Just like that, summer is coming to an end. As the days get shorter, it’s time we come to terms that fall is just around the corner. That being said, every cloud has a silver lining. Contrary to popular belief, fall and winter are actually the best times to get tattooed.
Why? This is because aftercare plays a fundamental role in the healing process, and summertime activities, such as going to the beach and sitting on patios, often contradict the dos and don’ts of successful aftercare. Any reputable artist and/or shop will always provide their clients with step-by-step aftercare instructions and, when followed, will allow your tattoo to heal and hold up to its fullest potential. Listed below, you'll find a few aftercare tips that favour the fall and winter seasons.
Limit Your Exposure: The less exposure of your healing tattoo to outside elements, the better your results will be. Heat and sweat can easily aggravate your tattoo, while the sun will ultimately break down pigment, which causes tattoos to fade prematurely. Keeping your tattoo covered and away from the sun is easy to do when the sun is out for shorter periods of the day. Fall/winter fashion is also a great excuse to keep your tattoo sheltered from the sun, and protected from debris such as dust and dirt.
Do Not Submerge Your Tattoo In Water: Summer and swimming often go hand in hand. Fortunately, swimming isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when it’s below 10 degrees Celsius! Avoiding the temptation to be outdoors and/or swimming in pools, lakes, and rivers will be a sure way to protect your tattoo during its healing phase.
Understand The Benefits: Given the warmth, it's difficult to comfortably hide your tattoo in the heat of summer. Thankfully, this isn't a concern in the fall and winter seasons. Whether you're avoiding an uncomfortable discussion with disapproving parents, or tired of explaining the flaking stage of your healing tattoo to those that don't understand the process, chilly weather greatly increases your layering options if necessary.
By following these tips and using Canada's colder seasons to your advantage, once summer rolls back around, you can be more than confident that your tattoo has fully healed and is ready to show off.
