If you’re looking to get ink, you must be turning to the internet to come clear about the questions swirling in your mind. Of course, on top of your list must be, “Can I do waxing over tattoo?” There are typically two reasons to ask this question.
First, most people don’t know whether it is safe to wax over a tattoo once it is healed. Secondly, they’re worried that waxing might dull their inked tattoos when done repeatedly.
To give you a concise answer to these questions: Yes, it is perfectly alright for you to wax a tattoo, as long as it is completely healed. It doesn’t injure your skin, nor does it diminish the inked colors in any way.
However, if you’re looking for a slightly more detailed answer to understand the reasons behind it, we suggest reading this article to get all your tattoo and waxing-related queries answered proficiently.
Simply put, this is a rudimentary FAQ section where you’ll find concrete facts regarding all doubts straining your mind right now.
Let’s take it from the top!
Is it Safe to Wax Over a Tattoo? If so, How?
As we stated earlier, waxing a tattoo is completely safe once the inked area is already healed. To clear this myth about wax posing a risk to tattoos, you’ll need to understand the skin’s biology.
There are two layers of skin: the uppermost layer is called the ‘epidermis,’ and the second layer beneath that is referred to as ‘dermis.’ When you wax, it exfoliates the uppermost layer of the skin, stripping away the dead skin cells from the epidermis.
On the other hand, when you’re getting a tattoo, the ink is injected into the second layer called the dermis.
Considering that wax never really comes in direct contact with the tattoo itself because the ink is located beneath the first layer, it doesn’t pose any harm to the healed dermis.
If anything, applying wax over a tattoo helps recover the initial vibrancy of the ink since both body hair and dead cells are removed from the surface during the process.
How Long Should I Wait Before Waxing Over a Tattoo?
The healing period is usually determined by an individual’s skin type and the complexity behind the ink work from the artist.
Therefore, if you’re looking for a concrete answer, you’ll need to consult with your tattoo artist, inform them of the intricacy of the artwork you want, and allow them to give you their professional opinion.
However, if you only require an estimated guess, we would suggest waiting for at least four to six weeks following the completion of your tattoo before applying wax or any other hair removal treatment to the area.
Once the healing period is behind you and you’re sure there’s no sensitivity in and around the freshly-inked spots, waxing will be the ideal way to ensure your tattoos maintain their vividness of detail.
What Happens If I Wax Over an Unhealed Tattoo?
It is imperative to wait until your tattoo is completely healed before using any hair removal product, including wax.
However, in case you’re wondering why it’s prohibited to apply wax over a tattoo right after getting your ink, let us offer you some unwavering reasons.
First, it’s best to remember that an unhealed tattoo equals an open wound. Therefore, waxing over the skin would mean subjecting it to undesired heat, unnecessary stretching, and a world of pain.
However, this prickling ache is only the first and least of all your worries in this case. Following the agony, you may likely have to deal with severe infections that bleed, spread, and compel you to book appointments with your dermatologist for a very long time.
What to Do If My Tattoo Gets Infected After Waxing?
Once your tattoo is healed, and you’re taking proper care of it, you shouldn’t be worried about getting an infection due to waxing.
However, if your tattoo does get infected for any reason whatsoever, we recommend consulting with your tattoo artist right away. They will guide you regarding how to heal the infection before it could spread painfully.
If your tattoo gets severely infected, you may also want to speak to a dermatologist for appropriate advice and medication.
Does Waxing a Tattoo Dulls its Vibrancy?
Despite what many people falsely assume, waxing a tattoo doesn’t affect its vibrancy in any way. As we mentioned earlier when answering the first query, there are two skin layers – the epidermis (uppermost layer) and dermis (second layer).
When you wax, you’re only stripping away body hair and dead skin cells accumulating on the epidermis. On the contrary, the ink injected into the skin resides in the second layer, the dermis.
You can see how that negates any notion regarding waxing diminishing the tattoo color and its vibrancy. Since wax never gets in direct contact with the tattoo, it nullifies all myths related to this erroneous concept.
What Are the Proper Pre-Tattoo Waxing Precautions?
Shaving the area that needs to be tattooed usually marks the beginning of a tattoo session.
However, shaving only keeps the hair from surfacing for a couple of days before they eventually grow back.
This irritates the healing skin to no extent, especially when it’s your first time getting a tattoo and you aren’t ready for the unforeseeable pain.
That’s why it is advised to wax your skin before your appointment so that you don’t have to deal with unnecessary irritation and sensitivity after getting your ink.
That said, it is still explicitly advised to wax the areas that are to be inked at least a week before your tattoo appointment.
It takes at least three weeks before hair starts growing back after waxing. However, even if your hair grows back by the time of your tattoo appointment, you wouldn’t have to worry about it since your artist will shave the area before tattooing you.
What ‘Not’ to Do After I Get a Tattoo?
Whether you’re getting your tattoo in multiple sessions or one go, it’s essential to realize that once you’ve fresh ink on your skin – either complete or incomplete – you’ll need to care for it.
