The Best Sunscreen for Tattoos, According to Dermatologists
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It’s not exactly news that sun exposure is very bad for skin, and that applying (and reapplying) sunscreen regularly is the best way to protect the skin, outside of strict solar avoidance. Those with tattoos aren’t at any greater risk of the negative effects of the sun, but the fact that the sun can fade (and therefore ruin) tattoos should be an additional compelling reason to slather on the SPF. And with one-third of Americans and counting sporting tattoos, more and more people have this extra reason to protect themselves.
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Sunscreen manufacturers know that they make a literal lifesaver that isn’t all that beloved by the people who buy it. They’ve responded in recent years by introducing new applicator types, scents, and ever-higher SPF numbers. There are also a slew of premium options (with skincare benefits) and new direct-to-consumer brands that have carved out a niche outside of the drugstore. If these different options make more people actually wear their sunscreen, they will have had a positive impact. Those looking for a deal will be happy to hear that there’s no shortage of affordable options that do the sunscreening just as well.
What the Experts Say
Sources within dermatology and tattooing agree that sunscreen is an essential part of healthy recovery from a tattoo. For this story, SPY spoke with Dr. Bruce Katz, director of the JUVA Skin & Laser Center and member of the American Academy of Dermatology; Dr. Archit Agarwal, a dermatologist and consultant at Clinicspots; and Mikhail Andersson, tattoo artist and owner of First Class Tattoos in New York City, to help sort through the best tattoo sunscreens available now.
“When we expose our tattoos to the sun, the UV rays penetrate through the top layer and into the dermis where your tattoo pigment resides,” Agarwal says. “Over time, these rays can cause fading and even distort your tattoo’s color and design.” Andersson recalls a time he left a month-old tattoo unprotected from the sun. “Within a week’s time, the tattoo had faded to almost half of its original boldness.”
Understanding that sunscreen is vital for tattoo preservation and skin protection, the pertinent question becomes which sunscreen to use. The most prominent feature on most sunscreens is SPF, though be advised that a higher number doesn’t necessarily mean better sun protection. “Studies have shown that an SPF 30 is just as effective as an SPF 100” Katz says, so there’s no need to spring for pricier, higher-SPF options to protect your skin.
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Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen Sensitive SPF 30+
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Katz says he would only recommend a sunscreen if it’s SPF 30, if it’s broad-spectrum (meaning it blocks UVA and UVB rays), and if it contains zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, or avobenzone — three ingredients that he says work best at blocking UVA and UVB.
Blue Lizard promises just 40 minutes of water-resistance, so don’t forget to reapply often on days spent in the sun. (Fun fact: The bottle itself does give you a very clever reminder to (re)apply — it turns blue when hit by UV rays, which, contrary to popular belief, can still reach the skin on overcast days.)
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EltaMD UV Sport Broad-Spectrum SPF 50
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Made For: Everyone, according to Chekuri. “This sunscreen is non-comedogenic, fragrance-free, and oil-free, making it suitable for all skin types,” he says. Clogged pores can cause breakouts and fragrances can cause negative reactions, so the fact that it’s made to avoid both negative outcomes makes it a pretty good pick, even for those with sensitive skin.
Why It Stands Out: The “Sport” in the name of this sunscreen means that it’s water- and sweat-resistant for an impressive 80 minutes, and its formula, which features three active ingredients, can be applied to dry or wet skin effectively.
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Mad Rabbit Defend Tattoo Sunscreen
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Why It Stands Out: It’s pleasant to use. Dr. Elliott Love, a board-certified dermatologist and a Mad Rabbit board member, says that the fact that the brand’s sunscreen is pleasant is vital. “I find that patients are always more likely to use and reapply sunscreen when it feels nice on the skin, which Mad Rabbit’s formula definitely does.”
ROI: The brand says that this formula also protects from “stressors like pollution and free-radicals, which result in discoloration, fading of tattoo ink pigment, and premature aging.” More well-rounded protection from other, non-sun threats to tattoos is definitely a good thing.
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Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40
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Why It Stands Out: The extras. Dermatologist Dr. Harikiran Chekuri recommends this cheekily named sunscreen in part because of its non-sunscreen ingredients. “It contains red algae, which helps protect the skin from blue light damage, and frankincense, which helps soothe the skin and reduce inflammation. It also contains meadowfoam seed oil, which moisturizes and nourishes the skin.”
Coolest Feature: Its formula includes a whopping four active ingredients that provide broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sunscreen for Tattoos
Are there sunscreens I shouldn’t use on my tattoo?
Anything under SPF 30, full stop. Sub-SPF 30 sunscreens are never great from a dermatological perspective, but they’re especially ill-suited to provide the real protection that tattooed skin demands.
How much sunscreen do I need to apply?
“People often apply far too little sunscreen, which makes it less effective and also shortens the length of effectiveness,” says Dr. Love says. The solution isn’t complicated. “Measuring and applying sunscreen is not practical, but enough should be applied so that it takes about 10 minutes for it to absorb.”
What if I really hate sunscreen?
Not getting skin cancer should be enough of a motivation to wear sunscreen, but hopefully the prospect of an ugly, faded MOM on your bicep is enough to treat your skin with the respect the woman herself would want you to have.
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