Can You Wax Over Tattoos? Or Is It Harmful?
Waxing is getting more popular as more people become aware of its benefits and specialized solutions to varied needs and skin concerns become accessible. But there are a few issues that frequently spring to mind when thinking about waxing over a tattoo.
So, you might ask, Can you wax over tattoos?
Yes, you can wax over tattoos. Before waxing, allow the ink at least 4-6 weeks to heal. After your procedure, moisturize to replenish your skin’s moisture and keep your tattoos appearing fresh. Never wax over a freshly applied or partially healed tattoo! Your design will be harmed, and it will hurt and infect people.
Every conceivable facet of the question of how to wax over tattoos has been taken into account. So stick around to learn more.
![Can You Wax Over Tattoos](https://tattoostrategies.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Can-You-Wax-Over-Tattoos.jpg)
The Fundamentals of Tattoo waxing
![The Fundamentals of Tattoo waxing](https://tattoostrategies.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/The-Fundamentals-of-Tattoo-waxing.webp)
A tattoo wax is different from regular wax because it’s specifically made for tattoo purposes. Some tattoo shops now offer tattoo waxing, a new trend in waxing.
A tattoo cannot be applied on hairy skin. Therefore, the artist will remove the hair, generally by shaving, although in this case, hair starts to grow back right away, which may be uncomfortable.
Waxing is recommended because it prevents hair growth for weeks, enabling the skin to recover after getting a tattoo. Waxing tattooed skin is gaining popularity since it effectively eliminates the hair from the bottom while softly exfoliating it.
Does waxing over a tattoo make it duller or brighter?
![Does waxing over a tattoo make it duller or brighter](https://tattoostrategies.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Does-waxing-over-a-tattoo-make-it-duller-or-brighter.webp)
Waxing over a tattoo makes it brighter. The epidermis is the top layer of your skin. It contributes to our skin tone and protects us from the elements. The dermis is located underneath the epidermis. This is the place where your hair and sweat glands are located.
The hypodermis can be found if you dig down farther. It is formed of connective tissue and fat. The ink is directly injected into the dermis when you sit in the chair to acquire a tattoo resulting in a permanent mark on your skin.
Currently, wax is applied to the epidermis while undergoing the procedure.
Tattoos are unaffected by it. No harm will come to the tattoo in any manner. For fresh tattoos, things are different.
Why Do People Wax Over Tattoos?
![Why Do People Wax Over Tattoos](https://tattoostrategies.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Why-Do-People-Wax-Over-Tattoos.webp)
Most people do it to enhance the appearance of the tattoo by making it more bright. The epidermis becomes overgrown with dead skin, giving the skin a drab look.
Both exfoliating and moisturizing are crucial for the look of the tattoo as well as the health of the skin. To get that clean appearance, some individuals even shave their tattoos, but this isn’t practical.
Shaving will cause the hair to regrow swiftly, thickly, coarsely, and on any body part. The day after a tattoo has been shaved; stubble will begin to come in, frequently accompanied by itchiness, pimples, and redness.
Is Waxing Over Tattoos Safe?
Yes, waxing over tattoos is safe. The reason waxing is considered safe is that it doesn’t affect the inner skin layer, where the ink is injected and stored, as we just mentioned in the previous sentence.
But if we talk about brand-new tattoos, things aren’t quite so straightforward; in such instances, waxing is simply out of the question.
The dermis must be punctured quickly by the needle for the ink to be injected there. It is true that getting a tattoo affects the deeper layers of skin.
Because tattooing really damages the epidermis and leaves a wound, your brand-new tattoo is regarded to be open for the first few days or until it begins to heal and seal.
Your skin is susceptible and vulnerable to infection and inflammation after getting a tattoo. This is because it is exposed to all the bacteria, viruses, and germs in our environment or because the body may attempt to defend itself by inflaming or reacting allergically to the ink.
You are only permitted to clean and apply ointment to your tattooed skin while it is still healing. It is debatable if you should wax your tattooed skin even after it has completely healed because it is still susceptible and needs special care.
