Sunlight can often have an effect on your tattoo art. If you love spending time out in the sun and you’ve got tattoos, it’s important that you work to protect them when possible. If you aren’t regularly using sunscreen this can often create damage for your skin as well as give your tattoos and extremely weathered look.
There are a number of items that can alter the overall look of your tattoo throughout the years. Nothing can be more damaging to a tattoo and UV rays. It’s very easy to put on sunscreen rather than have your tattoo fade out and lose its vibrancy, shape or color. UV light can break down the inks quickly and this may often require touch-ups or even a cover up if your tattoo gets extremely damaged.
Some of the top effects of sunlight on tattoos include:
Changing colors: Your tattoos can quickly change colors while they are exposed to UV light. Tattoo inks are located under the first two layers of skin and this acts only as a transparent covering for the tattoo. As your skin gets darker in the sun, this can really start to change the colors of your tattoo.
It will heal slower: if you’re healing from a tattoo, being out in the sun can make the process extremely irritating. Sun exposure on the area can also heal the area slowly.
It may crack: A tattoo that starts to tan will be very sensitive and sometimes crack in the sunlight. It’s important to cover up your tattoo hide areas which are closed to prevent the chance that the area could crack.
Keep some of these top ideas involved with the process of healing with your tattoo and preventing sunlight damage.
This post was written by J Michael Taylor. J Michael Taylor is an artist and owner of Black Amethyst Tattoo Gallery. Black Amethyst is a Clearwater tattoo shop. They provide an art-first approach to custom tattooing in a gallery setting.
