In Australia, a good deal of UV protection is called for on a healed cosmetic tattoo. The reason is plain enough: the sun will age the more delicate skin on the face and over time alter or fade the colour of the pigment. Put simply, when the tattoo has done its healing, put on a broad-spectrum SPF 50+ sunscreen, don a hat and be sure to reapply if you are out in the open, in the water or working up a sweat.
I am Gideon Edwards. You do not have to be an old hand at the Australian outdoors to know that “ten minutes” can easily become an afternoon by the water or on some bush track, or what have you, while you wait for a road train to get moving. Your brows require looking after in all those circumstances. Sunscreen is part of it but there is no substitute for sensible shade and a bit of physical cover to do the hard work. For fresh cosmetic work, see brow tattoo sun aftercare.
The Case For UV Protection
Pigment is in the skin and UVA/UVB rays will distort and fade it with repeated exposure. Then there is the matter of the sun drying out and irritating the brow area and causing premature ageing; as the skin around it changes so does the evenness of the tattoo.
Do not be fooled by a mild temperature into thinking the UV is low in Australia. Whether it is a winter stroll in Perth, a bright Adelaide day or a cool morning in Tasmania, ultraviolet radiation will find your face. The sun need not be hot to make its mark.
A Gradual Fading
You are not going to see the effects of a single beach outing. It is cumulative. A weekend or two without protection, some driving, sport and the daily commute will erode definition in their own time. And the glare from concrete, sand and water only increases your exposure.
Nothing can put a guarantee on how long cosmetic tattoo pigment will hold up; the type of pigment, your skin, the depth of the treatment and your way of life are factors. But for keeping the original tone and shape, regular protection is about as practical as it gets.
Reality Check
One might think a morning application of sunscreen is enough to see one through the day. In fact it is worn away by water, hats, towels, rubbing and the like. Or that a high SPF means you can forgo shade. Not so. SPF is not a force field. On a protracted day in the Pilbara, Top End or Red Centre you will want your sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat and to be sensible about the timing.
How Do You Know When It Is Fully Healed?
Hold off on putting sunscreen directly on the treated skin until it is properly healed. In the meantime it may be a little itchy, peeling, tender or swollen. To put products on too soon is to risk irritation and go against what your qualified practitioner has put in the aftercare instructions.
Healing is dependent on the technique used and how your skin responds, so do not let a calendar be your guide. Let your practitioner tell you when the skin is closed and amenable to normal skincare.
When More Time Is Warranted
An area that is weeping, sore, red or cracked is still in the process of healing. Do not test a new sunscreen on it or pick at any flakes. Just because the colour has settled does not mean the tattoo is fit for the beach. Stick to the methods and products your practitioner has put forward in the early stages and keep direct sun off with a clean, loose barrier, being careful not to trap moisture or rub the skin.
Reapplying Products
It is best to ask your practitioner before you put on makeup or active skincare again or take to the water. Should you experience anything out of the ordinary such as pus, swelling or pain that is getting worse, seek medical opinion. Unusual symptoms should be given due consideration given that the skin has been broken.
Which SPF Is Best?
For the face you want something comfortable to use on a consistent basis, a broad-spectrum SPF 50+. Broad-spectrum will handle the UVA and UVB, the latter being what the SPF rating is for in terms of sunburn. While 30+ will suffice for everyday, 50+ is a more sensible margin to have in Australia when you are going to be outside for a while. Not a sunscreen will stop all ultraviolet rays, and an elevated SPF is no excuse to forgo reapplication.
The Label
Make sure you read it. You want to see that it is broad-spectrum and has an SPF rating, as well as instructions for use and that it is fit for the face. A water-resistant type is more sensible if there is swimming or sweating on the agenda, say on a humid walking track. But do not be under the impression that water-resistant is waterproof; put some on again after you have been in the pool or have had to towel off.
Then select a formula that will not irritate or make your eyes sting. With a cosmetic tattoo that has healed, one wants a sunscreen that can be put on time and again in an even manner, not one that is put aside after a single uncomfortable occasion.
| Situation | Practical Choice | What To Remember |
|---|---|---|
| A short commute | Broad-spectrum SPF 30+ or 50+ | Apply to the brows with your morning skincare. |
| Beach, pool or boating | Water-resistant SPF 50+ | Reapply once you have swum or sweated. |
| Protracted bushwalk or outdoor work | SPF 50+, hat and shade | Cover the brow area and reapply as the day goes on. |
| Sensitive skin | Mineral or fragrance-free facial product | Patch test anything new and discontinue should you notice irritation. |
Mineral Or Chemical?
