Great question! When can I sunbathe with a recent tattoo?… Tattooing on the Costa del Sol inevitably brings tourists and travelers eager to soak up the Mediterranean sun and enjoy the beaches of Fuengirola into our clientele. For them, it is as important to sunbathe on the beach or by the pool to get a tan as it is to show off a beautiful tattoo. Is it possible to achieve both? The common phrase we often hear at Rolling Tattoo is:“I just got a tattoo. When can I sunbathe?” That’s why tattoo studios are so busy in the months leading up to the high summer season.

You should not expose your tattoo directly to the sun while it is still in the healing process. Remember, it is a wound on your skin, and we don’t want the sun to aggravate that wound. Even after the healing process, the skin will need at least one month to fully regenerate and hydrate to be in optimal condition. Otherwise, the sun can alter the pigmentation of the newly healed areas and leave marks. Our skin darkens with the sun, but tattoos tend to fade due to the oxidation of the ink components.

If you’re not the patient type, you should wait at least one month before sunbathing with sunscreen protection. Our recommendation is to avoid intense sun exposure for two months after getting the tattoo and then use high-factor sunscreen creams. Remember to apply the protective cream two hours before sun exposure and reapply the protective layer on your skin, especially on the tattoo, every 2-3 hours.

Protecting your skin from the sun, taking care of it, and keeping it hydrated will help your tattoo maintain its definition and brightness over time, and you’ll avoid having to touch it up prematurely.

At Rolling Tattoo, we have specially designed products and protective creams for your tattoos.