How To Cover A New Tattoo At The Beach – 8 Unique Ways

Being a beach lover and a tattoo enthusiast can be stupendous. You can’t get any cooler than rocking a bright and vibrant tattoo while you play basketball on the beach. That said when you go out on the beach to spend a fun time, be very cautious as there are many natural elements out there that can damage your tattoo. Especially if you have a new tattoo. A new tattoo is very sensitive and you must protect it and cover it when you go out on the beach. Natural elements of the beach like sand and sweater has the potential to damage your new tattoo.

So how to cover a new tattoo at the beach? Today, I will spill the beans on how to keep your new tattoo safe from the elements while still having a blast at the beach. Covering your tattoo may sound like a hassle and covering it will prevent you from showing off the new tattoo. But to keep the new tattoo from getting cracked, faded, catching an infection, or distorted you must cover it up. And after the tattoo is healed you can just apply sunscreen and show off as much as you want at the beach.

Key Takeaways

• You can cover a new tattoo by wearing appropriate clothing, rash guard or swimwear, pants, or trouser, tattoo bandage or wraps, etc.
• There are many issues you may face if doubt cover your new tattoo at the beach, such as the risk of infection, damage from sunlight, irritation, tattoo dryness, etc.
• While you are at the beach with a new tattoo apart from covering it up you should use sunscreen, avoid sand and seawater, seek shade, stay hydrated, etc.

Covering A New Tattoo at the Beach

The beach is a fun place to be at. But if you have a new tattoo this fun place can become a nightmare if you don’t take proper care of your new tattoo. Newly done tattoos can be super sensitive. They can very easily get faded, cracked, blurred, or distorted, that is why it is so crucial to take extra care of a new tattoo. And when you go out on the beach there are many natural elements that could harm your tattoo, such as:

You can cover your newly done tattoo to protect it from these natural elements. There are many ways to cover a new tattoo on the beach. You can wear long-sleeved clothing, tattoo bandages, makeup that protects skin from sunlight and water, tattoo wraps, arm sleeves, etc. Let me briefly explain exactly how harmful the natural elements of the beach can be for your new tattoo below.

Sand can be a good exfoliant and clean your skin. Unfortunately, that can be a bad thing for your tattoo specially for your new tattoo. New tattoos mean the epidermis or the top layer of the skin is not yet healed. When this unhealed skin layer gets rubbed by sand from the beach it easily penetrates the first layer and reaches the second layer where the tattoo ink resides. As a result, it can fade your tattoo.

Sand can carry various germs and bacteria which could inter your wounded skin and cause tattoo infection. A tattoo infection has the potential to ruin your tattoo. Sea water has salt in it, this salty water can leach ink from the unhealed tattooed area and fade your tattoo. And when you go out on the beach it is a bit difficult to avoid sunlight. As people to the beach to take sunbathe or get a nice tan while they play games and stuff. Old tattoos can be protected from the sunlight just by applying sunscreen. But new tattoos are a bit tricky to protect as sunscreen may clog pores and harmful chemicals of the sunscreen may cause irritation and other issues to your new tattoo.

8 Ways to Cover a New Tattoo at Beach

There are many ways to cover a tattoo at the beach. Such as:

1. Long-sleeved clothing

If you have tattoos on your hand or wrist you can wear long-sleeved clothing to cover your new tattoo. Just make sure the clothing is not made of hard fabric that could cause excessive friction and damage your new tattoo.

2. Pants or trousers

Wear pants or trousers that cover the tattooed area completely. Jeans, slacks, or leggings can be good options depending on the weather and occasion. It is common for people to wear shorts or shorter clothing, but remember you have a tattoo to protect. So choose a pair of pants or trousers that can cover the tattoo on your leg.

3. Bandages or wraps

Use adhesive bandages or wraps specifically designed for tattoos to cover the tattooed area. Make sure they are sterile as a bandage containing germs can infect your healing tattoo. If the tattoo is larger, you may need to use multiple bandages or a larger wrap to adequately cover it. These wraps will not only protect your healing tattoo from the sunlight but also from water. You can go for a swim in the ocean without any worry as the wraps are generally waterproof. Make sure the bandage or wrap is breathable and does not prevent your tattoo from getting air.

4. Maxi dresses or skirts

Maxi dresses or skirts can be a great way to cover your new tattoo at the beach. Because they reach ankle-length and provide full coverage for leg tattoos. Look for flowy, lightweight fabrics for comfort as whether on the beach tends to be hotter.

5. Button-up shirts or blouses

Button-up shirts or blouses allow you to adjust the coverage based on your preference. You can leave a few buttons undone to show a little skin while still covering the tattooed area. It can be a perfect outfit for the beach while it will cover and protect your chest, ribs, or back tattoo.

6. Arm sleeves

Consider using camouflage clothing or arm sleeves to cover the tattooed area. These specialized garments are designed to cover tattoos and provide a temporary solution for hiding them.

7. Rash guard or swimwear

A rash guard or swimwear can be a fine thing to wear as it can cover your tattoo, protect it from sunlight and it can protect the tattoo from seawater. Rash guards are not waterproof but they are specially designed to resist water.

8. Professional cover-up products

There are plenty of professional cover-up products for tattoos. You can choose products that provide protection from the sun and waterproof products, this way the product can give you decent protection from sunlight damage and seawater.

