How to protect your tattoo from pollution?
Pollution has an awful impact on your body. It impacts your respiratory system, the quality of your skin and your tattoo is no exception. You will find on this page all the risk and solution related to your tattoo(s) and pollution.
How can pollution affect your tattoo?
You should keep in mind that tattooed skin will always be "weakened." Tattooed skin is sensitive to dryness, sunlight, and pollution is no exception. While pollution affects your skin in general, it can also change the appearance, color, and brightness of your tattoo.
Colors fade
Microparticles and chemical components found in polluted air can readily infiltrate your skin and have a major impact on the color of your tattoo. The brightness of vivid colors like red, blue, and yellow is mostly affected by pollution.
Polluted air also contains "free radicals." Pollution produces these extremely unstable chemicals, which harm skin cells and tattoo pigments, causing them to fade and become dull. These molecules are especially prevalent in large cities with poor air quality.
Skin aging
The brightness of your tattoo is partly linked to the quality of your skin. It’s important to note that pollution speeds up skin aging. It can cause inflammation and damage to skin cells, leading to wrinkles, dryness, and an uneven texture. Damaged skin affects the sharpness of your tattoo lines and its smooth appearance.
Finally, pollution also destroys collagen and elastin. These are proteins that keep your skin firm and elastic, slowing aging and, as a result, preserving the sharpness of your tattoo.
Impact on healing
Pollution irritates the skin. Microparticles cover your skin’s pores, which is especially problematic during the healing phase (when the skin is most fragile). This can slow healing and make it harder for the ink to settle properly.
As you can see, pollution has many negative effects on your tattoo. However, there are ways to reduce this risk!
How to protect your tattoos from pollution
To counter the harmful effects of pollution, a good routine and key habits can help keep your tattoo looking bright. Here are some simple tips.
Clean your skin
Pollution-related dirt, such as fine particles and free radicals, builds up on your skin throughout the day. Make sure to clean your skin thoroughly to remove all these impurities. Avoid scrubbing if your tattoo is still healing.
Keep your skin hydrated
Well-hydrated skin slows aging and protects better against pollution. Drink plenty of water and use products like lotions, moisturizers, or tattoo balms (which we particularly recommend).
Use a tattoo balm
Tattoo balms create a protective layer. They hydrate your skin, reduce dryness, and help maintain your tattoo’s brightness.
Apply products with anti-pollution properties
Use an SPF 50 sunscreen that blocks UV rays and pollution, or a balm with collagen. These products will nourish your skin and protect it from fine particles caused by pollution.
Eat healthy foods
In addition to products, your lifestyle has an impact on your tattoos. You and your tattoos will both benefit from eating a diet high in antioxidant-rich foods like fruits, nuts, and vegetables. Additionally, drinking lots of water keeps your skin moisturized, which is really good for you.
Wear protective clothing
Try to protect your tattoos with loose, breathable clothing, especially if you live in polluted areas. These will act as a first barrier against pollution.
You don’t have to cover your tattoos all the time, but we recommend doing so during high pollution levels.
Why you should protect your tattoos?
Tattoos are more than just drawings; they can represent a memory, an experience, or a story. Taking care of your tattoo means preserving these memories and taking care of yourself.
Tattoos are an investment
Whether financially or emotionally, you spend time choosing or designing your tattoo, finding the right artist, etc. Not protecting your tattoo from pollution (or other factors) risks damaging this investment, making it lose its brightness, color, and sharpness. If you’re keeping your tattoo for life, make it shine!
Your tattoo tells a story
Each tattoo represents something unique: a personal memory, a tribute, or a state of mind. Protecting your tattoo also means preserving its meaning. Even if it’s purely aesthetic, not taking care of your tattoo will impact your style.
Long-term skin health
Taking care of your tattoo is also taking care of yourself and your skin! Protecting your skin from pollution reduces dryness and premature aging, which directly affect your tattoo.