Getting a tattoo in the summer is not without its risks. In June, July, and August there is more exposure to the sun and temperatures rise, which affects the healing process of the tattoo. Do you want to know what you need to take into account when getting a tattoo in the summer? Keep reading!
Risks of getting a tattoo in summer
getting a tattoo in the summer may seem like a good idea, especially when you want to show off your new tattoo in lighter clothing. However, there are several risks associated with getting a tattoo during the warmer months of the year that should be considered.
These are the risks of getting a tattoo in summer:
Sun exposure. Ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage newly tattooed skin, causing discoloration and increasing the risk of sunburn. They can also prolong the healing process and increase the risk of infection.
Infections. Heat and humidity can create an environment conducive to their appearance. Excessive sweating can affect the healing process and make it easier for bacteria to enter the skin. Infections can cause swelling, redness, pain and, in some severe cases, lead to health complications.
Water and outdoor activities. Contact with non-sterile water increases the risk of infection in a fresh tattoo. Chlorine and salt can also irritate the skin and negatively affect the appearance of the tattoo.
Dehydration. This is a major risk in the summer, especially for those undergoing a tattoo procedure. The skin may be more prone to damage and complications during this process.
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Precautions for getting a tattoo in summer
Although getting a tattoo in the summer poses certain risks, there are several precautions that can be taken to minimize these risks and ensure proper healing of the tattoo. Let’s take a look at them.
Protect yourself from the sun
Direct exposure should be avoided. The tattoo should be kept covered and protected during the first few weeks, wearing light cotton clothing that allows the skin to breathe and protects the tattoo from UV rays. It is also necessary to use sunscreen with a high protection factor to prevent fading and sun damage.
Keep the area clean and dry
Wash your tattoo with warm water and mild soap several times a day to keep it clean and prevent infection. Make sure to dry the area gently with a clean towel. You should also try to keep the tattoo area as dry as possible. Avoid activities that cause intense sweating during the first few weeks of healing.
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Avoid swimming
Avoid unsterile water. Don’t swim in pools, rivers, lakes, or the ocean until your tattoo has completely healed. Also, water can contain bacteria that can cause infections.
It is recommended to prioritize showers and not take long baths. Bath water may be contaminated and prolonging the exposure time may affect the healing of the tattoo.
Keep your skin hydrated
Drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated from within, and apply fragrance- and alcohol-free moisturizer to your tattoo to keep the skin soft and supple. You should also avoid lotions, creams, or oils that contain alcohol, fragrance, or irritating ingredients.
Wear appropriate clothing
Wear loose clothing made of breathable materials, such as cotton, to avoid friction and allow the tattoo to breathe. Tight clothing, on the other hand, can rub against the tattoo and cause irritation or inflammation.
Take care of your diet
Maintain a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals to promote skin healing. You can include foods rich in vitamins A, C, and E, which are especially beneficial for skin health.
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Is it possible to get an infection?
Theoretically, yes. Tattooing involves a physical breach of the skin that can facilitate transdermal transmission of viral and bacterial infections, from hepatitis B and C, HIV, human papillomavirus (HPV), molluscum contagiosum virus, and herpes simplex virus to streptococcal and staph infections.
This can be caused by contaminated ink, unsterile tattooing equipment, and improper disinfection of the skin area where the tattoo is being applied.
However, the risks of getting an infection are minimized if you get a tattoo in a specialized parlor and/or with a professional artist with a good reputation.
“Modern equipment is very easy to sterilize, moreover, most of the instruments do not even need to be sterilized – they are disposable,” says Roman Mateutsa. “With the advent of cartridges, everything has become much simpler and more convenient – you just change them. Another thing is that not everyone is ready to switch to new equipment, and beginners do not always have money for it. So everything depends on the specific master and salon.”
Yulia Shpadyreva confirms his words: “It is better to choose a proven studio with a good reputation. I have never crossed paths with masters who did not take good care of their workplace. We work with the client’s blood, our task is not to transfer the blood of one to the wound of another. Moreover, the master is the first to encounter blood, so it is in the master’s interest that everything is sterile. Especially since now, there are many available means: from all kinds of antiseptics to disposable parts: caps, needles, antennae – all this is thrown away after each client.”
Post-Quarantine Precautionary Measures
According to Yulia, in the post-quarantine reality, precautions have become even stricter. If earlier two artists were working in the room, you could bring friends to a tattoo session, and at the same time, people could come into the room for a consultation, now the number of people in the room has sharply decreased. And you can only get into the salon wearing a mask and after disinfecting your hands at the entrance.
Is there an allergy to ink?
It happens. According to a study published in the scientific journal Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery, “classic pigments such as dichromate (green), cobalt (blue), cadmium (yellow) and mercury salt (red) used in tattoo inks may be responsible for allergic reactions on the skin.” In addition, severe allergies can be caused by pigment contaminated with nickel sulfate. Plus, potential sources of allergens are organic ingredients in tattoo pigments: azo dyes and quinacridone.
The most harmless pigment is black. “Black pigment has no contraindications,” says Roman Mateutsa. “Colored ones – due to the high metal content – can cause a reaction: the tattoo can swell, and hurt unpleasantly. Moreover, the sensations may not appear immediately but remain for life. I have a colored tattoo that reacts to the sun. I suffered one summer, and now I have started to remove it.”
Red Pigment: The Most Problematic Color
According to Salomeya Abalyan, a dermatovenerologist, cosmetologist, and chief physician of the L’Art clinic, those who have red pigment under their skin most often come to remove tattoos due to allergies.
Contamination Risks in Tattoo Inks
In addition to the hue, how the ink was made matters. It can be contaminated with bacteria and mold if the water used to dilute the pigment isn’t sterile (the most common, though not the only, reason), says Linda Katz, MD, director of the FDA’s Office of Cosmetics and Color. “There’s no reliable way to determine whether an ink is safe. Ink can be contaminated even if the container is sealed or the label says the product is sterile,” Katz says.
And the quality of the ink, even if it is sterile, can vary significantly. Therefore, when choosing them, Mateutsa advises turning not to local manufacturers and indie brands, but to proven brands with an international name. “I use the Dynamic pigment, which I often saw during my travels in Europe and America. Of course, there are fakes, so I always look where it is bottled and choose American sources, not Chinese ones – the latter are less trustworthy,” says Roman. “In addition, you can always bring your pigment if you are confident in it. This rarely happens, but once a girl came to me with ink, to which, according to her, she was not allergic.”
Everything is very individual, everyone has a different pain threshold. “Even if you have a hard time going to the dentist, it’s not a fact that a tattoo will cause you the same suffering. Most people tolerate it well,” says Yulia Shpadyreva. “Usually the most unpleasant areas are the stomach, ribs, elbows, knees and the instep.” If sensations are an important factor, type the phrase “pain map” into a search engine: and you will immediately get pictures of the human body with a visual diagram of where it hurts more or less.
By the way, women’s pain may vary depending on their menstrual cycle – it is stronger in the first days. It is also better to postpone the tattoo session if you have a cold: after all, it is a traumatic procedure, and your immunity should be in order.
