With summer just around the corner, we’re all dying to show off our new tattoos. Shorts, bikinis & tans all pair so well with some badass new ink. But in order to rock a tattoo in the summer, you’re going to need to get it in the winter. One of the biggest mistakes people make is waiting until the summer to get some body art. And if you’ve ever had a tattoo before, you know why that’s a bad idea. But in case you don’t know why that’s not a good idea, we’re going to clarify why you should never get a tattoo in the summer, & the unfortunate events to follow if you do. Let’s get started.
Your tattoo can’t be in the sun
The biggest downside to getting a tattoo in the summer is you have to keep it out of the sun. This is because the UV light from the sun causes tattoos to fade extremely quickly, which we definitely don’t want. Thankfully, the recommended time to keep it out of the sun is only 10-14 days. But even after that 2 week period passes, it’s essential to lather up your tattoo in sunscreen, wear loose clothing, & thoroughly clean it when you get home. If you don’t, you run the risk of infection, & that’s definitely something we want to avoid.
For a better understanding of the healing process & how long to wait, be sure to check out Authority Tattoos’ article, “3 Stages of The Tattoo Healing Process” for more helpful tips.
You can’t swim with the tattoo
Another huge downside to a summer tattoo is you absolutely cannot go swimming. This is because your tattoo is an open wound, & when comes open wounds come infection. Bodies of water are a breeding ground for bacteria, so you definitely don’t want to expose a wound to it. Ignoring this could turn your beautiful tattoo into something, nasty, painful, & or something that sends you to the hospital. In addition, being in the water with a new tattoo can also cause your ink to leak & dilute, which is obviously something we want to avoid. Ultimately, it’s better to be safe than sorry & just wait it out.
Two weeks is recommended for this, but 3 months is when a tattoo is considered fully healed. So, if you can hold out longer, trust us, your tattoo will thank you later. We also touch more on this in our article, “4 Things To Know About Getting Your First Tattoo”, so be sure to check it out!
There’s a bigger chance of infection
And lastly, as mentioned above, there’s a huge chance of infection with a new tattoo. And nothing ruins your summer like having an infection. But what many don’t know is that an infection can come from not only swimming, but it can even come from the sun, pollution, or chemicals. This is why your tattoo artist lectured you on the importance of keeping that baby covered. If you don’t, you’re going to pay later. For additional information on tattoo care, be sure to check out Cosmopolitan’s piece, “8 Tips For Taking Care of a New Tattoo” for more helpful tips.
Overall, while it may not be ideal, it’s best to get your tattoo done in the winter so it has plenty of time before the summer. Proper care & caution can go a very long way with a new tattoo, so be sure to do your research or consult your artist before acting on anything.
