Going to Hawaii right before tattoo. Concerns?

[stormface]

I'm getting my first tattoo on my upper arm in about two weeks. I'll be in Hawaii for the entire week before I go in. I'm an engineer in "real life" and don't see a ton of sun if you know what I mean. I'm going to be extra diligent in terms of sunscreen application... Anything else I can do to make sure my skin is healthy and not burned before the tattoo?

[peterpoose]

Stay out of the sun?

Long sleeves :P

I am no expert but if you are normally not tanned and then get a tan, wont the colours the artist does go with the tan and be different with your normal colour? Or am I just being a dick :)?

[slayer9019]

This would have been better under the "tattoo advice" section.

Also I would avoid doing anything that would damage your skin. If it is an upper arm tattoo wear a t-shirt that covers it. Wear sunblock (as you should any way)

[SnowyPlover]

I'd wear a long sleeve rash guard in the water or you will fry, even with sunscreen.

[stormface]

Thanks for all the advice. Sorry for posting in the wrong place! I'll get a rash guard.

[SacramentoDan]

I'm getting my first tattoo on my upper arm in about two weeks. I'll be in Hawaii for the entire week before I go in. I'm an engineer in "real life" and don't see a ton of sun if you know what I mean. I'm going to be extra diligent in terms of sunscreen application... Anything else I can do to make sure my skin is healthy and not burned before the tattoo?

we get plenty of work done when we go to the islands,

1)make the tattoo appt the last day you are there

2)slather on the sunscreen & stay out of the sun the entire time before the tattoo(main idea is,any artist should not and will not tattoo red skin.)

hell,I go to Maui & Kauai 2 times a year,and I don't like the sun ! even if I'm not going to get a tattoo,I still use SPF50 everyday on the islands.

I even bring my own beach shade umbrella and use that,or I find a tree to sit under.I generally try and stay out of the sun.

I even use it here at home too,daily ! I work outdoors and I put it on if I am going to be in the sun,the sun is bad for any skin,especially bad for tattoos.

[SuavecitoMiguelito]

Sunscreen is your best friend. Especially if you plan on getting more tattoos, getting in the habit of putting sunscreen on DAILY will help not only your tattoos, but your skin in general will thank you in the long run. Make sure you re-apply sunscreen after you get out of the water as well, even if it claims it's "waterproof".

[SacramentoDan]

here is my arsenal ,

my wife just picked up the neutrogena 70spf for me to try.