Some questions about a first tat....

Hey all, I just got a first tattoo. I had wanted this tattoo for a year now, but decided to respectfully wait until I was outside my parents' roof, before getting it. It's a little hamsa (the hand), behind my ear. It isn't large at all. It's quite beautiful, and even though it was expensive, it was totally worth it.

I have read the tattoo aftercare post here, and the instructions the guy at the shop gave me. One of my main concerns, though is the sun. Both the guy, and hipforums agree that a fresh tattoo should not be directly exposed to the sun. However, it is in both places that I read that sunscreen should NOT be applied to the tattoo during the healing process (two weeks).

It is 90+ degrees and ALWAYS sunny here. I can't NOT go out in the sun, I don't have much of a choice. These next couple of days, however, I am more free with my time, and will not go out at all from 10-3pm when the sun is strongest (I usually stay inside then, anyway, because of the heat).

When I do go outside, however, how can I protect my precious tat? Is letting my hair down enough?

Also, is even a little bit of sea water bad for the tat? I love the beach......Also the guy at the shop told me that profuse sweating is like the same as soaking the tat, and is a no-no....is patting the tat dry with a tissue OK to do while sweating (which is always here)?

I would have asked the guy all of this, but they weren't very nice, and there are some language barriers (thick russian accents, speaking hebrew, me with a bit of an american accent speaking hebrew), and he wasn't the friendliest of guys. I'm aware that summer is like the worst time to get a tattoo, but because of extenuating circumstances, it was my only choice as far as timing.

thanks mucho guys! I'll post pics as soon as I catch one of my friends who has a camera

 

well i live in cyprus which is alwase hot...

keep your tattoo out of the sun and try not to sweat..because sweating can push the ink out

keep it moitsured 2-4 times a day using special cream for about 2 weeks

you will notice it peelingbut thats only the top layer of your skin and it's normal it's part of the healing process also do NOT pick the scabs...or peel the skin just let it go on it's own

do not bath the tattoo or go to the sea...

there is a tattoo after care thing ont op of this forum section

 

as stated in my previous post, I have read the tattoo after care post.

My question mainly is if anyone has ideas how I can NOT sweat and expose my tattoo to the sun, as it is quite difficult to do in such climates (as you probably know from experience).

Incidentally I've always wanted to go to cyprus. Is it beautiful? Everyone here goes to cyprus for vacation, or to get married if their union is not recognized by the rabbinical association or whatever it is.

 

cyprus is beautiful!!!
well the only way not to sweat is to stay out of the sun..i sweat a bit but i stay in the shade...and don't wear sleevless clothing if you're out in the sun.

wear deodrant as well lol and air condition

i assume you live in isreal?

 

yup yup im in israel. I have a pic of the tatttoo now!!! the picture isn't that great because it was taken on a webcam, and i'm holding my ear back so you can see it better

 

Just stay out of the sun the first few days, and then keep your hair over it. After the scabbings gone, you should be able to use sunscreen.