How to protect your new tattoo
- Consider the healing phase: avoid sauna visits until your tattoo is fully healed to avoid direct heat exposure and possible infection. The recommended waiting time can vary depending on the healing process, but is often at least 4–6 weeks.
- Use a moisture barrier: Apply a thin layer of a breathable water-based moisturizer to the tattoo. This will help protect the color and keep the skin supple without clogging pores or over-hydrating the skin.
- Cover and protect: Use a breathable, non-adhesive tattoo protection film to protect your tattoo from direct contact with heat and sweat. These special foils protect the tattoo while allowing the necessary air circulation to allow the skin to breathe and prevent over-humidification or overheating.
Tattoos and sauna visits: a question of caution and care
Tattoos require careful care, especially in the first few weeks after being inked, to ensure their quality and durability. Sauna visits are known for their health benefits, but how does a new or even a healed tattoo behave in the extreme environment of a sauna?
The healing process: why fresh tattoos are sensitive to sauna heat
A freshly stung tattoo can be compared to an open wound. Dermatologists and tattoo artists unanimously stress the importance of the healing process and warn against environments with high humidity and temperature, such as those found in saunas. Open skin is more prone to infection and the intensity of the colors can suffer. “According to Dr Schuller, a renowned medical specialist, ‘the extreme heat and sweat in a sauna can increase the risk of infection and interfere with the healing process’.”
Long-term care: dealing with healed tattoos in the sauna
Fully healed tattoos are generally considered safe. However, according to experts, extreme conditions can affect the color and clarity of a tattoo even if it is considered fully healed. Important measures to protect the tattoo include keeping the skin well moisturized, protecting it from direct heat and consistent aftercare. These measures are essential to maintain the appearance of the artwork under the skin in the long term.
Healing phase of a tattoo: When is the sauna safe?
The complete healing of a freshly stung tattoo usually takes four to six weeks. During this critical phase, the skin is sensitive and prone to irritation and infection. Even if the surface of the tattoo seems to be healed after a few weeks, the healing process continues in the deeper layers of the skin. Until the tattoo is completely healed, it is not safe to visit the sauna, as heat and humidity can interfere with the healing process and damage the tattoo.
Product recommendation for optimal tattoo care
To maintain the integrity of the tattoo, the use of a special tattoo care lotion is essential. Products like Believa Tattoo Aftercare Butter are designed to intensively moisturize and protect tattooed skin. Enriched with nourishing ingredients, this lotion supports the healing process and helps maintain the luminosity of tattoo colors.
