Can You Get Tattooed in Summer?
We get asked this pretty much every June: is summer actually a good time to get tattooed, or should you just wait until it cools down?
Yes, you can get tattooed in summer. It's honestly one of our busiest times, mostly because people finally want their tattoos out where they can see them instead of hidden under layers of clothes. But there's a bit more to think about than in winter, so let's go through it properly.
The heat itself isn't really the problem. What causes trouble is the sun. A fresh tattoo is basically an open wound for the first couple of weeks, and direct sunlight on it can fade the ink, wind up the skin, and in the worst cases leave you with scarring you didn't need. So the real rule is simple: keep it covered and out of direct sun while it's healing. Once it's fully healed, sunscreen is what keeps it sharp for years rather than fading it out in one bad holiday.
Here's the one people don't think about, though: we can't tattoo over freshly tanned skin either. If you've just come back from a week in the sun and you're peeling or dry, that's a no. Sunburnt or overly tanned skin is already stressed and healing from its own damage, and tattooing over it doesn't take properly, plus it's just not fair on your skin to put it through two lots of healing at once. If you've had a tan, give it a couple of weeks to settle and fully return to normal before you come in.
Swimming is the other big one, especially with everyone jetting off somewhere in July and August. Pools, the sea, lakes, hot tubs — give them all a miss until your tattoo is properly healed (around 1-2 weeks). Chlorine and open water carry bacteria that a fresh tattoo really doesn't need, and soaking softens the healing skin in a way that isn't ideal while it's still settling in. Sweating on its own isn't the end of the world, but heavy sweat plus tight clothes rubbing against a new tattoo for hours isn't fun for anyone. Loose, breathable clothing over it makes a big difference.
If you've already got a beach trip or a festival booked, the easiest fix is just timing it around that. Either get tattooed early enough that you're fully healed (a good couple of weeks) before you go, or wait until you're back — and if you've been away already, let that tan fade first. We'd genuinely rather help you plan around your holiday than have you sat on a beach worrying about your new piece.
Outside of all that, a tattoo done in July heals just as well as one done in January. It just asks a bit more of you for a couple of weeks — cover it, keep it clean, stay out of the sun, stay out of the water, and make sure your skin isn't still recovering from a tan. After that, it's smooth sailing.
If you're thinking about booking something in for summer, come in and have a chat with us about timing, especially if you've got travel or a tan on the cards. We'll help you work out what makes sense.
📍 Good Times Tattoo, 8 Lower Clapton Road, Hackney, London E5 0PD 📬 Drop us a message via the contact form
We don't do online booking — we do proper consultations. Because that's how good tattoos get made.
Good Times Tattoo has been tattooing East London since 2009.
