How to Take Care of Your Tattoos During the Winter

If you were to ask us when the best time to get a tattoo would be, we’d have to say the winter. There are too many external factors that can damage a tattoo during the summer months, from extreme sun exposure to days at the beach, which makes a winter appointment the best possible option. In addition to avoiding summer activities, your ink will be far more covered up during the winter months and this allows your tattoos to heal faster.

However, you may be wondering if there are any specific aftercare tips and tricks for a winter tattoo. Well, it just so happens that we have a couple up our tattooed sleeves. Take a look at our guide for taking care of a tattoo during the winter below, then let us know which of the four seasons you prefer to get tattooed in the comments section on Facebook. 

Stay Moisturized 

The biggest factor of maintaining the health and vibrancy of your ink during the winter months is moisturizing. The cold weather and harsh winds of winter will dry out your skin without fail, however, there are plenty of solutions for this problem. While there are plenty of lotions out there that will help keep your skin moist during the winter months, we can recommend a product specifically designed for tattoos. The Electric Ink Daily Moisturizer can be used long after the tattoo is healed and the brand also stocks a number of other top notch aftercare products, including a vibrancy serum and defining body oil. You can take a look at their entire collection and other incredible aftercare products on the INKEDSHOP by clicking the photo above. 

Be Mindful of Harmful Chemicals and Scents

During the healing process, your tattoo is extremely sensitive and susceptible to not only irritation, but infection. Therefore, while you’ll be craving a relaxing bubble bath to ward off the cold weather, it’s best to wait until your tattoo is completely healed. Even natural products can do damage to your ink and soaking your healing ink is never recommended. However, once your tattoos have healed, feel free to have all of the Instagram-able baths that you’d like this winter. Come on, we know that you want to and it’s totally okay.

Stay Equipped With Sunscreen

This may come as a shock to you, put you can still damage your tattoos through direct sun exposure during the winter months. The sun never takes a vacation and it’s important to stay equipped with sunscreen for any tattoos that may be exposed for a prolonged period of time. This is especially important for tattoo collectors who enjoy participating in winter sports like skiing and snowboarding, as any visible skin can become easily burned. Unlike the blacktop in your driveway, the sun’s rays bounce off white snow and make it easy for a face and neck tattoo to fade quickly. 

Additionally, while there isn’t much research done on how tattoos can be affected by frostbite, it doesn’t hurt to be extra safe in that regard.