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5 Reasons to Cover a New Tattoo at the Beach

There are plenty of reasons why you should cover your new tattoo at the beach.

I have listed them below:

• Risk of infection
  Sand and seawater both have the potential to cause infection in an open wound. Because sand on the beach and the seawater can have many sorts of bacteria and germs in them. And your newly done tattoo is sort of a small wound. So, when your new tattoo gets in touch with germs or bacteria containing sand or seawater it will get infected.
• Sun damage
  The harmful UV rays of the sun can easily fade your new tattoo. Continuous exposure to sunlight can break the tattoo ink pigments residing on your skin and fade the tattoo. To protect your new or old tattoo from the direct sunlight which you will get plenty of when you go to the beach, you should cover the tattoo or apply sunscreen.
• Irritation
  There will be a mild irritation or discomfort during the healing phase of your tattoo, nothing wrong with that. But exposing the new tattoo to sand, seawater, and direct sunlight can increase the irritation by a lot. To avoid it, you must cover your new tattoo at the beach.
• Causes tattoo dryness
  The healing tattoo should be mildly moist. But when you go to the beach, you expose your healing tattoo to sunlight and a hot environment, which can cause the tattooed skin to become dry. A dry tattoo takes longer to heal, not to mention there is a chance of tattoo cracking.
• Contact with harsh chemical
  Beaches tend to have hot tubs or pools containing chlorine or other chemicals that can harm your healing tattoo. If you do not use tattoo bandage before going into such a hot tub or pool you may end up fading your tattoo.

6 Things to Do When at the Beach with a New Tattoo

Apart from covering your tattoo, there are plenty of things you should do to keep your new tattoo safe when at the beach. Such as:

• Apply sunscreen
  Clothing can lose or decrease the ability to protect your skin from sunlight. That is why it is recommended to apply sunscreen over a tattoo when you go out on the beach. Try choosing a sunscreen that has a minimum of 30 SPF. Sunscreen can protect your tattoo for about 1 to 2 hours from sunlight. So, make sure to apply sunscreen every few hours especially after you swim or sweat.
• Hydration
  Staying hydrated is crucial for your skin health and your tattoo. And it is very easy to get dehydrated when you play sports or get a tan on the beach. Dehydration can cause dry skin and dry skin can lead to multiple issues regarding your new tattoo. So make sure to drink plenty of fluid to keep yourself hydrated and your skin healthy.
• Try to stay in the shade
  One of the prime reasons for going out on the beach is to enjoy the sunlight. But because you have a healing tattoo, consider staying in the shade while you are at the beach as much as possible. While the tattoo is healing or new, sunlight can fade it.
• Avoid extensive physical activity
  While you have a new tattoo, try to avoid playing basketball or doing exercise on the beach. Any extensive physical activity while you are in the hot environment of the beach causes excessive sweating, and getting rubbed by sand and dirt which could lead to acne, infection, and tattoo distortion.
• Try avoiding sand and seawater
  There are many ways to protect a new tattoo from sand and seawater. But it is still better to avoid them. Do not lie down on the sand or play with the sand as it can get rubbed against your tattoo and cause infection and tattoo fading. And seawater can leach ink from your newly done tattoo.
• Be gentle when drying your wet tattoo
  Your newly done tattoo may get wet because of sweat or seawater at the beach. Instead of using a towel, you should use a paper towel to gently soak the tattoo dry. Drying a tattoo vigorously can cause friction which may fade the tattoo.

FAQs

If I cover my new tattoo delay the healing process?

No, as long as you use a clothing or tattoo bandage that is breathable to cover your new tattoo, it won’t delay your healing.

If I do not cover my tattoo at the beach, will it ruin the tattoo?

Yes, not covering a newly done tattoo can cause tattoo fading, tattoo cracking, and tattoo infection which may ruin your tattoo.

Can I go to the beach with a week-old tattoo?

You should wait till your tattoo is healed before going to the beach. In case you decide to go to the beach with your new tattoo make sure to cover the tattoo and avoid direct sunlight, sand, and seawater as much as possible.

Can I use sunscreen to protect my tattoo at the beach?

Yes, applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF to the exposed tattooed area is essential especially when you are at the beach. Look for sunscreens specifically formulated for sensitive skin and follow the instructions for application and reapplication.

Can I go swimming in the ocean or pools with a new tattoo?

It’s generally recommended to avoid submerging your new tattoo in ocean water, pools, or hot tubs during the initial healing phase. So, try to avoid swimming in the ocean or pool, but if you insist on swimming then make sure to use a breathable and waterproof tattoo bandage or wrap.

Final Thoughts

New tattoos are very sensitive and can easily get damaged. So make sure to cover your newly done tattoo whenever you go outdoors. If you are going to the beach then it becomes more important to cover your new tattoo. Because there are many natural elements on the beach that can damage your healing tattoo. On the beach, your tattoo will be exposed to sunlight, sand, sweater, etc. Each of these elements can negatively affect your new tattoo. Exposure to sunlight may fade your new tattoo, sand and seawater both can fade or cause tattoo infection.

Clothing options such as long-sleeved shirts, pants, skirts, or swimwear with built-in coverage can help shield your tattoo from the sun and other elements. Applying sunscreen to exposed areas, seeking shade, and avoiding direct contact with sand and water are also crucial steps in maintaining the integrity of your new tattoo.

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