Summer is in full swing, which means that you’ve got a vacation on the near horizon. And like with most vacations, you plan on doing things that you wouldn’t normally do at home. While some of the things that you’ll do while there, will stay there, a vacation tattoo isn’t one of them. It will be a permanent reminder of your summer adventure. However, is it a good idea to get a tattoo while on vacation? It can be, but we do recommend that you consider the following.
5 Things to Consider Before Getting a Tattoo While at Your Summer Vacation Destination
Will Your Skin Tone Drastically Change on Vacation?
Summer vacation fun may change the health of your skin. Exposure to sun in different climates won’t just alter the appearance of your skin, it may fundamentally affect the epidermis. This can impact the way a tattoo “takes” to it. Before you book your summer vacation tattoo appointment, review this guide to getting a tattoo on suntanned skin.
Will it Change Your Vacation Activity Plans?
See the featured image above? You may not be able to reenact it after getting a tattoo on vacation. Exposure to sand, saltwater, and UV rays are problematic to healing. The same goes for certain activities that require skin to surface contact (rock climbing, etc.). If you want to get a tattoo on a part of your body that will be exposed to sand, saltwater, sun, and abrasive contact it’s best to save the tattoo for the final days of your trip. That way you can forgo activities that may compromise all-important healing that takes place in the 72-hour post-tattoo window.
Will You Return in the Near Future?
This is a “nice to have” scenario. People find comfort in getting a tattoo at a studio that they can return to in the near future. This is especially important if getting a large and/or complicated one that may require a follow-up or touch-up. You may not find a tattooist in your home-city who is willing to do so on someone else’s work. You’ll be comforted by the fact that a destination is somewhere that you can return to within 3-months to a year. For instance, if you live in the BC Interior and are taking a vacation to Vancouver, you can easily return for a follow-up appointment.
Will You Be Able to Travel Back with It?
This one comes down to placement. If your vacation requires long travel (5-hours or more) in a plane, train, or automobile, be certain that you can sit/ride in comfort after getting a tattoo in a sensitive area such as the back of the thigh, on the buttocks, or the upper back. These zones invite friction when seated for extended periods of time.
Are There Trusted Studios at Your Vacation Destination?
This is important. There are clear rules for how to choose a tattoo studio. If those criteria cannot be met in at a given vacation destination, then wait until you return home to get a tattoo. The same goes for vetting a tattoo artist. If you can’t find a tattooist at your destination that meets these qualifications, wait until you get back to your city or town.
Is your upcoming summer destination to the BC Lower Mainland? If so, you can get a tattoo while on vacation with complete peace of mind. Book a consultation at our downtown Vancouver tattoo studio, as soon as you’ve booked your ticket.
Written By:
Sleight of Hand
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