Ink on the Beach: Can I Get a Tattoo on Sun Tanned Skin?
If you have recently returned from a sunny vacation and are considering getting a tattoo, you may be wondering if your tan will affect the integrity of the tattoo. However, moderately tanned skin should not be a problem. Although a tattoo needle only penetrates 1/16th of an inch of skin, it actually goes through five sublayers of the epidermis, the dermal layer, and the top layer of the dermis. On the other hand, a sun tan occurs in the outermost layer of skin, the epidermis, which means that the tattoo takes hold under the tanned layer of skin.
However, if you have a second degree or worse sunburn, you must wait until it has healed before getting a tattoo, as it can negatively impact the healing process and the integrity of the tattoo. First-degree sunburns are less harmful and typically take 3–6 days to heal before scheduling your tattoo appointment.
After getting the tattoo, you must keep the area out of direct sunlight for 3 to 4 weeks and minimize sun exposure for 3 to 6 months by wearing SPF 60 sunscreen over the tattoo. If you have concerns about your tan, you can schedule a consultation with a tattoo studio for advice.
