When Can You Shave After A Tattoo?

When Can I Shave Over a Tattoo? – After getting inked, you can’t shave over the area of your new tattoo until it’s fully healed. This could take two to three weeks. During this time, you need to keep your ink protected to allow it to heal properly, so shaving is out of the question. Every Gillette Styler comes with a ProGlide Razor Blade , which will help you to make sure your tattoo is left looking super smooth after its first shave. Keep it looking that way by signing up to Gillette’s shave club for fresh razors delivered to your door every few weeks. Remember: newer, sharper razors are always best for avoiding shaving cuts – the last thing you want to be worrying about spoiling your new tattoo.

Does shaving over a tattoo damage it?

Fashion When Can You Shave After A Tattoo Something like shaving your tattooed skin is an easy, cheap way to remove hair, and further expose your ink. However, there is one occasion where your tattoo artist will want you to ditch the razor. According to the artists at Hart and Huntington Tattoo Company in Orlando , you should skip shaving if your tattoo is new and still healing. During the healing process, your skin is very sensitive, and even considered an open wound.

  1. Shaving over the tattoo site will not only be painful, but it can also damage the tattoo itself;
  2. Give your skin anywhere from two weeks to a month to fully heal;
  3. This means no scabbing, peeling, or shininess on or around the tattoo site;

These are all signals that your skin is still healing, and that it isn’t safe to shave. However, after the tattoo has fully settled into your skin, shaving is completely fine. As shaving itself only removes hair from the outer layer of skin, your tattoo, located in the second layer of skin, won’t be harmed or damaged.

If anything, shaving can help with the appearance of your tattoo as it helps to remove any dead skin cells and hair that could be clouding the opacity of the ink. Keep your tattoo investments looking their best by giving your tattoos a little extra TLC.

That TLC can definitely involve shaving once the skin has healed. When it comes to shaving, be sure to use a hydrating liquid or gel to help keep the skin moisturized. According to StyleCaster. com, a moisturizing lather helps to give you a smoother shave without drying out your skin.

Can you shave over a healed tattoo?

Shaving after your tattoo has fully healed won’t damage it. Shaving doesn’t go beyond the outer layer of your skin, and the tattoo is safely settled in the second layer of the skin, once you give it enough time to heal. The skin around your new tattoo will be ultra-sensitive and sore until it’s healed.

What happens if you accidentally shave over a new tattoo?

The Final Takeaway – There is always a chance of irritation when a routine is interrupted, however, preparing the area by gently exfoliating and moisturizing a few days before getting a tattoo might minimize any ingrown hairs, irritation, or dry skin.

How do you tell when a tattoo is fully healed?

You will know that your tattoo is completely healed when there are no scabs, the texture of your skin where the tattoo was placed is the same as a similar surface of skin, and the colors on your tattoo are no longer faded.

How long after I get a tattoo can I shower?

Download Article Download Article You have a new tattoo, and you love it! Now you need to take proper care of it to keep your skin healthy and your tattoo looking nice. Because of the way the ink is applied, a fresh tattoo is an open wound, and you must take care to allow it to heal properly. Start by taking off the bandage the tattoo artist put on, and then clean your tattoo. You’ll need to follow the artist’s instructions for cleaning your tattoo 3 times a day for at least 2 weeks.

