There are many options out there that can protect your skin and your artwork from the damaging effects of the sun and here at Lucky Bamboo Tattoo, we want to make sure that you have all of the tools you need to keep your artwork looking pristine. Unprotected time in the sun can zap the life out of any tattoo. The UVA rays of the sun can fade the colors in any tattoo by penetrating the skin and breaking down the pigment of the ink.. This is particularly true for recent tattoos or those that are still in the midst of the healing process. Special care should be taken for new tattoos as the skin can burn and peel much easier than normal, which can not only increase the amount of time it takes to heal but, it can also drastically effect the finished product. In these early stages, the best course of action is to keep your ink covered up and out of the sun. This is helpful for older tattoos as well. In fact, this may be the easiest and most effective way to keep your art looking young. Draping a towel across your tattoo while enjoying your time on the beach or wearing a t shirt rather than a tank top while out in the sun can greatly reduce your risk of sun damage.
For those that prefer a more natural approach, one of the safest and most effective forms of sun screen in the mineral compound Non Nano Particle Zinc Oxide. This compound sits on top of the skin rather than being absorbed and reflects the suns rays rather than allowing them to be absorbed into the skin. Another trick to keeping exposure to a minimum is to avoid certain times of the day when UVA rays are the highest. It is a common misconception that all of the suns rays are harmful when it is actually the UVA that is the most damaging. UVB is beneficial for the absorption of Vitamin D. Throughout the day the levels of both of these sun rays vary, meaning there are times of the day where the risk is higher than others. There is an app available called “Dminder” that pinpoints your location and tracks these levels for you. Finally, traditional sun block with an SPF of 30 to 50 can effectively keep your tattoos protected.
We know that you love your artwork as much as we do and with the right care, your tattoo can retain it’s youth for years to come.
