Caring for your skin is absolutely vital year round, and even more so in the Summer months. With more time spent outside with the heat beating down, you are at higher risk of sun damage. Now add a new tattoo into the mix and you've got to be really careful. Not only is there a risk of sun damage, but your tattoo may also get discoloured, fade, or even cause scarring if not cared for properly. Although this is particuarly important for new tattoos, old ink can also be impacted by exposure to the sun, too.

Because we take this topic seriously, we asked an expert to weigh in on exactly the steps you can take to ensure you're caring for your tattoo properly. We enlisted dermatologist Kavita Mariwalla, MD to share her best tips in caring for and protecting a tattoo [1] over the Summer. Why spend all that money (and pain) getting your perfect ink for the sun to ruin all that hard work.

— Additional reporting by Tori Crowther

Use a Mineral SPF

To protect your tattoo from fading and discolouring, Mariwalla recommends two things: I recommend a mineral based sunscreen daily and to never ever expose a healing tattoo to UV light," she said. "You want to keep [tattoos] sun protected because those bright colours can fade fast suggestion: [. and Even] and even black can start looking that mucky green." For this, we love the bareMinerals Prep Step Mineral Protection Shield SPF 50 [2](£26).

Use the Proper Healing Balms and Ointments

If the tattoo is fresh, being diligent about using balms and ointments becomes especially important over the Summer. Mariwalla recommends Skinfix Inked Tattoo Balm [3] ($26), which sadly isn't available in the UK. But others such as Modern Day Duke Tattoo After Care Salve [4] (£12), and Tattoo Goo Aftercare Salve [5] (£6). Look out allantoinin the ingredient list (which protects tattoos during its recovery phase) and coconut oil (which acts as an emollient that helps relieve any dryness).

Use a Moisturiser Daily

Mariwalla recommends that you moisturise your tattoo daily. We love the gentle, lightweight formula of the Vaseline Intensive Care Advanced Repair Unscented Lotion [6] (£7) (which, if your tattoo is fresh, can be used after the fifth day).

Protect Your Large Body Tattoos With Treated Clothing

For protecting larger tattoos, washing your clothes with Rit Sun Guard Laundry Treatment UV Protectant [7](£4), Mariwalla says is really important. "If you have a large body tattoo that is under a shirt, [you can't] rely on the shirt for sun protection alone," she said, "[Washing] the shirt with RIT Sunguard makes everything SPF 30."