  1. 1 Listen to the tattoo artist about when to take off your bandage. Tattoos heal at different speeds, depending on things like your skin sensitivity and how big or deep the tattoo is. Your tattoo artist will tell you how long you should keep your bandage over your tattoo. [2]
    • If they don’t tell you, ask them.
    • When the artist finishes your tattoo, they will wash it off and treat it with an antiseptic. They will then apply a bandage to your tattoo, which will help keep bacteria away from it.
  2. 2 Wait 2-3 hours to take off the bandage if you’re not given a time period. If you forget to ask or can’t get a hold of the tattoo artist, a good waiting period is 2-3 hours. If your tattoo is really large, you can wait up to 6 hours. That gives your tattoo time to get over the initial shock before you shower.
    • Be sure to remove the bandage within the first day, as bacteria can breed in the moist environment underneath it. [3]
  3. 3 Remove the bandage applied by the tattoo artist before showering. Before touching the bandage, scrub your hands thoroughly. Wash them in warm water with soap for at least 20 seconds. Then, you can peel back the bandage that’s covering your tattoo. [4]
    • Don’t try to shower with the bandage in place. The water will soak into the bandage, and the bandage will hold it against your tattoo, which can introduce bacteria to it.
  4. 4 Take the bandage off in the shower if it’s sticking to your tattoo. Sometimes, the bandage will stick to the tattoo, which can be painful when you try to take it off. Run the bandage under indirect, warm water in the shower, which will help loosen the adhesive. Then move on to cleaning up your tattoo.
  1. 1 Wait up to 24 hours to shower. Talk to your tattoo artist about how long it’s best to wait. Generally, though, you can shower within the first 24 hours after getting your new ink.
    • Waiting 2 days gives your skin more time to form a barrier over the tattoo. [5]
  2. 2 Use lukewarm water. Hot water can make your tattoo sting, so it’s best to avoid it. Hot water too soon after getting a tattoo can also make you lose color from your tattoo, as it opens your pores, so it’s best to avoid it. [6]
    • Try running cold water on the tattoo for 30 seconds at the end of your shower to tighten your pores.
  3. 3 Turn the spray to gentle or keep your tattoo out of the spray. Don’t use a hard spray on your tattoo, as it can irritate it. If you only have a showerhead with a heavy spray, let the water run over the tattoo indirectly.
    • You can also use a clean cup or your hand to pour a gentle stream of water over your tattoo.

    EXPERT TIP Burak Moreno is a Professional Tattoo Artist with over 10 years of experience. Burak is based in New York City and is a tattoo artist for Fleur Noire Tattoo Parlour in Brooklyn. Born and raised in Istanbul, Turkey, he has worked as a tattoo artist throughout Europe. He works on many different styles but mostly does bold lines and strong color. Burak Moreno Tattoo Artist Keep your shower short, as well. When you first have a new tattoo, don’t take very long or very hot showers, and don’t take baths while it’s healing.

  4. 4 Use your hands to apply a mild, unscented soap to your tattoo. Any mild soap will do, including bar soap or liquid hand soap. You can use antibacterial soap if you prefer. Lather the soap in your hands, then apply it to the tattoo. [7]
    • Just rub it in gently with your fingers. Avoid using loofahs and sponges until the tattoo heals, as they can carry bacteria.
    • Your tattoo will likely have dried blood and other debris on it, which you need to remove. However, you should not scrub it, as that can irritate it.
  5. 5 Rinse the tattoo off gently with water. Once you rub the soap into your tattoo, pour water over it to rinse the soap off. If you need to, use your fingers to gently rub the soap off under the water. [8]
    • Hop out of the shower quickly. When in the shower, your tattoo comes in contact with steam, water, and soap. That can be painful and irritating for your tattoo, so avoid staying in the shower too long. Also, try to keep your tattoo out from under running water when washing the rest of your body for at least a week. [9]
  6. 6 Pat the tattoo dry with a clean, soft towel. Don’t rub the tattoo with the towel, as that could irritate it. Simply dab at the tattoo gently, until it’s dry. You may notice a little bit of blood, which is fine. [10]
    • You can use paper towels if you don’t have a newly cleaned towel on hand or if your usual bath towel leaves fibers on your skin. Dirty towels can introduce bacteria.
  1. 1 Wash your tattoo 3 times a day for the first week to keep it clean. While your tattoo is healing, you need to practice good hygiene to keep it from getting infected. Wash with a mild, unscented soap, and use your fingers to rub it in. Rinse it off gently with water. [11]
    • Pat it dry with a clean towel.
  2. 2 Use a moisturizing ointment on your tattoo once it’s dry. Pick one that’s scent-free and preferably hypoallergenic so it won’t irritate your tattoo. Gently rub it in with clean hands. [12]
    • Start with an ointment. You can try a lotion after a week or so.
  3. 3 Let your tattoo breathe by leaving the bandage off. Don’t re-bandage your tattoo once you’ve applied the moisturizer. You only need to keep a bandage on for the first day. After that, it’s better to let your tattoo get fresh air. [13]
  4. 4 Avoid getting in the tub while your tattoo is healing. Sitting a tub full of water can introduce bacteria to your tattoo. Stick to showers instead, which are less likely to introduce bacteria. [14]
  5. 5 Skip the swimming pool and lakes. Large bodies of water are teeming with bacteria, and you don’t want those bacteria getting in your tattoo. Wait until your tattoo is completely healed before you go swimming. [15]
    • Healing can take 45 days to 6 months, depending on the size and depth of your tattoo. [16]
    • You should also avoid going to the gym so that sweat and bacteria don’t build up on your skin.