Pre-Tattoo Waxing and Its Consequences
![Pre Tattoo Waxing and Its Consequences](https://tattoostrategies.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Pre-Tattoo-Waxing-and-Its-Consequences.webp)
The region receiving the tattoo is first shaved to prevent ingrown hairs during the tattoo healing phase; this fundamental procedure often ushers in a tattoo session.
As the tattoo craze expands and changes, it’s becoming more common for individuals to see estheticians before getting tattoos imprinted on their skin. While you may help them with hydration and moisturization procedures, pre-tattoo waxing might irritate the skin if it is carried out just before the tattoo appointment.
Waxing, however, can ensure the desired result while saving the tattoo artist time and effort if it is done well.
Post-Tattoo Waxing Treatment
![Post Tattoo Waxing Treatment](https://tattoostrategies.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Post-Tattoo-Waxing-Treatment.webp)
Most individuals would probably follow a regimen after having a tattoo to retain the skin’s smoothness around the inked area. Even though shaving is the easiest and least expensive option, waxing has significant benefits for skin care and hair growth cycles.
- Waxing is a great alternative to other contemporary hair removal techniques like laser hair removal, which distorts the pattern of the ink and, more significantly, seriously harms the skin that has been tattooed owing to an unusual creation of heat.
- Similar to a standard waxing method, the products and accessories are selected based on the hair thickness, the quantity of hair to be removed from the skin, and the degree of sensitivity in the area to be treated.
- When dealing with huge sections of flesh covered in tattoos, such as the arms and back, hot wax is more suited for bigger areas. The best method for treating ingrown hairs is sugaring paste or hard wax to prevent rashes on delicate skin.
Things to Avoid After Waxing Over Tattoos
![Things to Avoid After Waxing Over Tattoos](https://tattoostrategies.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Things-to-Avoid-After-Waxing-Over-Tattoos.webp)
As previously said, waxing might create some hair growth issues, although this is uncommon, especially when performed by a professional. Other than that, waxing and hair removal should leave your skin in good condition.
Here are some more advice and techniques you may use to maintain the health and wellness of your waxed skin:
- Maintaining proper skin hydration is crucial, especially after waxing. Remember to apply sunscreen to shield your tattoo as well. Of course, you must also constantly hydrate your body from the inside out by consuming adequate water.
- Even with sunblock on, try to prevent tanning. Avoid using the sun as much as possible, and protect your skin by dressing in covering clothing. Excessive UV radiation might harm your already delicate skin.
- If the waxed area is itchy and red, be careful to cool it down. After waxing, you may keep your skin hydrated and soothe it with cooling gels and compresses.
- Maintain hydration and moisturization of your skin, but hold off for a day or two following the session. Use mild, non-comedogenic lotions derived from organic, moisturizing, and nourishing components as well to prevent clogging the pores.
- Avoid wearing tight clothing, especially after getting waxed. Wearing tight, impermeable clothing and materials will just irritate your skin worse since it needs space to breathe and heal from the trauma.
- Avoid applying strong lotions or cosmetics to your tattooed or waxed region. The skin needs to breathe and heal. By applying anything to it, you may block its pores and perhaps spread bacteria and filth to the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can waxing damage a tattoo?
A fresh or just-healed tattoo should never be waxed. Because of how delicate your skin is, there is a genuine possibility that you might ruin your tattoo or cause infection, severe skin damage, or inflammation.
2. Is it possible to shave over a tattoo?
As long as the tattoos have healed and you take good care of the skin when you start shaving it, keeping it moisturized and exfoliated (to avoid ingrown hairs), it won’t impact the tattoos. Once healed, skin with tattoos behaves precisely like normal skin. Thus, the same care is required.
Conclusion
Is it clear to you at this point if you can wax over tattoos? Since we’ve covered all there is to know about the topic; we hope you chose “yes.” You’ll thank yourself afterward for exercising patience throughout the procedure. Best of Luck!