Imagine this scenario: You’ve just stepped out of the tattoo studio with a distinctive, personal work of art on your skin. No matter what it represents, a tattoo is more than just ink. But it’s also essential to keep up with personal grooming. How can you do it without harming your new masterpiece? Can you wax your tattoo without damaging the ink?
The good news is, yes, you can wax your tattoo if it’s healed.
Let’s talk about when it’s safe to do hair removal after getting inked.
When is it safe to wax a tattoo?
A tattoo can take anywhere from two weeks to a month and a half to heal completely. It depends on multiple factors, including how colorful, large, and intricate the tattoo is, how fast your skin naturally heals, and where it is on the body.
Only wax the tattoo once the skin has fully healed. A safe bet would be to wait at least one month.
How can you tell if a tattoo is healed?
Once all the scabs and dry skin are gone, and the ink looks matte, not shiny, it’s a good bet your tattoo is healed. Make sure the skin isn’t raised, inflamed, or itchy.
Does it hurt to wax a tattoo?
Unfortunately, even after the skin has healed, it may feel extra sensitive for a while. If you can’t tolerate waxing, try alternative hair removal methods like creams or shaving.
When does waxing damage tattoo ink?
If you try hair removal too soon after getting a tattoo, you can damage the ink and cause an infection because the skin has an open wound. Not only that, but waxing will hurt a lot!
However, after the tattoo is healed, it’s safe to wax because the ink is in a lower layer of skin. Waxing and exfoliation affect only the top layer of skin called the epidermis. Meanwhile, tattoo ink is in the dermis, the level underneath.
Is it good to wax a tattoo?
If the skin is healed, waxing helps an old tattoo look better. It pulls hair out from the root, making the ink more visible. It also has the side effect of exfoliating dead skin from the surface, making the ink look brighter. It’s like cleaning the window of your skin so that the tattoo can show through.
Can you wax before getting a tattoo?
Yes, you can wax before getting a tattoo. Do it the day before so that the skin can calm down. After all, the artist must shave the area if there’s hair.
What if you get ingrown hair after waxing a tattoo?
Sadly, ingrown hairs are all too common after shaving and waxing. Use a gentle exfoliant to release the strands and keep your skin well-moisturized with a fragrance-free lotion. Please get medical attention if you notice signs of inflammation like redness, pus, or hot skin.
How to avoid problems after waxing a tattoo
When you wax, you pull hairs out by the root, and it opens up the pores. You can avoid problems like infections, acne, and ingrown hairs by keeping the skin clean and hydrated. Don’t swim, soak in a hot tub, or get sweaty after waxing. Instead, wait a day before resuming these activities. Also, use a moisturizer that won’t clog pores. Steer clear of heavy creams and oils.
Then, a few days after waxing, exfoliate with gentle products that contain glycolic or salicylic acid. This will keep your tattoo ink vibrant and your skin soft.
First Aid Beauty Ingrown Hair Pads with BHA & AHA
Put away the loofah and reach for these exfoliating pads instead. Not only do they prevent ingrown hairs after waxing and shaving, but they also keep tattoos looking bright and clear.
What’s nice is that the pads don’t sting at all. They are alcohol-free and dermatologist-tested. Moreover, they contain safe ingredients and avoid things that cause irritation. (They don’t have perfumes, phthalates, parabens, dyes, formaldehyde, gluten, nuts, or many other allergens).
There’s only one thing to be aware of. The active ingredients, BHA and AHA, can make skin more sensitive to sunburn. Be sure to wear sunscreen when spending time outdoors.
Lubriderm Daily Moisture Unscented Lotion with Pro-Vitamin B5
After you wax, keep your skin happy and calm with a lightweight moisturizer. This one is recommended for tattoo aftercare as well as post-waxing. The gentle, effective formula absorbs quickly and doesn’t feel greasy.
Tattoo Goo Aftercare Kit
If you’ve got a new tattoo, you’ll need to keep it clean and moisturized. Get everything you need in this aftercare kit, including antimicrobial soap, healing balm, and aftercare lotion. The products are unscented and safe for sensitive skin.
Furthermore, they are also excellent for use after waxing if you want to prevent ingrown hairs, itching, or infections.
Maxpearl Digital Waxing Kit
It’s worth getting waxed by a professional if you want to protect your tattoos. Nevertheless, we understand that some things are more comfortable at home. If you’d like to try waxing, you can’t go wrong with this kit.
It includes a wax warmer with a digital display, wax beads, and applicator spatulas. The four types of wax are designed for different body parts like the face, underarms, legs, and bikini area.
Neutrogena Clear Body Breakout-Free Sunscreen
It’s always wise to keep tattoo ink from fading by wearing sunscreen. This sunscreen lotion is safe for healed tattoos and for use after waxing. It features Helioplex protection against sunburn and premature aging caused by UVA and UVB rays.
It’s fragrance-free to protect sensitive skin. What’s more, the lightweight formula is non-comedogenic and oil-free to avoid clogging pores. It dries down matte so that you’ll forget you’re wearing it.
Conclusion
Yes, you can wax and remove hair from a healed tattoo without damaging the ink. Once your skin has recovered from tattooing, neither waxing nor exfoliation will harm the ink. In fact, waxing may be beneficial to help old tattoos look vivid once more.