Recently got a tattoo done for summer? I bet you would want to show it off on the beach while tanning. Don’t! Tattoos are highly susceptible to damage by the intense UV rays of the sun. UV rays damage our skin and can also cause severe conditions like skin cancer. These penetrate our skin, break, and start dissolving the ink in our skin. It not only dissolves the tattoo but also can completely change its color. We cannot stop ourselves from tanning in the sun during summertime, so many users asked me what they should do for their tattoos.
Tattoos and tanning both are ornaments to our skin but don’t always go together. What can we do to get tanned but at the same time ensure the durability of our tattoos? Could we use tanning lotions? Yes absolutely! Although you would have to choose the Best Tanning Lotion for Tattoos. A few best options are listed below.
Also Check: 8 Best Tanning Accelerators To Try Out
8 Best Tanning Lotion for Tattoos | Tanning With Tattoos?
Tanning is a voluntary process that gives you a darker skin tone and a bronze look. Tanning lotions or accelerators are promoters that speed up and make this process more efficient. Summer months appeal you to visit the beach and soothe your body with the scorching sun rays. With that said, tattooing has increasing demand with the different kinds of tattoos and designs. Almost everyone has one; some could be visible, some hidden. Tanning and tattoos don’t go well together, and we need some resolution to this.
The sun’s UV rays ruin tattoos, so we need something to block these rays from entering our skin. Tanning Lotions are the perfect blend as they already shield your skin against the UV rays and work as sunscreen. All they need to have are tattoo guarding properties. Among the range of tanning lotions for tattoos, choosing genuine ones is a hassle as they all claim to work all the time. I have curated the Top 8 Tanning Lotions for Tattoos; let’s have a look.
Popular Tanning Lotion for Tattoos
Parameters / Things to Consider
What comes in line when we choose a tanning lotion for our tattoos?
SPF: SPF is the crucial ingredient in this. We cannot afford any amount of UV rays passing through our tattoos. We need to have SPF 50 or more in our tanning lotion. It is the minimum criteria to shield your tattoo.
Tattoo Protector Built-In: Various lotions use ingredients like coconut, avocado, and different types of oils to protect our tattoo against the UV rays and at the same time give you a golden bronze tan.
Moisturizer: Your lotion needs to contain shea/cocoa butter which ensures moisturizing qualities to the skin. Under the sun, our skin dries and loses all the moisture, thus causing it to crack. If our skin is moisturized, we don’t need to be conscious to spend long hours on the beach.
Skin Type: We all have different types of skin. One which is sensitive, rough, burns quickly, does not brown, has allergies, etc. Use your tanning lotion, keeping in mind all these criteria. Choose your lotion wisely such that you can derive advantage out of it and one which helps you protect your tattoo.
Best Tanning Lotion for Tattoos | Top 8 Choices
There are mainly three processes that could be done for protecting your tattoo and tanning. Spray tan, tanning lotion, and self-tanners are the only ways to tan your skin without ruining your tattoo safely. Today we’re going to review the top 8 Tanning Lotions for Tattoos.
Ed Hardy Coconut Kisses Golden Tanning Lotion
Comes with a golden shine, Coconut Kisses Tanning Lotion gives you a dark golden-brown tan. Its quad tyrosine formula stimulates the growth of melanin and works both indoors and outdoors as a tanning lotion. However, it works best as an outdoor tanning lotion. The lotion protects your tattoo from UV rays—containing coconut oil, cocoa seed butter, glycerine, vitamin C and E, and coconut milk when it comes to tattoos. It comes with a tattoo color fade protector as UV rays harm the tattoo and change/diminish its color. The vital point to notice will be that this lotion does not contain SPF; therefore, it is only ideal for indoor use. Users have shared that they use the lotion for some time then apply sunscreen over it.
Pros
- Tattoo Fade Protector
- Fragrance
- Tanning Ability
- Natural Ingredients
- Moisturizing
- Silky, smooth skin
- Cruelty-Free
- Increases Firmness
Cons
- No SPF
- Expensive
Dolce Black Bronzer Tanning Lotion
The Dolce tanning lotion bronzing formula is essentially crafted to tan your skin and protect your tattoo. It also has terrific perks like having anti-aging properties. Boosts up collagen production, makes new cells, and heals the existing ones. It contains Tattoo Enhancer and Fade formula, which makes your tattoo last longer and improves its radiance. Loads of antioxidants ensure to radiate the tattoo region and the luster. It works as a tattoo tanning protection and does not cause any shade change in the color of the tattoo. It works like a self-tanning lotion with super black levels of DHA. It locks moisture in the skin and is easy to apply due to its delicate consistency. Also, it reduces fine lines and wrinkles; increased application could also vanish them.
Pros
- Tattoo Enhancer
- Dark Brown Tan
- Instant Results in under 2 hours
- Anti-aging
- Moisturizing Properties
- Hydrating
- Vegan Product
- Cruelty-Free
Cons
- Tan seems to go when shaved.
- Darker than it looks
- Weird Odour
Onyx Tattoo Tanning Lotion Fade Protection Ink Care Formula
The natural bronzer is infused with fruit extracts and oils that safeguard our tattoos and color. It delivers dark and fast tanning results. It nurtures your skin with a five-fruit fusion containing peach, melon, pomegranate, grapes, and avocado. Being a bronzer, it has a high amount of tyrosine to induce melanin in the body that will naturally make your skin tan in no time. The sesame and tamanu oils present will protect your tattoos from any exposure.
