especially when it comes to exposure to elements.
Sure, there are several creams and ointments that you can avail of, but one element can consistently create undesirable effects: the sun. It can adversely affect both your skin and the art masterpiece that has become ingrained in it. That is also why you should keep good sunscreen handy. This piece will tell you all about how to choose the most suitable one and what consequences await you if you don’t.
How Sunlight Affects Different Ink Types
The swiftness of your tats fading away depends upon the components and shades of the ink. In general, darker tones like black and navy blue fade far slower than lighter ones such as pink and slate gray. White pastel ink is the one that fades away the fastest. So, you must remain more careful if your tattoo has bones or doves as part of the design.
The ink in your tattoo might contain microscopic metallic components, organic color pigments, and polyaromatic hydrocarbons. All such components can quickly degrade if exposed to sunlight before drying up. The metallic elements can heat up, causing irritation and burns in the deeper skin layers.
In addition, the hydrocarbons and color pigments can break down under UV light into simpler, more toxic substances. Those can react with the deeper skin layers, creating several health complications.
How Long Should You Wait Before Using Sunscreen?
It depends upon the design and placement of the tattoo. Ideally, you should wait for anywhere between 15 to 30 days before hitting the gym or exposing your tattoo to the sun. Till then, it is best to cover the inked area with a soft cloth. You can try wearing extended sleeves or putting on a soft cloth, as per your preference.
Keep in mind that applying sunscreen reduces the effect of solar radiation and blocks essential nutrients from being absorbed into the body. So, experts recommend completing your course of immediate tattoo aftercare products. Only go for the sunscreen when you’re well back into your regular schedule.
Benefits of Using a Sunscreen For Tattoos
Using sunscreen for tattoos regularly can fetch you a host of benefits. Some of the most significant ones include the following.
- It preserves the tattoo’s shine and luster by slowing down the decay process of the ink. As the chemicals don’t disintegrate too quickly, any undesirable effects on the skin are moderate. There is also a low chance of skin irritation, rashes, and damaged follicles.
- Immense exposure to UV radiation is harmful to your skin. You can use sunscreen to protect yourself from skin cancer, even if you didn’t get a tattoo recently.
- Today, most sunscreen lotions offer additional protection from other threats, such as dirt and polluted water. They can be extremely valuable for people whose skin has just been weakened after getting some tats.
- Sunscreen made from organic products, such as cocoa butter and olive oil, can supply your skin with the essential nutrients it needs to recover. Those might be lacking, considering that your tattoo artist just drilled through the skin to place a substance that your body believes to be harmful.
What Kind of Sunscreen Should You Choose For Tattoos
Almost any sunscreen with SPF 30 or above can work to keep your tattoo illustrious and safe. However, it helps to look for a few crucial features that prevent any health complications in the near future.
Consider Both UVA and UVB
The solar radiation that reaches Earth consists of two types of radiation – UVA, and UVB. You should pick the sunscreen lotion that protects from both. Typically, manufacturers don’t advertise the feature outright, which is why you should inspect the package details more closely.
Avoid Toxic Ingredients
Several sunscreen lotions are made from toxic chemicals such as parabens and sulfates, which can cause eczema, skin irritation, and cancer. It helps to only prefer organic ingredients sourced from plants, even though they might have a shorter expiry period.
Go For Lighter Layers
Your tattoo becomes part of the skin after a few months. Thus, harder solutions will only speed up the fading process. That is why anhydrous solutions that don’t contain preservatives are ideal for the job. Best to go for the sunscreen variant containing Vitamin E or glycerol.
How Do I Know Which Sunscreen Suits Me Best?
Each skin type reacts differently to getting a tattoo. The same goes for applying sunscreen. Before you pull out your wallets, spare a few bucks to consult a trusted professional. It might take longer to go through a few tests and know your allergies. Yet, it can potentially save you thousands of dollars in treatments from choosing the wrong sunscreen in the long term.
Top Tips When Buying Sunscreen Online
The internet is the best place to order specialized cosmetic products. But there is a risk of running into malicious entities who might want to profit from your needs illegitimately. That is why you should follow a few tips before ordering your preferred sunscreen online.
- Check the user reviews: A product with several negative reviews is a significant red flag that it is fake. Even if you come across highly praised listings, examine whether the reviews were from real accounts. Many sellers use bots to boost their ratings without spending resources on a great product.
- Verify the source: Your sunscreen supplier may sell you the best possible product you can ask for. Still, it is not worth it if they’re destroying precious rainforests or harassing ground-level workers for it. It pays to verify the ethical integrity of the supply chain. You can visit official forums or check in with independent news media for the same.
- Connect With the Supplier: A genuine cosmetics supplier will never avoid your queries when you use their chatbot or email them directly. This way, you can also get a few lucrative deals or check whether they’re using white-labeled products from a trustworthy manufacturer.
