Can You Wax Over A Tattoo – Expert Advise

You might have thought about waxing to get rid of the unwanted hair on your body. It helps clear up the skin and makes your skin look vibrant. Your body art is a part of your skin, so you may want to get wax to make your tattoo look vibrant as well. But can you wax over a tattoo?

You might think about your hair getting in the way of your tattoo and obstructing wonderful art on your body. In that case, hair removal such as waxing could be your option. However, as the wax is ripped off your skin, you might wonder if it can harm the tattoo. It is important to know about waxing your tattoo, the different types of waxing you can do, and the care that you need to do for your tattoo to look its best after getting waxed!

Key Takeaways

• Waxing on your skin doesn’t permanently scar your body. It works on the surface skin layer to take away the hair and make the skin smooth and bright.
• Waxing over a fully healed tattoo is fine, but avoid waxing over a healing tattoo.
• Waxing is safe for tattoos because it does not affect or reach the second layer or dermis layer of your skin.
• Waxing for tattoos can be divided into 3 types, which are: cold waxing, hot waxing, and warm waxing treatment.
• The skin has to be prepared for the waxing session. If it is not, then make sure your skin is ready.
• Your tattoo would be benefited in various ways through the waxing.

Can You Wax Over Tattooed Skin

Waxing does not leave scar marks on the skin in general if you do it right. This means you can wax over a tattoo and your tattoo won’t be damaged. It can make your tattoo look brighter. But avoid waxing a healing tattoo, as it can get damaged by waxing.

You have to understand the tattoo healing process to understand why waxing may damage a healing tattoo. Healing tattoos are like an open wound and waxing over an open wound is not recommended. The surface of the wounded skin can not protect the ink residing under it during the waxing procedure. Waxing over tattoos is still healing and can damage in many ways,

such as:

That is why you should wait till the tattooed portion is healed. Healed tattoos can not get damaged by waxing. As you know, tattoo ink lies in the dermis skin layer and wax gets applied on the epidermis skin layer so it has no chance to conflict with any of them unless the epidermis skin layer is wounded.

If you are not sure that you have a fresh tattoo or a healed one, then contact your tattoo artist. They can tell if your tattoo has healed or not.

Whatever you do, do not wax over a new tattoo. You should wait around 1 month after getting the tattoo to get waxed just to be safe.

Why Is Waxing Safe For Tattooed Skin?

Waxing does not cut or leave scar marks on the skin. It is a great way to maintain your tattooed skin hygiene. But, what happens to your skin when you wax? why is waxing safe for tattooed skin?

Our skin has three layers. The top layer is called the epidermis. It protects the ink so that it does not get sucked out.

Underneath the epidermis is the dermis layer. It is the inner layer of our skin. The tattoo ink gets injected and then resides in this layer of skin.

And the third is hypodermis. Our body hair follicles reside in this skin layer. Your tattoo ink should not reach this skin layer or you will get a tattoo blowout.

When we wax, the wax substance lands on the epidermis skin layer. It removes all the hairs, groups of outer dead skin cells, and unwanted stuff from the skin. This is why it is safe to wax a healed tattoo. If you wax your skin that has a tattoo, you will get a smooth skin surface and a bright tattoo.

However, the waxed area eventually gets thick and hard. That’s why it’s better to maintain a waxing routine with appropriate time intervals and get it done by estheticians or professionals. Because they understand which waxing is suitable for your skin and tattoo.

Benefits of Waxing Your Tattoo

Waxing healed tattoos can provide a lot of benefits. The focal point here is, that it doesn’t damage the tattoo rather it enhances its overall look. Comparatively, there’s no use of harmful chemicals or objects like shaving.

• Waxing is directly applied on the skin’s surface. That’s why it doesn’t interrupt the inner layers of the skin that leave the tattoos and their colors untouched.
• It makes the skin smooth and the tattoo appears brighter and clean.
• Compared to other hair removal methods tattoo waxing serves a long-lasting result. For at least eight weeks you’d not see any hairs growing around your tattoo.
• Waxing is a gentler method that does not cause irritation or burn around the tattoo.
• Waxing helps prevent ingrown hairs. It is important around a tattoo where any bumps or irritation can negatively affect the appearance of the tattoo.
• Waxing your tattoo is quite easy and can be done at home.

However, you should still be careful about waxing over the tattoo. It could lead to taking off the skin which with repeated waxing could make the tattoo lighter and fade quickly over time.