Either will do for a healed cosmetic tattoo. It is not a matter of what is in vogue but of securing a broad-spectrum product of good coverage that is agreeable to your skin and does not trouble your eyes.
Mineral Formulas
These rely on zinc oxide, titanium dioxide or a combination of the two. Those with sensitive complexions may find them gentler. Then again, some are put off by the heft of the texture or a cast it leaves, especially on dark brows. If you are prone to reacting to chemical filters or fragrance, a mineral option is worth a look. Be careful around the brow when applying, do not rub at the skin.
Be aware that on some skin tones a mineral sunscreen can put down a pale film. See how it finishes in the comfort of home before you count on it for a wedding or a day by the water. There is no point in having brows that look like they have been floured before you have had your coffee.
Chemical Formulas
They tend to be lighter in humid conditions and absorb the UV radiation, spreading with ease. A number of facial formulas will sit well under your makeup. Should you experience stinging or redness, or if your eyes begin to water, put it down and wait until the skin has completely healed to try something else.
And never put on a new sunscreen for the first time right before an outdoor event, a flight or a long hike. Observe your skin for a while after a patch test and heed the label to avoid any unnecessary drama.
In The Australian Sun
Sunscreen alone is not enough to protect a brow tattoo. Sensible planning and physical cover will keep the ultraviolet radiation from the skin in the first place.
Put on sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat on an outdoor day and apply your sunscreen with regularity. A baseball cap might shield the front of the face but the sides of the brows will be left open to it; you will see the difference after a few hours on a boat or at the cricket oval.
An Outdoor Routine
- Before you head out, put a broad-spectrum SPF 50+ on the face and healed brows.
- Make use of shade and a wide-brimmed hat where you can.
- Reapply as the directions state and after you have been in the water or have to dry off.
- Keep the sunscreen in a small tube with a good seal, not in the car where it will get hot.
- When you have finished your activity, check for any missed spots or dryness.
Apply it to the pigment gently, no need to scrub. And if you are wearing makeup, a layer of sunscreen directly underneath is to be preferred over putting your faith in the SPF of a cosmetic product. Do not think a powder gives the same protection as a proper cream or liquid.
Make Plans
On a day out, have your sunscreen and hat sorted and a plan to reapply before anything else takes your attention. When you are on the Stuart Highway or the Gibb River Road, or making your way along a coastal track in Tasmania, put more sunscreen in the bag than you would imagine and have it to hand.
One’s mode of transport or where one parks will not alter the skincare regimen, it does affect the ease with which it is put into practice. Take sunscreen for example: do not leave it in a glovebox for weeks to bake in the sun of a hot car, put it away as the instructions say. If on public transport and you have some walking to do between stops, apply beforehand. When at a park or beach, put your reapplication gear in a day bag and make for a spot in the shade as soon as you arrive.
In northern Australia there is the wet season with its downpours and the kind of humidity that makes one perspire. The dry season offers long days under a bright sky and it is easy to put off putting on sunscreen. Further south, summer bushfires may force a change of route but UV protection remains a necessity. It is wise to check local conditions prior to any travel, particularly where severe weather or heat and smoke are a factor.
Sunscreens We Recommend For Tattooed Skin
What follows are products one would expect to see in connection with tattoo aftercare. Do not be guided by marketing alone; a product for tattoos is not necessarily what your face or skin type calls for. Formulations and packaging are subject to change so look at the label and directions before making a purchase.
| Product | Potential Use | Check Before Buying |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Gold Tattoo Stick SPF50+ | The stick format is convenient for targeted application. | Make sure the finish and current directions are right for the face. |
| Mad Rabbit Defend Tattoo Sunscreen SPF 30 | For healed skin this is a good option. | SPF 30 will do for a short while, but for an Australian outing of any length go for 50+. |
| Tattoo Armour SPF 30+ | Marketed as a way to protect your work. | See if the texture is amenable to facial use and read the broad-spectrum claims. |
| TattooMed Sun Protection SPF 50 | A higher-SPF alternative. | Look into water-resistance, the ingredients and whether it is available locally. |
No recommendation here is meant to take the place of a pharmacist or dermatologist’s opinion. The Therapeutic Goods Administration has oversight of therapeutic goods in Australia, sunscreens included. One can consult their official site for information on regulation and products.