Add New Question

  • Question I just got a finger tattoo, how can I shower with that? Kiara Hamed is a Tattoo Artist based in Dallas, Texas. She has over nine years of tattoo designing experience. She received her Tattoo Artist Certification in 2010 and a BS in Computer Information Systems from Clark University Atlanta in 2013. Tattoo Artist Expert Answer You can shower regularly; just be careful. Finger tattoos are hard because they get wet so often
  • Question Will my tattoo peel if I wash it on the second day after getting it done? Kiara Hamed is a Tattoo Artist based in Dallas, Texas. She has over nine years of tattoo designing experience. She received her Tattoo Artist Certification in 2010 and a BS in Computer Information Systems from Clark University Atlanta in 2013. Tattoo Artist Expert Answer The tattoo shouldn’t peel on the second day. If you see peeling, it could be your ink coming out.

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  • If a bath is the only way you are able to wash yourself, take as brief a bath as possible and wash your tattoo afterward.
  • Don’t soak the tattoo in the ointment. Put it on lightly so your tattoo is still able to breathe.
  • Avoid letting your tattoo soak in water until it heals.

How do you ruin a new tattoo?

Does body hair grow over tattoos?

The Hair Growing – Now, depending on the area on the body, the hair will either grow or it won’t grow. If the area didn’t have any hair before the tattoo, it won’t have hair after the tattoo, as one would assume. Some people think that tattoo healing promotes hair growth, but that is not true in cases where there hasn’t been any hair in the first place.

But, what about the areas where there was hair, and you had to shave it? Well, a simple answer is; yes, the hair will grow back, regardless of the tattoo! The hair may not grow as fast as it would usually do after a razor shave.

The skin is damaged after the tattooing process, so the focus of the body is on wound healing first. Therefore, the hair growth cycle may be delayed for a few days in certain body areas. What we mean by this is the following; If the tattooed area is extra hairy, the hair may take some time to get back to the hairiness and hair thickness it used to have.

Do tattoos affect hair growth?

More on it – Many people think that hair follicles are located in the dermis layer of the skin. However, the dermis layer of the skin, which is the second-deepest layer of skin, protects our bodies from infections and diseases, so it doesn’t make sense that hair follicles grow there.

  1. It’s understandable that people wonder, “do tattoos affect hair follicles?” and the short answer is that tattoos are not normally likely to affect the hair follicles nor prevent effective hair growth;
  2. Contrary to popular belief, tattoo ink pigments are known to be deposited in the dermis layer of your skin;

And the hair follicle roots are to be located even deeper down that. This is why tattoo ink is not directly supposed to affect hair follicles and hair growth. After you understand how hair follicles work and grow, you’ll know that tattoos don’t affect them.

  1. A single hair follicle is a complex structure made up of layers of epidermal cells;
  2. It extends from the dermis, this is known to be located in the epidermis skin layer;
  3. Roots of hair grow from the bottom of the follicle, quite deep in the dermis layer of the skin;

The roots consist of the protein cells cultivated by the blood vessels. The complete cycle of a cell growth is to promote proper hair growth. Hairs rise through the dermis as well as epidermis layers during its growth. When Can You Shave After A Tattoo.

