How bad is sunburn on a new tattoo?

Question

I got a tattoo yesterday afternoon & today I was unexpectedly in the sun for a short period of time & got sunburned on the tattooed area. I am a bit concerned about this & am wondering if I should be worried & what I should do. The tattoo is black lettering. Please help ease my mind someone!!!

Answer 1

After your tattoo is healed, from now on, you will always want to protect it from the sun's ultraviolet rays. These can fade and damage a brilliant tattoo very fast. Before spending a lot of time in excessive heat, protect your tattoo with a minimum 30SPF sunblock. This will keep your tattoo vibrant for many years, and it will continue to be a source of great pride.  

Answer 2

Good advise above me.

Clean and moisturize and great aftercare, and after it heals touch ups if needed, then do it all again, and when it is completely healed, sunblock for life.

Answer 3

Just continue to keep it moisturized and clean. The tattoo already feels like a sunburn so the good news is you won't be in any additional pain. Could it just be the redness from the tattoo itself? sometimes that take a few days to go away. Keep it clean and moist that way it doesn't peel too early and you don't lose the scabs before they are ready.

Answer 4

No worries.

One sunburn will not harm your tattoo.

Just make sure to take precautions next time and use a sunblock on it.  You can buy sunblock sticks that make applications easy.

In the meantime - Use plenty of Aloe Vera gel to help heal it up.

Answer 5

my mums a tattoo artist so i can give u some hints..

keep putting your cream on it, keep it moist as tattooed areas dry up quicker then normal skin, and since its burnt will be even drier.

put glad wrap over your tattoo for a few days, as this helps it heal.

try not to rub or scratch it, and dont worry if it starts to peel this is normal.

all you can really do is wait for it to heal, and go for a check up with your artist.. they say to stay out of the sun, as the skin is trying to heal, and burning it will only prolong the process..

xo