We know it well, the desire for a tattoo knows no season. However, it is also true that deciding to get a tattoo during the summer or just before going to the beach is not a great idea.
For this very reason, all tattoo artists (or almost all) warn about the possible complications that sand and sea water could cause to your latest tattoo.
However, we would like to provide a series of guidelines and good advice for those who decide to get a tattoo before or during the summer. These should be followed very carefully to protect your work of art.
Tattoos at the beach: precautions to take
Whatever the time of year, during the healing phase of a tattoo, the most important thing is to keep your skin hydrated. In most cases, the professional will give you (or at least recommend) a specific cream to apply regularly to the affected area. However, if you are in a particularly hot place, we recommend increasing the number of applications. Skin that is not well hydrated struggles to heal, so it is a good idea to moisturize the skin often with massages aimed at reducing the risks of prolonged exposure to the sun.
Speaking of sun exposure, high-level sun protection is also an excellent aid in protecting your tattoo. If, for example, you usually use medium-low protection during the summer, increase the sun protection factor (50+ is recommended).
Returning to the beach, it should be emphasized that sand is dirty and, no matter how clean the beach you are staying at is, the skin where your new tattoo is located must not come into contact with it under any circumstances. A tattoo, like a wound, must be kept in impeccable hygienic conditions. Sand, therefore, is a real risk and special attention must be paid!
We know. The call of the sea is irresistible, so if you really can’t avoid a refreshing dip, don’t forget to take a shower and dry your tattoo thoroughly. Pay attention to the drying phase of the affected area: pat dry, don’t rub!
Be careful not to cover the tattoo with plastic wrap or similar materials. In hot conditions, it is necessary to allow the skin to breathe, as it needs oxygen to restore itself to its normal condition after the “stress” caused by the tattoo.
We would not want to write this part under any circumstances, but it is necessary in extreme cases. If you have not followed any of the advice we have given above, you will almost certainly end up with a nasty infection.
You have only one choice: go to the emergency room. On the way, however, contact your tattoo artist and make a note of all the materials used for your tattoo. These details will be of vital importance to the medical staff who will examine your case.
Don’t panic, though. As annoying as the infection may be, good medication should bring the situation back to normal within a few days.
