Ever wondered if you’re able to get that sun-kissed glow with new tattoos? We’ve got your answer! Here are tips and tricks to keep your new ink safe while in the tanning bed.

The Tanning Bed

So you’ve just gotten a new tattoo and you really want to tan the rest of your skin so you can show it off. First and foremost, the tattoo must be completely healed before exposing it to any sort of UV rays, natural or artificial. Prematurely introducing fresh ink to either the sun or tanning bed will diminish the brilliance of the color both immediately and long term.

In a nutshell, you want to cover your tattoo either with an object that surrounds its surface area, or a generous coat of sunblock with high SPF. While this won’t stop the aging process for your tattoo, it will prolong its vibrancy. Keep in mind that one application of sunblock is not enough if you’re going to spend an extended amount of time in the sun or tanning bed. Ideally, you should reapply sunblock every two hours, and a solid 15 minutes before exposing your skin to the sun or tanning bed.

What about After?

After tanning, be sure to moisturize your skin as you normally would, while applying a more generous portion to your tattoos. Keeping inked skin moisturized will ensure that the color stays put until the tattoo is completely healed.

Is Spray Tanning a Better Option?

The only risk with spray tanning and tattoos is that the tan can darken light colored or delicate tattoos. However, if you don’t like how it looks, you can always wipe it off after your spray tanning session! The beauty of spray tans is that they’re temporary, lasting between about 5 to 10 days. The same rule of “healed” applies to spray tanning—as long as the tattoo is fully healed, spray tans will not damage your ink! Ultimately, spray tanning is a much better option for those who burn easily, are worried about the damage to their skin, or want to preserve the life of their tattoo while still looking golden year-round.

Bronze Tan offers both tanning bed and spray tan services at our locations in Clayton and Brentwood, Missouri. Stop in for a session or if you have any questions. And of course, feel free to contact us!

Recent Posts
Contact Us


Not readable? Change text. captcha txt
Fading Tans