So, summer is truly around the corner, and the preparations for your favorite summer outfits are going smoothly, but…there’s one thing that all of us, dear inked friends, tend to forget; we can’t really wax everything except the hair on our tattoos, right? Hair removal and tattoos have always been an interesting topic, and waxing over tattoos is definitely one of the most asked questions for tattoo care, especially with the summer holidays getting closer.<\/p>\n
So, what should you do? Should you wax over a tattoo or not? Well, you may be surprised that the answer to this is a bit more nuanced than the question itself. So, without further ado, let’s jump right in and see how you can deal with hair removal on your tattoed skin.<\/p>\n
We all know what waxing is, more or less. But, to understand the issues of waxing and tattoos, we need to understand how tattooing actually works. Now, the science behind tattoos and skin is very interesting.<\/p>\n
There are three layers of our skin. The first layer is the top layer, also referred to as the outer, waterproof barrier which contains skin pigmentations; this layer is called the epidermis<\/strong>. The layer under the epidermis is the dermis<\/strong>, also known as the layer that contains sweat glands and hair follicles (where your hair grows from). And the third, final layer is called the hypodermis<\/strong>. Now here is where we have fat layers and lots of connective tissues to keep us warm when it’s cold or to cool us when it’s warm.<\/p>\n Now, when your tattoo artist is inking your skin, the needle penetrates the skin only into the dermis layer. The needle creates a vacuum where it transfers the ink and continues to do so until the tattoo is done. By placing the ink into the second skin layer, the tattoo artist makes sure the ink actually stays in the skin and doesn’t just bleed out.<\/p>\n Waxing, on the other hand, is performed on the epidermis of the skin, or the top skin layer. As such, it doesn’t have any contact with the other skin layers.<\/p>\n Also Read:\u00a0Is Tattoo Ink Vegan: This Is How You Can Tell Vegan and Non-Vegan Ink!<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n As we mentioned in the previous paragraph, waxing is considered safe because it doesn’t affect the inner skin layer where the ink is injected and stored<\/strong>. However, things aren’t this simple we’re talking about fresh, new tattoos; in that case, waxing is simply out of question. But, why?<\/p>\n Well, it is true that tattooing affects the inner skin layer, but in order for the ink to be injected into the dermis, the needle needs to puncture the dermis at a very high speed. As a result, tattooing actually damaged the epidermis and creates a wound; your new, fresh tattoo is considered an open wound for the first few days, or until it starts to close and dry.<\/p>\n After tattooing, your skin is highly sensitive and prone to developing inflammation and infection<\/a>. That is because it is open to all the germs, bacteria, and viruses around us, or the body can try to fight off the ink by developing inflammation or allergic reaction to the ink.<\/p>\n But, most of the time, thanks to proper aftercare, tattoos heal normally, just like a wound. However, this doesn’t mean you can go on and slap wax onto it. Nope!<\/p>\n Until your tattoo fully heals<\/strong> (meaning, the ink is mattified, there are no scabs or crust on it, it is clean, mat in color, without inflammation, raising, itching, etc.), you can’t do anything to your tattooed skin other than clean it and apply ointment<\/strong>. Even after your tattoo is fully healed, the skin is still super sensitive and requires special attention, so even then it is questionable whether you should wax your tattooed skin or not.<\/p>\n Your tattoo should be fully healed after 4 to 6 weeks<\/strong>, but the healing time varies from person to person. Some people have a super powerful immune system and an excellent aftercare routine, and the tattoo heals quickly. But, others have some immune system issues or don’t follow the aftercare instructions, and the healing is prolonged.<\/p>\n You probably already know this, but if you’re new to tattooing, you should know that the designated tattoo area needs to be waxed or shaved prior to tattooing<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The tattoo artist cannot tattoo your skin if there’s hair. This will obstruct their vision, create general issues with the movement of the needle and the ink, and of course, there is always the issue of contamination of the tattoo (since body hair isn’t the cleanest stuff out there).<\/p>\n The designated tattoo area needs to be hair-free, washed, cleaned, dried, and fully prepared for tattooing. Even if you forget to wax or shave, your tattoo artist will shave the designated area for you before they start tattooing.<\/p>\n Also Read:<\/p>\n As we mentioned, waxing a new, fresh, or freshly healed tattoo is a big no-no. Your skin is too sensitive and there is too high of a risk that you may induce inflammation, further skin damage, infection, or you may completely mess up your tattoo. Waxing required swift, repetitive hair removal (which also pulls the skin), so we have to mention the almost unbearable pain you may experience as well.<\/p>\n Now, once your tattoo is fully healed, and it isn’t freshly healed anymore, you can continue your regular hair removal and waxing practices. We still advise you to get waxed by a professional who will know how to deal with tattooed skin<\/strong>. Bear in mind that the tattooed are will forever be more sensitive than the rest of your skin. So, a certain professional approach is definitely required, so try not to wax yourself, or at least the tattoo.<\/p>\n Bear in mind that, when it comes to hair removal, there is always a potential for skin irritation, ingrown hair, or follicle inflammation. This can happen even on tattooed skin, which further indicated how important it is to have your tattooed area waxed by a certified professional.<\/p>\nSo, Is Waxing Safe?<\/h3>\n
Waxing\/Shaving Before Tattooing<\/h3>\n
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Waxing After The Tattoo Has Healed<\/h3>\n