Similarly, it comes with a Papaya Bliss and gives you a long-lasting tan. Skin feels smooth and silky due to the lightweight formula.
Positives
- Tattoo Protector
- Smooth Skin
- Long-Lasting Tan
- Amazing Bronzer
- Shade Protector
- Nurtures Skin
- Indoor and Outdoor Use
Negatives
- Bad Odour
- Rashes After Use
- No SPF
Devoted Creations White 2 Black Ink Tattoo and Colour Fade Protecting Tanning Lotion
Works as a tan accelerating formula that provides dark and stain-free results as a tanning lotion—made to protect the color and luster of your tattoos. Not just that, it also keeps the sharpness and edges intact. It consists of two moisturizing qualities with the help of shea and cocoa butter. It can give you incredibly smooth skin. Also, it contains melanin stimulators for a dark and long-lasting tan. Again, it hydrates your skin with the help of Asia oil. It doesn’t end there, and it works as an anti-aging lotion by working on our face’s fine lines and wrinkles. It also increases firmness in the body.
Pros
- Tattoo and Colour Fade Protection
- Smooth Skin
- Tan Accelerator
- Indoor/Outdoor Use
- Antioxidants for Tattoo Maintenance
- Blue Cypress Fragrance
- Paraben-Free
- Sulphate Free
Cons
- Thicker than Lotions
Tanning Paradise Black Coconut Love Tanning Lotion
With the use of bronzing and DHA agents, Tanning Paradise Lotion gives you a bronze glow. It contains multiple tanning agents and melanin-producing ingredients. The glow is long-lasting, along with the tan. The benefits include tattoo and color fading properties which protect your tattoo and also the color. With that said, anti-aging properties are a perk in this case where it combats fine lines and wrinkles. Also, it brings back the firmness in our skin. Coconut milk, coconut butter is loaded, giving the skin moisture and hydration.
Pros
- Tattoo Protector
- Dark Tan
- Smells Nice
- Lovely Texture
- Smooth Application
Cons
- It does not help in tanning beds
- Itches
Ed Hardy INK Tattoo & Color Fade Moisturizer Tan Extender
The lotion is filled with shea butter and other vitamins made to nourish your skin. Skin nutrients help our skin to rejuvenate and hydrate to keep the skin healthy. It has a tattoo and color fade technology that protects your inked areas from being exposed to harmful UV rays. The rich and smooth texture of the formula absorbs your skin quickly and helps you apply it with no hassle. Hydrates your skin, and the presence of shea butter makes your skin silky and glides the formula. It increases the life of your tattoos and is also hypoallergenic. High levels of antioxidants prevent the tattoo from any ruin.
Advantages
- Natural Tan
- Tattoo Shield
- Beautiful Texture
- Easy to Apply
- Hypoallergenic
- Makes Tattoos Vibrant
- Amazing Fragrance
Disadvantages
- No SPF
- The bottle is not user friendly
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Tanning Paradise Aloe Black Tanning Lotion
It is a charcoal extract containing formula which absorbs excess oil and gives a clearer looking face and complexion. Antioxidants present in it help protect your tattoo and do not compromise the color fading process. Aloe vera in the solution hydrates your skin and helps it stay that way for a whopping 24 hours. Kollar promotes cell repairing and a new generation of cells. Thus, it also works as an anti-aging lotion and gives you an even tan throughout. Another impressive function is that it breakdowns and reduces fat accumulation. Firms and pumps up your skin.
Pros
- Bronzer
- Tattoo Protector
- Smoothening
- Indoor/Outdoor Use
- Outstanding Fragrance
- Firms your skin
- Hydrates
- Wrinkle Reducer
Cons
- Orangey Look
EH Get Ripped Cooling Bronzer Tattoo Fade Protection Tanning Lotion
Get Ripped formula works as a bronzing agent. It gives fast tanning thanks to the ingredients—oil-free lotion, which tans your skin. It also protects your tattoo from getting exposure. Fights majorly against sagging and skin loosening. It improves skin elasticity and makes your skin firm and radiant. Tattoo protection comes from a unique complex imbibed in the formula.
Pros
- Tattoo Protection Complex
- Prevents Skin Sagging
- Improves Skin Health
- Oil-Free
- Good Fragrance
Cons
- No SPF
- No reviews to rely on
- It does not show results instantly
Verdict
Tanning lotions paired up with tattoo enhancers are a great match. Among the majority of the population, people who have tattoos need to find tattoo-friendly products. This is because ink reacts differently to substances and might ruin or change the color and texture of the tattoo. Newly inked individuals must not expose the tattoo.
You should spend three months covering and pampering your tattoo because it is like a wound. You must be very careful with it. If not, you get to see your most pretty memory into ruins. Do not apply sunscreen on newly inked tattoos, and do not expose it to direct sunlight. If sun tanning is not an option for you, you can always spray tan or use a self-tanner that works as lotions. Not all the tanning lotions made for tattoos are safe, and you must make sure you’re buying a product best suitable to your needs. Here I conclude with my Best Tanning Lotion for Tattoos phase. I wish you luck with your beach days with inked bodies!
A mother who looks after her family and writes for publications in her spare time.