Those with sensitive facial skin might find a fragrance-free line more agreeable, though “natural” is no guarantee against irritation. A health professional should be consulted in case of past reactions. Discontinue anything that results in burning or redness and patch test as you see fit.
Sun Mistakes That Speed Fading
The small details are where most people err, even if they have the general idea. They put on an SPF 50+ once and then are beside the pool for six hours in a sweat. The routine is the problem, not the label.
Some of the errors to be avoided:
- Not waiting until the tattoo has healed to put on sunscreen.
- Being sparing with the product or overlooking the brow tails.
- Wearing a hat and leaving the lower brow to it.
- Forgetting to reapply after a swim or towelling off.
- An old or damaged tube of sunscreen, or one kept in a vehicle.
- Scrubbing at peeling skin in the healing process.
- To think protection is unnecessary when the skies are overcast.
Then there is the matter of using active skincare or strong exfoliants near the brow without some professional input. Abrasive scrubs, acids and retinoids can be an irritant to the face. For those on active products, a word to your practitioner or some other suitably qualified health professional will put you in the picture as to what is compatible with your cosmetic tattoo aftercare.
Travellers and Their Pitfalls
It is common for people to think of their shoulders and nose when it comes to sunscreen and let the brows go unheeded on account of their size. A driver might not give enough thought to the exposure from a side window; a walker can be caught out by a track that turns out to be longer and more arduous than anticipated and so does not notice the time passing.
I have a simple way of looking at it: regard the brow as you would any other part of the face left open to the elements. One would not cross an open paddock without shielding one’s nose, so do the same for healed brows. The pigment is cosmetic but it is skin all the same.
Frequently Asked Questions on Brow Tattoo Sun Aftercare
AHPRA Advertising Guidelines
Registered health practitioners are bound by AHPRA advertising requirements in respect of certain regulated cosmetic procedures. There is to be nothing in the advertising that is coercive, deceptive or misleading, nor anything to set up unrealistic expectations. Any claims made about cosmetic tattooing must be supportable and accurate; a business would be well advised not to suggest risk free or guaranteed results. In case the rules are not plain to see, get some professional advice and refer to what AHPRA says.
Cosmetics Regulations in Australia
The regulatory demands placed on sunscreens and cosmetics in this country will differ according to what they are for, what is claimed and the ingredients. Do not make the assumption that an import is in line with Australian requirements, consult the TGA and the supplier or product label. A product with therapeutic claims will have a different standing from your run of the mill cosmetic.
Sunscreen For Healed Tattoos
Any broad-spectrum SPF 50+ that you can reapply and will not bother your eyes is fine for facial skin. Some with sensitive complexions may find a mineral sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide works for them, others a light chemical one. Consistency and how the product is tolerated are of more consequence than what the marketing has to say.
Post Brow Tattoo Application
You can put sunscreen on the area once the tattoo is completely healed and your practitioner has given the all clear for normal skincare. Not over inflamed, wet or peeling skin however. Every case is different in terms of healing so stick to your own aftercare and do not follow another person’s timetable.
Preventing Fading
Some fading is inevitable but there is no need to invite it. Put on a wide-brimmed hat, get into the shade, use your SPF 50+ and reapply if you have been swimming or perspiring, and leave the tattoo alone while it is healing. That is the sensible way to guard against fading under the usual Australian conditions.
A Matter Of Routine
There is no need to make it complicated when it comes to protecting an eyebrow tattoo. Once the skin has healed, put on an even layer of a good broad-spectrum SPF 50+, cover up when outside and top up as necessary.
The routine does not change whether you are at the beach for an afternoon, by a bus stop in the country or out in Hobart. Show some respect for the UV and the skin and the colour of the tattoo will stand up to it. It is better to plan ahead and save yourself the expense of a hasty touch-up down the track.
