This site has limited support for your browser. We recommend switching to Edge, Chrome, Safari, or Firefox.

Sunscreen and Tattoos

We all know that we need to apply sunscreen to every area that sees the sun, but do areas with tattoos need special treatment? Here’s what you need to know about using sunscreen on tattoos.


New tattoos should be kept out of the sun as much as possible to support proper healing. That being said, you don't need to worry about applying sunscreen while your tattoo is still healing. A fresh tattoo is essentially an open wound and applying sunscreen to it can actually cause more harm than good. The skin’s sensitive dermis layer is exposed, and applying sunscreen can cause the chemicals to enter the skin and cause irritation, itchiness, and infection. 


However, after your tattoo is fully healed, usually, within 4 to 6 weeks, sunscreen becomes very important. In order to protect this freshly healed skin and keep it moisturized you should apply and reapply sunscreen to the tattoo the way you normally do with the rest of your skin. 



You do not need any special type of sunscreen for tattoos. Sunscreen sticks are a good option because they make it easier to reapply quickly. If you have sensitive skin and are concerned about irritation, mineral sunscreens are a good choice.  Mineral sunscreens are far less likely to cause irritation because they sit on the top layer rather than penetrating the skin the way chemical sunscreens do.


All in all, when it comes to applying sunscreen, you should treat your tattooed areas the same way you do with the rest of your skin, if not with more attention. Regularly applying sunscreen to your tattoos is an easy way to help prevent them from fading prematurely.

Leave a comment

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published