Is it normal to not like your tattoo at first?

It’s not unusual for a person to change their mind after getting a tattoo. In fact, one survey says 75 percent of their 600 respondents admitted to regretting at least one of their tattoos. But the good news is there are things you can do before and after getting a tattoo to lower your chances of regret.

Can a tattoo heal in 2 weeks?

– The healing process is different for every person and tattoo. Most sources indicate that tattoos generally take about 2 weeks to heal. However, it may take up to 4 weeks for the skin to fully recover. Some complications may prolong the healing process. The following is what a person can typically expect.

Why is my tattoo fading after 3 days?

When Can You Shave After A Tattoo This is a bit of a trick question. The reason being, is that a tattoo “fades” to the naked eye within days of application. This occurs because as the skin heals, the top layer dies and new skin forms to take its place. During this period the epidermis typically has a faded appearance. However, this is a natural part of the tattoo healing process and as the peeling subsides and the dead skin falls away the design will once again look crisp and fresh.

Still, it won’t have that same deep dark tone as it did when your tattooist put his/her gun away. Anyone who has received a tattoo already knows this. But what you want to know now, is when can you expect a tattoo to fade in the longer term.

Let’s have a look.

How can I speed up my tattoo healing?

How do you ruin a new tattoo?

Can you grow hair over a tattoo?

The Hair Growing – Now, depending on the area on the body, the hair will either grow or it won’t grow. If the area didn’t have any hair before the tattoo, it won’t have hair after the tattoo, as one would assume. Some people think that tattoo healing promotes hair growth, but that is not true in cases where there hasn’t been any hair in the first place.

But, what about the areas where there was hair, and you had to shave it? Well, a simple answer is; yes, the hair will grow back, regardless of the tattoo! The hair may not grow as fast as it would usually do after a razor shave.

The skin is damaged after the tattooing process, so the focus of the body is on wound healing first. Therefore, the hair growth cycle may be delayed for a few days in certain body areas. What we mean by this is the following; If the tattooed area is extra hairy, the hair may take some time to get back to the hairiness and hair thickness it used to have.

Will hair removal cream damage a tattoo?

Creams – How do depilatories work? Depilatories contain ingredients that work by breaking the bonds of hair. The bonds give hair strength and structure, so when you break these bonds, the hair can easily be wiped away and removed. Why is it beneficial for the skin to use hair removal rather than razor shaving? Depilatory creams work by dissolving the hair just below the surface of the skin whereas shaving sharply cuts the hair off at the skin surface.

This means you’re not left with prickly stubble. Also, Nair™ products help moisturize and exfoliate your skin. Do depilatories also exfoliate? Yes, Nair™ products remove unwanted hair and exfoliate the skin’s surface.

How long do I have to wait between applications of Nair™ products? We advise that you wait at least 72 hours between applications. Will depilatories affect how my hair grows back? No, depilatories do not affect the rate your hair grows back, nor the thickness of the hair shaft.

Can I sunbathe after using Nair™ products? No. It is advised that you wait at least 24 hours before heading out into the sun. Always use a sunscreen. Does Nair™ depilatory have any effect on self-tanning products? Nair™ exfoliates skin in addition to removing hair, so using it before a self-tanning product will help you achieve an even tan.

Wait 24 hours between using Nair™ products and tanning. Can I use a depilatory cream on my skin if I have a cut or abrasion? No. It is advisable that your skin is clear from cuts or abrasions as you apply the cream. Can I use other grooming products or toiletries on my skin after using hair removal creams? (E.

Will a tattoo look better after it heals?

Aftercare – After the first month, your tattoo will look vibrant and fully healed. It’s easy to remember aftercare in the first few weeks, but it’s essential to keep it up for several months. Doing so will help the tattoo stay clean and look its best.