3 Types of Waxing or Hair Removal Methods For Tattooed Skin

There are plenty of hair removal methods out there. In this portion, I have elaborated on the 3 most used hair removal or waxing methods you can use to remove any dead skin, dirt, and hair from your tattooed skin. You can ask your tattoo artist to make sure you can use these waxing methods as well. Because some sensitive skin may react negatively to certain waxing methods.

1. Cold Waxing

Cold waxing treatment can be the way to go if you do not like hot or warm waxing. However, it doesn’t serve precise results in most cases.

2. Hot Waxing

Hot waxing is applied at a heated temperature. If you can tolerate the heat then using hot waxing can be a great choice to wax over your bigger-sized tattoos.

You can get rid of all the dead skin cells from the skin and make the tattoo look fresh!

3. Warm Waxing

Lastly, is warm waxing. It is a great option for removing hair from tattooed skin. Other waxing methods like cold and hot, this warm waxing doesn’t damage the tattoo and its colors. And you can remove the dead skin cells without any issues. Cirépil wax is a warm tattoo wax that is known to be the best wax for tattoos.

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Time to Wait After Getting a Wax Before Getting a Tattoo

Does not matter what sort of skin you have, you will get a little skin sensitivity after getting waxed. You should wait 3 to 4 days after getting a wax to get yourself a tattoo. This 3 to 4 days time length should be enough for your skin to heal from the slight irritation or trauma your skin went through during the waxing procedure.

If you have sensitive skin then you may need to wait longer to get a tattoo after getting waxed.

Prepping Your Skin for Waxing Before a Tattoo

If you are wondering if you can wax before getting a tattoo, then the answer is, yes you can! What you may not be thinking of is that waxing a few days before your tattoo appointment may actually be beneficial.

There are many tattoo artists out there who actually recommend getting waxed before getting a tattoo. It can help with the preparation for the tattooing procedure. Because the tattooed area must be clean and hairless for precise and perfect tattooing.

Here are some ways you can prep your skin for waxing before a tattoo:

1. Hair length

Firstly, ensure your skin has the amount of hair that is required to get waxing. The hairs have to be at least ¼ inch long.

If the hair on your skin is not 1/4 inch yet then it is better to wait. If the length is not proper the waxing wouldn’t work. The wax will be unable to attach to the hair follicle appropriately.

2. Exfoliation

Another important thing you must make sure you exfoliate before you get waxed for your tattoo. It is recommended to exfoliate two days before waxing.

Exfoliation clears and prepares the skin surface for waxing. It removes extra oil and dead skin and shields against ingrown hairs which might cause problems while tattooing.

3. Keeping your skin clean

Try to keep your skin clean by using antibacterial soap and moisturizing. Avoid using excessive substances. It’ll cluster over your skin which won’t let the wax sit properly on your skin.

4. Staying hydrated

Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated. Avoid alcohol and caffeine before you prepare your skin to wax for a tattoo as drinking these will dehydrate the skin.

5. Sun protection

Lastly, keep your skin protected. Don’t go out in the sun before you prepare your skin to get waxed. The UV ray causes skin burns. It can impact your skin negatively. It makes the skin dry and irritated.

So, it is better to stay home one day before your waxing session and ensure proper skin rest.

Skincare: After You Wax Over Your Tattoo For Sensitive Skin

Our skin is the most tender and sensitive portion of our whole body. And if you have sensitive skin then waxing can make it even more delicate. You have to take proper care of your sensitive skin after getting waxed. An ideal skincare routine can ensure the longevity of your tattoo as well.

After getting waxed, make sure to keep the skin clean by washing it twice a day. Choose a soap that does not irritate your skin. Avoid using hot water for about 2 days as hot water can increase the sensitivity. Washing can leave your skin dry, so don’t forget to moisturize your skin. Any moisturizing lotion that does not contain harmful chemicals can be used after wax.

You should avoid wearing tight clothing for a few days and avoid exposing your skin to sunlight. That’s about it, if you follow these simple things your sensitive skin and the tattoo both will be fine after getting waxed.

Final Thoughts

After all these discussions, you can see that waxing over tattoos is completely fine. However, a few things you should consider before getting waxed are the condition of the skin, the healing stage of the tattoo, etc. Getting wax over a tattoo is harmless as long as the tattoo is completely healed.

Waxing on a tattoo is not a complicated process. You can do it by yourself at home. Depending on the circumstances professional help is always recommended.

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