Here are a few things to avoid after you get your tattoo so that it heals quickly, allowing you to wax the area within the first four to six weeks as recommended:
- Don’t expose your tattoo to direct sunlight since it can be harmful to your tattoo and your skin.
- Touching, scratching, rubbing, or picking on your tattooed skin is strictly prohibited because it pulls out the fresh ink and leaves scars in its wake.
- Shaving, waxing, or using any hair removal product is a big no after getting your ink until the skin is adequately healed.
- Similarly, using any medicated ointment that your tattoo artist doesn’t prescribe can slow down a tattoo’s healing process in addition to giving you rashes.
- While taking a shower is fine, you should not expose your freshly inked skin to excessive water, especially in swimming pools where the liquid is always chemically treated.
- Moreover, you should avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes that don’t allow your tattoo any room to breathe until it is completely healed.
- Exposure to excess sweat can also cause skin irritation during the first two weeks of getting a tattoo.
- Lastly, it’s recommended to avoid alcohol, drugs, and cigarettes during the tattoo’s healing period since it allows your skin to stay healthy and hydrated. However, if you do indulge in these activities, remember: moderation is key.
Should I Follow a Specific Skincare Routine Once I’ve Waxed My Tattoo for the First Time?
There are several ways you can offer comfort to your freshly waxed tattoo when it’s your first time.
In addition to being mindful of the strict don’ts mentioned in the previous point, here are a few things you can add to your skincare routine that would help after your first post-tattoo waxing session:
- Integrate organic skincare products, including moisturizers and sunscreen, into your beauty essentials.
- Cold compression can keep any skin irritation at bay that might surface after your first waxing appointment.
- Proper hydration will also go a long way since it’s key to maintaining the vitality of freshly healed skin.
- Avoid exposure to direct sunlight as much as possible. Apply sunscreen to the waxed area whenever you go out during the daytime.
- Always keep your skin adequately moisturized while preferring to opt for organic products.
Does Exposure to Direct Sunlight Affect a Tattoo in Any Way?
Constantly exposing your freshly tattooed skin to UV rays can damage the vividness of the ink. To prevent the tattoo from losing its vibrancy in such cases, you should consider using an SPF 30+ sunscreen that’s specifically formulated for inked skin.
These products usually include titanium oxide, zinc oxide, and other natural ingredients that ensure your tattoo doesn’t fade and remains bright and intact.
Moreover, if your tattooed skin gets sunburned due to UV exposure, it can cause you severe pain and irritation while prolonging your healing period significantly.
If that’s the case with you, we would suggest you consult with a dermatologist immediately.
How Long Should I Wait Before I Re-Wax My Tattoo?
If you’ve already waxed your tattoo once, you should consider a couple of factors before doing it again.
First, is your skin more sensitive than usual after waxing? Second, is there any irritation or redness around the inked spot that wasn’t there before?
If the answer to either of these questions is yes, then it might be better for you to ask for professional advice from a tattoo artist or a dermatologist before re-waxing the area soon.
However, if that’s not the case, and your skin is perfectly healed, you can re-wax as you did before getting your tattoo.
For example, if you waxed once a month before getting a tattoo, you can keep that routine without a second thought as long as there’s no ill reaction.
When Should I Consider Refreshing My Tattoo for Enhanced Colors?
Is your ink starting to look a bit shabby? It’s neither your tattoo artist’s fault and nor is it because of something you did.
So, you shouldn’t blame yourself for waxing a tattoo if that’s the case with you. All tattoos fade after a while, and all you require to regain their vividness is a touch-up.
As long as your ink is healed, you can decide when you want to get the tattoo refreshed. However, most people wait until after a year before thinking about asking for a touch-up.
That’s because it gives their skin time to heal and restore to its usual self, eliminating any chances of infection.
Summary: Dos and Don’ts of Waxing Over Tattoo
Hopefully, we’ve covered all your “Can I do waxing over my tattoo?” queries in this article with satisfying answers.
However, suppose you’re looking for a brief and precise overview regarding what we’ve established in this discussion so far.
In that case, you can refer to the following key points, using them as a pre and post-tattoo waxing checklist:
- Before getting a tattoo, you should get your skin waxed at least a week before the appointment.
- It’s safe to wax over a tattoo as long as the inked spot is fully healed and there’s no sensitivity.
- It would be best if you waited at least four to six weeks to wax your skin after getting your tattoo done.
- Waxing your tattoo wouldn’t dull its vibrancy in any way if you keep it out of direct sunlight.
- Apply sunscreen to the tattooed area whenever you go out during daylight until the ink is completely healed.
- Don’t touch, poke, or rub your tattooed skin since it leaves scars and even scrapes off some of the colors.
- Exposing your skin to chemically treated water is also a big no for freshly tattooed skin.
- Avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes when your tattoo is healing, so they have room to breathe and recover more quickly.
- Avoid exposing the tattooed area to too much sweat.
- Use organic moisturizers and sunscreens to hydrate your skin and keep your tattoos fresh.
- Never ask for a touch-up when your tattoo is still healing.
As long as you ensure you’re following the given guidelines, waxing your tattoo should never be a problem!